Linda Thompson has been named New Hanover County's chief diversity and equity officer, according to a news release.

Thompson will begin her new role within the county's newly established Office of Diversity and Equity on Aug. 25, officials said. 

She is currently the public affairs officer for the Wilmington Police Department, where she coordinates media relations and public communications, as well as provides staff support for the department's chief of police.

“I am overjoyed with the opportunity to serve my community on an even greater scale,” Thompson said in the release. “Throughout my 25 years of service with the City of Wilmington, I have been blessed to work with some phenomenal people from all walks of life. They have taught me the value of differences and how every individual is unique in their own way. My desire is to bring these experiences to this new position and help tighten the fabric of our ever-growing community.”

The county's new Office of Diversity and Equity aims to support diversity, inclusion, fairness, and respect, officials said in the release.

“I am pleased to have Ms. Thompson join our team and lead this important department for the county,” said New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet in the release. “She is passionate and has done outstanding work across and for our community over the past two decades. She is a trusted voice and leader, and I am confident she will be able to build valuable relationships and help bring about much-needed change to help ensure access, equity and inclusion for every single person in New Hanover County.”

She was recently named as the diversity and inclusion officer for the police department. She has worked with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Division to "establish diversity and inclusion training for the City of Wilmington and has developed a Conflict Management and Resolution curriculum for more than 500 individuals and churches," stated the release.

Thompson is a certified implicit bias trainer and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and broadcasting and a master’s degree in conflict management and resolution. She earned both degrees from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.