POTSDAM – A former public relations director for a hospital in Pennsylvania is joining Canton-Potsdam Hospital as director of corporate communications.

Randy Ferguson brings more than 17 years of experience in writing, public relations, communications, and marketing management.

He spent most of his career as director of communications for tool manufacturer Channellock, Inc. of Meadville, Pa.

More recently, he was director of marketing and public relations at Edgewood Surgical Hospital in Greenville, Pa., and before that, director of public relations and marketing at Jameson Health System in New Castle, Pa. At both hospitals, Ferguson was responsible for planning, prioritizing, and managing strategic marketing initiatives, media and government relations, community relations activities, social media, and websites.

Ferguson will work with senior leadership and leadership staff on a communications plan.

Other areas of responsibility are public information and government relations; working with advertising agencies to promote hospital services, managing brand identity, the hospital’s social media, and website elements; and participating in community development, health and wellness activities.

Ferguson has been an active volunteer through service as a member of the board of directors for several chambers of commerce, advisory committees, non-profit and education organizations. He is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance outdoor writer. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Monica, and their three children.