Former Spa City mayor takes post with public relations firm

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

Then-Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen delivers her State of the City address in January 2016.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Former Mayor Joanne Yepsen has accepted a job with Mercury, a New York City-based public relations company.

Yepsen, who did not run for re-election to the mayor’s post last year after serving two terms, is joining as a senior vice president, according to a prepared statement by Mercury.

“Mayor Yepsen proved in office that she gets things done and will bring that same energy and determination to Mercury,” Mercury Partner Michael McKeon said in the prepared statement.

Yepsen said she will start in the new position later this month and is looking forward to continuing to work on issues that interest her on a bigger scale, including housing, arts, women’s equality and economic development.

“I looked at a lot of different options, and I felt like Mercury was a great match for me because they’re going to permit me to continue to work on important issues in New York state and beyond,” she said. “I’ll be serving a variety of clients and still doing good.”

Yepsen said she is staying in the Saratoga Springs community, which she served for 12 years, including eight as a Saratoga County supervisor representing the city on the county Board of Supervisors.

“As mayor, you’re making important decisions every day, which is what I’ll be doing for my clients,” she said. “It’s going to segue very nicely to enable me to utilize the contacts I’ve made throughout my time in public service.

“I’m very excited about moving forward and continuing to work on issues that Saratogians care about, as well as the greater Capital Region and New York.”