The elevated role recognizes the importance of communications as a means of powering community cohesion and resilience, promoting Minneapolis and the work and people of City government locally and beyond, and protecting the City and its residents against misinformation and other forms of injustice. A native of Minneapolis and East Harriet resident since 2017, Fetcher comes to the City with deep experience in business, government, and politics, having served as an executive for leading brands like Patagonia and Rivian, and a senior communications official in the Obama administration.
"Adam brings vision, sophistication, and real-world experience to how we think about our city—and how we tell its story,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Too often, the loudest and most divisive issues dominate the conversation. Adam will help us shine a light on the everyday progress happening across Minneapolis and the incredible City staff who make it happen. We’re proud to welcome him as our first-ever Chief Communications Officer and look forward to the positive impact he’ll make in our city."
“I’m honored at the opportunity to come back to public service at a time when that entire concept is under attack – and I’m proud to do so on behalf of the city I love and where my daughters will grow up,” said Fetcher. “Local government is a vital bulwark against hate and divisiveness, and, when we work together and keep focused on our wide swaths of agreement, Minneapolis can lead the nation as a pinnacle of progressive ingenuity and inclusivity.”
“I’m grateful for Mayor Frey’s commitment to using communications as a tool to better meet the needs of our residents, especially those who feel left behind or feel a lack of trust in government,” Fetcher continued. “I will work with my talented new colleagues to make people’s relationship with their city more effective, more engaging, and more meaningful in every zip code across Minneapolis.”
Fetcher joins the City from his consulting agency, Big Future Mission & Message, which he co-founded in Minneapolis in 2024. A graduate of Carleton College, he started his career as a journalist in the Twin Cities’ first-ring suburbs before embarking in a career in politics and government, serving as Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior and Assistant Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during the Obama administration – roles that put him at the center of major emergency management efforts from extreme weather to Super Bowls to the BP Oil Spill response. Fetcher transitioned to business in 2014, joining California-based outdoor apparel brand Patagonia as Director of Global Communications & PR, followed by leadership roles at Lyft, New Belgium Brewing, and Rivian. He lives in Ward 13 with his wife, Christine, and two young daughters.