Movin' On Up...

We'd like to periodically salute government communicators who have recently received promotions or appointments, as well as post job opportunities in the field. If you have any news of this nature to share, e-mail me at gthomas@mlgw.org.

NAGC congratulates our fellow communicators in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve who were recently selected for promotion:

To the rank of Lieutenant Commander (active duty)

LT Charity Hardison, Naval Service Training Command

LT Zach Harrell, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

LT Paul Macapagal, CHINFO

LT Stephanie Murdock, U.S. Strategic Command

To the rank of Lieutenant Commander (Navy Reserve)

LT Kristine Garland, Naval War College (also a Booz Allen Hamilton contractor with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center)
LT Ralph Hooper, Joint Public Affairs Support Element
LT Heather Paynter, CHINFO

To the rank of Mass Communications Specialist Chief Petty Officer (Navy Reserve)

MCC (Sel) Johnny Michael, Fleet Forces Command

MCC (Sel) Wendy Wyman, Expeditionary Combat Camera

MCC (Sel) Eric Beauregard, Expeditionary Combat Camera

MCC (Sel) Oscar Troncoso, Expeditionary Combat Camera

As our Navy friends say, “BRAVO ZULU!” Congratulations!

Secretary Panetta Announces Appointments to Key Defense Public Affairs Posts

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently announced the appointment of two well-known and respected government communications professionals to key Department of Defense public affairs positions.

George Little, who served as director of public affairs during Panetta's tenure as CIA director, moves to the Pentagon to be deputy assistant secretary of defense/press secretary.

Capt. John Kirby, currently special assistant for public affairs for Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will become deputy assistant secretary of defense/spokesman and director of media operations.

Kirby and Little will fill top slots in the department's Office of Public Affairs, headed by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Doug Wilson, the department's senior communicator.

"I am honored that these two talented individuals have decided to join my team and serve our department and our country," said Panetta. "I look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead."