Chief of staff and spokeswoman for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) through the 2011 Tucson shooting has been named to the top public affairs slot at the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.
Carusone |
Pia Carusone was Giffords’ top staffer for three years before and after the January 2011 shooting that killed six, including a Giffords staff member, and injured 19.
Carusone was appointed assistant secretary for public affairs to advise Secretary Janet Napolitano on strategic and internal communications and oversee the PA operation which serves as the lead information office during national emergencies and disasters.
Matt Chandler, who had been acting assistant secretary for PA at the DHS, was named director of communications.
Sean Smith, a former aide to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), resigned from the top PA slot for a senior VP post at Porter Novelli in April 2011 .