NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee native Katie Hill has been hired on as the new communications director for former President Barack Obama.

The Tennessean newspaper reports that Hill is a former spokeswoman for Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville, and had for two years as an assistant White House press secretary until January. Since then, Hill has been a consultant for Protect Our Care, an organization fighting Republican efforts to repeal Obama's health care law.

The 36-year-old graduated from high school in Nashville in 2000 and has been working for Obama since August. In her new position, Hill works alongside about a dozen people on Obama's staff. Hill works with the Obama Foundation, manages public events and speeches and will help coordinate the release of a new book by the former president.