NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam's director of communications is leaving to become a communications consultant in the private sector.

As the administration's top communications official, Alexia Poe has been a senior adviser and strategist to the governor, cabinet, senior staff and state departments.

She has served in the nation's capital both in the White House for first lady Laura Bush and on Capitol Hill as communications director for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Before heading to Washington, Poe served five years in the administration of Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist during which time she became the second female and youngest person in the state's history to serve as press secretary to a Tennessee governor.

Poe's last day is Aug. 21.