NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has named David Smith as his communications director.

Smith has been the Republican governor's press secretary since he took office in 2011, and was Haslam's spokesman during the 2010 governor's race. He succeeds Alexia Poe, who left in August to become a private communications consultant.

In his new position, Smith will be in charge of both internal and external communications for the Haslam administration. The Cabinet-level job pays $110,000 per year.

Smith, 36, is a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and previously worked as a staff writer for National Journal's Hotline and as a reporter for the San Mateo Daily News and The San Francisco Examiner.