U.S. Sen. Mark Begich announced today the hiring of life-long Alaskan Amy Miller as his new press secretary. Miller will replace Julie Hasquet, who is leaving Begich’s office to work for BP-Alaska.

Born in Fairbanks, Miller has worked the past 15 years in journalism and public relations in Alaska, including as a reporter for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and with the public relations agencies Thompson & Co. and Bernholz & Graham. Most recently she has served as the vice president of Thompson & Co., specializing in writing and editing, media relations and crisis communications.

“Amy’s knowledge of Alaska, the media, our issues and people across the state will be
of enormous value to our press team, and I look forward to getting her on board,” Begich said. “A strong writer with excellent communications skills, she will be a great asset in helping us get the word out on all of the important issues, programs, and legislation we work on every day for Alaska.”

Miller graduated from Western State College of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in journalism. In addition to her Alaska work, she also served as director of communications at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington from January 2006-May 2007.

Miller will officially join the Begich team on September 26. Until then, media should continue to contact Sen. Begich’s deputy press secretary, Devon Kearns, atdevon_kearns@begich.senate.gov or (202) 224-9578.