Michele Perez Exner, an experienced communications executive and an honored veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, will join CBS News as Communications Director for the Washington, D.C. bureau and FACE THE NATION. Exner will start July 5 and report to Christa Robinson, Senior Vice President of Communications, CBS News.

In her new position, Exner will handle communications for CBS News journalists based in the Capitol, breaking news generated from the region, and for FACE THE NATION, the Network’s Sunday morning public affairs program and one of the nation’s longest-running television broadcasts.

“I look forward to utilizing my Capitol Hill and Marine Corps public affairs experience to support the CBS News brand and showcase the journalism of the Network’s anchors and correspondents,” Exner said.

“Michele’s background in political communications combined with her experience handling public relations for the Marines will be of enormous value to the CBS News D.C. bureau,” said Robinson. “We are fortunate to have someone with Michele’s range of experience joining our team.”

Prior to joining CBS News, Exner was press secretary for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, where she handled communications for the South Carolina politician’s efforts on tax cut policy, television appearances, communications strategies and more.

Before becoming part of Scott’s team, Exner spent eight years in the U.S. Marines, as a communications, marketing and advertising expert, an instructor and a public affairs officer.

From 2014 to 2016, Exner served as the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), Director of Marketing and Advertising based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Earlier, she managed a team of 10 as the public affairs officer stationed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. During her military career, Exner also authored public affairs guidance packages used by officers preparing for interviews, including an appearance at the Pentagon Press Briefing Room. She also launched, refined and executed a $1.6 million, multi-platform advertising budget. Exner was the co-author of a comprehensive publication designed for interested MARSOC candidates, which has been downloaded more than 10,000 times.

Exner is a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. She earned a master’s in leadership, education and development from the University of Maryland in 2012. She also attended the Defense Information School, Public Affairs Officer Course in 2008.

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