Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. filled two more key positions in his new administration on Wednesday by naming a press secretary and a legislative liaison who will also handle constituent services.

When Huntsman takes office on Jan. 3, his press secretary will be Tammy Kikuchi, a former radio and television reporter for KSL who has also served as the director of community and government relations for West Valley City.

Mike Mower will take the newly created position as the governor's lead lobbyist and link to constituents. Mower is currently the community and government relations director for Provo, a job he's held since 2000.

"Tammy and Mike both have great backgrounds of private and public service experience that will serve our new administration well," Huntsman said.

Kikuchi is the executive director of The First Tee, a nonprofit organization created to help Utah children through golf. Earlier this year, the organization announced it had received a $100,000 grant to build a practice facility at the Jordan River Parkway Par 3 golf course.

She also has experience with the issue that was at the core of Huntsman's campaign, economic development. Kikuchi was vice president of marketing and communications for the nonprofit Economic Development Corp. of Utah.

Mower, an attorney, said he's looking forward to continuing to work with the Legislature as well as with the governor's constituents. Details of the new position are still being worked out, and Mower will not leave his Provo post until the end of the year.

"I enjoy working with the Legislature," he said. "I've done similar work for Congressman Chris Cannon, in overseeing work with the Utah Legislature and constituent services and that's been one of my primary areas of focus in Provo City."

Mower managed Cannon's 1994 campaign and served as the 3rd District congressman's first district director. He also was the spokesman for former Gov. Mike Leavitt during his successful 2000 re-election bid.

The pair will join four other top aides to the new governor selected last month — Jason Chaffetz, chief of staff; Chris Roybal, senior adviser for economic development; Neil Ashdown, deputy chief of staff for policy; and current state budget director, Richard Ellis.

Other key staff positions yet to be announced include the governor's legal counsel.

In November, Huntsman named a large group of volunteers as advisers to his transition effort. The group is reviewing the work done by state agencies and recommending who should be appointed to head them.

The Transition Advisory Committee findings are due by mid-December.

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