Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. announced Friday that Brian Hyer will be his new deputy director of communications.

Hyer, currently the public information officer for the state Division of Homeland Security, will succeed Jami Palmer.

Palmer has worked for Huntsman since his campaign and served as his executive assistant before joining the communications staff. She is leaving to work as a reporter for KTVX Channel 4 and as a national director for the Children's Miracle Network, a job she intends to keep after a planned move to Iowa next year.

Huntsman said he has seen Hyer's "work ethic and dedication in action and am happy to have him join our team."

Before Hyer joined the homeland security division a year ago, he was an assignment editor and documentary producer at KSL Channel 5.

The governor said Palmer "has been an integral part of this office since we arrived."