Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker Friday announced the appointment of 11 new members of his staff, including Ester Hunter as senior advisor to the mayor and Yolanda Francisco-Nez as coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Human Rights.

Hunter previously worked as senior advisor to Becker during his mayoral campaign. Her professional experience includes 30 years in senior executive management positions at Novell, IBM and AT&T. Hunter also owned and operated a private consulting practice since 1998. She has served as a member of the East Central Community executive board, the Historic Landmarks Commission, as Community Development/Land Use chairwoman and a founding member of the Community Coalition for Orderly Development.

Francisco-Nez has served in the mayor's office under Rocky Anderson since 2000, most recently as the internship program coordinator. She was vice president of Cal Nez Design for 14 years and president and advisor to the Native American Celebration in the Park. She also served as chairwoman of the Indian Education Parent Committee in Jordan School District and is the founder of the nationwide Dineh Women's Book Club.

Other appointments announced Friday were Helen Langan as deputy communications director, Michael Stott and Joyce Valdez as community liaisons, Bianca Shreeve as executive assistant to the mayor, Steven Borg and Wen Walters as administrative assistants, Charlene Sylvester as office manager, Paulene Peck as need-line administrator and Abbie Vianes as coordinator of the Salt Lake City Mayor's Coalition on Alcohol.

"I am extremely pleased with the caliber of staff we have assembled to work in my administration," Becker said. "I believe they represent an ideal balance of institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives. Many of them have worked in previous administrations and are active community members with outside expertise and professional credentials to offer the mayor's office."

Becker had previously announced David Everitt as his chief of staff, Karen Hale as director of communications and Ben McAdams as senior advisor for intergovernmental affairs.