Tom Perez announced today new communications leadership at the DNC as he restructures the organization.  He has brought on board Xochitl Hinojosa as Communications Director and Michael Tyler as National Press Secretary. He also announced that Adrienne Watson has been promoted from National Press Secretary to Deputy Communications Director. Departing Communications Director John Neffinger will continue as a senior advisor on special projects.
 
“A critical function of this organization is to hold Donald Trump and Republicans accountable while communicating the values of our party. Xochitl, Adrienne and Michael will do exactly that,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. “The DNC must do a better job of communicating our message and be a meaningful partner with organizations, candidates and state parties in all 50 states and the territories. We have a lot of work to do, but we're ready to take on this challenge as we continue to build a strong, diverse team.”
 
Xochitl Hinojosa will serve as Communications Director where she will oversee the communications operation for the DNC. She will help Perez and Democrats on an overall strategy to not only hold Trump accountable and communicate how his policies hurt the American people, but she will also work on a strategy to communicate a proactive message of economic opportunity and Democratic values.  She will lead the effort in revamping the communications shop to reflect the new administration and the needs of the Democratic party. Xochitl is a long-time aide to Tom Perez, serving as his communications director for his race for DNC chair and in several communications roles at the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor. She has over 10 years of communications experience and most recently worked for Hillary Clinton's campaign as well as in the U.S. Senate for progressive Senator Brian Schatz. 
 
Adrienne Watson will serve as Deputy Communications Director to manage the day-to-day of the communications shop that will include the Trump war room as well as the relationships with national reporters. Prior to the DNC, Watson served as a lead spokesperson on issues related to Donald Trump for Hillary for America. Watson previously directed a strategic communications shop defending Hillary Clinton from right-wing attacks, and before that handled national press for U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and Congressman Baron Hill.
 
Michael Tyler will serve as National Press Secretary and the main spokesperson for DNC chair Tom Perez, DNC officers, and DNC operations.  Michael will also manage coalitions media. Before serving as Press Secretary for Perez's bid for DNC chair, Michael worked as Communications Director for Russ Feingold's U.S. Senate race. He has also served as the DNC’s Director of African American Media and the Southern Regional Press Secretary with focus on voting rights and ballot access issues. In addition, Michael was Michelle Nunn's Press Secretary in her 2014 bid for U.S. Senate in Georgia.