Tracy Schmaler, deputy Director for the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, will be promoted to director when the current chief, Matt Miller, leaves next week.
Attorney General Holder praised Schmaler’s experience and welcomed her to the position in a statement Wednesday.
“Tracy has done an outstanding job as a member of the department’s senior leadership for the past two and a half years, and I look forward to her continued advice and counsel as she takes on this new assignment,” Holder said. “With background as a reporter and time on Capitol Hill, she brings invaluable experience and perspective to the issues the department faces day in and out.”
Schmaler has served as the deputy director since since the beginning of the Obama administration, and she previously worked on the Senate Judiciary Committee for Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Before that she was a reporter for the Vermont Press Bureau.
Miller announced his decision to leave the department for the private sector last month, but didn’t discuss his future plans.
“It’s been a real privilege to be here,” Miller said.
