Angie Basiouny, who spent the previous five years covering New Castle County for The News Journal, has been tapped by County Executive Chris Coons as his new communications director.
Basiouny, 39, will take over for C.R. McLeod on Jan. 25. McLeod, 32, will take a new position as a Community Services administrator.
A Florida native, Basiouny graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in political science from West Florida. She spent eight years at the The News Journal, first as an assistant editor and then as a reporter.
"I dedicated my life to journalism - it's all I've done for the last 20 years - but my industry is contracting and changing and it was time for me to make a change too," Basiouny said. "I'm looking forward to participating in democracy in a different kind of role."
Basiouny will earn $70,400 in her new position. McLeod's $68,900 salary will remain the same in his new position.