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By Robert Strenge, WSU News Service

Tinney

PULLMAN – Two current WSU communications professionals have been named to executive director positions within WSU’s Office of University Relations as a result of the scheduled July 1 retirement of Barbara Petura, associate vice president of organizational and internal communications.

 

James Tinney, director of the WSU News Service for the past seven years, has been named executive director of internal communications and chief communications officer for WSU President Elson S. Floyd.

 

Darin Watkins, who has served as a communications officer with the College of Veterinary Medicine for the past six years, has been named executive director of external communications.

 

Watkins

WSU Vice President for University Relations Tim Pavish said the reorganization also will generate considerable savings to the university due to the elimination of the associate vice president position upon Petura’s retirement and Watkins' former position within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

“We’re fortunate to be able to address the university's communications needs by drawing on the skills of two veteran WSU communicators,” said Pavish. “Given the on-going importance of our communications activities, I am extremely pleased that James and Darin will be bringing their considerable professional experience to the challenge.”

 

Tinney, a veteran newspaper reporter and editor who took over management of the WSU News Service in 2003 after serving in a similar capacity at Indiana University, will be responsible for all WSU internal communications, including “WSU Today.”  He will also continue to provide important communication support for the Office of the President as its chief communications officer.

 

A graduate of WSU’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Watkins has worked as an academic-unit communications officer at the university for the past six years and has more than 25 years of professional broadcast experience as a news reporter and anchor. He will take over management of the WSU News Service and “Washington State Magazine.”

 

Tinney and Watkins will step into their new positions on March 8.

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