WASHINGTON, DC—US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has appointed George Little, who served as director of public affairs during Panetta's tenure as CIA director, as deputy assistant secretary of defense and press secretary at the Pentago. In addition, Capt. John Kirby, currently special assistant for public affairs for Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will become deputy assistant secretary of defense/spokesman and director of media operations. Kirby and Little will fill top slots in the department's office of public affairs, headed by assistant secretary of defense for public affairs Doug Wilson, the department's senior communicator.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Naval shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries has appointed Rebecca "Beci" Brenton to the position of corporate director of public affairs. Brenton, who works in HII's Washington, DC, office, serves as chief spokesperson for HII and directs all public affairs activities for the corporation, reporting to Jerri Fuller Dickseski, corporate vice president of communications. Prior to joining HII, Brenton served six years as special assistant for public affairs for the Office of the Secretary of the Navy.

SANTA ROSA, CA—Redwood Credit Union has named Mark Chapman as its new assistant vice president of marketing and communications. Chapman will manage the credit union’s marketing, public relations, nonprofit community relations, brand management, online marketing, and communications programs. He served most recently as SVP/director of marketing and corporate communications for Tamalpais Bank.

FALLS CHURCH, VA—CSC, a leader in providing technology-enabled business solutions and services, has appointed Michaela Lowe as director of corporate industry analyst relations, reporting to Sarah Martin, vice president, corporate communications, and directing the company’s global analyst relations function and team. She joins CSC from HP where she worked as director of global corporate industry analyst relations. Previously, she was global head of consultant and industry analyst relations for BT Global Services.

GREEN BAY, WI—The Green Bay Packers have named Jason Wahlers as director of public relations. Wahlers, a Green Bay native, joins the Packers after nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was public relations manager. His other experience includes work with NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals and the Denver Broncos.