CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corker has named Micah Johnson as his new communications director.

Johnson replaces Tara DiJulio in the senior management position in Corker's office. DiJulio is leaving after nearly a decade in the Senate to join General Electric.

Johnson first worked as an intern before being named as Corker's press secretary. She left that position in January to become a regional spokeswoman for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's presidential campaign.

Corker in a statement called Johnson "one of the most conscientious and dedicated people that I have ever been around and someone who works relentlessly to serve Tennesseans."

Johnson graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2010 with a degree in marketing and international business. She returns to Corker's office on Monday.