WASHINGTON -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration today announced the appointment of Karen G. Kraushaar as communications director.

Kraushaar joins TIGTA from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent agency within the Internal Revenue Service, where she was a senior communications analyst.

In her new capacity, Kraushaar will oversee TIGTA's outreach to Congress, the media, and the public. She replaces Li-Yun Chien, who served as acting communications director for seven months beginning in July 2009. Chien resumes her position as an information technology security specialist within TIGTA's Office of Mission Support.

"Communications is an important cornerstone in TIGTA's ongoing effort to build a system of Federal tax administration that is a model of integrity, efficiency and effectiveness," said Inspector General J. Russell George. "I am extremely grateful to Li for her dedicated service in this role and I welcome Karen's contribution as we move our communications effort strategically into the future," he added.

Prior to joining TAS in 2003, Kraushaar served as a public affairs specialist at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Kraushaar also worked as director of media relations for the National Restaurant Association and as a reporter, Washington correspondent and editor for various media outlets, including Thomson Newspapers, States News Service and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

She received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a master's degree from the University of Michigan.