Sonja M. Hall has signed on as the new Director and Cham-ber Communications Manager for the Media Center for Tacoma-Pierce County.

As Director of the Media Center for Tacoma-Pierce County, Hall networks with area communications professionals to promote regional, national, and international media relations and positive attributes of Tacoma and Pierce County for purposes of supporting economic growth and development.

Hall took over the position on July 15 after an intensive three-month search. Her new job operates under the administration of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce and holds a dual role that also serves to manage the communications division of the Chamber and its publications. Roughly 60 candidates made up the pool of applicants.

“We had a strong pool of applicants with a broad range of work and educational experiences,” said Chamber President and CEO David Graybill. “We feel Sonja brings a fresh set of eyes and whole-hearted enthusiasm to her position and to the community. She supports a synergetic team approach to the promotion of Tacoma and Pierce County and will do a great job representing both the Media Center and the Chamber.”

Hall is a recent graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma and holds a bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in mass communications, and an associate degree in paralegal studies. Her background also includes eight years of business management and ownership experience and she has worked as the managing editor for UW Tacoma’s regional award winning newspaper and as an editor for their national award winning literary arts magazine.

“I’m honored to serve Tacoma-Pierce County at a time when substantial growth and revitalization takes place. Our community is rich with history and has a well-rounded mix of culture, tourism and business,” Hall said. “I truly believe that Tacoma and Pierce County are the best-kept secrets in Washington. I hope to bring a fresh perspective to my position, but mostly I am simply excited to be a part of the promotional efforts for a community I love.”

The Media Center was founded in 1998 as a multi-year effort with both public and private support to assure continuity and long-term media coverage and awareness for Tacoma and Pierce County.