Raleigh, N.C. — The Wake County Public School System's former superintendent has recruited the school system's chief communications officer to lead communication and outreach for the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Transportation Secretary Tony Tata announced Wednesday that Cris Mulder will serve as deputy secretary of internal and external affairs, beginning March 11.

"Cris will be a tremendous asset to our department and the state of North Carolina as we work to better communicate with our citizens and improve customer service," Tata said in a statement. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the private and public sectors and a unique blend of marketing and community engagement skills."

Tata, who was Wake schools' superintendent from January 2011 to September 2012, hired Mulder in 2011 to serve as chief of Family and Community Engagement.

She has led numerous community outreach efforts, most notably educating parents about the district's student assignment plan, which was overhauled last year.

Prior to Wake schools, Mulder spent nearly 15 years working in corporate roles for companies such as Microsoft, Sony Ericsson, AT&T Wireless and the Research Triangle Park Foundation.