(Austin) - Texas Comptroller Susan Combs today announced she has promoted her Special Advisor Sarah Whitley to the position of Senior Advisor to the Comptroller. Whitley will continue to advise the Comptroller on state issues and agency policy, and she will assume a new role as Combs' external relations liaison with associations, business groups, advocacy organizations and business leaders around the state.

"I have the highest confidence in Sarah Whitley," Combs said. "She is a highly professional, project ? oriented, tireless leader who has enhanced our strategic planning and has been an enormous asset in numerous initiatives the agency has undertaken during the past year."

Whitley will lead external relations, ensuring various customer groups understand the policies and programs of the Comptroller's office and are aware of the opportunities for assistance the agency offers. She will monitor customer service and business relations, manage the flow and exchange of information and streamline interactions with key constituents. Her responsibilities also include strategic planning and driving external relations initiatives.

"Sarah will work with me to change business-as-usual," Combs said. "With all the bright and creative people in the business community and in state government ? and with ever-expanding technology at our disposal ? we have many exciting opportunities to create partnerships, share information and streamline processes to better serve Texans."

Whitley graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001. She has worked on Combs' advisory team for nearly seven years.