MIAMI—David Duckenfield, currently president of Balsera Communications, has been appointed deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of State. Duckenfield will lead the State Department's public liaison and domestic outreach efforts and will seek to broaden understanding of American values by communicating with both the American people and global audiences.

Duckenfield has been a partner at Balsera Communications since 2007, and led the firm's public relations practice, representing clients such as the National Museum of the American Latino Commission and United Healthcare. Balsera Communications was also part of the team that managed Hispanic media outreach efforts for the 2008 Obama for President campaign.

Prior to Joining Balsera, Duckenfield directed Latin America and US Hispanic PR efforts for Yahoo! and managed the National Basketball Association's communications outreach in Latin America and the US Hispanic market. He began his career as a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Information Agency.