Nashville, Tennessee --- A new face, familiar to viewers in the Nashville television market, has become spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Mike Browning is the new Public Information Officer effective November 6 th . Browning spent more than three years as a reporter for WKRN-TV, the ABC affiliate in the Music City . Prior to making his home in Tennessee, Browning served as a reporter in Hartford, Connecticut, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Little Rock, Arkansas, Topeka, Kansas and Peoria, Illinois. He has also anchored in the Tulsa, Oklahoma and Springfield/Decatur/Champaign, Illinois markets.

His television news career includes lengthy experience as a political and government reporter. He spent five years as the State Capital reporter covering the Clinton Administration in Little Rock for KTHV-TV. Browning's broadcasting awards from the Society of Professional Journalists include recognition for producing, writing and delivering an hour-long documentary on Hispanic Migration and I-N-S policy for Oklahoma Public Television.

An Illinois native, Browning earned his undergraduate degree in Radio-TV from Southern Illinois University and a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock . He and his wife, Lisa, have been married 24 years and have three children. Their oldest daughter is a sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro .

"I look forward to keeping the media informed on the many dedicated professionals serving across this great state," Browning said. "My brother moved to Middle Tennessee 15 years ago and convinced my parents to retire here." he adds, "Anyone who has traveled around the country knows Tennessee is the perfect place to live and raise a family."

Browning replaces Julie Oaks as PIO at the Safety Department. Oaks has been Safety's PIO since May but has moved to the Department of Transportation.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.