Obama names communications staff

CHICAGO, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama announced the top members of his communications staff Saturday.

As expected, Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for the Obama campaign and transition team, will become press secretary in the White House, CNN reported.

Ellen Moran, executive director of EMILY's List, a group that supports abortion-rights Democratic women running for office, is to be communications director. Dan Pfeiffer, the transition communications director, has been named as her deputy.

"This dedicated and impressive group of public servants includes longtime (advisers) and a talented new addition to our team, and together we will work to serve our country and meet the challenges of this defining moment in history," Obama said in a statement.

Gibbs, a native of Auburn, Ala., worked for the Democratic Senatorial Committee and U.S. Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign, before joining Obama's staff. Pfeiffer joined the Obama campaign in January 2007 as traveling press secretary and then became communications director.

Moran, who has not previously been an Obama staffer, worked for the AFL-CIO on "Wal-Mart accountability activities" before joining EMILY's List. The group supported Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., during the primaries.