The State Bar of Arizona announced that it has hired Rick DeBruhl, a 31-year veteran of Phoenix television news, to serve as its chief communications officer.

DeBruhl has served as a reporter/anchor at Channel 12/KPNX-TV since 1978. He serves as the Call 12 for Action consumer reporter, hosts the 12 News public affairs program “Sunday Square Off,” and writes a weekly consumer column for The Arizona Republic.

As chief communications officer, DeBruhl will lead internal and external communications with the public, media, and business and legal communities. He also will oversee government relations.

DeBruhl has earned three Rocky Mountain Emmys. He also has received awards from the Arizona Press Club and the Arizona Associated Press. He won an Arizona State University Diversity Award in 2006 and he was named American Women in Radio and Television Reporter of the Year in 1999.

DeBruhl will start his new State Bar position in December. He also is pursuing a master’s degree from the University of Missouri in media management. He earned a bachelor’s in journalism from California Polytechnic State University. DeBruhl lives in Phoenix with his wife Patricia. He has two adult sons.