Melissa Warnke

MONTGOMERY – Cullman native Melissa Johnson Warnke has been hired as director of communications by the the Alabama State Bar.

In the newly created position, Warnke will oversee the Alabama State Bar’s internal and external communications, media relations, social media and public relations efforts.

In her prior role, Warnke served as communications manager and spokeswoman for the Alabama Retail Association. Before that, she spent nearly eight years at WSFA 12 News as reporter and anchor for the local NBC affiliate.

“We are thrilled to add Melissa to our team,” said Phillip McCallum, executive director of the Alabama State Bar. “Her strong relationships, creativity and unique skill set will allow us to better tell the story of the good work being done by lawyers throughout the state and take the Bar’s communications efforts to a new level.” .

Warnke is also active in her community and industry, serving as the current president-elect of the Public Relations Council of Alabama in Montgomery, a committee chair for the Alabama Council of Association Executives, and a member of the Junior League of Montgomery. In addition, she is a graduate of the Leadership Alabama’s Alabama Leadership Initiative Class II and Leadership Montgomery’s Torchbearer Class V.

Warnke graduated from Auburn University with a mass communications degree. She and her husband, Adam, live in Montgomery and have two daughters ages 2 and 3.