Dan Meisenzahl has been tapped to serve as the main media spokesperson for the University of Hawaii system, the university announced Tuesday.

Meisenzahl, who joined UH in 2012 as director of media production, said the appointment represents additional responsibilities to his existing position.

“I’ll be working with the (public information officers) of all of our campuses to assist with media relations, with crisis communication, and also helping promote the myriad great stories at UH,” he said. 

He added that the position is aimed at helping improve transparency under UH President David Lassner and Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman.

“We’re trying to be proactive and transparent. There’s a new administration at UH and UH-Manoa, and transparency is definitely a priority,” he said.

Meisenzahl previously served as the spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation and has 20 years of media experience working as a news anchor, reporter and producer in local television news, UH said in a news release.