WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) today named Joe Pounder as Research Director and Deputy Director of Communications for the 2012 cycle.

“Joe is an intelligent and gifted political operative who will be a key component of our effort to make Barack Obama a one-term president,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

Joe Pounder joins the RNC from the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, where he served as Communications Director.  Previously, Pounder served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Sen. Rubio’s successful 2010 bid for the United States Senate. Before joining the Rubio campaign, Pounder was Director of Rapid Response for Gov. Mitt Romney’s presidential primary campaign and later served in the same capacity for Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Pounder is also a veteran of the George W. Bush Administration, where he was Deputy Associate Director of the White House Office of Communications.