Secretary of State John Kerry has a new spokesman, the Associated Press reports.

Kerry welcomed the former Pentagon spokesman, Rear Adm. John Kirby, as the public face of the State Department Wednesday, hailing Kirby's "impeccable judgment, collegiality and character."

Kirby replaces Jen Psaki, who became White House communications director in March.

Kirby previously served as top communications aide to former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen. He was former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's spokesman from 2013 until earlier this year.