Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert has appointed Angie Welling as his spokeswoman for his transition team as he prepares to take over as Utah governor.

Welling had been spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections and before that spent eight years as a reporter at the Deseret News .

Herbert said Welling brings a new energy and fresh perspective to the administration.

Welling said the position presents an exciting opportunity and she looks forward to helping Utahns get to know Herbert and his vision for the state.

Herbert is expected to succeed Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. after Huntsman is confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China, which could come by the end of the month.

Jason Perry, who is heading up Herbert's transition team, said it is anticipated that Welling will stay on and be the governor's spokeswoman when he takes office.

Perry said he is not expecting many other changes. Herbert will likely pick a new legislative affairs director to replace Amanda Smith, who was nominated by Huntsman to lead the Department of Environmental Quality.

Herbert is meeting with Cabinet officials to discuss their futures, Perry said, but the lieutenant governor has said he expects to keep everyone in place. Members of Huntsman's staff, including the governor's general counsel, Tani Downing, the governor's budget director, John Nixon, and policy director, Robert Spendlove, are also expected to stay.

Huntsman's chief of staff, Neil Ashdown, is expected to go with the governor to China, and may be replaced by Perry.

Welling holds a journalism degree from Weber State University and a Master's degree in public administration from the University of Utah.