VALDOSTA — Reaching out to Georgia’s smaller towns and media outlets is one priority of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s new press secretary.

“I hope we do a better job talking to smaller media outlets in the state,” says Bert Brantley in a recent phone interview, adding that he hopes to be in closer contact with communities outside of Atlanta.

It’s an understandable aim given Brantley’s South Georgia roots.

Bert Brantley, 32, a 1992 Lowndes High School graduate, was recently named Perdue’s press secretary a few weeks ago.

Born in Tifton, Brantley lived in several Georgia towns as a small child. His parents were both state employees whose work moved them across the state until the 1980s. Then they were assigned to work in Valdosta, where they have stayed.

Gilbert Brantley was commander of the Valdosta post of the Georgia State Patrol. Nelda Ryan is with the state Department of Labor.

Bert Brantley was in second grade when the family moved to Lowndes County, more specifically they lived in Dasher. He attended Lake Park Elementary School, Lowndes Middle, and Lowndes High School. His state trooper father had the nickname “Goose.” Bert was known as “Little Goose.”

After high school, Brantley attended the University of Georgia, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in political science. He completed his master’s degree there in public administration.

He first worked in newspapers as news editor with The Madison County Journal and sports editor of The Jackson Herald.

Having grown up in a household of two state employees, though, Bert Brantley felt compelled to follow in his parents’ footsteps.

“They always had a sense of satisfaction about their jobs,” Brantley says of his parents’ careers. “They had a sense of public service. You don’t make the kind of money a banker might, working for the state, but there is the opportunity and satisfaction of helping the citizens of the state. My parents instilled that in me.”

From newspapers, Brantley worked in the communications office of the Georgia Department of Transportation for six years, serving five years as media-relations coordinator.

In June 2005, he served as the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s communications manager.

Brantley lives in McDonough with his wife, Tonya, and their two daughters, Kendall and Carson.

Brantley’s appointment as the governor’s press secretary came with the announcement of several turn-overs on the governor’s staff, which is to be expected near the start of a second term.

“There are some new faces and some familiar ones, too,” Brantley says. “It’s a good mix, and I’m excited to be part of it.”

Brantley started as press secretary at a good point. He was appointed Dec. 11. With the holidays under way and Perdue’s re-election campaign successfully past, Brantley has had time to get acquainted with the job during a political lull.

That’s all about to change. With the coming General Assembly session and the governor’s second inaugural, Brantley knows the pace will increase.

He’s already come to grips, he says with a good-natured laugh, that a regular day in the governor’s office is as full as the busiest day in his last job.

Brantley is ready, though. He says it is an honor to work for Perdue, and it will be an honor bringing the governor’s message to the people of Georgia.

“My job will be explaining the governor’s programs to the state’s media,” Brantley says, “who can, in turn, explain that to the people of Georgia.”