ARLINGTON, Va. -– Arlington has named Mary Curtius as its new director for Media Relations, effective April 24.

Curtius, 48, joins Arlington after a 27-year career in journalism, during which she wrote for some of the nation's best newspapers. Curtius served as Middle East bureau chief for the Christian Science Monitor and the Boston Globe. She also served two tours of duty in Jerusalem for the Los Angeles Times. Curtius directed national security coverage for the Los Angeles Times during the second Gulf War.

“We are thrilled to have a person of Mary’s caliber and expertise join our team,” said Diana Sun, Arlington’s Director of Communications. “Mary brings not only tremendous experience, but also enthusiasm and passion for this community.”

''Arlington is an urban planning success story. It is a dynamic, diverse community with an eclectic mix of small-scale and large-scale development and an exciting variety of neighborhoods,” commented Ms. Curtius. “The county has many stories to tell. I look forward to developing broad media contacts that will raise Arlington's profile in the regional and national press.''

During her career, Curtius has covered a string of internationally and nationally important stories. She wrote about war and peace-making in the Middle East and was a diplomatic correspondent during the first Gulf War. Most recently, she was a Congressional correspondent in the Washington Bureau of the Los Angeles Times.

Curtius started her career as a local reporter in California, where she covered the City of Loma Linda for the San Bernardino Sun and later covered the City of Santa Monica, first for the Santa Monica Evening Outlook and then for the Los Angeles Times.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge and did a year of graduate studies in international relations theory at the University of California, Los Angeles. Curtius lives in Arlington with her husband, Ori Nir. Their two daughters, Noa and Maya, attend Arlington public schools.

Ms. Curtius can be reached at 703.228.7943; email mcurtius@arlingtonva.us.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class urban community that was originally part of the “10-mile square” parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Known for its urban villages and transit-oriented development, Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use. In 2002, the county was the first recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency’s highest award for “Smart Growth.” Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world – including the Pentagon – Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.