The Albert Lea Tribune’s advertising director, Crystal Miller, has been promoted to publisher.

Miller, 35, has been the advertising director since 2003. She succeeds Scott Schmeltzer, who left the Tribune this week for a newspaper job in Wisconsin.

Miller lives in Albert Lea with her husband, Dave, a police officer, and children Lauren, 11, and Jacob, 6. She looks forward to her new role at the Tribune.

“I was very excited, and I felt blessed for the opportunity,” Miller said. “We have a wonderful community that supports the paper.”

Miller will keep her role as publisher of Albert Lea Magazine.

Miller started as an advertising salesperson at the Tribune in 2002 after moving from her hometown of Owatonna. She had previously worked as a salesperson at the Owatonna People’s Press. Miller attended Minneapolis Business College for graphic design and has used those skills in creating successful advertising campaigns for Albert Lea area businesses.

Outside of work, Miller is an active member of First Lutheran Church, an ambassador for the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and a board member for Albert Lea Community Education. She volunteers at Lakeview Elementary School and enjoys fine dining and tending to flower gardens at her home.