U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran has promoted former legislative director and longtime staff member T.A. Hawks to chief of staff in his Washington office.

Hawks is a native of Hernando and has worked for Cochran, R-Miss., since July 2000.

Hawks has served as legislative assistant and deputy legislative director.

Cochran says Steven Wall, a one-time legislative counsel for former Sen. Trent Lott, will be his legislative director.