People on the Move

Patrick Clifford

Dana Gorman

Abernathy MacGregor promotes Patrick Clifford, Dana Gorman, Kate Murray and Pat Tucker to managing director. Clifford, who has been with the firm since 2007, provides strategic counsel to leading global investors. Gorman handles mergers and acquisitions and corporate reorganizations. Murray, who previously was communications director for the New Orleans City Council, advises companies on public and investor relations. Tucker does hostile transactions and mergers challenged by elected officials for firm clients. “Patrick, Dana, Kate and Pat embody what sets Abernathy MacGregor apart—trusted counsel, the highest quality work and a powerful entrepreneurial spirit,” said firm CEO Tom Johnson.

Nick Macouiller

Tunheim brings on Nick Marcouiller as a digital consultant. Previously, he was Minnesota deputy digital director of Hillary for America and began his career on the Obama 2012 campaign, where he supported the team innovating campaign technology by transforming social media audiences into volunteers and small donors. At Tunheim, he will participate in developing strategic campaigns, as well as cultivating relationships with stakeholders and community leaders in the public affairs, corporate and non-profit sectors.

R&J Strategic Communications,Bridgewater, NJ, promotes Maria Bayas to digital account coordinator. Before coming to R&J, Bayas interned at the Rutgers University Career Services office as a marketing assistant and directed the Rutgers University Programming Assn., where she planned and executed events on campus.

Madalyn Holyfield-Gawronski

Sterling Corp., conservative issue management and fundraising firm, hires Madalyn Holyfield-Gawronski as senior associate. Holyfield-Gawronskijoins Sterling from the Michigan Department of Transportation, where she focused on legislative issues. Prior to her work at MDOT, she worked for the House Republican Campaign Committee. In her new role, Holyfield-Gawronski will work with fundraising practice senior director Heather Lombardini to support the firm’s fundraising clients, and will provide strategic consulting.

David Vorland

Dezenhall Resources, Ltd., Washington-based crisis/issues management shop, enlisted David Vorland as VP. He goes to Dezenhall following eight years at the Pentagon, where he served as a policy advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “I’m excited to welcome Dave, his defense and public sector expertise will be very valuable to our team and to our clients,” said Eric Dezenhall, CEO.

Nyhus Communications of Seattle tapped Sam Jeffries, VP at Dezenhall, for director duty, with a remit covering public affairs strategy and crisis communications.