Mark McCall
Mark McCall

FTI Consulting promoted five staffers to the senior managing director slot in its strategic communications segment. Giles Barrie is based in London, where he is co-head of the segment’s UK property sector team. He most recently served as editor-in-chief of Property Week. Alex Deane, also based in London, is UK head of the segment’s PA practice. Previously, he served as chief of staff to David Cameron and Tim Collins during their respective periods as Shadow Secretaries of State for Education, and was a Common Councilman in the City of London. Christine DiBartolo, based in Chicago, is a senior member of the segment’s corporate reputation practice. She has served as an aide to former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and spokesperson for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Myron Marlin, based in Washington, D.C., is a senior member of the segment’s PA and financial communications practices. A former practicing attorney, he has served as director of communications at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as chief spokesman and director of PA at the U.S. Department of Justice. Robert Skeffington is head of the segment’s Sydney office, advising senior executives on how best to manage the interface between PA and business strategy throughout Australia. “These individuals represent the vast industry expertise, interdisciplinary experience and geographical breadth that our clients seek in the face of major financial, regulatory and reputational challenges and opportunities,” said Mark McCall, global segment leader of FTI’s strategic communications unit.

Deborah Kostroun
Deborah Kostroun

Zito Partners named Deborah Kostroun managing director. Kostroun, a four-year Zito veteran, was previously a television reporter for Bloomberg. Before that, she was a PR manager with the Chicago Board of Trade. At Zito, Kostroun has been instrumental in building brand visibility for such clients as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CNBC, Fox Business, Financial Times, Forbes, NPR, AP, CNN Money and Reuters. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, alternative investments, private equity and hedge funds as well as other asset managers. “Deborah has done outstanding work for many of our clients and this is a well-deserved promotion,” said Zito Partners founder Robert Zito.

Stephen Chavez
Stephen Chavez

The Los Angeles chapter of the Hispanic Public Relations Association elected its 2018 Board of Directors. Stephen Chavez, president of ChavezPR, will serve as president of the board; Miguel Lopez, international marketing manager for Panda Express, has been named VP/president elect; Lourdes Rodriguez, communications manager for Saban Community Health Clinics, has been elected treasurer; and Cynthia Cruz, account manager at digital media company Mitú, will serve as secretary. HPRA provides its members with resources such as networking events and scholarship and college outreach programs.