Rich Jernstedt, the former CEO of Golin/Harris International, has joined Fleishman-Hillard's Chicago office as executive VP/senior partner.

"It's a perfect time in my career to make a move," he told O'Dwyer's. The F-H post provides "an opportunity to be challenged, to learn and to grow," he added.

Jernstedt, who leaves GH/I as its chairman, said he has a "tremendous respect for F-H's culture, and a high regard for its people." Fred Cook is CEO of GHI, an Interpublic entity.

The 57-year-old Jernstedt will handle new business development duties, special projects and provide consumer marketing counsel. He will work closely with Jack Modzelewski, F-H's president for client relations, to cement ties with the Omnicom unit's biggest clients. That group includes Visa, which has just shifted its account from G/HI to F-H.

Jernstedt spent 26 years at G-HI, following a five-year stint at Container Corp. of America and three years as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy.

F-H CEO John Graham, 67, has just celebrated 30 years at the helm of the St. Louis-based firm.