Joined
Baptista |
Geri Ann Baptista, who was senior manager of corporate communications at Starbucks Coffee Co., is now at Hill+Knowlton Strategies in Seattle. At the coffee house chain, Baptista handled social responsibility positioning. Earlier, she was in the corporate PR units of Washington Mutual Bank and Premera Blue Cross. Baptista also spent a dozen years as litigator and trial attorney.
Stacey Tank, who led corporate relations for GE's Healthymagination campaign, to Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y., as senior VP of corporate relations.
Lauren Ryback, junior A/E, DKC, to Missy Farren & Associates, New York, as an A/E. Her accounts include The Little Nell (Aspen, Co.); Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New York, among others.
Christine Messina-Boyer, who led marketing and comms. at Cooper University Hospital, to Widmeyer Communications, Washington, D.C., as a VP in its higher education unit. She was previously assistant to the president of Rider University and worked communications there, as well. She was also the first female VP at Muhlenberg College, where she was VP/PR.
Matt Kovacs, VP at Formula PR in a 10-year career there, to BLAZE, Los Angeles, as executive VP and general manager. He was previously marketing director at Lids and handled marketing and comms. at Designs, Inc.
Steve Levin, VP, Winner & Associates, to Cerrell Associates, Los Angeles, as VP, in the firm's campaigns and issues management practice. Sean Rossall, recently with Fiona Hutton & Associates, signs on as PA/media relations manager.
Richard Bagger, chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, to Celgene Corp., Summit, N.J., as senior VP, corporate affairs and strategic market access, effective Jan. 30, including oversight for government and public affairs, communications and patient advocacy initiatives. The company said the post ia new one to support global expansion. He was previously senior VP of worldwide PA and policy for Pfizer, assistant general counsel to Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Promoted
David Nieland to acting general manager, Weber Shandwick, Dallas, on the exit of Jody Venturoni for H+K Strategies. Also, Chris Vary, Ryan Mikolasik and Neil Nowlin to executive VPs; Alison McMillon, an eight-year veteran who handles B2B and oil and gas market clients, to senior VP, and Beth Pederson to creative director in the visual communications practice. Matt Dickman, senior partner and global digital/social practice co-chair, Fleishman-Hillard, joins Weber Shandwick's corporate digital team as EVP, social business innovation, in Dallas. Maggie Thill has re-joined the firm as VP.