![]() Mike Fernandez |
Mike Fernandez, most recently CEO of Burson-Marsteller prior to its merger with Cohn & Wolfe, has joined Llorente & Cuenta as CEO of its US operations.
Since exiting as press secretary for South Carolina Senator Fritz Hollings in 1987, Fernandez has held top corporate positions at Eastman Kodak (director-communications & PA), US West (VP-PR), CIGNA (senior VP-PA), State Farm Insurance (VP-PA) and Cargill (VP).
At L&C, he will spearhead its expansion in the US and provide communications support for American companies in Latin America.
Fernandez will assume the CEO title from Erich de la Fuente, who will become US chair.
L&C has more than 600 staffers doing PR, communications and reputation management work in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Its US outposts are in Miami, New York and DC.


Chelsey Thomas, who was a VP at Booz Allen Hamilton and a professional staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is joining defense technology company AEVEX as VP of government affairs.
Finn Partners has named Fahlgren Mortine veteran Marty McDonald as managing partner and head of its new Columbus office.
The Next Solutions Group names Michelle Agnew as VP, reputation and issues management. Agnew joins NSG from The Coca-Cola Company, where she was director of strategic communications... Nebius, which works with startups and enterprises building AI products, agents and services, appoints Lindsey Irvine as CMO... Zeta Global, an intelligent AI infrastructure company, names Leah Pope CMO and Candace Dean chief communications officer.
SiriusXM recruits Paramount Pictures EVP, global communications Jenny Tartikoff to serve as SVP and head of communications, effective August 10.
West of Fairfax, which is in Los Angeles, appoints Scott Mallone as president. Mallone joins the agency from SHFT Labs... Codeword ups Brandon Carter to SVP, head of strategy... JOTO PR Disruptors names Nick Westcott head of establishment, working to improve coordination across departments, and helping each part of the agency operate with greater clarity, consistency and readiness for scale. 



