Marisa Yamane
Marisa Yamane

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has hired Marisa Yamane as director of communications and public relations. Yamane comes to HTA from KHON-TV in Honolulu, where she co-anchored the station’s 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. In her new position, Yamane will oversee a contract with PR firm Anthology Marketing Group. According to HTA president Chris Tatum, Yamane’s remit will be to showcase festivals and events, as well as supporting the authority’s work with community groups that perpetuate Hawaiian culture and help protect the environment.

Joe Trauger
Joe Trauger

The National Club Association, which advocates for the private club industry, has hired Joe Trauger as vice president of government relations. Trauger joins the association from advocacy consulting firm Northfield Strategies, where he served as principal. He previously was senior vice president of policy and government relations at the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute and vice president of government relations at the National Association of Manufacturers. Trauger has also worked on Capitol Hill as senior policy advisor for then-House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO); policy advisor for then-House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX); senior legislative assistant for former Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX); and legislative assistant for former Senator Rod Grams (R-MN). In his new post, Trauger will lead NCA’s lobbying activities and ClubPAC, NCA’s political action committee.

Anthony LaFauce
Anthony LaFauce

Washington, D.C.-based Clyde Group has hired Anthony LaFauce as a senior vice president and Kate Greer as a senior director. LaFauce comes to the Clyde Group from Porter Novelli, where he served as vice president in the digital communications group. Before that, he was director of digital strategy at Spectrum. In his new post, LaFauce will lead the launch and development of Clyde Group’s new agricultural practice. Greer previously served as chief communications lead on policy issues including Brexit, trade, economy, technology, science and innovation for the British Embassy in Washington and served at the British Consulate in Atlanta. She has also worked in the offices of the Georgia governor, lieutenant governor and state senators. In addition, the agency has brought on clients including Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), Diversity Travel, Manor and Open for Business.

Burhan Al-Gailani
Burhan Al-Gailani

APCO Worldwide has added Burhan Al-Gailani, Amy Selman and Maram Alkadhi to its UK-based team. Al-Gailani, who will join the firm as a director, most recently served as head of public affairs for Brands2Life. He will help lead APCO’s public affairs team. Selman, who most recently served as a special adviser for the former UK Minister for London and Rail, joins APCO as an associate director, supporting strategic communications projects in the Gulf region. Alkadhi, who is joining the firm as an associate director, was most recently a senior consultant for H+K Strategies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will also focus on supporting projects in the Gulf region.