Tech and professional services firm Walker Sands Communications has elevated president Mike Santoro to the role of chief executive officer.
 Mike Santoro |
Santoro succeeds Ken Gaebler, who has held the title of CEO since founding the agency in 2001. Gaebler will continue to serve on the company’s board.
Santoro joined the Chicago-based firm in 2007 as vice president of client services. He was previously a marketing manager at customer relationship management consultancy Technology Advisors, Inc. He started his career as staff reporter for Bugle Newspapers in Niles, IL.
Santoro also currently serves as a treasurer to the PR Council.
Walker Sands, which maintains offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle, counts Ensono, Hub Group and Globant as clients.
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Franz Paasche, who was most recently EVP for public affairs and communications at Columbia University, will join Verizon as EVP, corporate affairs, effective Nov. 10.
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