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| Valarie De La Garza |
Fenton Communications names Valarie De La Garza CEO. She is both the first woman and first person of color to lead the organization. She has been with Fenton since 2016, most recently serving as the managing director of the agency’s west coast offices. Before joining Fenton, De La Garza led communications and marketing for the California Community Foundation, ran her own independent communications consultancy and was a vice president at The Rogers Group. In her new role, she will oversee Fenton’s four offices. “Valarie De La Garza’s ascension to CEO is the natural culmination of her many years of successful leadership of the firm. Her passion, judgment and communications acumen are unmatched — she truly embodies the best of Fenton,” said Fenton owner James Marcus.
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| Mike Hernández |
LSN Partners is bringing on Mike Hernández as partner, charged with leading the firm’s communications division. Hernández joins LSN from Mercury, where he had served as a senior vice president since 2018. He was previously director of communications and senior advisor to Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Giménez, and has been a senior director at market research firm Penn Schoen Berland and Hispanic communications director for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. “It is his commitment, work ethic, determination and experience that make Mike the right leader for our communications practice,” said LSN founder and co-managing partner Alex Heckler.
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| Bill Ogle |
Custodia Financial, a 401(k) loan protection program, appoints Bill Ogle as chief marketing officer. Ogle previously held CMO positions at Motorola, Sara Lee Corp., Samsung and Pizza Hut. He joins Custodia from Blue Harbor Capital Advisors, an M&A advisory firm, where he was senior managing partner. At Custodia, Ogle will oversee the company’s marketing and communications operations and play a critical role in supporting its growth strategy. "Bill has a proven track record of helping drive significant growth at some of the largest companies in the world. He has also built fast-growing technology companies as a CEO, which will allow him to refine and enhance our go-to-market strategies," said Custodia Financial CEO Tod A. Ruble.
Mike Sacks returns to MikeWorldWide, where he started his career 20 years ago, as managing director, corporate reputation.
Vested brings on Sitha Ngy as senior creative director, Paul Dalton-Borge as managing director, and Adam Fontana as director of digital strategy... ChristianaCare, a private not-for-profit regional health care system in Delaware, appoints David Minifie as SVP and CMO... FINRA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity, hires Chris Rosello as SVP, global government affairs and Chris Spina as SVP, corporate communications.
FTI Consulting CEO Steve Gunby, 68, has changed his mind about stepping down in 2027, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Stagwell brings on David Olesnevich as chief growth officer, owned media and Drew Schutte as chief revenue officer, owned media... Spectrum Science names Lisa Talbot president of Spectrum Science Communications. Talbot was most recently chief client officer at MSL, where she oversaw healthcare, consumer and corporate practices... IHS, a global information provider, names Stephanie Buscemi as SVP and CMO, a newly created role....Red Shoes Inc., a woman-owned, marketing firm in Appleton, WI, promotes Reagan Fritts, Mia Hermansen, Katie Much, Jennifer Thurlow and Carly Tiedt to new roles. 
Former deputy undersecretary of agriculture Darci Vetter joins berry producer Driscoll's as VP, public affairs.
