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| Jeff Speer |
Merryman Communications brings on Jeff Speer as managing director. Speer joins Merryman after more than 12 years at Revive (part of the Weber Shandwick Collective), where was he was executive VP, strategy. He was previously a vice president at Porter Novelli. He has worked with medical technology, health tech, health systems and other care provider companies leading brand strategy, marketing, issues/crisis, and creative advertising and integrated campaigns. At Merryman, Speer will work closely with president and managing partner Betsy Merryman on increasing the overall scope of agency operations and business development activities. He will also support the company’s current and future client teams. “Jeff will be instrumental in helping the company sustain our momentum long-term,” said Merryman.
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| Max Moll |
Cornerstone appoints Max Moll as a principal in the firm. Moll most recently served as the chief engagement officer at the Houston Independent School District. Before that, he was deputy director and chief communications officer for the City of Houston and chief of staff to the CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. At Cornerstone, Moll will leverage his public affairs expertise and relationships in Houston and Austin to assist Texas clients with their legislative and communications priorities. “Max is a great leader with strong communications and legislative instincts who will make an immediate impact on our public affairs and government relations teams,” Cornerstone president Campbell Kaufman said. “
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| Bryant Daniels |
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, which works to plan, design, develop, operate and maintain Roosevelt Island, names Bryant Daniels as the organization’s director of communications and community affairs. Daniels previously served as communications and deputy district director for Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and communications director for New York State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. He was most recently senior associate of government affairs for Starry, an internet service provider that focuses on bridging the digital divide in historically underserved communities. “Bryant brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served in a similar capacity previously for elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels here in New York,” said RIOC president and CEO Shelton J. Haynes. “He’s a very strong communicator who understands the New York City media landscape and what it takes to effectively communicate with a large and diverse audience.”
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| Stephanie Wight, Preston Knowles |
CURA Strategies, an integrated healthcare communications and public affairs agency, hires Stephanie Wight as VP of media relations, and Preston Knowles as VP of digital marketing. Wight joins CURA from JPA Health, where she led earned media efforts to drive awareness around health inequities and access issues for people living with kidney disease and lung cancer. She also recently served on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR). Knowles was previously VP, paid media at Weber Shandwick’s Resolute Digital unit, and director of digital planning and strategy at Outcast. “We’ve been on a long hiring odyssey to find leaders with the right combination of experience, drive and passion for transforming health care,” said CURA Strategies founder and CEO Anne Woodbury. “The wait paid off with the additions of Preston and Stephanie.”
Actum has hired Cecelia Prewett, who was president of DC Public Affairs at SKDK during a nearly 13-year run, as senior managing director in its Washington office.
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.
Horizon Family Brands, which includes Horizon Organic and Wallaby Organic yogurt, hires Andrew Springate as CMO... Wake Tech, a Raleigh, NC community college that serves over 70000 adults annually, brings on Lisa Marie Ferrell, who previously led North America communications at Lenovo, as VP of communications and marketing... Golin brings on executive creative director Meg Farquhar in Chicago, and EVPs of strategy Tom Howells (Western Region) and Martin Coomber (New York).
Hotwire Global appoints Burson global chief digital & intelligence officer Grant Toups as global CEO, effective in January.
Bader Rutter, which works with clients in the agriculture, food, beverage and pet care sectors, appoints Demar Anderson as CMO... Acceleration Community of Companies appoints Michael Moschella to lead its new insights division, ACC Intelligence... Luminate, a London-based shop focused on infrastructure and energy sectors, hires Osman Dervish as director—head of development... The Alpine Group promotes Alison Graab to principal from SVP.
