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| Kelly Devers-Franklin |
Seven Letter, which has offices in Washington and Boston, brings on former UC Berkeley School of Law media relations director Kelly Devers-Franklin as a partner. Devers-Franklin joins Seven Letter from synthetic biology company Amyris, where she was director of corporate communications. She has also served as deputy director for media relations at NYU and first deputy press secretary to NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein during Michael Bloomberg term as mayor. At Seven Letter, Devers-Franklin will play a significant role in the firm’s corporate communications practice. “Kelly’s depth of experience in both corporate communications and higher education, paired with her roots in the public sector will make her a vital partner to all of our clients,” said Seven Letter founding partner & CEO Erik Smith. Also joining the firm are Kayla Boswell as a manager, and Danny Jackson and Jody Gallinger as content specialists. Seven Letter is part of Public Policy Holding Company.
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| John Gentzel |
Right Line Communications hires John Gentzel as a partner, part of the firm’s strategic shift into the public affairs space. For the last 11 years, Gentzel worked for DCI Group, most recently serving as vice president. At DCI, he spearheaded comprehensive public relations, grassroots campaigns and ballot initiatives. He previously served as communications director for former Sen. Olympia J. Snowe and Congressmen Jim Gerlach and Sean Duffy. “His background and experience are just what we need to help complement what we’re building here,” said Right Line Communications founder Brandon Moody.
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| Derek Thomas |
Ryan, a global tax services and software provider, hires Derek Thomas as CMO. Thomas was most recently SVP, global marketing and business development at supply chain management company Blue Yonder. A trained engineer, he held technical and marketing leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Emerson Electric. At Ryan, he will serve as a member of the executive leadership team with oversight of development, implementation and execution of the copmpany’s marketing and branding strategy, creative, global communications and digital marketing. “Derek’s immense marketing and technology expertise will be integral to driving Ryan’s business forward with a keen focus on innovation and the firm’s global growth,” said Ryan global president and chief operating officer Ginny Kissling.
Seven Letter hires Allie Raffa, who was most recently White House correspondent for NBC News, as a senior director... Points of Light, an organization founded by President George H.W. Bush that is dedicated to volunteer service, names Jeff Zanelli as CMO... Frontieras North America, an energy and environmental technology company, appoints Nora Shepard as VP of communications.
Alcoa has named Emily Olson, who has more than 20 years of experience working in capital-intensive industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, EVP & chief external affairs officer, effective April 6.
Longacre Square Partners has named Humza Vanderman partner and head of its London outpost as the financial communications firm expands into Europe.
FGS Global adds former Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman to its global executive board as an independent member, effective April 1... Codeword brings on Kim Baffi, who was previously Salesforce VP and creative director, as executive creative director... Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appoints Bridget Perry as CMO.
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.
