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| Sandy Young |
J. Walcher Communications, a San Diego-based firm, names Sandy Young CEO and owner. Young has been with J. Walcher since 2009, most recently serving as VP. She has spent more than two decades working for boutique PR and marketing agencies in San Diego. In addition, she has served as a freelance writer and regular speaker on PR, marketing, social media, networking and diversity. Founder Jean Walcher will remain an integral part of the agency, supporting the leadership transition, serving clients and focusing on business development initiatives. Young has been “an effective right-hand and has played a pivotal role in mentoring staff, cultivating long-standing client relationships, and developing strategic communications and crisis management programs that have earned client and media respect and trust,” said Walcher.
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| Jeremy Allen |
Sun Pharmaceutical appoints Jeremy Allen as VP, corporate affairs for North America, a newly created position. Allen joins the company from Spark Therapeutics, where he was VP, head of government affairs. He has also served in senior government affairs and public policy posts at AHIP (formerly known as America's Health Insurance Plans), Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson. At Sun Pharma, Allen will lead external engagement, policy initiatives, patient advocacy, government relations, and corporate communications across the United States and Canada. “Jeremy and his team will strengthen our engagement with stakeholders, shape policy environments, and ensure our voice reflects the values and priorities of the people who rely on our innovative medicines, generics and consumer healthcare products," said Sun Pharma CEO Richard Ascroft.
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| Sarah Dunlap |
Baker Public Relations, a Pittsburgh-headquartered, woman-owned agency with offices in Albany, NY and St. Petersburg, FL, brings on Sarah Dunlap as a senior account executive in its Pittsburgh office. Dunlap most recently served as communications manager for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, a nonprofit that works with public & private sector leaders to boost the Pittsburgh region’s economy. She was previously communications coordinator for the Senator John Heinz History Center. “Sarah joins our agency with a robust background in public relations and public affairs, complemented by an intimate understanding of the Pittsburgh area, an essential combination for our strategic growth,” said Baker Public Relations founder and CEO Megan Baker.
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.
