 Ron Walker |
Rasky Partners has named Ron Walker chief operating officer. Walker joined the firm as a strategic advisor earlier this year. In his new post, he will oversee day-to-day operations and continue as a member of Rasky’s advisory board. Walker came to Rasky after serving as Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development under Governor Charlie Baker. Before that, he was co-founder and president of Next Street Financial LLC, which provides capital and strategic advice to growing businesses. “His extensive leadership experience in the business community coupled with his background with our firm makes him uniquely qualified to lead Rasky’s day-to-day operations and strategic growth initiatives,” said Larry Rasky, CEO and chairman of Rasky Partners. The firm has also brought on P.J. O’Sullivan as a strategic advisor. He comes to Rasky from the Delahunt Group, where he was president, and has also worked for political campaigns at the state, local and national level. In addition, Michael Morris has been promoted to senior vp in Rasky’s public affairs practice, Kristen Cullen moved up to vp of the public affairs practice and Meghan Post received a promotion to senior account exec in the firm’s nonprofit, education and consumer practice.
 Nadia Damouni |
Prosek Partners has brought on Nadia Damouni as a senior VP. Damouni comes to Prosek from Edelman’s financial communications & capital markets division, where she advised clients on communications surrounding mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism and corporate governance matters. Before that, she spent over a decade as a financial reporter, most recently at Thomson Reuters. Damouni has been nominated for several journalism awards, including a Gerald Loeb Award, and has moderated and presented on dozens of panels around the world, including the World Economic Forum in Davos. “Nadia’s experience both as a lead M&A reporter and then a senior communications counselor will be extremely relevant and valuable to our clients,” said managing partner Jennifer Prosek.
 From left: Lisa Garcia, Karen Cyphers, SMG founder and CEO Ron Sachs, Herbie Thiele, SMG partner and president Michelle Ubben, Drew Piers, Ryan Cohn |
Sachs Media Group has elevated five key executives to partner. Ryan Cohn is currently executive vp, serving as a strategic advisor and leading digital media initiatives. Karen Cyphers is vp of research & policy, leading the firm’s internal research division. Chief operating officer Lisa Garcia heads up public education campaigns, internal processes and talent. Director of campaigns Drew Piers leads public affairs campaign strategy. Herbie Thiele, director of public affairs leads the firm’s core public affairs practice. “Each of these wonderful friends and colleagues has demonstrated the values, skills, character, leadership and loyalty that deserve to be recognized and rewarded in this most meaningful way,” said Sachs Media Group founder and CEO Ron Sachs.
LaVoieHealthScience promotes Lisa DeScenza to president... Buffalo Groupe, which works with golf, hospitality and real estate brands, ups Glenn Gray to chief growth officer.... Marketbridge, a Bethesda, MD-based marketing consultant, names Mike Swartz chief growth officer and Ellie Ahmadi as SVP of global corporate marketing.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association names Chad Coleman CMO, effective Feb. 3. Coleman was most recently chief brand officer at YouTube channel Dude Perfect... Strategic Objectives promotes Sadie Tory and Saul Lewis to VP... Signal Group ups Scott Lusk and Jess McCarron to managing directors.
The Walt Disney Company names Asad Ayaz to lead its newly established enterprise marketing and brand organization... Kaiser Permanente, which provides integrated healthcare services, is bringing on Beth Leonard as SVP and chief public affairs officer, effective Feb. 2. Leonard was most recently chief corporate affairs officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance... AIC Hotel Group, which operates such brands as Nobu Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels, AVA Resort and Spa and the UNICO Collection, hires Delia Osegueda as VP, global partnerships.
Sarah Knakmuhs, who formerly led H/Advisors Abernathy’s DC office, is joining the Financial Services Forum as chief communications and strategy officer.
Brian Hughes, chief of staff at NASA, has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a partner in its Tallahassee office.
