Krista Wildt recently assumed the role of graphic designer at LMD, a branding, marketing and design firm based in Laurel MD. Wildt has experience in both web design and graphic design, and also has extensive knowledge of typography. Most recently, she was an associate graphic designer for Space Telescope Science Institute, where she helped make the Hubble Space Telescope a household name.

Minneapolis-based Hunt Adkins hires Briana Auel as an art director. She is assigned to Bard's Tale Beer, Northern Tool + Equipment, and other accounts. Previously, she was art director at Gabriel deGrood Bendt and she has also worked freelance for DDB, Chicago.

Bill Grant served as a judge for two prestigious International Interior Design Association competitions. Grant, who heads the Grant Design Collaborative in Canton GA, was part of a panel that included Peter Conant of Conant Architects, Mark Harbrick of the Huntsman Architectural Group, and Elva Rubio of Bruce Mau Design.

Hare Strigenz brings back Kris Marconnet to its creative team as an art director, illustrator and account executive. She previously worked for the firm from 1990 to 2000 with clients such as Sargento, Godfrey & Kahn, Kohl's and The Johnson Foundation. Since then, she has been a freelancer in the Madison WI area. Paula Hare is Principal Creative Director of the Milwaukee-based design firm.

Stan DeVaughn has become a partner at Turner & Associates, and the name of the firm has been changed to Turner DeVaughn Network. DeVaughn is a former Apple, Net App and Chasm Group customer advocate. He joins Founder and Chief Creative Officer Steve Turner as Turner moves aggressively to expand the San Franciso-based firm to serve clients on both coasts. As part of the expansion, Turner and interactive agency Milan Networks have merged.

Nebraska's largest advertising agency, Swanson Russell, promotes Cindi Coulter to Art Director. Working in the Lincoln NE office, her responsibilities include developing concepts and managing the execution of creative materials. She joined the agency as a Graphic Designer in 2002 and became an Associate Art Director last year. Coulter graduated from University of Nebraska-Kearney with a BA in Visual Communications and Design.

Brand experience agency Method names two Vice Presidents of Media & Entertainment. Geoff Katisza - two-time Emmy award winning interactive television executive working with the likes of TiVo and DIRECTV. John Gillheass - 18 years experience in interactive media, strategy and business development, having led interactive media for three cable networks: Comcast-owned G4TV, TechTV and ZDTV. Method, with offices in San Francisco and New York, recently served as the exclusive design sponsor of the mid-March TV of Tomorrow conference.

Andrew Bass, Principal and Chief Idea Maker at adbass:designs, has announced the renaming of his company as Straight Design LLC. The idea: to more clearly describe the New York City-based firm's mission to create strong visuals and strong concepts without the bells, whistles and fluff. A 17-year veteran and multiple award winner, Bass also acknowledges that he spent “countless time” explaining, spelling and pronouncing the former name of his studio.

Finch Paper has named Tony McDowellas Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Respected for his new product development and branding acumen, McDowell leads integrated sales and marketing programs for Finch Fine text and cover, Finch Opaque and the growing roster of Finch Digital products. He joins from Stora Enso North America where he was Vice President of Branding and Marketing Communications. He has also held senior marketing and creative services positions at Champion International and International Paper.

Martin Maloney has moved his marketing and public relations agency, which specializes in the graphics and packaging industries, to Manhattan. He had been located in Greenwich CT for 24 years. The new location for Broadford & Maloney facilitates face-to-face contact with clients and provides closer access to NYU, where Maloney is an adjunct professor. He is also on the Board of Directors of NYU's Program for Graphic Arts Management and Chair of its Marketing Committee. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Print Council and is a founder of that group.