WASHINGTON — FTI Consulting has appointed Angelo Thalassinos as a managing director in its strategic communications segment. Thalassinos, a restructuring expert, will partner with cross-segment teams to develop and execute communications strategies that promote business continuity and maximize the value of restructuring. He joins after six years at Reorg Research, where he led distressed debt and restructuring coverage in the Americas focusing on Chapter 11 bankruptcies and related litigation.

BOSTON —  Maria Brown has been promoted to general manager of Matter's western regional operations, which include offices in Boulder, CO and Portland, OR. In 2019, Brown led the agency’s Boulder team to a 47% increase in year-over-year sales, serving as a driving force for client and agency success. In her new role, she will work closely with newly promoted VP Amanda King out of the Boulder office and VP and Portland office lead Meghan Gardner to support new business initiatives, current clients and team culture.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Bastion Elevate has hired Andrew King as director of public relations. King’s responsibilities include strategy, media direction and account management. A former journalist, King has led teams of varying sizes and specialties in a variety of industries, with a focus on real estate and financial services, and healthcare.

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Taft Communications has appointed Aaron Brown the firm’s creative director and promoted Jesseka Kadylak to senior manager of digital media. Brown will lead creative strategy and oversee design functions at Taft. Previously, he developed and led creative for a variety of ad campaigns for top brands, including Arm & Hammer, Vitamin Shoppe, JetBlue Airways and Vespa, among others. Kadylak will lead the development and implementation of all digital media projects. Before joining Taft in 2015, Kadylak was a journalist at USA Today, Washingtonian magazine, KIWI magazine and other outlets, covering everything from hard news to entertainment.

NEW YORK — Mary Jane Miranda has been promoted to controller of Mower. She is based in the agency’s Buffalo office, where she has served on the accounting team for 30 years, most recently as senior financial supervisor.