MARIETTA, GA — MiMedx Group has appointed Jack Howarth as senior vice president of investor relations. Howarth (pictured) brings to MiMedx 25 years of public relations and financial communications experience and almost 40 years of experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industry. He joins from Antares Pharmaceuticals, where he served as VP of corporate affairs.

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Wireless tech company Leaf Communications has named Kasey Noe director of marketing and public relations. In this newly created position, Noe will lead the combined marketing and public relation resources for Leaf Communication's multiple divisions. She joins from Shutterfly, where she oversaw creative marketing efforts.

NEW YORK — Phillips has appointed Magda Grigorian chief communications officer, as which she will drive the auction house’s global communications and PR strategies and oversee all aspects of internal and external communications. Grigorian has had a robust career in arts PR, having held positions at Sotheby’s, Haughton International Fairs and Sharp Think.
 
CHICAGO — Ariel Investments has appointed Arielle Patrick as chief communications officer.  Patrick will oversee and integrate all aspects of Ariel’s communications, including media relations, public and community affairs, internal communications, corporate and executive leadership communications, branding, and content marketing. Prior to joining the firm, Patrick was executive VP & transaction director in the financial communications & capital markets group at Edelman.

COLUMBUS — American Electric Power has named Melissa McHenry as senior VP, communications & marketing. She will replace Dale Heydlauff, who is retiring from the company Dec. 31. McHenry currently serves as managing director, external communications.