The law firm of Epstein Becker & Green PC promoted attorney Diane Romza-Kutz to managing partner. Romza-Kutz focuses on health care and pharmaceutical litigation.
She has tried numerous product-liability cases in both the federal and state courts, earning extensive transactional, regulatory, administrative and litigation experience, and was an adjunct professor for the department of criminal justice at Loyola University.
Romza-Kutz graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law and worked at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, where she became supervisor of the Child Sexual Exploitation Unit.
In 1992, she worked for the Chicago Board of Education, then joined Mayer Brown & Platt, now Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, and became an equity partner in the Health Care Life Sciences Practice.
At Epstein Becker & Green, Romza-Kutz defends pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies in cases involving product liability issues, pricing issues, false claims act litigation, contract and fraud claims, consumer and third-party class actions, whistleblower claims and advertising and marketing disputes with regulatory bodies, off-label promotions and failure to adequately warn cases.
She handles civil and criminal health care matters and managed care contracting work for issuers, hospital networks, physicians and other providers. Romza-Kutz also writes and speaks on topics such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences, drug advertising, clinical trials, ethical concerns and Medicare.
LEE HECHT HARRISON
Lee Hecht Harrison promoted Michael L. Buckman to senior vice president and global practice leader of its Signature Service business unit.
Most recently, Buckman was national practice leader for Signature Service. He brings more than 35 years of experience in executive coaching, operations, leadership/career development, succession planning and executive transitions to his new role.
He developed one-on-one consulting relationships with executives across a wide range of industries, including financial services, manufacturing, consulting, food service and distribution, among others. As leader of Signature Service, Buckman is responsible for continuing the Signature Service line’s growth, coordinating sales and delivery nationally and globally, and ensuring the offerings’ consistency, quality and service integrity.
PARSON CONSULTING
Parson Consulting appointed Noland Joiner managing director for its Chicago office. In previous positions, Joiner developed and implemented enterprisewide corporate technology strategies, driving process re-engineering and facilitating organizational change management. Most recently, Joiner was regional vice president, managing the North Central Consulting Practice for Oracle Corp. Prior to that, he was a partner with IBM Global Services, executive vice president and chairman of the board for Business Systems Engineering, and held managerial positions at Deloitte & Touche, Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Accenture and Unisys Corp.
Joiner holds a master’s degree in systems strategy and management from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Tennessee State University.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
The National Association of Women Business Owners Chicago-area Chapter appointed Kara E.F. Cenar, principal of Welsh & Katz Ltd., president for fiscal year 2005-2006.
Cenar is responsible for overseeing the board of directors, committee chairs and all chapter activities, including member services, corporate relations, event marketing, fund-raising and advocacy.
NAWBO also appointed Catherine M. Lee, founder and president of CDL & Associates, president-elect for one term in preparation for her presidency in 2006-2007 and appointed Sheila Gidley executive director. A partner in Gidley Management Group Inc., Gidley has worked with NAWBO since 1994, when GMG became the chapter’s association management company.
In this newly created position, Gidley serves as chief executive of the association in accordance with the NAWBO Chicago bylaws and its policies and directives, and is responsible for the active management of the affairs of the association.
TRADE SHOW EXHIBITORS ASSOCIATION
The Trade Show Exhibitors Association elected Andrew Dudek, CME, CMP, chairman of its board of directors. He is the trade show manager for Telcordia Technologies in Piscataway, N.J., and has more than 15 years of trade show and event experience.
In his speech at the opening session, Dudek said, “As a result of the changes over the past year, our association has come out stronger and healthier than ever. We have revitalized initiatives and we’re ready to hit the ground running to face new challenges.
“My No.1 priority as chairman is to be a loud voice for exhibitors, so that not only do we benefit from inevitable change, but we drive change for our benefit.”
