Powers Agency promoted Lori Graf to executive vice president and chief creative officer.
Graf will continue duties as creative department head and will also chair the agency’s operations committee.
Graf earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from Miami University and started her career at J. Walter Thompson in Chicago, where she moved from intern to a senior creative position during her six years with the company before joining Powers.
She has earned the Edison Award for new product introduction, a New York Festival award for direct mail, a Mobius award for creative excellence and numerous local, regional and national ADDY awards.
Powers Agency joined the firm as vice president and creative director in 1997.
Despite a significant industry-wide recession, the firm’s overall revenue has increased by approximately 230 percent during the past eight years, according to company officials.
In addition to her work, Graf is active in the community and industry.
Graf was the first woman elected board of governors chair for the American Association of Advertising Agency’s Heartland Council. She also serves on the board of directors for the Cincinnati Opera and Prevent Blindness Ohio.
UnitedHealthcare
Dr. Kenneth J. Phenow was named chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare of Southwestern Ohio/Indiana, a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare.
Most recently, Phenow was senior regional medical director for UnitedHealth Group’s Optum subsidiary in Greensboro, N.C. He was also lead medical director for UnitedHealth Group’s heart failure disease management program at the same time.
Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare, he provided administrative and clinical leadership as associate medical director of the health plan and director of the urgent care center for a large integrated health care delivery system in Central Texas.
While there, he also served as an assistant professor of family medicine at the Texas A&M School of Medicine.
Phenow received his residency training in family medicine through the U.S. Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program and provided clinical and administrative services at military installations in California, Texas and Japan. He holds the rank of commander in the U.S. Medical Corps Reserve.
Phenow received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and earned a master of science degree in public health from the University of California at Los Angeles and a dual bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and political science from the University of California at San Diego’s Revelle College.
eLynx Ltd.
Robert Nilsson was appointed vice president of business development of eLynx Ltd.
Nilsson is responsible for steering eLynx’s growth as the company continues to expand its service offering and client roster. His responsibilities include managing corporatewide activities as they relate to marketing, business and market development, strategic partnerships and business acquisitions.
Nilsson previously held executive roles with global organizations and start-up IT companies. He has more than 17 years of experience in the IT industry, including executive roles in business development, corporate development, sales and marketing, merger and acquisitions, and program management.
Previously, Nilsson worked for PowerNet Global Communications Inc., Vallent Corp., Marconi Corp., Convergys Corp. and NCR Corp., focused on enterprises and communications.
Nilsson earned his bachelor of science degree in marketing from Miami University and his MBA from Bowling Green State University. He also earned an associate degree in electrical engineering from Vasa Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Nilsson is a member of the Association for Corporate.
Powers Agency
Kim Fortner was promoted to vice president, account group manager, for Powers Agency, a Cincinnati-based full-service marketing communications firm. She will lead client relations, focusing primarily on the agency’s health care accounts. She also will assume additional agency management responsibilities.
Fortner brings extensive health care marketing and sales experience to her position. She has worked with physicians, hospitals, insurers and other key health care stakeholders for more than 12 years.
Fortner earned a bachelor of science in business administration degree in marketing from the University of Colorado.
Powers Agency also hired Christine M. Carty as an account manager.
Carty brings experience with specialized expertise in public relations and event planning. She will serve clients, specifically working with those in the health care industries, for the integrated marketing communication firm.
Before joining Powers Agency, Carty was an event specialist with ASAP Event Advertising, where she helped foster and develop client relationships. Previous to this, Carty worked as a corporate event marketing team leader for Sumner Solutions Inc. During her three years with Sumner Solutions, she helped increase audience attendance through a variety of interactive marketing methods.
Federated Department Stores Inc.
Joyce M. Roche and William P. Stiritz were elected to the board of directors of Federated Department Stores Inc.
Roche is president and CEO of Girls Inc. Stiritz, chairman of the board of Energizer Holdings Inc. and Ralcorp Holdings Inc., is the retired chairman and CEO of Ralston Purina Co.
Roche and Stiritz were directors of The May Department Stores Co. at the time of May’s merger with Federated in August.
Roche joined the May Co. board in 2003. She is also a director of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., SBC Communications Inc. and Tupperware Corp.
Stiritz joined the May board in 1983 and is also a director of Energizer, Ralcorp, Ball Corp. and Vail Resorts Inc. He has also previously served as a director of Angelica Corp., Boatmen’s Bancshares Inc., General American Life Insurance Co., and S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.
