Industry pros are moving on and moving up. Catch up on the latest career changes within the design field.

MEDIA & PR
After 12 years as New York Design Center’s director of special events and marketing, Leah Blank will be heading to Bento Box to be the director of marketing for Bento Build.

Hearst Design Group has appointed William “Bill” Pittel to associate publisher of Elle Decor, with David Hamilton transitioning to associate publisher of Veranda. Other shifts within the Hearst Tower include Eleftherios Kardamakis, who has been named creative director of the Hearst Design Group and will manage creative projects that span Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Veranda. Kardamakis will continue to serve as design director of House Beautiful in addition. Previously a market editor, Carisha Swanson has been promoted to senior market editor of the Hearst Design Group.

Luxe Interiors + Design has welcomed three new members to its Sandow-owned team. Teresa Lowry joins as director of sales, working closely with the group publisher. Jessica Tolmach will be overseeing the magazine’s non-endemic category as the new luxury director, and Samantha Westmoreland will contribute to marketing and event-planning efforts as the new integrated marketing manager.

New York City–based shelter PR agency Andrew Joseph Public Relations recently added Mallory Pound to the team as a new account manager. She comes to the firm after having worked on the publishing side of the interior design industry.

PR experts Lisa Davis and Kim Gonthier have joined forces to create the San Francisco–based agency Davis Gonthier, formerly Lisa Davis PR. The duo has also named Kelly Givas as director of media relations.

Home Design & Decor magazine has named Ashley Hotham editor in chief. Hotham previously served as an associate market editor at Traditional Home.

Sarah Boyd has left Calvin Klein as vice president of communication of home, after starting there as director of press relations in 2013. Boyd has started her own consultancy, Sarah Boyd Co., focusing on brand strategy and public relations. Her client list includes James Huniford of Huniford Design Studio, Brad Ford ID and Field + Supply. Boyd will also be advising non-profit Urban Glass.

DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
West Coast firm R&A Architecture + Design recently made a few big promotions within its team. The company, which has offices in Culver City, California, and Portland, Oregon, has named Scott Walter technical director, along with Lisa Pauli and Michael Contento design directors.

Architecture and design firm Wilson Associates has named Ong-Art Ngamnarongkij design director. Now responsible for leading the firm’s new Bangkok studio, Ngamnarongkij will oversee the firm’s resort projects.

Veteran art director Ryan Williams has accepted the role of art director at furniture manufacturer Sixinch. Williams will direct the firm’s creativity and design work within product lines and branding.

Aaron Harcek has joined HDR’s Denver studio as a design principal. With a strong focus on the civic, educational science and technology, and health care sectors, he will work hand in hand with managing principal Julianne Scherer to focus on design excellence in the Denver region.

Kelly McEachern recently accepted the senior project manager and designer position at Texas-based interior architecture firm Lauckgroup. In her new role, she will focus on workplace strategy consulting.

New York design firm Thinc Design has hired Clare Hughes as creative director. The British designer brings more than 25 years of experience to the newly created position.

Bicoastal architecture and design firm Ike Kligerman Barkley has named Jessica Wilks associate.

SALES, MANUFACTURING & RETAIL
Garden furniture maker Munder-Skiles has hired Sally Foster Walshe as its director of East Coast sales. Formerly of Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and Michael Taylor Designs, Walshe will be based out of the 200 Lex showroom.

Humanscale’s sustainability officer, Jane Abernathy, has accepted the title of vice chair of the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA).

Kitchen and bath manufacturer GRAFF has announced two new sales team additions. Bryce Vincent has been named a national retail sales manager, and Jeffrey Tankel has accepted a regional sales manager role.

John Czarnecki, editor in chief of Contract magazine, has accepted the position of deputy director and senior vice president of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

American textile company Merida has promoted Joni Mullen, formerly the inside sales manager, to business development manager. Mullen will be based in Boston and work with the brand’s New England design clients.

Following a year of expansion, with the opening of new showrooms in New York City and Chicago and the acquisition of PWV Studios, Scott Group Studio has named John Hart and Tim Hill as co-chief executive officers.

Kravet has welcomed Reynaldo Rojas to the sales team at its DDB showroom. Rojas brings 14 years of industry experience to the new position.