Ken Worzel
Ken Worzel.

Nordstrom announced that it has named Ken Worzel as the president of Nordstrom.com. The move comes after a period of upheaval earlier this year within the company’s technology team. The Seattle-based retailer says it is now looking to “accelerate its e-commerce, digital and mobile efforts.”

Worzel had been serving as the executive vice president of strategy and development at the company since 2010, Nordstom said in a news release this week. He’s been in charge of strengthening the company’s competitive position and relevance through developing and executing customer-driven strategies to support growth.

Prior to Nordstrom he worked as a consultant, including partnering with Nordstrom for 13 years while at Marakon Associates and McKinsey & Company.

“Through his six years as a leader at Nordstrom and many years prior to that working alongside our executive team, Ken has gained a deep understanding of how our e-commerce, digital and mobile efforts play an integral role in providing customers a differentiated experience through service, personalization and convenience,” Erik Nordstrom, co-president of Nordstrom, said in the news release. “Ken comes into this position with expertise around Nordstrom.com’s current position and a strong vision for its future potential that will continue to bring the company a tremendous amount of value as we evolve our strategy and build on our success.”

Michael Ann Thomas
Michael Ann Thomas.

APCO Worldwide, a global communications and public affairs consultancy, as named Michael Ann Thomas as technology practice chairwoman for North America.

Thomas, a former Edelman executive who led the health technology segment for the firm, will be responsible for all strategy and execution related to the technology practice in an effort to expand APCO’s global tech presence, a news release said.

“Today traditional enterprises are technology-enabled companies that want to provide immersive experiences, across devices and environments, for consumers and businesses. This has led to a deluge of new services, solutions and applications,” Nelson Fernandez, chairman for North America at APCO, said in the release. “Michael has inimitable forethought and understands this great demand on businesses, to provide better precision, personalization and efficiency. And, she’s proven in her ability to build businesses, with the tenacity to expand APCO’s Technology Practice, across North America.”

Thomas has pent time with large and boutique marketing and communications firms across the country. At Edelman, she focused on organic growth with existing clients and growing the practice portfolio with new clients and team members.

“APCO’s rich history in issues management aligns well with the transformation we’re seeing today across businesses in every vertical, as they defend and evolve their brands,” Thomas said. “I am excited to continue building from this DNA, helping our clients articulate their unique value proposition and compete on new standards. We have a strong bench of seasoned subject matter experts here at APCO, across North America and abroad, who will support this effort.”

Samuel Sunderaraj
Samuel Sunderaraj.

LiveStories, the Seattle-based makers of data visualization software, has named Samuel Sunderaraj as senior vice president of sales.

Sunderaraj was previously vice president of global inside sales at ExtraHop Networks. He was also head of sales at Simply Measured, where he increased paid customer count by three times within a year (over 600 customers). Sunderaraj also ran SaaS sales for Limelight Networks.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the LiveStories team and the mission of transforming how modern governments engage with data,” Sunderaraj said. “I was impressed with the rapid growth, technology vision and the fact that 45 million constituents are already being served by the LiveStories data platform.

“I look forward to helping the company shift from disruptive startup mode and scale to become the undisputed leader of data collaboration within the public sector.”

LiveStories, a Techstars 2014 Seattle graduate, announced a $3 million funding round earlier this month.

David Poston
David Poston.

EpiThany, a Seattle-based biotech company focused on the advancement of innovative cancer therapies, has named David Poston as chief operating officer.

Poston comes from the Allen Institute, where he joined in 2011 and served as chief financial officer after being chief operating officer. According to a news release, he helped plan, lead and support teams executing over $500 million of Institute expansion initiatives including the Institute’s 10-year plan for the Allen Institute for Brain Science unit, the Institute’s multiple-year plans for the Allen Institute for Cell Science and The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, and the construction of the Institute’s headquarters building.

“David’s sterling credentials and deep industry experience across multiple strategic financial and operational functions will be invaluable to EpiThany as we focus on advancing our pioneering cancer vaccine technology further in the clinic and establishing key partnerships,” Bill Watt, founder, president and CEO of EpiThany, said in the release. “We are thrilled to have David join us as we work to become the first company to develop Th1-selective, multi-antigen vaccines for patients with solid tumors.”

Bill Lawler.
Bill Lawler.

 

Skilljar, a cloud-based learning management system platform out of Seattle, has added Bill Lawler as vice president of sales.

Lawler has more than 25 years of experience in technology sales. He most recently spent four years as SVP of sales at Socrata. He will be leading the revenue team at Skilljar and playing a key role in achieving the company’s long-term growth goals, according to a news release.

“I’m so excited to welcome Bill to our executive team,” Sandi Lin, CEO and co-founder of Skilljar, said in the release. “It’s a unique opportunity for us to have a previous customer now leading our acquisition strategy, and Bill’s wealth of industry knowledge has already made him a valuable addition to our team.”

Dan Holmes
Dan Holmes.

MarketsandMarkets, an international market research provider, has named Dan Holmes as senior vice president and head of its new North American operations out of Seattle.

The India-based firm employs more than 1,000 worldwide.

Holmes, a 14-year veteran of Gartner Group, said it’s an honor to join the team and bring the company’s services to North America.

“Organizations today are faced with an unprecedented task of navigating a complex world of new technologies and markets that are constantly changing,” Holmes said in a news release. “To remain competitive, meet revenue goals, and deliver value to shareholders, industry leaders must be able to identify and quantify new opportunities quickly.”

Boeing has appointed Jim Chilton as president of the company’s Network & Space Systems business.

Chilton, a 32-year veteran of Boeing, had been vice president of the company’s Strategic Missile & Defense Systems organization. Before that he spent much of his career leading space launch, payload processing and rocket engine programs, Boring said in a news release.

He succeeds Craig R. Cooning, who is retiring after 11 years at Boeing. The move is effective Oct. 21 and Chilton will be based in the Washington, D.C., area.

“These businesses made significant operating improvements under Craig’s leadership,” said Boeing Defense, Space & Security CEO Leanne Caret. “Jim will now lead our efforts to exceed customers’ expectations by becoming even more affordable, efficient and innovative, with a focus on growth for the next century.”

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