Kelli Kast is the new vice president, general counsel, chief administrative officer and corporate secretary of Rare Element Resources Ltd. Kast joins the mineral resource company from Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp., where she spent seven years as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Her prior work experience also includes stints at HealtheTech Inc. and Global Water Technologies Inc.

ViewPoint Financial Group hired Scott Almy as chief risk officer, general counsel and executive vice president. Almy has almost 20 years of experience in banking regulation, most recently as the managing member of a private law firm focusing on regulatory and transactional matters. He also spent 15 years as general counsel and secretary of Guaranty Financial Group. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s credit, risk, compliance and legal functions.

Houston First Corp. promoted Lisa Hargrove to the general counsel spot. Hargrove joined the company’s predecessor organization in 2007 and has served as associate general counsel since 2011. Hargrove began her career at Houston Lighting & Power Co. Other prior work experience includes a stint as an attorney in the City of Houston’s legal department.

Other In-House Moves

David Williams, longtime general counsel of Vanderbilt University, will assume the title of vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletics director. Williams previously served as the university’s general counsel and secretary and simultaneously headed the Vanderbilt athletics program after its 2003 restructuring. He also is a professor at the Vanderbilt School of Law, where he teaches courses including tax law and sports law.