GC Appointments
Ivan Fong, former general counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has joined 3M Co. as senior vice president, legal affairs, and general counsel. Before joining Homeland Security in 2009, Fong was chief legal officer and secretary at Cardinal Health. His prior work experience also includes a stint as the senior vice president and general counsel of GE Vendor Financial Services.
Aerospace company Alliant Techsystems Inc. hired Scott Chaplin as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Chaplin brings years of experience in the aerospace and defense sectors to the role, having served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Stanley Inc. and vice president and general counsel at BAE Systems Information Technology.
VHA, a national network of community-owned health care systems, appointed Ann Thielke as senior vice president and general counsel. Thielke comes to the company from St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System in Houston, where she oversaw the system’s expansion from two to six hospitals. Between 2000 and 2005, Thielke practiced health law at Andrews Kurth.
Virginia Murray joined the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department as general counsel. Murray most recently was a supervising attorney in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. She replaces outgoing GC Lisa Morris, who retired after 30 years with the police department.
The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) named David Askew CEO and general counsel. Before joining NAMWOLF, Askew was director of Edwards Wildman Palmer’s pro bono program. He has also served as deputy chief on the Civil Rights Bureau in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and as a litigation associate at Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon.
Stephen Ambrose joined Isis, the mobile commerce joint venture by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, as general counsel and secretary. Ambrose most recently was managing partner at BuckleySandler, where he focused on transactional and regulatory practices. His prior work experience also includes a stint as the general counsel of GE Money, Americas.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group named Franck Courmont general counsel, Asia Pacific. Courmont previously was vice president, legal, at Rezidor Hotel Group, where he negotiated more than 100 management agreements and licenses for Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni. He also has served as the global head of legal at AXA Investment Manager and as legal team leader at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Other In-House Moves
Biotechnology company Acorda Therapeutics Inc. announced that Jane Wasman, general counsel and chief, strategic development, will also assume the title of president, international. In her new role, Wasman will be responsible for identifying and launching in-licensing and commercial opportunities in the U.S., as well as managing the company’s collaboration with drug manufacturer Biogen Idec.
