The CNY Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has hired Laura Abert as chapter management professional. She will serve as an independent contractor for CNY SHRM, while maintaining her private clients, where she assists with graphic design, web development, and other marketing initiatives. Abert is the founder and president of Chair 2 Marketing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with minors in economics and sociology from Alma College

Kerri D. Howell has been appointed director of communications and media relations for the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. She brings Whitman extensive experience in strategic communications, most recently as the director of public relations and marketing for St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Howell has also worked in management roles in public relations for various large companies and nonprofit organizations, including Lockheed Martin Corp. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, and a master’s degree in communications management from Syracuse’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where she has served as an adjunct professor in the public relations department since 2004

Heather McCoy has joined Steve Chirello Advertising as an administrative assistant and graphic designer. She previously worked as an advertising consultant for both print and digital media in Oswego County. McCoy was also an Internet sales and marketing manager for two Syracuse–based auto dealers and an office manager for a computer software and service company.