Grapevine

FreightCar America, a manufacturer of freight cars for the railway industry, has named Georgia Vlamis as general counsel and corporate secretary, effective as of Dec. 1. In her role, Vlamis serves as a key member of the company’s leadership team, with responsibility for all aspects of the company’s legal affairs. More inside.

Canada-based CST Trust Company announced that Mark Mulima has joined the company as senior Canadian counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary. As chief compliance officer, Mulima will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance responsibilities and applicable laws and regulations. More inside.

Northern Power Systems, a next generation renewable energy technology provider, announced that Elliot Mark, vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary, has provided written notice of his intent to resign his positions, effective Nov. 13.

Darden Restaurants has named Matt Broad, former chief compliance officer at OfficeMax, as general counsel and corporate secretary, effective as of Oct. 13.  In this role, Broad assumes responsibility for all legal affairs, including corporate governance, labor and employment law, development law, litigation and regulatory compliance. More inside.

Societe Generale has appointed Gilles Briatta as general secretary and group chief compliance officer, effective as of Sept. 1. In his new role, Briatta will become a member of the group’s executive committee. More inside.

Panasonic North America, a subsidiary of Japan-based Panasonic, has named Damien Atkins as general counsel and corporate secretary. He is the company's chief legal advisor and is responsible for providing Panasonic and its North American affiliates with legal and regulatory compliance services. More inside.

AMAG Pharmaceuticals has appointed Joseph Vittiglio as general counsel and secretary. In this position, Vittiglio will oversee all legal affairs of the company. More inside.

Frank's International, a global oil services company, has appointed Alex Cestero as general counsel and secretary. He will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Luquette. More inside.

Patterson Companies has named Les Korsh as general counsel and secretary, a distributor serving the dental, production and companion animal health and rehabilitation supply markets.

Wintrust Financial, a financial holding company, has named Kathleen Boege general counsel and corporate secretary. She will assume these roles from Lisa Pattis, who will be leaving the company in September. Details inside.

General Motors has appointed Jill Sutton as corporate secretary and deputy general counsel for corporate, finance and strategic transactions, effective immediately. Sutton will report to Craig Glidden, executive vice president and general counsel. Details inside.

Biopharmaceutical company Shire has appointed Bill Mordan as general counsel and corporate secretary. He will report to CEO Flemming Ornskov and serrve as a member of the executive committee. Details inside.

AK Steel has named Joseph Alter as corporate secretary, in addition to his current roles as general counsel and chief compliance officer. Details inside.

Big Lots has appointed Ronald Robins as general counsel and corporate secretary.  He will be a member of the executive leadership team and report directly to President and CEO David Campisi. Robins previously served as general counsel, chief compliance officer, and secretary of apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch.

Morton Salt has appointed Chad Walker as general counsel and corporate secretary. He succeeds Mary Doohan, who retired last year after a successful 23-year career with the company. Details inside.

AK Steel recently announced the retirement of David Horn as chief legal and administrative officer, and corporate secretary, effective May 31. As a result, Joseph Alter, general counsel and chief compliance officer, will assume the added responsibility of corporate secretary. Details inside.

Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Japan-based Panasonic, has appointed Damien Atkins as general counsel and corporate secretary. Atkins joins Panasonic from AOL, where he served as deputy general counsel and chief compliance officer.

Pharmaceutical company Celgene has appointed Gerald Masoudi as general counsel and corporate secretary, effective June 1. He will succeed Lawrence Stein, who is retiring after serving as general counsel and corporate secretary since 2012

Newell Rubbermaid this week appointed Bradford Turner as general counsel and corporate secretary, effective April 1. He will serve on the company's executive leadership team and will report directly to Newell Rubbermaid President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Polk. Details inside.

YRC Worldwide has named James Fry as general counsel and secretary for YRC Worldwide, effective April 20.

Harsco, a global industrial services company, reported in a Form 8-K filing this week that Verona Dorch, chief legal officer, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary, has left the company. Dorch's employment ended March 10.

American Water, a publicly traded water and waste-water utility company, has named Michael Sgro general counsel and secretary, effective as of Feb. 18. Sgro, who has been with American Water for the past 22 years, most recently served as general counsel of its Northeast Division, and has also been serving as American Water’s interim general counsel since early January. Details inside.

Food and beverage company Dean Foods has appointed Marc Kesselman as general counsel and corporate secretary, effective as of Jan. 26. He assumes this position from  Rachel Gonzalez, who stepped down in September to accept a similar position at a publicly traded company. Details inside.

Defense giant Raytheon has appointed Frank Jimenez as general counsel, effective as of Jan. 19. He succeeds Jay Stephens, who is retiring from Raytheon on March 31 after serving 12 years as general counsel and corporate secretary. Details inside.

Environmental Tectonics, which designs, manufactures, and installs equipment for the aerospace and biomedical industries, announced last week that James Wells will be stepping down as general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief compliance officer. Details inside.