Hal Dash of the Los Angeles, Calif.-based Cerrell Associates was elected Chairman. Dash replaces outgoing chairman John Bliss of Bliss PR in New York. Stefan Pollack of Pollack PR Marketing Group, also in Los Angeles, was appointed Chair-elect and Treasurer.

Dash said he hopes to continue expanding Worldcom's global reach and the breadth of services and expertise offered by the network. "Above all, clients seek value and results for their investment, particularly during uncertain economic times," Dash said. "Worldcom offers clients direct access to the best and brightest PR minds all over the world – but at the same time, the specialized local knowledge and focused results that are the hallmarks of independent PR agencies."

In addition to naming Dash and Pollack as Chair and Chair-elect/Treasurer of the Americas Region, other appointments include:

• John Bliss, Bliss PR, New York – Immediate Past Chair, Practice Groups
• Angelica Consiglio, Planin, Sao Paolo – Latin America Membership
• Aileen Katcher, Katcher Vaughn & Bailey, Nashville – Marketing
• Neil McGlone, Michael A. Burns & Associates, Dallas – Member Recruitment
• Dorothy Pirovano, Public Communications, Inc., Chicago – Member Retention
• Virginia Sheridan, M. Silver Associates, New York – Meeting Liaison
• Lore McManus Solo, Strategic America, Des Moines – Online / Interactive
• Marie-Joseé Gagnon, CASACOM, Montreal – Peer Review
• Sandy Hermanoff, Hermanoff Public Relations, Detroit – Professional Development
• Todd Lynch, St. John & Partners, Jacksonville – Sponsorship/Vendor Relations