Career Moves

Xerium Technologies, which manufactures clothing and roll covers used in the paper production process, has appointed Thomas "Tom" Johnson to president of Xerium Asia.

John McKinney joined Alfred Williams & Co. as vice president of sales and marketing in Raleigh. He will be responsible for all sales activity and community engagement for the organization's Raleigh market.

J. Todd Harrelson joined Grubb & Ellis/Thomas Linderman Graham in Raleigh as vice president, retail brokerage. Harrelson will provide strategic services for investors, owners and retail clients in the Triangle and North Carolina.

Tim Simmons, a former long-time education reporter for The News & Observer, has been named vice president of communications for Wake Education Partnership. Simmons will be responsible for communicating the partnership's efforts to help improve Wake County's public schools. A nonprofit group, the partnership acts as a link between the schools, business leaders and politicians.

Greg Merritt was promoted to vice president of corporate marketing at Cree in Durham. He is responsible for Cree's global public relations, advertising, industry events and conferences, Web activities, distributor co-marketing and company sponsorships. Cree makes light-emitting diodes that are used to illuminate cell phones, signs, TV screens and lights.

Deena B. Wegner was hired as vice president for business development and strategy at Drug Safety Alliance in Research Triangle Park, which specializes in pharmaceutical safety.

Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh announced several promotions and appointments: Kim Luckes was promoted to executive vice president, Joyce Blackwell was appointed vice president for academic affairs, Crystal Roberts joined the college as associate vice president of communications and marketing, Linda Hubbard was appointed vice president for faculty and student development, James B. Parham will serve as acting dean of the Division of Business and Computer Sciences, and Faith E. Speaks joined as the dean of the Division of Social Sciences and as an associate professor.

Naa Aku Ankrah has rejoined the Raleigh office of The Roberts Group + Fanning Howey as a project coordinator. Ian T. Hadden joined as the client liaison for engineering and sustainable design. Fanning/Howey Associates is a planning and design firm for educational facilities.

Roula Qubain joined the HSMM Raleigh office. She will lead the firm's expansion for facilities design. HSMM/AECOM is an architectural and engineering firm.

Quarry Integrated Communications, a marketing communications agency in Durham, hired four communications professionals: Brad Bremer, Kristi Drum, Neila Hodgins and Heather Murphy.