The San Francisco Chronicle adds that, “as part of the Pringles deal, Diamond gave assurances to P&G that its financial statements were accurate. Under the terms of the agreement, P&G may be able to terminate the deal if it demonstrates that problems with the financial statements represent a ‘material adverse effect’ in Diamond’s business.” Additionally, the documents state that a change in employment status of the acquirer’s senior executives that may negatively impact its future prospects would constitute a “material adverse change.” Diamond board member Rick Wolford has agreed to serve as acting CEO, while Alix Partners LP’s Michael Murphy will be acting CFO while the company searches for permanent replacements.

The New York Times quotes P&G spokesman Paul Fox as stating that the company’s Pringles unit has attracted “considerable interest” from other potential buyers and that the company is keeping all of its options open. Ali Dibadj, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Company in New York, remarks, “I don’t think P&G wants to stick its shareholders with a stock that is uncertain like Diamond.” Nevertheless, Diamond will continue to be a force in the industry as the seller of such popular products as Emerald snack nuts and Pop Secret popcorn.

State and federal officials will announce Thursday morning a landmark settlement with five of the nation’s banks over their flawed and fraudulent foreclosure practices.

Long-running negotiations over the estimated $25 billion settlement received a major boost Wednesday when California ­Attorney General Kamala Harris agreed to back the effort after withdrawing her support last fall, according to three people with knowledge of the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

Bob Shanks

Ford Motor Company has announced the retirement of CFO Lewis Booth, who will be succeeded by Bob Shanks, current company vice president and controller. Shanks has held a variety of leadership positions at the company, including controller for The Americas and CFO of the Mazda Motor Corporation. “Bob is a terrific leader,” CEO Alan Mulally said. “He has been a wonderful partner to the leadership team in the implementation and institutionalization of the One Ford plan. His deep experience in finance, combined with his global perspective will allow us to continue to deliver an exciting profitably growing Ford.”

Former Honeywell International COO of the Defense and Space Business Dean M. Flatt has been elected to the Curtiss-Wright board of directors, the engineering company announced. Flatt has also served as president of Honeywell’s Aerospace Electronics Systems Business. He is currently a board member at Ducommun, Industrial Container Services and JF Lehman & Company.

Inge G. Thulin

Inge G. Thulin, 3M COO, has been promoted to company director and CEO, succeeding the retiring George W. Buckley, according to a company statement. Thulin is former executive vice president of International Operations for the company, and is currently a member of The Toro Company board of directors. Vance D. Coffman, lead director said, “Inge is a proven leader with a terrific blend of strategic, business and analytical skills, and an excellent record of delivering both sales growth and operational efficiency in a wide range of global businesses. His strengths will serve 3M well and ensure that the company remains on a strong growth track driven by innovation for many years to come.”

Charles G. "Chip" McClure

DTE Energy has named Charles G. “Chip” McClure, chairman and CEO of Meritor, to the board of directors, the diversified energy company announced in a statement. McClure is former CEO and director of Federal-Mogul and former CEO and director at Detroit Diesel. “We are delighted that Chip has agreed to join our board of directors,” said Gerard M. Anderson, DTE Energy chairman and CEO. “His proven business leadership, his experience with various corporate boards and his leadership in the community will make him a valuable addition to the board.”

Retailer Aeropostale has appointed current Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee Karin Hirtler-Garvey chairman of the board, according to a company news release. Hirtler-Garvey is former chief risk executive at Ally Financial and previously has held a number of senior management positions at Bank of America. She is a director at Medley Capital, USAA Federal Savings Bank and Western World Insurance. The company also named Janet E. Grove, retired Macys vice chairman and current Safeway director, to the board.

David T. Seaton

David T. Seaton, Fluor CEO, will take on the additional role of company chairman, completing retiring Chairman and CEO Alan L. Boeckmann’s succession plan, the company announced. Seaton is a director at The Mosaic Company and the American Petroleum Institute. “Alan’s contributions to Fluor’s board over the last decade are innumerable. He helped the company achieve unprecedented levels of success across all business metrics during both stable and unstable economic conditions,” said Peter J. Fluor, the company’s lead independent director. “The board is fully confident that David will help Fluor achieve great accomplishments in the future, just like other great Fluor leaders have done in the past.”

Micron Technology has appointed D. Mark Durcan CEO and director, and Robert E. Switz chairman, following the sudden death of longtime Chairman and CEO Steven R. Appleton in an airplane accident Feb. 3. Durcan has served as COO since 2007 and was previously the company’s chief technology officer. Switz is currently on the Micron board, and is former chairman and CEO of ADC Telecommunications.

Kazuo Hirai

Sony has appointed Kazuo Hirai, currently executive deputy president, to be successor to current CEO Howard Stringer, who will remain as chairman of the board. Hirai is also expected to be appointed to the board at the shareholders meeting in June. “Kaz is a globally focused executive for whom technology and the cloud are familiar territory, content is highly valued, and digital transformation is second nature. I believe his tough-mindedness and leadership skills will be of great benefit to the company and its customers in the months and years ahead,” Stringer said in a statement.

PerkinElmer has appointed Atlas Venture Partner Peter Barrett to the board of directors. Barrett previously was co-founder and chief business officer at Celera Genomics, and held senior management positions at PerkinElmer in the 1980s and 1990s. “We are very excited to have Peter joining our board,” said Robert F. Friel, chairman and CEO of PerkinElmer. “Peter brings decades of deep industry experience and knowledge of life sciences and analytical instrumentation, gained in his international leadership positions, as well as from his expertise as a leading investor in scientific enterprises.”

Evelyn Follit

Evelyn Follit, head of Follit Associates consulting practice and former RadioShack CIO, has been named to the TECO Energy board of directors, the energy-related holding company has announced. Follit is also a director at Bealls and Winn-Dixie Stores. TECO Energy Executive Chairman Sherrill Hudson said, “Evelyn is a proven leader, with decades of experience in corporate technology and strategy, and she is an excellent addition to our board.”

DineEquity, parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP Restaurants, has named Choice Hotels International CEO Stephen P. Joyce to the board, according to a company statement. Joyce has also served in a number of executive leadership positions at Marriott International.

Former National City Corporation Chairman and CEO Peter E. Raskind will join the Capital One Financial board of directors, the financial holding company announced in a statement. Raskind, who will join the board’s audit and risk committee, is currently a consultant to banks and private equity bank investors, and has previously served as a director at United Community Banks, Visa USA, Visa International and Inovant.

Zein Abdalla, CEO of PepsiCo Europe, has been elected to The TJX Companies board of directors, according to a news release from the apparel and home fashions retailer. Abdalla has served in a variety of leadership positions at PepsiCo, including general manager of the company’s European Beverage Business. In addition, the company has promoted current Executive Vice President Scott Goldenberg to the additional role of company CFO. Goldenberg has also held the company’s corporate controller and senior vice president, director of finance positions at Marmaxx.

Corning Incorporated has appointed retired Dow Corning Chairman and CEO Stephanie A. Burns to the board of directors and its corporate relations committee. Burns is also a director at GlaxoSmithKline and was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Export Council.

Martin J. Barrington

Altria Group CEO and Chairman Michael Szymanczyk has announced he will retire in May, to be succeeded by current Vice Chairman and Director Martin J. Barrington. Barrington also serves as the company’s chief compliance officer, and has previously served as executive vice president, general counsel and senior vice president for Phillip Morris International.

Frank J. Petrilli has been named chairman of the E*TRADE Financial board of directors, allowing current CEO Steven Freiberg to pass on the interim chairman role he had held since the departure of Robert Druskin in May 2011. Petrilli most recently was CEO of Surge Trading and is former CEO of Nexxar Group. “A seasoned veteran and well-recognized leader in our industry, Frank’s experience makes him an ideal addition to our Board. In addition to his in-depth understanding of both securities brokerage and consumer banking businesses, Frank has a proven record of leading successful growth in the retail investing segment,” said Freiberg in a statement.

JDS Uniphase CEO and Director Thomas H. Waechter is joining the Altera board of directors, the programmable solutions creator announced in a statement. Waechter also formerly held a number of executive positions, including chief operating officer, at Harris Stratex Networks. “Tom’s diverse business and management experience is a strong addition to Altera as we enter a new era of silicon convergence with our programmable solutions,” said John Daane, Altera’s Chairman and CEO.

Symantec has appointed Starbucks Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Digital Ventures Stephen Gillett to the board of directors, according to a company news release. Gillett was named last year’s “Chief of the Year” by InformationWeek, and previously held senior technology leadership positions with Corbis, Yahoo! and CNET Networks. “Gillett’s enthusiasm and forward thinking will add a unique perspective to help drive Symantec strategy,” said Enrique Salem, Symantec CEO. “We look forward to benefiting from his innovative technology experience that is directly relevant to Symantec’s vision of helping people work and play freely in a connected world.”

Edward C. White, Owens-Illinois CFO has announced his retirement, and the company has named current President of O-I Asia Pacific Operations Stephen P. Bramlage, Jr. as his successor. Bramlage has also served as company treasurer and general manager of O-I New Zealand. CEO and Chairman Al Stroucken said in a statement, “Steve has served as a member of my leadership team for the last year and is very familiar with our global strategies, as well as the financial intricacies of the company. We are greatly indebted to Ed and we appreciate his contribution to O-I. We look forward to an orderly transition of responsibilities from Ed to Steve during the second quarter.”

Booz & Company Senior Executive Advisor Marc E. Robinson has been elected to the Minerals Technologies board of directors, the company announced in a statement. Robinson has previously held the company group chairman of the consumer segment position at Johnson & Johnson. “We are very pleased to have someone of Marc Robinson’s caliber join our Board of Directors,” said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and CEO. “He has a uniquely diversified business background as a Fortune 100 officer-level executive with leadership roles in marketing, sales, technology and general management.”

M.D.C. Holdings has appointed Raymond T. Baker, president, founder and co-director of Gold Crown Management, to the board. Baker is also a member of the board of directors at Alpine Banks of Colorado and Steele Street State Bank & Trust.

Gerald L. Storch, current Toys”R”Us chairman and CEO, has been elected to the Bristol-Myers Squibb board of directors, according to a company statement. Storch is also former vice chairman of Target and partner at McKinsey & Company. “We are thrilled to have a person of Jerry’s caliber, an industry leader with an excellent track record of success in branding and positioning a global franchise for growth, on our board of directors,” said Lamberto Andreotti, Bristol-Myers Squibb CEO.

John Mulligan

Target has named current Senior Vice President of Finance John Mulligan to the CFO role, replacing retiring CFO Doug Scovanner effective April 1. Mulligan has also held leadership positions in the company’s Target.com and Human Resources segments. He is also currently a member of the finance committee for Habitat for Humanity. “John brings significant financial experience and strategic perspective to this new role,” said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman and CEO. “I am confident that he will sustain the financial discipline and stewardship Target has enjoyed during Doug’s tenure and believe John’s strong leadership and record of performance make him a valuable addition to our Target executive team.”

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has re-elected Rob Feckner president and George Diehr vice president, the pension fund announced in a news release. Feckner was first elected to the fund’s board in 1998, and chairs the governance committee. Previously, he was president of the California School Employees Association. Diehr is on the faculty of the College of Business Administration at California State University, San Marcos. He chairs the investment and the benefits and program administration committees. “I want to thank my fellow board members for their support and trust in me to lead this organization,” said Feckner. “We have made great strides in the last year to strengthen our transparency, accountability and ethics that will enhance our ability to provide the retirement and health security that public employees deserve.”

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) Co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie are stepping down from their positions, with Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales Thorsten Heins taking on the position, according to a company statement. Heins joined the company as senior vice president for hardware engineering, and previously worked at Siemens Communication Group. Lazaridis will transition to vice chairman of the board and chair of its new innovation committee, while Balsillie will remain a member of the board. “Thorsten has demonstrated throughout his tenure at RIM that he has the right mix of leadership, relevant industry experience and skills to take the company forward. We have been impressed with his operational skills at both RIM and Siemens,” said Lazaridis.

Mary Ann Casati and Lorraine Twohill have been named to the board of directors at Williams-Sonoma. Casati is a co-founding partner of Circle Financial Group, and a former member of the J. Crew Group board. Twohill is head of Google’s global marketing division. “We are excited to have Mary Ann and Lorraine join our board,” said Adrian Bellamy, chairman of the board. “These two individuals each bring a unique perspective and expertise that we believe will help shape the success of our company.”

Celgene has elected Richard W. Barker, former director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, to the board of directors, the biopharmaceutical company announced. Barker is also former CEO of Chiron Diagnostics, general manager of IBM’s Worldwide Healthcare Solutions divsion and leader of McKinsey & Company’s European healthcare practice. “As we continue to expand our global reach, Dr. Barker’s international perspective will enhance our ability to navigate through an increasingly dynamic healthcare landscape and provide patients access to our innovative therapies,” said Robert J. Hugin, Celgene’s chairman and CEO.

José E. Almeida

Covidien has elected current CEO José E. Almeida to the additional position of chairman of the board, the healthcare products company announced in a statement. Almeida has also served as the president of the company’s Medical Devices business segment, and joined the company in 1995 as director of Manufacturing and Corporate Engineering. “Joe has done an outstanding job leading the organization since becoming president and CEO last July,” said Timothy M. Donahue, lead director. “His drive to create long-term shareholder value and his vast knowledge of the global healthcare marketplace significantly enhance the company’s already strong prospects for sustained growth and progress.”

Jack L. Stahl has been appointed to the Saks board of directors and its audit committee, the retailer announced in a statement. Stahl is former CEO of Revlon, and served in a number of financial leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company, including CFO and COO. Currently, Stahl is also a member of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Coty and Delhaize Group boards of directors. Stephen I. Sadove, chairman and CEO of Saks, commented, “We are extremely pleased that Jack Stahl will join our board of directors. His exceptional finance, leadership, operations, and strategic business background will make him an outstanding contributor to our board.”

BJ’s Wholesale Club CEO Laura J. Sen has been named to the rue21 board of directors, expanding the board to seven members, according to a news release from the specialty apparel retailer. Sen is also a director at BJ’s, where she previously served as COO. Bob Fisch, rue21 CEO and chairman, stated: “I am delighted to welcome Laura Sen to our board. Laura has a proven track record in retail merchandising and operations, and we look forward to benefiting from her strategic leadership in critical areas important to the continued growth of our business.”

Sealed Air has elected Richard L. Wambold, former Pactiv/Reynolds Foodservice and Consumer Products CEO, to the board. Wambold has previously served as chairman and CEO of Pactiv, and currently is a board member at Cooper Tire and Rubber and Precision Castparts.

OM Group has named former Advanced Energy CEO Hans-Georg Betz a director, the company announced in a statement. Betz was formerly founder and CEO of West Steag Partners.

Diane Greene, co-founder and former CEO at VMware, has been named to the Google board of directors and audit committee, BusinessWeek reports. Greene, who is also a director at Intuit, expands the board to ten members. She co-founded VMware in 1998 and sold the company to EMC Corp. in 2004, who then spun the company off in 2007 but maintained a majority ownership. “Diane is a special person who combines a sharp business acumen with a brilliant technical mind,” Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said. “We know she will be a great contributor and we are grateful to have her insight.”

Retired EQT Corporation Chairman and CEO Murry S. Gerber has been named to the Halliburton board of directors, according to a company statement. Before joining the regional gas distribution company, Gerber was CEO of Coral Energy, a Shell subsidiary. “Murry brings a lifetime of energy industry success to the Halliburton board,” said David J. Lesar, Halliburton chairman and CEO. “His leadership, his experience in the Marcellus shale and unconventionals, as well as his intimate knowledge of international oil companies will be valuable in the coming years. We are glad he has chosen to add his talents to our diverse and multifaceted board.” Gerber resigned from his position as director at EQT on Jan. 5, and the company has since elected Kenneth M. Burke and Margaret K. Dorman to the board. Burke is a retired Ernst & Young National Energy director and partner-in-charge of the Houston Energy Services Group. Dorman is former CFO of Smith International, and has also held financial leadership roles at Landmark Graphics.

Lisa Palmer

Regency Centers CFO Bruce Johnson has announced his retirement, with current Senior Vice President of Capital Markets Lisa Palmer stepping in as his successor. Palmer has led the capital markets and investor relations team for over 10 years. “Lisa is not only a gifted financial professional, she also knows the shopping center business and is ingrained with Regency’s special culture. In her 15 years with Regency Lisa has amassed impressive skills from her key roles in capital markets, investor relations, and with our institutional partners. It was an easy and natural decision for me after learning of Bruce’s decision to select Lisa as Regency’s next CFO,” said Martin “Hap” Stein, Jr., Regency Centers chairman and CEO.

Madison Square Garden Sports President Scott O’Neil has been appointed to the Hain Celestial Group board of directors. Previously, O’Neil was senior vice president for the National Basketball Association. His appointment brings the number of Hain Celestial directors to nine.

Mark Weinberger

Ernst & Young has named Mark Weinberger, current head of the Ernst & Young global tax practice, to the global chairman and CEO position, according to a company statement. Weinberger will succeed current global chairman and CEO Jim Turley, who will retire in June. Previously, Weinberger served as the head of the company’s Americas tax division, and was a member of the Americas Executive and U.S. Operating Committee. “Mark is an outstanding professional who has demonstrated strong leadership within and outside our firm, and serves an active role with many of our largest clients. Importantly, Mark has a regulatory mindset which will ensure Ernst & Young maintains strong connections with the many audit regulators and other officials with whom we engage globally. I look forward to working with Mark through a productive transition and am confident he will be an outstanding leader for Ernst & Young who will take our organization to even greater levels of success,” said Turley.

Acxiom Corporation has appointed Warren C. Jenson CFO, the marketing services and technology developer has announced. Jenson has previously served in the CFO role at Electronic Arts, Amazon.com, Delta Air Lines and NBC. He is also a director at Digital Globe and MarkMonitor. “Acxiom is undergoing a significant transformation and Warren joining our team is part of our commitment to lead the way towards more effective marketing practices,” said Scott Howe, Acxiom CEO. “Warren’s ability to transform companies at important inflection points in their evolution will be instrumental in our push to drive innovation, build a strong partner ecosystem and advance our client-focused culture.”

Urban Outfitters CEO and Director Glen T. Senk has resigned effective immediately, with Chairman Richard A. Hayne stepping in to the chief executive role, according to a statement from the retailer. Hayne is an Urban Outfitters co-founder, and has served as chairman since the company was incorporated in 1976. A spokesperson for the Board stated that “the entire Board is pleased to name Dick as the company’s CEO. He brings over 40 years of retail experience and strong leadership. Hayne has been instrumental in the company’s historical success and we are extremely fortunate to have an executive of Dick’s tenure and caliber in place and prepared to lead the company’s continued growth.”

Patrick J. O’Leary, SPX CFO, will retire after the second quarter 2012 operating results are reported, and the board has appointed Jeremy W. Smeltser as CFO successor, the company announced in a news release. Smeltser is currently CFO of SPX’s Flow Technology segment, and is the company’s former vice president of finance and investor relations head.

Former Liz Claiborne CFO Andrew Warren has been appointed CFO of Discovery Communications, the media company announced in a statement. He has also served in a number of leadership positions at General Electric, including senior operations leader for the GE Audit Staff and CFO of the NBC Universal Television Group. “Having worked extensively with Andy at NBC Universal, I know firsthand what an effective and strategic leader he is, how knowledgeable and passionate he is about the media business, and what a great addition he will be to our already strong senior management team,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications.

Laura A. Sugg, an independent consultant with 29 years of oil and gas industry experience, has been named to the Denbury Resources board of directors. Sugg is also a director at The Williams Companies and Williams Partners, and is a former Mariner Energy and Huber Energy board member. Previously, she served as president of the Australasia Division of ConocoPhillips. Wieland Wettstein, chairman of the board, said, “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Laura to our board. Her diverse experience and accomplishments make her an outstanding addition and will complement the skills and experience of our board. I look forward to the leadership and perspectives that Laura will bring to the Board as we continue to grow and execute our strategy.”

Yahoo! has appointed former PayPal President Scott Thompson as CEO and director, effective Jan. 9, according to a company statement. Thompson succeeds interim CEO Tim Morse, who stepped in after the company fired Carol Bartz and who will resume his previous role as CFO. Thompson has also served as executive vice president of technology solutions at Inovant and chief information officer at Barclays Global Investors. “Scott brings to Yahoo! a proven record of building on a solid foundation of existing assets and resources to reignite innovation and drive growth, precisely the formula we need at Yahoo!,” said Roy Bostock, chairman of the Yahoo! board. “His deep understanding of online businesses combined with his team building and operational capabilities will restore the energy, focus, and momentum necessary to grow the core business and deliver increased value for our shareholders. The search committee and the entire board concluded that he is the right leader to return the core business to a path of robust growth and industry-leading innovation.”

Peter Hess

Advent Software President Peter Hess will succeed current CEO and company Founder Stephanie DiMarco, who will remain on the board of directors and as an advisor, the company announced. Hess was previously executive vice president and general manager of the company’s largest business group, and was responsible for Advent’s international operations. DiMarco said, “In Pete Hess, we have an outstanding leader for Advent’s future. He has a proven track record of building exceptional teams, executing successful strategies, and delivering innovative solutions that our clients can count on.”

ViroPharma has appointed Julie H. McHugh, Endo Pharmaceuticals CEO, to the board. McHugh is former Nora Therapeutics CEO and company group chairman for Johnson & Johnson’s Worldwide Virology Business Unit.

Michael R. Odell

Michael R. Odell has been elected to the board of directors at Meritage Homes. Odell, who will join Meritage’s audit, executive compensation and nominating/governance committees, is CEO of The Pep Boys. He is former executive vice president and general manager of Sears retail and specialty stores.

Former PepsiCo Executive Vice President of Global Operations Richard A. Goodman has joined the board of directors at Western Union, the payment services company announced in a statement. Goodman will join the board’s audit committee, and becomes the company’s tenth director. “The addition of Richard Goodman to Western Union’s board of directors brings a global executive with strong financial credentials and accomplishments as our company continues to accelerate the delivery of its products and services to new customers,” said Jack M. Greenberg, chairman of the board of Western Union. “We are looking forward to his advice and counsel in the coming years and anticipate that he will make a valuable contribution to Western Union’s business.”

Albert Morrison III

Fulton Financial has appointed Burnham Holdings CEO and Chairman Albert Morrison III to the board of directors. Morrison is also a member of the regional advisory board at Highmark, and is former chairman, treasurer and a current director at the Lancaster Alliance. “As a long time CEO of a public company, Mr. Morrison brings financial, acquisition and human resources skills to our board,” said R. Scott Smith, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. “He also brings significant knowledge of our markets.”

Broadcom Corp., a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, has appointed Robert Finocchio, Jr., to its board and assigned to the audit committee.  Finocchio has more than 30 years of operating experience in software, Internet and infrastructure markets. In addition to becoming a member of Broadcom’s board of directors, he serves on the board of Echelon Corp. Finocchio has held senior roles at a range of industry-leading companies including chairman, CEO and president of Informix Corp. and president of 3Com Systems. He is also chair of the board of trustees at Santa Clara University and Dean’s Executive Professor at the university’s Leavey School of Business.

Thomas I. Morgan

Baker & Taylor Chairman and CEO Thomas I. Morgan has been elected to the board of directors at Rayonier, the forest products company announced in a news release. Morgan has previously served on the company’s board from 2004 to 2008, and is former CEO of Hughes Supply and Enfo Trust. He is currently a director at Tech Data. “Tom is a proven leader with broad experience across many diverse businesses,” said Lee M. Thomas, chairman of the board of Rayonier. “He knows Rayonier and our mission well, and we are delighted to have Tom rejoin our board.”

World Fuel Services has named former IBM Senior Vice President of Marketing Abby F. Kohnstamm to the board, according to a company news release. Kohnstamm is also president and founder of Abby F. Kohnstamm & Associates, and has previously held a number of senior marketing positions at American Express. She is currently a director at Tiffany & Co. “Abby brings to our board a wealth of experience in global marketing and the strategic use of technology in business. She joins us at an exciting period of growth and transformation at World Fuel and we could not be more pleased,” said Paul H. Stebbins, executive chairman of the board of directors.

R. Brian Hanson

ION Geophysical President R. Brian Hanson has added the CEO role to his title, succeeding Robert P. Peebler, who has transitioned to company chairman. Hanson joined the company in 2006 as CFO.

Synovus Financial has elected current CEO Kessel D. Stelling to succeed retiring Chairman of the Board Richard E. Anthony, according to a news release from the financial services company. Stelling has served with the company since March 2006, and was previously company COO, CEO of Bank of North Georgia and regional CEO for Synovus’ metro Atlanta market. “We have faced significant challenges over the past several years, but I believe we are emerging as a stronger company. I am confident that under Kessel’s leadership, Synovus will have sustained profitability and future success,” said Anthony.

Robert Bradway

Amgen COO Robert Bradway will be promoted to CEO following the retirement of current Chairman and CEO Kevin W. Sharer effective May 23, 2012, the therapeutics developer announced in a statement. Sharer will remain as chairman through the end of 2012, at which time he will retire from the board, with Bradway expected to assume the chairmanship as well. Bradway has also served as company CFO, prior to which he worked at Morgan Stanley for 19 years. Vance Coffman, chairman of the board’s governance and nominating committee said, “The board thanks Kevin Sharer for his service in leading Amgen over the past decade. During that time Amgen grew significantly in every dimension and is well positioned for the future. Amgen’s core mission to serve patients remains our bedrock. The board is excited to have a talented executive in Bob Bradway as the fourth CEO in our company’s history.”

Donald T. Misheff

Donald T. Misheff, Northeast Ohio managing partner at Ernst & Young, has been elected to the FirstEnergy board of directors. Misheff is chairman of the board of the Firestone Country Club and the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation. He previously served on the BioEnterprise board. “Don’s vast financial and corporate governance experience, together with his extensive service to community organizations and business development groups in our region, make him a strong addition to our board,” said George Smart, chairman of FirstEnergy’s board.

Boeing has promoted North American Vice President of Sales Kevin Schemm to the CFO role, after he closed a record-breaking 737 MAX order from Southwest Airlines. Schemm will succeed the retiring Ray Ferrari effective Feb. 1, 2012.

GenSpring Family Office of Phoenix Chairman Richard Dozer has been appointed to the Apollo Group board of directors, according to a statement from the private education provider. Dozer is also a director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Meridian Bank, Swift Transportation and Viad. “We are very pleased to welcome Rich to the board,” said John Sperling, executive chairman of the board of Apollo Group. “Rich brings a wealth of senior management, leadership, operations and accounting expertise to Apollo Group, along with deep roots in the Arizona business community.”

EnPro Industries has elected B. Bernard Burns, Jr. to the board, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Don DeFosset. Burns is co-founder and managing director at McGuire Woods Capital Group and Red Iron Partners. “We are very grateful to Don for the service he has provided EnPro since he joined the board in 2008,” said Gordon Harnett, chairman. “We appreciate his counsel and wish him well in the future. At the same time, we welcome Bernard and look forward to working with him. He brings an appreciation of our corporate strategies and experience in industrial markets that we are confident will prove valuable to EnPro’s growth.”

Richard M. Daley

The Coca-Cola Company has elected Richard M. Daley, former Chicago mayor and current Katten Muchin Rosenman of counsel, to the board of directors, the beverage company announced in a statement. Daley is also managing principal at Tur Partners, and a senior advisor to JPMorgan Chase. “Mr. Daley brings significant public policy expertise and experience in creating sustainable growth opportunities for businesses and communities to our company,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “His experience and insights will be invaluable as we continue to work to grow our business and invest in the fabric of the communities we serve.”

Peter Volanakis, retired Corning COO and director, will join the SPX board, according to a news release from the manufacturing firm. Volanakis has also served as a director of Dow Corning, and is currently on the board of The Vanguard Group and Avantor. “Pete Volanakis brings to SPX a wealth of experience and accomplishment in the areas of international operations, innovation and corporate development derived from his 28-year tenure with Corning,” said Christopher J. Kearney, Chairman and CEO of SPX. “As we continue to expand our business globally, we are confident that his skills, insights and guidance will be valuable assets and make a meaningful contribution to SPX’s long-term growth and success.”

Jeffrey Leiden

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Director Jeffrey Leiden will become the company’s next CEO upon the transition of current CEO Matthew Emmens from chairman and CEO to executive chairman through May 2012, when he will retire but remain as a director. Leiden is managing director at Clarus Ventures and former Abbott Laboratories COO.

KBR has named Jack B. Moore as the newest member of the engineering, construction and services company’s board, according to a company statement. Moore is chairman and CEO of Cameron International. “Jack is an incredibly qualified executive whose leadership and international industry experience will make an immediate and positive impact to our board,” said William P. Utt, chairman and CEO of KBR.

Hearsay Social CEO Clara Shih has been elected to the Starbucks board of directors, the coffee chain announced in a statement. Shih has been named one of FORTUNE’S Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs of 2011, and has held technology, product and marketing positions at Google, Microsoft and Salesforce.com. She is author of The New York Times bestseller “The Facebook Era: Tapping Social Networks to Market, Sell, and Innovate.” “Clara is a true technology leader and will bring fresh insight to our strong and forward-thinking Board,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks. “We could not be more thrilled about the social-media expertise and ideas Clara will bring to our business as we continue to amplify the online experience and interactions Starbucks has with our customers, partners and communities.”

Marriott International will promote COO Arne Sorenson to the CEO role when J.W. Marriott, Jr., current chairman and CEO, transitions to executive chairman of the board, the hotel chain announced in a statement. Sorenson, who will become the company’s third CEO, joined the company in 1996 and has also served as CFO and maintained oversight of the company’s European operations. Marriott said, “As we approach the 85th birthday of our company in 2012 and I proudly celebrate my 60th year of service, I decided to recommend to the board that Arne Sorenson take over the CEO responsibilities. I have been so fortunate to have worked with some of the most talented people in the world over the past six decades. It’s amazing to me what we have accomplished over the years together, from a small root beer stand in Washington, D.C. to a global lodging powerhouse with operations in more than 70 countries.”

Current Pfizer CEO Ian Read has been elected chairman of the board, succeeding George Lorch, who will become lead independent director, the pharmaceutical company announced in a statement. Also joining the board will be Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Helen Hobbs. “Over the past year, Ian has clearly demonstrated the leadership and vision necessary to drive Pfizer’s strategies and achieve the company’s objectives in the continued challenging industry and macroeconomic environment,” stated Lorch. “His broad experience at Pfizer and his deep understanding of the vital role that the pharmaceutical industry plays in advancing global health and in the global economy make Ian the right person for the chairmanship. We are fortunate to have someone of Ian Read’s caliber lead Pfizer.”

Steven D. Black, former JPMorgan Chase vice chairman and former JPMorgan Chase Investment Bank co-CEO, will join the NASDAQ OMX Group board of directors, the exchange announced in a statement. Before joining JPMorgan Chase in 2000 as head of the Global Equities business, he held a number of positions at Citigroup. “We are elated Mr. Black has joined our board of directors,” said H. Furlong Baldwin, chairman, NASDAQ OMX. “Mr. Black brings a wealth of invaluable experience and a history of achievement and success in the financial services industry.”

John F. Meier

Applied Industrial Technologies has named former Libbey Chairman and CEO John F. Meier as independent chairman of the board, according to a company news release. Meier has been a member of the Applied board of directors since 2005, and is also former lead director at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.

Rob Burgess, former Macromedia CEO and current Adobe and IMRIS board member, will join the NVIDIA board of directors. He is also former CEO of Alias Research and held a variety of executive positions at Silicon Graphics.

StarTek has appointed Jack Plating as the newest member of the board of directors, the customer experience provider announced. Plating is former Verizon Wireless COO, prior to which he served as president of the Verizon Wireless South Area region. “Jack will make significant contributions to StarTek and our Board,” said Ed Zschau, StarTek’s chairman of the board. “He has spent his career in the telecommunications industry, he has had extensive experience overseeing call center operations, and he has had repeated success growing companies and increasing their profitability. We are pleased that someone of his stature and accomplishments is joining our board of directors.”

Helen McCluskey

The Warnaco Group has elected COO Helen McCluskey CEO and director, succeeding the retiring Joe Gromek. McCluskey has also served as the group president of the company’s Intimate Apparel and Swimwear brands. She was previously group president of the Moderate Women’s Sportswear division at Liz Claiborne.

Harvard School of Public Health Professor of Health Economics Katherine Baicker will join the Eli Lilly board of directors, the pharmaceutical company announced in a news release. Baicker, who is also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, will also join the board’s public policy and compliance committee. “I am very pleased to welcome Kate Baicker to the Lilly board. Her experience and expertise will surely benefit Lilly shareholders and the patients we serve,” commented John Lechleiter, Lilly chairman and CEO. “Kate is a leading researcher in the fields of health economics, public economics and labor economics. As a valued advisor to numerous healthcare-related commissions and committees, her expertise in healthcare policy and healthcare delivery is recognized by both academia and government.”

Doreen Woo Ho

Roland A. Hernandez

Doreen Woo Ho and Roland A. Hernandez have been elected to the U.S. Bancorp board, according to a news release from the bank parent company. Woo Ho is commissioner of the San Francisco Port Commission and has previously served as CEO of United Commercial Bank. Hernandez is founding principal and CEO of Hernandez Media Ventures, and is former chairman and CEO of Telemundo Group. “We are delighted to welcome Doreen and Roland to our Board,” said Richard K. Davis, chairman and CEO of U.S. Bancorp. “Doreen’s extensive commercial and consumer banking background, along with her first-hand experience in the California banking market, will be an excellent asset to our company. Roland’s broad retail consumer insights and extensive corporate governance experience will make him a great addition to U.S. Bancorp’s board of directors.”