MANAGEMENT CHANGES
Columbus, Ohio-based design and branding firm Big Red Rooster announced six new hires and one promotion across its Atlanta, Phoenix and Columbus, Ohio offices. Michael Stephenson has been named director of experience strategy at the Columbus office. In Atlanta, the firm has hired Rhett DeBuys as a senior architect. Columbus office hires include John Hamlett, project manager; Tricia Reisch, vp, experience strategy; and Matthew Shea, design associate. In Phoenix, Fernando Barraza will serve as CAD technician, and Russell Baumann has joined the team as architect of record.
Global design consultant Fitch (Columbus, Ohio) named Hemant Modi director of architecture. With nearly three decades of international retail, commercial and shopping center expertise, Hemant will mentor Fitch’s licensed architectural professionals, manage client relationships and build new business.
Shive-Hattery (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) has promoted James Lee to president. Lee has served as executive vp since January 2012 and joined the architecture and engineering consulting firm in 1985.
Universal Display (New York) has appointed Lisa Gilliland director of sales USA at the mannequins, forms and accessories manufacturing company.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Dunkin Brands plans to open as many as 720 new stores across the globe this year, CNBC reports. Dunkin forecasts that it will open 280 to 300 new Dunkin Donuts locations in the U.S. in 2012, up from an earlier forecast of 260 to 280. Globally, it plans to open 610 to 720 new Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins stores.
The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE, Hollywood, Fla.) has redesigned its website to offer quick and easy access to essential information to the retail environments community. The new site at www.paveinfo.org. is divided into five sections: For Students, For Supporters, Winners, Press and About.