CompTIA, a trade association for the technology industry, has brought on Steve Kidera as senior director of communications and public affairs. Kidera was previously director of corporate communications at TEGNA, the broadcast, digital media and marketing services company that was formed when the Gannett Company split into two publicly traded companies in 2015. Before that, he was manager, media relations at Gannett. He has also served as manager, industry communications at the Consumer Electronics Association. In his new post, Kidera will lead strategic communications and outreach for the association’s federal, state and international advocacy efforts. CompTIA executive vice president for public advocacy Cinnamon Rogers calls Kidera “a proven communicator who will help CompTIA advance key messaging and policy priorities to multiple audiences.”

Paul Sagan

LaVoieHealthScience has promoted Paul Sagan and Lisa DeScenza to vice president. Sagan joined LaVoie in 2018 as assistant vice president, investor relations & corporate communications. He was previously vice president, corporate communications and investor relations at KCSA Strategic Communications. DeScenza has been with the firm since 2012, most recently as assistant vice president, integrated communications. Before coming to LaVoie, she was director, corporate planning and communications at Ergo Science. Brian Pinkston, formerly communications director at NewYorkBIO, has joined LaVoie as account director, investor relations & corporate communications, and Douglas Russell assumes the newly created role of senior vice president, client services & PR/media.

Valerie Wickboldt

HCA Healthcare has named Valerie Wickboldt assistant vice president of PR and communications within its North Florida division. Wickboldt joins HCA from the Florida Department of Revenue, where she served as communications director. Before that, she was vice president of communications at the James Madison Institute, a think tank headquartered in Tallahassee, FL. In her new role, Wickboldt will collaborate with hospital leadership, corporate and division communications teams, and other stakeholders to scale the HCA Healthcare story across operating markets and demonstrate the brand’s value to internal and external audiences.