G&S Business Communications (G&S) announced the appointment of Ron Loch to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the independent business communications firm. A 30-year agency veteran, Loch will succeed current COO Jeff Altheide, who will retire at the end of Q1 2020. Brian Hall, who has been with the agency for 23 years, has been promoted to Managing Director of the Chicago office, succeeding Loch.
“Jeff has been a business partner and friend for more than two decades, making enormous contributions at key stages of our growth,” said President and CEO Luke Lambert. “As Jeff retires, I could not be more excited for Ron to put his own stamp on this critical role and for Brian to take our Chicago office to new heights. Both are proven leaders who will continue to guide us toward ongoing success in this dynamic business environment.”
Ron Loch Named Chief Operating Officer
Loch assumes the role of COO to integrate strategies and daily operations across the agency’s account services, finance and HR teams. As the agency has grown to 180 people and more than $30 million in revenue, the need has increased for seamless integration of capabilities and systems that match client and business needs. Loch will also manage the agency’s partnership in PROI Worldwide, the premier global network of independent public relations agencies, with a network of 75 partners around the world.
“It’s an exciting time to be taking on the role of COO for G&S as we continue to build capabilities that match the evolving demand for business communications,” said Loch. “I look forward to helping ensure that our agency is a leader in employee empowerment, collaboration, productivity, financial responsibility and client satisfaction. I will be working across the agency and with external partners to operationalize our strategic vision and maintain an environment that supports business growth and innovation.”
In his more than 30 years at G&S, Loch has served in various client service and agency management roles, including most recently as Managing Director of the Chicago office and head of the sustainability consulting team. Under his leadership, the Chicago office grew more than 30 percent since 2016 and the agency became a four-time PR News CSR A-List Inductee. PR News also named Loch a 2018 CSR Corporate Professional of the Year finalist. With significant experience in organizational management, Loch has led account teams serving diverse industries and spearheaded G&S’s 2015 effort to transition its visual identity, business name and marketing assets to align more closely with its strategic focus.
Brian Hall Named Managing Director, Chicago
Hall steps into the role of Managing Director of the firm’s Chicago office. He now leads all operational activities in Chicago, including culture and talent development, ongoing operational excellence and new client acquisition. He continues to hold leadership responsibility for key accounts in the advanced manufacturing and financial services markets.
“We have an incredible amount of talent, leadership and energy in Chicago,” said Hall. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to further empower, develop and grow our team while maintaining a dynamic office experience that fosters strong creativity and collaboration—driving even stronger results for clients and continued growth for G&S.”
Hall has served in a variety of account management roles for G&S during his 23 years with the agency, including his most recent position as Managing Director, Client Service. Under his leadership G&S produced award-winning integrated campaigns that engaged audiences across traditional media, digital/social and creative. Brian has also been on the forefront of leading the agency’s integration of digital expertise and capabilities into accounts. In addition, he led the Chicago office’s Diversity & Inclusion program for three years.
Jeff Altheide Announces Retirement in 2020
During a tenure of nearly 40 years with G&S, Altheide has held a variety of account management and agency leadership roles, both in the Chicago office and at the executive level. He also led the firm’s entry into PROI Worldwide, bringing G&S’s presence in New York; Chicago; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Basel, Switzerland to the global stage.
