HIRES/PROMOTIONS
GEIR KILEN
New job title: Executive chef, 700 Drayton Restaurant
Company: Mansion on Forsyth Park
Related work experience: Kilen joins 700 Drayton Restaurant from his most recent position as the executive chef of The Commerce Club in Atlanta. Kilen brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to his new position.
Education: Kilen received a culinary degree from The Culinary Institute in his hometown of Kristiansand, Norway, in addition to a certification in Business Management from Kristiansand Handels Skole.
W. STEPHEN HUTCHESON
New job title: Physician assistant
Company: The Bone & Joint Institute of South Georgia
Related work experience: Hutcheson has nearly 10 years of orthopedic experience, most recently with Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Waycross.
Education: Hutcheson holds a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies from The Medical College of Georgia.
GREGORY O. DEBACKER
New job title: Attorney
Company: Hunter-Maclean
Related work experience: DeBacker worked as a legal intern in the Brand and Intellectual Property Legal Department at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.
Education: DeBacker earned a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law. He also has an M.B.A in finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and a B.A. in sociology from the University of Georgia.
MARYANNA BARRETT
New job title: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Company: All Women’s Health
Duties: Barrett’s special interests include laparoscopic and vaginal surgery.
Related work experience: Barrett recently moved to Savannah from Honolulu, where she was most recently in private practice.
Education: Barrett is board-certified in OB/GYN and attended the University of Tennessee and the University of Hawaii.
MARIA PAASCH
New job title: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Company: All Women’s Health
Duties: Paasch’s special interest in OB/GYN include adolescent gynecology, vaginal surgery, natural childbirth for the patient who desires it, and counseling and empowering women to achieve their health and wellness goals.
Related work experience: Paasch recently moved to Savannah from Honolulu where she was recently in practice.
Education: Paasch attended the University of Tennessee and the University of Hawaii.
EDWARD CONNORS
New job title: Executive chef
Company: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Duties: Connors will oversee the culinary team, food service for all restaurants, bars, catering and events.
Related work experience: Connors has more than 30 years of experience, most recently as executive chef for the Members Club of the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach, Fla.
Education: Connors has studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.
LAUREN HOUSE
New job title: Sales manager
Company: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Duties: House will manage group sales in midwest markets, from the Dakotas to Ohio, handling group sales needs for groups and meetings requiring 25 or more rooms.
Related work experience: House was leisure and business group sales manager for the Ritz-Carlton in Denver, Colo.
STEPHEN LEGG
New job title: Sales manager
Company: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Duties: Legg will handle sales and needs of all smaller groups requiring 20 rooms and under.
MOHAMMAD DAVOUD
New job title: Dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Information Technology
Company: Georgia Southern University
Related work experience: Davoud served as interim dean leading the creation of the university’s newest college. Davoud has served in academic administrative positions for the past eight years, and his industrial experience includes roles as a mechanical engineer and mechanical design engineer.
Education: Davoud earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina.
CHRISTINE BEDDIA
New job title: Development director
Company: The Savannah Music Festival
Duties: Beddia is responsible for all aspects of SMF’s development, donor services and corporate sponsorship activities.
Related work experience: Beddia joined the SMF team after spending eight years working with Coastal Community Foundation. She held positions in development, donor services and as director of marketing and communications.
Education: Beddia holds a B.S. in merchandising from Philadelphia University and a master’s of public and nonprofit administration with an arts management concentration from College of Charleston.
JENNY A. WOODRUFF
New job title: Education director
Company: The Savannah Music Festival
Duties: Woodruff will be in charge of educational programming, production and planning, including artist residencies, in-school performances, the Swing Central Jazz High School Jazz Band Competition and Workshop and the Acoustic Music Seminar.
Related work experience: Woodruff was an assistant professor of music at Bates College in Lewiston. She has also worked as tour actor and director for Missoula Children’s Theatre and held administrative positions at the Durham, N.C., Arts Council and Aucocisco School.
Education: Woodruff holds a Ph.D. in musicology and ethnomusicology, M.A. in performance practice from Duke University and a bachelor of music in vocal performance from Converse College.
DAN BROMSTAD AND LAWRENCE BRODY
Company: Wells Fargo Advisors
Duties: Help clients meet financial needs.
Related experience: Bromstad was a portfolio manager with Wells Fargo Investment & Fiduciary Services. Brody has been a financial advisor for 25 years in Savannah with Wells Fargo Advisors and its predecessor companies.
Education: Bromstad has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Southern California amd holds the chartered financial analyst, or CFA designation.
Brody is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
HONORS/AWARDS
Savannah psychiatrist recognized
Psychiatrist W. Douglas Skelton, M.D., received the Physician’s Award for Community Service for 2012 at the Medical Association of Georgia’s 158th House of Delegates meeting in Savannah on Oct. 20. The award recognizes a physician who demonstrates a love for the community outside the regular scope of practice.
AASU appoints foundation chair
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced the appointment of Cathy Hill as board chair of the Armstrong Foundation. Hill succeeds John C. Helmken II, president of Savannah Bancorp, who joined the board in 2008. The Armstrong Foundation acquires and administers charitable donations and funds in support of the university and its programs.