NORTHBROOK, IL—Astellas has appointed Tarsis Lopez as associate director, external and digital communications, as part of the newly-formed corporate affairs department. Lopez will manage media relations and digital channel communications for Astellas in the Americas, including a focus on the pharmaceutical company’s presence in Latin America. She will report to Moyra Knight, senior director, employee and corporate communications, in corporate affairs. Most recently, Lopez worked at Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, on its vaccines franchise. She was previously at Baxter International, where he handled communications for Latin America and Canada.

NEW YORK—The Modern Markets Initiative, a high frequency trading advocacy organization, has named Jim Gorman  as director of communications, responsible for developing and managing the group's editorial content, outreach programs and traditional and social media relations strategies. Gorman most recently served as vice president of corporate communications for global stock exchange operator BATS Global Markets and head of communications for stock exchange operator Direct Edge prior to its acquisition by BATS Global Markets.

TROY, MI—The North American International Auto Show has named Max Muncey as public relations manager. He will report to Bob Caza, NAIAS communications director and will be responsible for the public relations strategy, media relations management, executive writing and social media. Prior to joining NAIAS, Muncey served as an account supervisor at The Quell Group, a Troy-based communications firm and was a lead in the firm's automotive practice.

AKRON, OH—Akron General Health System has hired Stephanie York, previously an aide to former Akron mayor Don Plusquellic, as director of communications and public relations. She began her career with the city in 1992 as a law clerk and later served as its assistant director of law.

WORCESTER, MA—BlueHive Strategic Environments, which specializes in trade show exhibitions and branded environments, has hired Amadeus Finlay as director, media and public relations. Finlay previously held several editorial roles for Groupon and was a writer for CEO Magazine in the UK.