STAMFORD, CT—Broadband company Charter Communications has hired Justin Venech as vice president, communications. He was most recently vice president, public relations at Time Warner Cable where he had been since 2003. Prior to that, he was in media relations at Rainbow Media Holdings (now AMC Networks). Venech will report to Charter senior vice president, communications and public affairs Alex Dudley.

VIENNA, VA—VidSys, a provider of physical security information management software, has added Ellen Howe, who brings 20 years of experience in homeland and aviation security, communications, media relations, crisis management and social media to her new role as vice president of marketing. Howe most recently served as director of business development for L-3 Security & Detection Systems, and earlier was assistant administrator for strategic communications and public affairs at the US Transportation Security Administration.

HOLLYWOOD, FL—Mikhail Gaushkin (pictured) has been promoted to vice president of marketing for Seminole Gaming, with responsibility for marketing, advertising, direct mail and public relations for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, as well as five other Seminole casinos in the state. Gaushkin joined Seminole Gaming in 2009 as director of database/strategic marketing and has 14 years of gaming industry experience.

SEATTLE—Casual gaming company Big Fish has named Susan Lusty, a game industry PR veteran, as vice president of corporate communications. Lusty has served as a public relations consultant for the company for more than two years, supporting titles such as Fairway Solitaire, Big Fish Casino, and Fetch. In a 20 year career, she has launched, promoted, and re-positioned many video game, mobile, consumer technology and Internet companies and products.

SAN DIEGO, CA—LRAD Corporation, a leading provider of long range acoustic hailing devices, has named E. Brian Harvey as director of investor relations and capital markets. He will oversee the company's strategies for raising investor and public awareness, and corporate communications. Most recently, Harvey was the vice president of investor relations and capital markets for MeetMe, and earlier spent 12 years years working for a number Wall Street broker-dealers as an analyst.