WASHINGTON, DC—Laura Lane has been named to lead UPS's public affairs office in Washington and will oversee the company's government relations efforts around the world. Lane will succeed Arnie Wellman, who has guided UPS's worldwide public affairs operations since 1992 and is retiring after a combined 38 years of service in various UPS positions. Lane most recently worked as the managing director and head of international government affairs for Citigroup and before that was vice president for global public policy at Time Warner. Earlier, she served in the US Foreign Service from 1990-1997, including postings to Bogota, Colombia and Rwanda.

ANCHORAGE—Tim Thompson has joined Alaska Airlines as manager of public affairs for the state of Alaska. Thompson will manage Alaska Airlines' public affairs and community relations programs in the state, including charitable giving, sponsorships and the airline's community advisory boards. Thompson is a former partner in Anchorage-based Thompson & Co. Public Relations, where he worked with a number of Alaska businesses and non-profits. He also served with the Alaska Railroad Corp. as director of external affairs.

ARLINGTON, TN—Wright Medical Group, a global orthopaedic medical device company and provider of surgical solutions for the foot and ankle market, has named Julie Tracy senior vice president and chief communications officer. Tracy has more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry in investor relations, corporate communications and marketing. She most recently served as chief communications officer for Epocrates and earlier held the same role at ev3.

ENGLEWOOD, CO—Eric Becker has been promoted to vice president of corporate communications for Starz Entertainment and Starz Media. In this role, Becker is responsible for corporate communications for the Starz Entertainment and Starz Media businesses, including Worldwide Distribution, Starz Digital Media divisions and other holdings. Prior to joining Starz Entertainment in June 1999, Becker was director, corporate communications for On Command Corporation.

LOS ANGELES—Jordan Kaye has been named marketing and communications manager of Hyatt Hotels’ Andaz West Hollywood. Kaye joins the Andaz West Hollywood from The Rose Group, a boutique PR and marketing firm.