RALEIGH, NC— Kelly Williamson, managing director of APCO Worldwide’s Raleigh office, has expanded her remit to include leadership of the firm's North American operations as president.

Williamson specializes in building and protecting reputation by developing corporate, public affairs and issues management programs. She has played a pivotal role in growing APCO’s Raleigh office, which she helped formally launch in 2014.

Williamson assumes role from global president Evan Kraus, who has served as president of North America on an interim basis since Nelson Fernandez left APCO in February. Fernandez had also served as the firm’s New York managing director, a job digital strategy leader Marc Johnson assumed in August.

Williamson has been with APCO for nearly two decades, joining the agency as an intern in 1999. She helped formally launch the Raleigh office in 2014 and has been servicing clients for APCO in the market since 2004.

Globally, Williamson leads APCO’s Key Client Initiative, a program aimed at providing top-tier service to clients and developing the next generation of client leaders. She has also is a member of the firm’s Global Leadership Team, a group of senior APCO leaders who oversee the strategic and operational progress of the business.