WASHINGTON, DC and CHICAGO—Burson-Marsteller has appointed Mike Heimowitz as a managing director and Chris Beard as a director in its issues and crisis group. Heimowitz will be based in Washington, DC, and Beard will be based in Chicago. They will report to managing director Karen Doyne, head of the crisis team.

Prior to joining Burson-Marsteller, Heimowitz was senior vice president at Poter Novelli, where he led communications efforts in support of advocacy campaigns on a wide variety of issues and managed several crises including a product recall. He also created a strategic communications plan for an industrial site facing significant legal, environmental and reputation challenges.

Before joining Porter Novelli, Heimowitz was senior manager for communications and advocacy for the American Chemistry Council.

Beard joins Burson-Marsteller from SC Johnson, where he served as director of global reputation management and handled a range of crisis situations. He also led the strategic issues management process which included identifying key public affairs issues that might impact the company. Prior to his time at SC Johnson, he was responsible for global issues management for Kraft Foods.