ROCKLAND, MA—EMD Serono, a subsidiary of Merck, has named Lisa Buffington as vice president of US communications, Alexander Kuta as vice president and head of US regulatory affairs, and Michael Ruggiero as vice president of US government affairs and policy. Buffington brings nearly 20 years of experience, most recently serving as vice president of corporate communications at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. Kyta joinsy from Lantheus Medical Imaging, where he was vice president of global regulatory affairs and Ruggiero was vice president of government strategy for Astellas Pharma.

WASHINGTON, DC—The Portland Cement Association has named Mark Anderson group vice president of public affairs, responsible for the overall direction and execution of legislative and regulatory initiatives in support of the association’s advocacy and promotion. Most recently, Anderson served as chief of staff for Representative Lee Terry (R-Neb.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. Earlier, he was a senior advisor for Kelley Drye & Warren.

CHICAGO—The American Osteopathic Association, the national professional membership organization for the nation’s more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students, has named Charles Simpson as its new associate executive director of communications. He will lead marketing communications, publications and media relations efforts. Simpson previously served as managing director for the Chicago office of Burson-Marsteller and has also held senior communications roles with Porter Novelli and the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division.