FRANKLIN, TN—Nissan Americas has named Michele Tinson (pictured) as director, internal communications and media center. Most recently, Tinson was director of communications for Saab Cars North America, where she was responsible for internal and external communications. In her new role, she will report to David Reuter, vice president, corporate communications, and will be responsible for aligning employee communications efforts across the Americas. She also will oversee the Nissan media center team, which develops collateral support materials to tell the Nissan story to both internal and external audiences.

CLEVELAND—Aleris, a leader in aluminum rolled and extruded products and aluminum recycling, has named Shannon Bennett vice president, communications, responsible for all internal and external global communications strategy, brand and reputation management. Bennett was most recently vice president, corporate communications and public affairs at retailer Supervalu and earlier worked at Albertsons.

ARLINGTON, VA—Military supplier DRS Technologies, a Finmeccanica Company, has appointed Joseph Militano as senior vice president, public affairs and communications. Prior to joining DRS, Militano was vice president of international and business development communications for Raytheon Company, where he led the communications efforts for Raytheon’s international business and was also the senior communications representative in Raytheon’s Washington, DC, office.

SAN DIEGO—Encore Capital Group, a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners, has hired Sheryl Wright as senior vice president of external affairs, responsible for government affairs and corporate communications. Wright joins Encore from Bridgepoint Education, where she served as senior vice president, external affairs. Earlier, she had a 25-year career with Sprint Nextel, most recently as vice president of government affairs.