Washington communications executive Ben Finzel has launched RenewPR, an energy and environment communications consulting firm based in D.C. The firm is focused on “restoring common sense to communications” and will provide senior counsel, advice and outreach to corporate, association, non-governmental organization, alliance, coalition and foundation clients.  Finzel’s professional background includes service on the Hill (as press secretary for Rep. Tim Valentine and legislative director for Rep. Bill Richardson), in the Clinton Administration (as communications director for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy) and in several leading global, national and boutique communications firms (Edelman, Fleishman-Hillard and Widmeyer Communications, among them).  Finzel was previously executive vice president at Glen Echo Group, a boutique strategic communications firm.

Phillips & Company, a global communications firm based in Austin, Texas, is expanding its D.C. practice and has hired PR industry veteran Francie M. Israeli as vice president and managing director to lead the D.C. office.  Israeli joins Phillips & Company from Kellen Communications (formerly KellenAdams Public Affairs) in Washington, where she was vice president for government and public affairs.

Compassion & Choices hired Nicholas Simmonds as its new chief external affairs officer.  In this position,  he will  oversee development, marketing and communications from the D.C. office of the national end-of-life choice organization. Simmonds most recently was CEO/president of Providence Health Foundation and, prior to that, he was VP of development and public affairs for Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville.

Nahigian Strategies promoted Danielle Hagen to senior vice president of communications.  Hagen has served as the firm’s VP/communications for the past four years.  Last year, Hagen was recognized by Washington Women in Public Relations with the 2014 Emerging Leaders Award.