HUDSON, Ohio—Oct. 27, 2021—akhia communications, a Northeast Ohio communications agency, has named Carrie Kandes to director, client services, and Olivia Tormento has been promoted to associate director, client services.
 
Carrie Kandes will assume the role of director, client services, on Jan. 4, 2022. During the transition, she will be working closely with April Wonsick who previously held the position until being promoted to executive vice president to oversee the agency’s core functions a year ago.
 
Kandes has more than 25 years of marketing and public relations experience working in both corporate and agency roles. As director of client services, she will be responsible for leadership and guidance of the client service team, as well as strategic direction for the agency’s roster of business-to-business and consumer accounts. In addition to her new role, Kandes will also join akhia’s executive committee effective immediately.
 
“Our clients have a greater need than ever for real-time counsel,” said Ben Brugler, CEO and president, akhia communications. “They are balancing limited resources while dealing with true business issues—supply chain challenges, labor shortages and virtual work environments—not to mention shorter attention spans with key consumers. Carrie’s new leadership role and April’s elevation don’t just make us better, they make our clients better as we continue to help them through today’s business climate.”
 
Tormento has been with akhia for 12 years, serving in various client service roles with increasing responsibilities, most recently as account supervisor where she was responsible for strategic leadership on accounts. As associate director of client services, she will work directly with Kandes on leadership and development initiatives and will continue to serve in a lead client role on select accounts.
 
“Olivia has been an integral part of the akhia team for many years and has continuously proven herself to be an exceptional leader, strategic thinker and collaborator,” Brugler said. “She and Carrie will make an excellent team and I’m excited to see how they will work together to shape the future of the agency.”
 
akhia communications is based in Hudson, Ohio, and serves large local and national consumer and business-to-business brands. It is a full-service agency with core areas of focus in business communications strategy, digital, content, visual communications and public relations. Visit www.akhia.com. 
 
about akhia communications
Founded in 1996, akhia communications is an integrated communications firm that distinguishes itself by focusing on a company’s business objectives and providing strategic solutions, including marketing, sales lead generation, public relations, social media and reputation management. akhia is located in Hudson, Ohio. The organization was founded on a philosophy of message integrity and best-in-class account service. Today, that philosophy remains in the form of the agency’s dedication to strategic execution for its clients spanning a wide range of industries in the business-to-business, service and consumer sectors.