NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2004 – Marakon Associates, the international management consulting firm, today announced the promotion of four new partners and the creation of a new "Chief Talent Officer" position, effective immediately.

The new partners include two longtime consultants, Dean Neese and Greg Rotz, as well as two recent additions, Lori Massad and David Meer. Massad was given the additional title of Chief Talent Officer (CTO) and will oversee the firm’s global recruiting, training, development, retention and alumni programs.

"Each of these individuals has made a major contribution to Marakon’s client impact, business development and firm culture," said Marakon Chief Executive Ken Favaro. "Their promotions reflect our confidence in their ability to help lead the firm and contribute to its steady growth."

On the creation of the CTO position, Favaro said: "We recognize that to achieve our growth vision, we need to attract and keep the best people. The creation of the CTO role stands as strong testimony to the importance we place on talent development and retention."

Following are details on each new partner:

Lori Massad, the firm’s new chief talent officer and a partner in the New York office, joined Marakon in February 2004 as Director of North American Human Resources. In August, she took on the additional responsibility of North American Recruiting. Her consulting career began with an eight-year stint at the Boston Consulting Group, where she became a senior manager and oversaw aspects of the firm’s global recruiting, training, and development strategies. She later was a founding member of two start-ups - Spencer Stuart Talent Network and a human resources outsourcing firm called EmployeeMatters. Immediately prior to Marakon, she was an independent consultant, advising venture capital and private equity firms and their portfolio companies on business strategy issues. "Lori’s unique background and outstanding capabilities make her exceptionally well qualified to take on the CTO role," said Favaro. "She has earned the trust and admiration of our consultants and staff at all levels." She holds a B.A. in business administration from the University of Delaware and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

David Meer, a partner in New York, heads the firm’s growing customer value group. With 20 years’ experience in marketing research, advertising and consulting, he is an authority on helping large companies achieve superior growth through deep customer insight. Prior to joining Marakon in March 2003, Meer was Worldwide Chairman of the Advanced Techniques Group, the marketing science unit of MindShare, a leading media buying agency. Before that, he worked as a senior partner and Director of Branding Intelligence at J. Walter Thompson and held various positions with the NPD Group, a leading market research firm. His initial foray into business was working with marketing research pioneer Daniel Yankelovich, where he helped create and launch several new syndicated services. "David brings a strong commercial orientation, broad knowledge of marketing and a deep passion for what he does," said Favaro. "His rich experience and insights into customer-centric growth add quite a bit of breadth to our offer." After graduating with a B.A. in philosophy from Amherst College, he began his career as a professional musician.

Dean Neese, a partner in London, first joined Marakon as an analyst in the firm’s former Stamford office in March 1992. Six years later, after earning his M.B.A., he took a job at McKinsey & Co., then returned to Marakon and spent the next five years based in London and San Francisco. He has advised top executives in an array of industries, including pharmaceuticals, aerospace, industrial products, financial services and technology. Commented Favaro: "Dean has demonstrated an exceptional ability to establish trusted relationships with top executives at large companies. Several clients have noted his impact and reputation as an empathetic and insightful advisor." Neese graduated cum laude from Princeton University (B.A. in International and Public Affairs) and with distinction from Harvard Business School. Prior to joining Marakon, he worked as a legislative aide to former Senator John Danforth (R-Missouri) in Washington, DC.

Greg Rotz, a partner in New York, joined Marakon as an analyst in September 1997. Since then, he has risen quickly through the ranks, working on diverse strategy initiatives in financial services, defense, pulp and paper manufacturing and aerospace. For the last three years, he has advised the US arm of one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies on a broad range of issues, including organic growth, marketing, cost & productivity management, business planning and top team effectiveness. "Greg is a natural leader with unusually strong analytical and communication skills," explained Favaro. "His energy, intellectual versatility and commitment have catapulted him from entry-level consultant to partner in near-record time - just seven years." Rotz holds a B.A. in public policy analysis from the College of William & Mary.

To request an interview or obtain a photograph, contact Dave Fondiller at dfondiller@marakon.com.

About Marakon Associates:
Marakon Associates is an international management consulting firm that advises some of the world’s best-known companies on the issues that most drive their performance and long-term value. Regarded as "top-tier" by consulting industry publisher Kennedy Information, Marakon ranked among the world’s 20 largest strategy consulting practices in 2003. The Economist has called it "a consultancy that has advised some of the world’s most consistently successful companies." Marakon has offices in Chicago, London, New York, San Francisco and Singapore.