People on the Move

Provo HR outsourcing company makes management changes -- Employer Solutions Group, a human resources outsourcing company with offices nationwide including one in Provo, made several changes to its executive team. The Provo office is headquarters of Fortune Employer Solutions' western division, a subsidiary of Fortune Industries.

Craig Allred, founder, stepped down as president and CEO. Allred will continue in an advisory role to the company.

He is replaced by Clark M. Merkley, who was named president & CEO. Merkley, who joined the company last year as senior human resources consultant, and most recently served as chief legal & human resources officer, has experience in business, insurance, human resources and law. Immediately prior to joining the company, he was the coordinator of human resources for the Nebo School District where he managed the benefits programs for the District's 3,400 employees and provided human resources support for more than 1,900 classified employees. Merkley has practiced law with the Provo law firm of Fillmore Spencer and with large firms in Chicago, Illinois and Portland, Oregon, where he focused his practice on corporate, health care, and insurance regulatory matters. Merkley received his J.D. and MBA from the University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University.

David Dyches, who was most recently vice president, sales & marketing, has been promoted to executive vice president of sales & human resources. Dyches's responsibilities include all sales and marketing efforts, as well as internal human resources management and oversight of client relations.

Steve Pierson, formerly the company's IT Director, has been promoted to chief information officer. He manages systems, processes, and IT operations companywide.

Garth Allred will continue to serve as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Employer Solutions Group, in addition to his duties as CFO of Fortune Employer Solutions and Fortune Industries. He oversees payroll administration, employee benefits administration, risk management, and financial reporting. Dee Henderson, formerly vice president of human resources, is no longer with the company.

Provo graphic design and web development firm names new exec -- Studio-Element, a Provo graphic design and web development firm, named Lathum Nelson its senior account executive. He will be responsible for client relations and account management for the company. Nelson comes to Studio-Element after working in the heart of the music industry for the last decade in Los Angeles. As a publicist for the Mitch Schneider Organization, Lathum worked on behalf of such artists as David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Depeche Mode and Alanis Morissette.