The Training Associates appointed George Agnew as executive VP of global sales. Agnew most recently was senior VP of sales at Empower Software Solutions. Training Associates, based in Westborough, Mass., provides learning and development consultants for information technology and professional business skills training.

Phaidon International announced Associate Director Clare Cooper will lead a new office in San Francisco. The office will initially provide specialist permanent and contract recruitment services across three brands: Glocomms, for IT and telecoms; EPM Scientific, its life sciences brand; and DSJ Global for the corporate leadership market.

Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson named Samantha Foster as partner to lead its newly launched US aerospace and defense practice. Foster most recently was global head of the aerospace sector for search firm ZRG Partners and, earlier, president of the technical, aerospace and defense division of Management Search Inc. She will be based in Odgers’ New York office.

Alexander Mann Solutions a London-based recruitment process outsourcing firm, made the following additions to its North American leadership team: George Vollmer as senior VP, business and professional services; Kristin Thomas as senior VP, technology, media, telecommunications and retail sectors; and Jennifer Lima as VP, talent solutions and innovations.

Executive search firm Korn Ferry International Inc. (NYSE: KFY) announced Tejas Maniar joined the firm as principal in its digital practice. He will be based in Korn Ferry’s San Francisco office. Maniar previously was head of online channels and leadership effectiveness at Google. And Bernard Godley, MD, will join the firm in Houston as a senior client partner in the academic medicine practice. Godley most recently was professor and chair of the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UTMB.

Executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. (NASD: HSII) hired Thomas Linquist as partner within its industrial team. Linquist has more than 25 years of industry and consulting experience and has focused on high-level leadership work within the energy and utility sectors.

Lucas Group, an Atlanta-based executive search firm promoted the following individuals in their respective practice areas: Amanda Lacy, senior partner, contract solutions, Houston; Nancy Neal, senior partner, sales and marketing, Atlanta; Valerie Taylor, senior partner, HR, Los Angeles; and Eric Lapachet, senior executive search consultant, HR, Los Angeles.

Spherion Staffing Services announced Justin Kleemann and Katherine Kleemann are the owners of a new office in Conroe, Texas, which will be managed by Heather Stanton. Part of a franchise network, the office is Spherion’s 154th office nationwide.

Executive search firm Matteson Partners added Traci Cupp to its executive team as a partner. The company is headquartered in Atlanta.

Franklin, Tenn.-based Ryan Search & Consulting hired Madeline Walker Garvin as a consultant. Garvin most recently was with the Office of the First Lady, State of Tennessee, where she was executive assistant to First Lady Crissy Haslam.