Power Moves: Amid growth, Columbia-based Leap brings on Robyn Johnson as head of people

Power Moves is a column where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region, and other people-oriented updates. Got a new hire, new gig or promotion? Tell us: baltimore@technical.ly.

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Columbia-based software company Leap is tapping a leader with two decades of experience at some of the Baltimore area’s best-known brands as its head of people.

The Columbia-based software company recently brought on Robyn Johnson to lead talent growth, as well as programs for existing employees focused on professional development, employee experience, and diversity and inclusion. It comes after the company tripled the size of its team in 2020 to 60 employees and is looking to continue building.

“As we grow, we want to ensure that our culture and values grow with us. Robyn’s experience managing human resources and talent across other growing organizations brings a valuable perspective to our leadership team as we focus on providing a great employee experience,” said CEO Patrick Fingles in a statement.

Leap is seeking to bring digital tools for home improvement contractors, offering tech for items like contracts, estimates and financing that were previously paper-based.

Johnson brings experience from prominent companies in the region including Laureate, Pearson, Under Armour and Northrop Grumman. She is a native of Howard County, and a Towson University alumna.

“Leap is founded by someone who sat where our customers are sitting today,” Johnson said, referring to CTO Steve Stencil. “This company was designed for service home improvement businesses and I hope to be a part of that by driving growth and empowering employees. It’s taking a step beyond traditional HR functions and truly building on the employee and customer experience.”

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Frederick-based cloud security and compliance company Fugue named two new execs to its leadership team this week.

Jennifer Troxell joined the company as chief marketing officer. She brings startup and enterprise marketing leadership experience, honed over a 20-year career. Most recently, she ran demand marketing for McLean, Virginia-based low-code automation company Appian. She previously worked at OpenText BPM and webMethods.

Tyler Mills joined the company as VP of sales and alliances, overseeing sales operations and the company’s partner program. Bringing 15 years of experience, he previously held a senior VP role at Lease Accelerator.

“I’ve worked closely with both Jennifer Troxell and Tyler Mills over many years, and the experience, vision, and proven track records for driving significant revenue growth they possess brings tremendous value to Fugue,” said David Mitchell, president and chief operating officer at Fugue, in a statement.

The hiring comes as the nine-year-old company continues a trajectory as one of the region’s growth software companies, finding a foothold with cloud engineering and security teams. Mitchell indicated that the company is entering a “new phase of expansion.”

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Pigtown-based venture studio Early Charm Ventures is forming a leadership team as it moves firmly into growth stage.

The studio, which works with companies forming startups around discoveries made at government labs and universities, is making the move after a steady drumbeat of hiring over the last year. With growth, it also moved into a new hub at 1100 Wicomico to add production space, and moved its headquarters to the building this year, as well.

“We had a great management team that moved us from startup to growth stage,” said Ken Malone, executive officer with Early Charm, in a statement. “That team reflected the heavy lifting we do to convert science into products, but it lacked the experience to handle our growing revenue streams and increasing number of strategic partnerships. The new leadership team includes members from the former management team, promotions for people who have been with us and new additions specifically brought in to address our growth needs.”

The leadership team is as follows:

• Olumide Kayode, chief science officer, life science
• Elan Lowenstein, in-house counsel
• Dan Keely, principal
• Ken Malone, executive officer (cofounder)
• Kelli Booth, executive officer (cofounder)
• Steve Farias, chief science officer, physical science
• Adam Van Dyke, principal
• Chris Ewing, sales and marketing director

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The World Trade Center Institute, which is the Inner Harbor-based membership org connecting local businesses to international opportunities, said it recently added three new board members from some of the region’s biggest companies:

• Tchernavia Rocker, the chief people and administrative officer at Under Armour, who came to the Baltimore apparel brand in 2019 after working in HR at Harley-Davidson, Inc. and Goodyear Dunlop North America Tire Inc.
• Tammy Ridgley, VP of product and supply chain at Hunt Valley-based TESSCO Technologies, where she is a 15-year veteran
• Gregg Bauer, VP and general manager at Lockheed Martin, the Bethesda-based defense and aerospace company