A local public relations firm has expanded its leadership team.

Grand Rapids-based Lambert Edwards & Associates, or LE&A, said last month it hired Arlen-Dean Gaddy as its national director of business development.

Gaddy will serve as the principal manager of new client relationships in the Midwest and most of the firm’s 20 states.

“Arlen brings extensive expertise in consulting, client development and professional services sales to the firm and will elevate our profile and the awareness of our national-caliber work,” said Jeff Lambert, CEO, LE&A.

Gaddy has 25 years of global and regional business experience, which includes playing a role in revenue growth, client acquisition, win-back strategies, competitor insight and talent development.

Most recently, Gaddy was a client relationship manager at Jennifer Maxson & Associates and Varnum Consulting. He has helped clients in industries such as health care, automotive and financial services.

Previously, he spent 20 years at AT&T in various roles. He led multiple sales divisions and helped create numerous "systematic revenue operations initiatives."

He is a board chair of the Parents’ Council at Hope College, a board member of the Inner City Christian Federation and serves on the Kent County Jury Commission.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in operations management from The Ohio State University.