E. Russell Drechsel has been named to succeed Leroy J. Barry as president and chief executive officer of Madison Paper Industries, effective Jan. 1, 2002. Barry will assume the role of senior adviser to Madison Paper Industries and the Myllykoski Group. A partnership of Myllykoski Corp. of Finland and The New York Times Co., Madison Paper Industries has its headquarters and production facilities in Madison. Drechsel has been a member of the Madison organization for 20 years and is currently executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company. Drechsel is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with highest distinction, a fifth-year Pulp and Paper Certificate and a master’s degree.

Rene Davis, co-owner of Advertising Advisors and Davis Communications, has joined the promotion team and sales department at WVII-TV, Channel 7, in Bangor. As accounts and special projects manager, Davis will create new promotions and projects for area clients.

Charlene Williams has been promoted to vice president of public relations at Marshall Communications Inc., a Kingfield-based public relations, printing and news clipping service company. Williams is coordinator of the Maine Office of Tourism’s PR Partners Program, which is part of the agency’s role as the marketing services contractor for the State Tourism Office. Marshall Communications includes Carrabassett Marketing & Printing of North Anson, Nancy Marshall Communications and Maine Media Clipping Service of Kingfield and Augusta.