US executive search firm Diversified Search Odgers Berndtson has appointed Stephen A Dezember and Kevin B Kelly as managing directors to open its new Atlanta office.

Dezember and Kelly were previously executive vice presidents withSlayton Search Partners, a retained executive search firm.

Dezember has more than 15 years’ experience with executive search firms and Kelly more than 20 years in executive search for consumer, industrial and financial companies.

Elsewhere, global search firm Boyden has named Lonnie Taylor as managing director in its Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland offices. Taylor joins Boyden from Heidrick & Struggles, where he was partner in its government affairs practice.

He will lead Boyden’s government relations and public sector practice and will conduct senior management searches across the board for functions within government.