The Tombras Group, adds Ty Thornhill, a veteran of IPG’s Erwin Penland as Senior Vice President, Group Account Director effective November 1. Thornhill will be working with and leading the communications strategy for a variety of the agency’s clients.

Prior to joining Tombras, Thornhill spent 18 years with Greenville, S.C- based Erwin Penland most recently as SVP, Group Account Director. During his tenure, Thornhill worked with brands including Michelin, BFGoodrich, Sears Auto Center, Advance America, General Motors, Wells Fargo/Wachovia/First Union, CIT Bank, Bojangles’.

“Ty brings a level of experience and expertise in categories like multi-unit retail, financial services and restaurants that is a really good fit for our national client base,” said Dooley Tombras, EVP of the Tombras Group,” we couldn’t be more excited to add him to our senior team.”

Thornhill also initiated and led the effort to create a brand communications program at Clemson University where he eventually spent 11 years as Adjunct Professor of Brand Communications.

The Tombras Group is a 200 person, full-service advertising agency with a digital mindset. In the brand-building business since 1946, the family-owned agency serves national and global clients. Tombras was recognized as Ad Age Small Agency of the Year and is also ranked among the Top 35 Independent Agencies in North America. Tombras connects data and creativity for business results. Offices are located in Washington, D.C.; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville with headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. More information: www.tombras.com.