Public Knowledge hires Stephen Bennett, ex-Institute for Palestine Studies-USA, as director-development and external affairs; Alisa Valentin, ex-National Urban League and ex-FCC, as broadband policy director; Nat Purser, former Center for Economic and Policy Research, as government affairs policy advocate; and Georgetown Law Communications and Technology Law Clinic’s Lauren Harriman as fellow … Free State Foundation announces former FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly as adjunct senior fellow, launching video podcast, “TMT With Mike O’Rielly” … Ericsson promotes Niklas Heuveldop to head-business area global communications platform and CEO-Vonage and Yossi Cohen to senior vice president-head, market area North America, both effective Feb. 1; Heuveldop succeeds Rory Read, stepping down Feb. 1 and leaving end of Q1 … Protiviti Consulting elevates 36 staffers including for technology: Nick Britton, Pierce Chakraborty, Andre Cilurzo, James Eick, Joseph Emerson, Chris Hanson, Joe Marcum and Hirun Tantirigama as managing directors and Willy Alvarado as senior director … Verrill names Keefe Clemons, ex-Verizon, partner-energy, telecommunications and natural resources group.