Cecil "Bud" Phillips, founder and chairman of the board of The M/A/R/C Group, a Dallas marketing and research firm, is one of three recipients of Southern Methodist University’s 1997 Distinguished Alumni Awards, presented annually by the SMU Alumni Association.

Larry Chiagouris, executive vice president and managing director of CDB Research & Consulting, a subsidiary of Creamer Dickson Basford, was awarded the agency’s President’s Award for Distinguished Performance.

Kris Dunn and Kristen Isenhart have been named project coordinators at Aragon Consulting Group, St. Louis. Diane Dailacis has joined the firm as vice president and senior consultant.

Marion Bergmann has been named research manager at The Olson Research Group, Plainsboro, N.J.

Xiaoyan Zhao, Roper Starch vice president of international operations, has been named managing director of the new Asia Pacific office of Roper Starch Worldwide in Hong Kong. Steve Thomson, head of the international division of London-based research company Parker Tanner Ltd., was named managing director of Roper Starch’s new London office.

The Agricultural Research Group of Maritz Marketing Research, St. Louis, has named Jim Kohler director of syndicated product services. In addition, Gina Wiseman has been appointed director of operations for Maritz’s Systems and Research Services Group.

Michelle Rothbard has joined Newman-Stein, Inc., a New York research firm, as vice president, qualitative research.

Chilton Research Services, Radnor, Pa., has named Sharon H. Williams research consultant for its consumer products group.

Rosalind Rivin has joined Yankelovich Partners, Inc., a Norwalk, Conn., research firm, as a partner.

Diane Salamon, vice president, Burke, Inc., Cincinnati, has been named managing director of Burke’s new subsidiary Burke Strategic Consuiting Group (BSCG). Salamon will be joined by Fran Lipson. A second BSCG office in Atlanta will be run by Jaci Jarrett Masztal.

Alicia Pascual will serve as managing director of the new Asia-Pacific office of Audits & Surveys Worldwide in Manila, The Philippines.