Creative marketing communications agency Wray Ward has hired Jessica King as project manager and Ashton Nichols as project management coordinator. Both have a track record of delivering high-quality work on time and on budget.

“Jessica and Ashton have a real knack for the details and considerable experience supporting companies in the home sector,” said Rob Horton, vice president and director of client engagement for Wray Ward. “I have no doubt they will be great assets to the client engagement team.”

King brings eight years of experience to her role. Prior to joining Wray Ward, she worked in financial sales, client/vendor relations, and workforce and project management for Lowe’s Home Improvement, T. Rowe Price, Vanguard and MetLife. While with Lowe’s, King worked with a variety of proprietary brand teams including Kobalt, Valspar, Portfolio, Harbor Breeze and Allen+Roth to ensure product logistics, safety and competitive pricing strategies.

Initially earning a B.S. in resource management at the University of Florida, King then went on to take graduate courses in management at Harvard University. In her free time, King enjoys volunteering at the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Nichols has worked in the construction, interior design and textile industries in both project and account management roles since graduating from Appalachian State University with a B.A. in art history. As a project coordinator at C.L. Helt Architect, Nichols streamlined office functionality, tracked project status, secured proposals and developed project scopes. Previously, Nichols worked as a Stark Carpet account manager, where she developed new accounts with interior design and architecture firms.

In addition to her position with Wray Ward, Nichols is also a professional artist and has worked with a variety of interior design firms to create custom paintings for offices, homes and restaurants in the Charlotte area.