Pinkerton Academy has announced two appointments in its communications department.

Chip Underhill, of Merrimack, has been named to a newly expanded position of executive director of public relations and external affairs. Underhill is responsible for managing or assisting with external and internal communications to the school’s diverse partners including parents, school officials, taxpayers, students, the public, faculty and staff. Previously, Underhill was senior marketing manager at FairPoint Communications, where he managed marketing, events and community relations for the company across the United States, focused on Northern New England. His background includes communications disciplines in the fields of telecommunications, software, promotion, broadcasting and nonprofits. Underhill is a graduate of Leadership New Hampshire 2011 and is also a graduate of Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.

Anne Parker has been promoted at Pinkerton Academy to the position of director of alumni relations. Parker is responsible for the planning and implementation of programs to engage the school’s base of 17,000 alumni and to continue communications with the school’s other constituencies. Parker, a graduate of Pinkerton, is an 11-year veteran of the Academy, originally serving as Alumni Relations Coordinator and expanding into all aspects of communications programs. Parker is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

“With these appointments, Pinkerton is increasing its commitment to communication,” said Mary Anderson, headmaster, Pinkerton Academy. “We believe effective two-way communication is a key to strong relationships.”