Consultants get the nod.

• Position: Appointment of various business executives - Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board

Another indicator of the weakening economic and business environment in the fourth quarter of last year? Consultants of various stripes tied with senior managers for second place in the number of outside director elections for the three-month period of September through November (see the table on facing page). That's a marked advance from sixth place in the prior three-month new director ranking, compiled by Directors & Board. Below is a sample of the recently elected board members.

New Directors(*) Type of Executive Number Chairmen, CEOs 26 Senior Managers 21 Consultants 21 Financial 15 Private Investors and Others(**) 13 Retired 9 Academia 8 Legal 4 Total 117 (*)Outside directors appointed to corporate boards from September through November 1990 (**)Includes professional directors and executives describing themselves as having private business interests Source: Directors & Boards Ames Department Stores Inc., which filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Code in April 1990, elected Walter F. Loeb to its board. He is president of Loeb Associates, a consulting firm that assists clients in strategic planning and developing a public image. He also publishes the monthly Loeb Retail Letter. He retired in January of last year from Morgan Stanley & Co., where he was a principal and a highly regarded senior retail analyst. He also had a 20-year career in retailing, holding a variety of positions at R.H. Macy & Co. Inc., May Department Stores Co., and Allied Stores Corp. "His strategic perspective on retailing and his extensive experience in the industry are unique," says Ames CEO Stephen L. Pistner. "His contribution will be invaluable as we move forward to reposition. Ames for the future." Ames operates 461 stores in 17 Northeastern states.

James J. Gaffney, a prominent consultant in turnaround management, was elected to the board of LVI Group Inc. The New York-based company has operations in interior construction, asbestos abatement, electrical supplies distribution, and other businesses. Another outsider joining LVI's board is Richard S. Hickok, chairman emeritus of KMG Main Hurdman. He is a specialist in auditing/accounting for the construction industry.

Moto Photo Inc. elected Leslie Charm to its board. He is a principal in Youngman and Charm, a management consulting firm. Previously he was president of Docktor Pet Center Inc. Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of the Dayton, Ohio-based franchiser and...