Appia, a Durham company that helps build "apps" stores for smartphone makers and carriers, has added a veteran technology executive to its management team.

The company formerly known as PocketGear announced this morning that it has hired Craig Forman as its new executive chairman.

Forman, 49, was executive chairman at Where Inc., a location technology company that was bought by eBay in April. He previously held various executive jobs at EarthLink, Yahoo and Time Warner.

The addition comes as Appia continues to expand under founder and CEO Jud Bowman, 30. Hiring Forman signals the young tech company wants more experienced leadership as it moves into the next stage of its evolution.