96.5 F
San Fernando
Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Columns & features — Newsmakers

Agriculture Ashok Patel was promoted to vice president of strategic planning and business development at Sunkist Growers in Sherman Oaks. He will develop and implement the cooperative’s global strategic plan. Patel was formerly director of trademark licensing. Associations Diana Malmquist was named membership director at the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce. She will be responsible for recruiting and retaining members and will assist with the chamber’s newsletter and member functions. Malmquist was formerly with the Agoura Chamber of Commerce. Biotechnology Edward J. Cook was appointed vice president of manufacturing and product development at Clinical Micro Sensors, a Pasadena company specializing in mass applied genomics. He will be responsible for establishing and managing the manufacturing facilities and will oversee new product engineering and manufacturing. Cook was previously vice president of operations for Gen-Probe. Entertainment Arthur W. Forney was named director and producer with Wolf Films in Universal City. He will work exclusively with the company on projects including “Law & Order” and “Deadline.” Forney previously worked with the company on “Law & Order” and other projects. Deborah Giles was promoted to vice president of administrative services at Carsey-Werner in Studio City. She will manage administration and facilities at all domestic and international distribution offices. Giles was previously director of purchasing and travel for the company and will continue to oversee that area. Health Care Earl Hurst was named senior vice president of national sales at IPC The Hospitalist Co., a North Hollywood physician management group. He will be responsible for developing and maintaining national relationships with the health care payer community and will assist with business development. Hurst was formerly executive vice president of sales and client services at CareBridge in Phoenix. High Tech Rich Cusolito was promoted to vice president of West Coast sales for the optical media services group at Technicolor in Camarillo. He will develop new business for all optical formats, manage existing accounts and respond to the growth of the DVD and CD-ROM formats. Cusolito was previously director of sales. Jon Kirchner was promoted to president and chief operating officer at Digital Theater Systems in Agoura Hills. He will lead the expansion of the company into other entertainment markets and oversee all operations. Kirchner was most recently executive vice president of operations. Also, Patrick Watson was promoted to vice president of business development. He will be responsible for building relationships and expanding the firm into the home electronics market. Watson was previously director of consumer licensing. Law Charles E. McKee has joined Nevers, Palazzo, Maddux & Packard in Westlake Village. He specializes in corporate and securities matters. McKee was most recently assistant general counsel at Prime Matrix Wireless Communications in Calabasas. Rebecca Thompson has joined Gaines & Stacey in Woodland Hills. She specializes in environmental law. Thompson was previously with Allen, Matkins, Leck, Gamble & Mallory. New Media Charles Bretana Jr. was named director of technology at GreatDomains.com, a Universal City-based e-commerce company that buys and sells domain names. He will lead all technology development for the company’s Web site. Bretana was previously with Arete Industries. Also, Chris Polos was appointed vice president of business development. He will be responsible for establishing strategic new business relationships and generating revenue from site sponsors. Polos was previously director of business development at E-Business Services. Also, Sean Downey was named vice president of marketing and communications. He will develop worldwide branding initiatives, site content and online promotions. Downey was formerly brand manager at Nestle’s Butterfinger. Mary-Ann Spencer was named chief people officer at GoTo.com in Pasadena. She will be responsible for human resources, facilities and administration. Spencer was most recently head of human resources at Southern California Edison and Edison International in Rosemead. Recreation Steven Gray was named director of marketing and sales at Raging Waters in San Dimas. He will oversee promotions, group sales, sponsorships and marketing programs. Gray was most recently director of sales and marketing at Club One Newport in Newport Beach. Amy Alexander was appointed aquatics and safety manager. She will oversee lifeguards and park attendants and be responsible for overall ride supervision. Alexander was formerly director of operations at Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark at Lake Delores Resort. Also, Patricia Geye was appointed promotions manager at the local water theme park. She was previously with Ogden Entertainment’s UltraScreen Theatre in San Bernardino.

Featured Articles

Related Articles