SFV Newsmakers

Banking & Finance Laura Pegler has been named director of investor relations for Asset Management Consultants Inc. in Granada Hills. She is responsible for strengthening relationships with current and prospective investors. Pegler was an independent sales and marketing consultant for Television Equipment Associates in New York. Entertainment John Ball was promoted to senior vice president of strategic planning and development for Walt Disney Co. in Burbank. He will be responsible for leading the company’s corporate development and acquisition activities. Ball was previously director of corporate development and acquisitions for Dames and Moore Inc. Linda Desiante was promoted to senior vice president of contract administration for Carsey-Werner Distribution in Studio City. She will oversee all licensing agreements for domestic and international syndication. Desiante was previously vice president of contract administration. Also, Laura Black has been promoted to vice president of corporate responsibility and strategic philanthropy for the Carsey-Werner Co. in Studio City. Black was previously director of administrative affairs. In addition, Diann Shaw was promoted to vice president of publicity and public relations. She will work on current projects like “3rd Rock from the Sun” and “Cosby.” Shaw was most recently director of publicity. Jonathan Wheeldon was appointed chief financial officer of Universal Music and Video Distribution in Universal City. He is responsible for financial matters relating to distribution in the United States. Wheeldon was most recently chief financial officer of PolyGram’s audio and film businesses in Spain. Also, Kevin Misher was promoted to president of production for Universal Pictures. He will be responsible for all feature film production. Mischer was previously co-president with Stacey Snider, who was recently promoted to co-chairman. Brian Compton has been appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer for Universal Studios Hollywood. Compton was previously director of operations of finance for Coach Leatherware. And Don Skeoch was appointed senior vice president of marketing for Universal Studios Hollywood. He will be responsible for overall marketing strategy, including advertising, promotion, brand development, public relations and television production. Skeoch was most recently a senior vice president for Allied-Domecq. In addition, John Bradley was named senior vice president of integrated marketing for the Universal Studios Recreation Group. He was previously vice president and lodging industry specialist for Visa USA. High Tech Melvin Flanigan has been appointed vice president of finance and chief financial officer of Digital Theater Systems in Agoura Hills. He will be responsible for accounting, finance and reporting functions, and strategic planning and general management processes. David Mann was promoted to vice president of sales for Innovative Design Technologies Inc. in Burbank. His responsibilities will include managing local and national accounts, including retail and government markets. Robert Tyler was appointed director of customer information management solutions for Software Dynamics Inc. in Chatsworth. His will oversee development and delivery of new systems and solutions to assist financial institutions. Tyler was previously with Systematics Inc. Manufacturing Dale Frye has been named chief operating officer of Hauser Inc. in Westlake Village. He will oversee all design teams and program management. Frye was previously a senior designer at Prince Corp. Marketing & P.R. Terry Minogue has joined Alper/Alper & Lopez Inc. in Woodland Hills as manager of creative and production services. He will oversee expanding the creative services department. Minogue was most recently with EMI-Capitol Music in Los Angeles. Retail Kenneth Murphy has been named general counsel of CarsDirect.com in Sherman Oaks. He will be responsible for overseeing state compliance efforts. Murphy was formerly a partner with Arter & Hadden. Also, Mark Miller was appointed vice president of dealer and industry relations. He will oversee development of a nationwide preferred dealer network. Miller was previously vice president and chief operating officer of Miller Automotive Group. Telecommunications Jeff Weigel was promoted to vice president of strategic accounts for Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. in Camarillo. He will be involved in developing communications equipment and assisting emerging companies in expanding their knowledge of product capability. Weigel was previously director of strategic account.