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Thursday, Jan 9, 2025

Newsmakers

newsmakers/valley/jas/mike1st/mark2nd Banking & Finance GlenFed Brokerage Services, a subsidiary of Glendale Federal Bank, has appointed Ruth Ann Page as a retirement specialist. She will oversee the development of employee retirement plans for small- and medium-sized businesses. John Gernert has been named vice president of finance for Calabasas-based VPA Inc. Gernert joins VPA from System Property Development Co., where he served as treasurer and corporate secretary. VPA is an independent self-insurance disability administrator. Entertainment Sondra Haley has been named vice president, publicity and promotion for The Disney Store. Haley will oversee all events, promotions, special projects, external communications and community relations for all stores in North America. Previously, Haley was director of corporate communications for the National Basketball Association and served for 13 years in a variety of positions with President and Mrs. George Bush at the White House, including deputy press secretary to Mrs. Bush. Western International Media has announced the promotion of Cheryl Idell to president of strategic planning and research. Her responsibilities include new business development and development of marketing plans. Western also announced the appointment of Bruce Goerlich to executive vice president. His duties will include overseeing daily operations of the Encino-based media management firm. Health Care Blue Cross of California has announced several appointments and promotions. Pamela Kehaly has been named vice president of sales support for the Woodland Hills-based managed care company. Her responsibilities include customer service and sales. John Watts Jr. has been named general manager of Blue Cross’ large group services. He will oversee the mid-size marketing business unit and will manage claims, customer service, membership, medical review and underwriting. Scott Henick has been promoted to vice president of national accounts. His responsibilities include product development, marketing, sales and operations. Michael Linn has joined Burbank-based UniMed Management Co. as senior vice president. Linn will be responsible for directing the operations of UniMed’s medical group management services organization. Prior to joining UniMed, Linn served as chief operating officer and executive vice president of Health-Care Partners Medical Group. Robert Glaser has been named vice president of corporate development of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. Glaser’s responsibilities include acquisitions for the Woodland Hills-based company. WellPoint has also named J. Thomas Van Berkem senior vice president of human resources. His duties include employee relations, recruiting, compensation, organization development and strategic planning. Cigna HealthCare has named Bud Volberding senior vice president of West Coast operations. Volberding will oversee management of Glendale-based Cigna’s California, Oregon and Washington markets. He most recently served as president and chief executive officer of United HealthCare of California. High Tech/Aerospace Internet Specialties West Inc. has named Drew Kaplan chief operating officer of the Westlake Village-based Internet service provider. Prior to joining Internet Specialties West, Kaplan served as chief executive officer of Voice Telephone Co. Personnel Claire Palmieri has joined The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens as development director. Palmieri will oversee the annual giving program, manage daily operations and implement a corporate sponsorship program. Prior to joining the San Marino-based Huntington Library, she served as vice president of Phillips & Associates, a management consulting firm in West Los Angeles. Superior National Insurance Group Inc. has named Curtis Carson vice president of human resources. Carson will be responsible for corporate human resources at the Calabasas-based firm. Carson previously served as human resources manager for Farmer’s Insurance Co.’s Colorado region. Tourism Steve Post has joined Brown Hotel Group Inc. as vice president. Post will represent buyers and sellers of hotels in Southern California for the Westlake Village-based firm. Prior to joining Brown Hotel Group, Post was general manager of the Hotel Oceana in Santa Monica.

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