SFV Newsmakers

Advertising Stuart Smith has been named chief financial officer and chief operations officer at Van Nuys-based J.J. Grace Inc. In this newly created position, Smith will be responsible for the company’s finances and oversee day-to-day operations. He previously served as plant manager at Poster Display Inc. Banking & Finance Priscilla B. Hoffer has been promoted to senior vice president at Glendale-based Glendale Federal Bank. Hoffer will serve as manager of the bank’s Project Office of Technology Services, and will be responsible for implementation and management of strategic technology. She previously served as vice president and technical service program manager. Entertainment Richard Wolpert has been promoted to executive vice president of Burbank-based Disney Online. Wolpert will be responsible for content development, production and technology. He previously was senior vice president of technology. Greg Probert has been promoted to executive vice president of Burbank-based Buena Vista Home Entertainment Worldwide. Some of Probert’s responsibilities will include worldwide finance, manufacturing and distribution, and administration. He previously was senior vice president and managing director of Buena Vista Home Entertainment Asia. Bill Simon has been named chief accounting officer at Burbank-based Dick Clark Productions Inc. In addition to his duties in his new position, Simon will continue to serve as treasurer and controller of the company. He was named controller in 1996, and treasurer earlier this year. Tony Cruz has been named vice president of project development at Burbank-based BRC Imagination Arts. Cruz will be responsible for overseeing the company’s marketing, promotion and public relations activities. He previously was president and general manager at Jack Morton Co. Angie Diehl Jacobs has been named vice president of marketing, Universal Concerts, at Universal Music Group. Diehl Jacobs will oversee the company’s marketing operations in North America, and will be responsible for advertising, promotion and publicity in the Los Angeles market for Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City. She previously served as a director of marketing at Blockbuster/Pace Concerts. Paul Santos has been named national director of marketing and sales at Hip-O Records, a division of Universal City-based Universal Music Group. Santos will oversee advertising, retail marketing and creative services. He previously was national director of sales and field marketing at Concord Records. Burbank-based Disney TeleVentures has promoted three vice presidents to the position of senior vice president. Diana Ritchie will oversee new media development, Maureen Whalen will oversee legal affairs and Barry Cottle will oversee marketing. Health Care Robert P. White has joined Woodland Hills-based Health Net as executive vice president. White will oversee the merger integration of Health Net and Foundation Health, and will manage several Health Net and Foundation Health operations including Medi-Cal, Information Systems and Provider Services. He previously was president and CEO of CareAmerica Health Plans. Nancy L. Gaymon has been promoted to vice president of human resources at Woodland Hills-based Litton Industries Inc. Gaymon will oversee the human resource functions of Litton’s 24 departments on a consulting basis. She previously was director of human resources. Woodland Hills-based WellPoint Health Networks Inc. has announced the appointment of three new executives. Barbara McNamara has been promoted to vice president of employment and employee relations. In her newly created position, McNamara will be responsible for development and implementation of corporate-wide human resources policies and practices. Louise McCrary has been promoted to senior vice president from vice president, and will continue to serve as chief accounting officer and controller. Some of McCrary’s responsibilities will include financial reporting, accounting operations and corporate accounting. Carol J. Burt has been named senior vice president of finance and treasury. Burt will oversee the company’s funds and financial assets. She previously was senior vice president of finance and treasury at American Response Inc. Cheryl Pope has been named regional vice president of the Los Angeles sales office of Woodland Hills-based Blue Cross of California. Pope will oversee development of sales and marketing strategies designed to boost market share. She previously served as senior vice president of health care delivery systems at Prudential Healthcare. Woodland Hills-based Health Net has promoted Joseph E. Smith to vice president of special accounts, Southern California. Smith previously served as director of special accounts underwriting. High Tech Isaac Kerlow has been promoted to director of digital talent at Burbank-based Walt Disney Co. Kerlow will work with all Disney business units on talent development and training, recruitment activities and internship programs to expand and improve digital talent. He previously was vice president of creative resources. Sylmar-based Spectrolab Inc. has announced two senior-level promotions. Jerry R. Kukulka has been promoted to vice president of operations. Kukulka will oversee activities for improved operational performance. He previously was engineering manager. Paul K. Ballew has been promoted to chief financial officer. Ballew will oversee all financial operational and planning activities. He previously was financial controller. Gordon L. Almquist has been named chief financial officer at Chatsworth-based ChatCom Inc. Almquist will oversee the company’s financial matters. He previously served as vice president of finance and chief financial officer at 3D Systems Corp. Real Estate Dan Verdin has been named sales manager in the Tarzana office of Fred Sands Realtors. Verdin will oversee operations of the Tarzana office. He previously served as senior director of the Sands Group, a division of the company.