SFV newsmakers

Entertainment (W/PIC 2/16) Heidi Atherton has been promoted to manager of programming and development at Burbank-based Dick Clark Productions Inc. Atherton will be responsible for creating and developing new projects for network, syndication and cable television. She previously was assistant to the senior vice president of programming. David Pearson has been promoted to senior vice president of operations at Burbank-based Warner Bros. International Theatres. Pearson will be responsible for all operational matters pertaining to the company’s theater chains, from performance to human resources to marketing. He previously was vice president of operations. Nancy Kirkpatrick has been promoted to senior vice president of publicity at Burbank-based Warner Bros. Kirkpatrick will oversee publicity campaigns for selected motion pictures and act as a strategic resource for the department at large. She previously served as vice president of publicity for the company. Louis Feola has been named president of the newly created Universal Family & Home Entertainment Production division of Universal City-based Universal Studios Inc. Feola will be responsible for the development and production of direct-to-video product. He previously served as president of Universal Studios Home Video. Nen Nalle has been named president of worldwide television production at Universal City-based Universal Networks and Worldwide Distribution Group. Nalle will be responsible for domestic and international production and the development of film production opportunities in international territories. He most recently served as executive vice president of Universal Television Enterprises Productions. Jessica Swirnoff has been named director of production for Walt Disney Pictures and Hollywood Pictures of Burbank. Swirnoff will be involved in the development and production of motion pictures for both the Disney and Hollywood Pictures banner. She previously served as an agent for United Talent Agency, representing writers and directors. Universal Pictures of Universal City has promoted Stacy Barger to vice president of international advertising and promotion. Barger will develop and supervise all creative audio-visual and print advertising campaigns for the company’s films in international markets. She previously served as director of international advertising and promotion. Also, Elizabeth Gaynes has been promoted to vice president of international marketing. Gaynes will develop and implement marketing strategies for the company’s films overseas. She most recently was director of special projects and international marketing for the company. Jim Murray has been promoted to director of worldwide sales and exhibitor relations at Westlake Village-based Digital Theater Systems. He previously served as manager of international business development for the company. Health Care (W2/PICS 2/16) Woodland Hills-based Blue Cross of California, a subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., has appointed two new vice presidents. Robert Seidman, vice president of pharmacy, will be responsible for the management of all pharmacy-related services and programs for the company. Joan R. Sofen, vice president of systems for the company’s individual and small-group services division, will be responsible for managing systems support and new systems development. (W/4PICS: two from 2/16 and two from 2/22) Woodland Hills-based WellPoint Health Networks Inc. has named four new vice presidents. Robert Radley, vice president of corporate data and technical services, will be responsible for managing the data center operations of the company. Vince Williams, vice president of dental operations, will be responsible for membership contracts. Lisa Moriyama, vice president of field human resources, will oversee human resources for WellPoint California businesses, primarily with the company’s subsidiary, Blue Cross of California. Vince Buenrostro, vice president of field human resources, will oversee human resources for WellPoint’s national business unit, Unicare. Thomas E. Jones has been named chief executive at Chatsworth-based Chad Therapeutics Inc. Jones, previously vice chairman, will take over for the retiring Charles R. Adams, who will step down as chief executive at the close of the company’s fiscal year on March 31. Adams will remain chairman. Susan Arcidiacono has been named director of marketing and communication at Adventist Health/Southern California of Glendale. She more recently served as consumer retail strategist for Cigna Healthcare of Southern California. High Tech James E. Illson has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer at El Segundo-based Merisel Inc. Illson will be responsible for the company’s financial operations, including strategy, planning and analysis. He previously served as senior vice president. John Miksa has been named practice director of strategic industries for Southern California at El Segundo-headquartered Computer Sciences Corp. Miksa will be responsible for business development. He previously served as managing director of development at GE Information Services. Media (W/PIC 2/22) Ronald J. Novak has been named to the newly created position of chief operating officer at Woodland Hills-based Weider Publications Inc. Novak will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day company operations, including marketing, sales, production and circulation. He previously was chief financial officer of Weider Publications and its parent company, Weider Health & Fitness.