Rachelle Chong, a former member of the Federal Communications Commission, and Richard Wolpert, a tech entrepreneur, have joined the advisory board at GeoLinks. In a statement, Chong noted the Camarillo telecom’s tremendous “dedication to service to rural residents and anchor institutions like schools and libraries” with internet access. Chong, a regulatory attorney, also served on the California Public Utilities Commission. Wolpert, who has sold companies to Adobe Inc.
and Real Networks, said in a statement he was excited to help GeoLinks “build upon their rapid growth and continue to innovate the telecom space.” … NewMark Merrill Cos., the shopping mall developer in Woodland Hills, has named Brent Sherman regional property manager for the company’s L.A. County properties. He will supervise 2 million square feet of retail space, including at Devonshire Reseda Shopping Center. “For over 12 years Brent has been an exceptional team player, interested in all aspects of our business,” Sandy Sigal, chief executive at NewMark Merrill, said in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with him as we continue to grow.” … Dennis Hagerty, president of piano store chain Keyboard Concepts in Sherman Oaks, announced that Vice President Jeff Bauer has become part owner in the company. Bauer oversees sales at the four-outlet company, where he started working in 1997. … Tzvi Twersky has left his position as chief marketing officer at Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks. He joined the company in spring 2019, just after the business changed its logo and name to Mamba Sports Academy when the late Kobe Bryant became a partner; after Bryant’s death, both the name and logo changed again. In a social media statement, Twersky didn’t reveal his new position – “more on that soon” – but he thanked Academy Chief Executive Chad Faulker, former Kobe Inc.
president Molly Carter and the deceased basketball star himself. He also complimented his marketing team for being “remarkable in unimaginable circumstances.” … Marcus & Millichap Inc., the commercial property brokerage in Calabasas, has named Evan Denner as head of the firm’s financing subsidiary, Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. Denner previously served as head of corporate strategy and worked on the company’s recent acquisition of three real estate finance companies. Also, Paul Lewis, a former executive at Fannie Mae, will fill the newly created position of director of agency programs at Marcus & Millichap. Lewis will report to Denner.Valley Insider is compiled by Editor Joel Russell. Send submissions to [email protected].