AROUND THE VALLEYS

News and notes from around the greater San Fernando Valley area VENTURA COUNTY Camarillo Biotech: PBS Biotech Inc announced Lourie Zak, former Amgen finance executive, has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. Zak joined Amgen in 2003, and served as executive director of finance for Amgen’s Global Commercial Operations for the past four years. PBS Biotech is a supplier of innovative single-use bioreactors for global biotechnology organizations. Dr. Brian Lee, company president and co-founder, said Zak is a “great edition” to the PBS Biotech executive team. “Her strong background in finance as well as knowledge of the biotech industry brings tremendous business depth and leadership experience that complements our team,” he said. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Sherman Oaks The King: San Fernando Valley-based filmmaker John Scheinfeld will move from documentaries to feature work as director of the upcoming Elvis Presley biopic, “Fame & Fortune.” The film, based on a book written by Presley bodyguard and confidant Sonny West, begins casting in the fall with a release date in summer 2012. Scheinfeld has directed documentaries on John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Frank Sinatra, the Bee Gees, and Nat King Cole among others. His documentary work has made Scheinfeld the premier director of popular culture bios on music icons, said Ricki Landers Friedlander, chairman and CEO of RLF Victor Productions, the producer of “Fame & Fortune.” “Elvis Presley and Sonny West’s story, which requires great sensitivity and understanding, couldn’t be in more capable hands,” Friedlander said. Calabasas Chamber: The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce recently named Bridget Karl their new President/CEO. Karl, who began her position on Sept 1, previously served as Membership Director. Karl is returning to the Chamber after a three-year absence. During her absence, Karl pursued promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within businesses and organizations. Chair of the Board, Brenda Johnson, said the chamber welcomed Karl back and looked forward to her “professionalism, energy and talent.” Karl’s induction is in lieu of the former President/CEO, Maureen Whalen’s departure to pursue a career change. Johnson said the chamber was appreciative of Whalen’s dedication and they “wish her success in her new business venture.” Glendale Honor: Verdugo Hills Hospital was recognized as one of the “Healthiest Companies in America” by Interactive Health Solution. The award was given to 44 companies nationwide. Of the three hospitals recognized, VHH was the only in California. The award criterion is based on clinical evaluations of employee participants lead by an index of health indicators designed by IHS. Some of the indicators include heart disease, diabetes, smoking, and other measures of health status. Paul Celuch, Vice President of Human Resources at VHH, said the hospital’s V-Care Wellness Program has been successful in improving the health and well-being of its employees over the past two years. “Over 80 percent of last year’s at-risk members showed improvement in the most recent health assessment,” he said. “And overall employees say they appreciate the wellness benefit with an overwhelming 97 percent saying they found value in it.” VHH President and CEO, Len LaBella, said the hospital hopes to serve as a role model for the community and assist other organizations in their service area to initiate similar programs. SANTA CLARITA VALLEY Valencia Agreement: Last month, Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc., announced that its subsidiary company Weidmann Diagnostic Solutions Inc. has completed a five-year agreement with manufacturer H2scan Corporation. Under the agreement, Weidmann will sell a new stand-alone hydrogen sensing system produced by H2Scan. The system measures hydrogen in the oil of power transformers and is the first of its kind to offer real-time measurement of hydrogen online and in direct contact with the oil of the transformer. The system’s features also include the ability to measure hydrogen over wide range of temperatures and an easy–to-install process, making it ideal for retro-fit applications. Jeff Goolgasian, President of Weidmann Diagnostic Solutions Inc., said H2scan’s reputation as an expert in hydrogen sensing and its established product line made them an “ideal partner choice” to jointly develop this new transformer monitoring solution.