Compiled by Kelly Ryan
ACCOUNTING
Ernst & Young LLP made several promotions in its Irvine office. Scott Nelson was promoted to partner from senior manager. Dee Balch and Karen Christian Connair were promoted to executive directors from senior managers. H. Glynn Morehead was promoted to executive director from senior manager in the federal tax advisory practice.
Irvine’s HBLA Certified Public Accountants Inc. named Lynda Mulley director of business development. She previously was vice president of sales support and development at Reddick Realty.
BANKING
First Foundation Bank in Irvine hired Nella Webster O’Grady as senior vice president and trust services manager. She most recently was vice president and senior relationship manager at First American Trust Co., a division of Santa Ana-based First American Corp.
Aldo Zuniga was named manager of a Santa Ana branch of San Francisco- based Wells Fargo & Co. Zuniga began working at Wells Fargo in 2002 as a personal banker.
CONSTRUCTION
Mike Kearon was promoted from group manager to director of construction at Roel Construction Co. in Irvine. He will manage all construction for Roel in Orange County. Kearon has led construction teams in retail, educational and hospitality projects.
CONSULTING
Marty Breen was named executive vice president in the project management group at Cumming Corp. in Mission Viejo. Most recently Breen managed the development portfolio for Marriott Vacation Club International and Ritz-Carlton Club.
The Sandler Sales Insti-tute in Irvine, part of Sandler Systems Inc., added Ed Knopf as a sales coach. Knopf previously worked at Project Insight in Irvine, where he was named top producer last year.
FINANCE
Beacon Pointe Advisors named Commie Stevens vice president of strategic planning. Stevens previously practiced as an estate-planning attorney and was most recently director of estate planning for Pacific Life Insurance Co.
HEALTHCARE
Monarch Staffing Inc. of San Juan Capistrano named Edwina Chong executive vice president and added Quang X. Pham to its board of directors. Chong founded a local nursing recruitment and staffing firm and was an area manager at Supplemental Health Care. Pham is founder and chief executive
of Lathian Health. Monarch Staffing is a subsidiary of Riverside-based Drug Consultants Inc.
LAW
Charles Hurst joined the real estate practice group of Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold LLP in Irvine. Hurst formerly was a partner at Snell & Wilmer LLP. Hurst represents developers in the acquisition and development of industrial and retail properties.
Joseph Re was named president of the Federal Circuit Bar Association. Re is a partner at the Irvine office of Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP.
MANUFACTURING
Marty Mechsner joined Industrial Metal Supply Co. in Irvine as general manager and chief engineer of its fabrication division. Mechsner is president and chief executive of the Small Manufacturers’ Institute and is president of Schober’s Machine and Engineering.
Melinda Ellsworth joined Kaiser Aluminum Corp. in Foothill Ranch as vice president and treasurer.
NONPROFIT
The Children’s Bureau added James Minor and Cheri Plumley as board members to its Orange County division board. Minor is operations manager, corporate operations at Merchant Services Inc. and Plumley is an account supervisor at Rauxa Direct Inc. The Children’s Bureau works with state and local agencies to prevent child abuse.
The Junior League of Orange County California Inc. added several members to its board: Kathryn Grant, Kelly Cornell, Denise Scott, April Young, Carla Poulin, Erin Stone and Nedka Stills. The nonprofit is a group of women who promote volunteerism and work on improving the lives of women.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County named Paula Neal Reza director of development. Reza previously spent five years at WisePlace in Santa Ana. She also spent 10 years as a trainer with the Volunteer Center Orange County, teaching grant writing and development courses.
REAL ESTATE
Damon Gascon was named president of Park Place Partners Development Solutions Inc., a new division of Irvine-based Park Place Partners Inc. Gascon was formerly president of K. Hovnanian Homes Southern Coastal California Region.
Carol Schillne was named first vice president at the Anaheim office of CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. She will focus on specialty and lifestyle leasing. Schillne rejoined the firm from her most recent position with Staubach Co. in Newport Beach.
Desiree Runes joined Thompson National Properties LLC as corporate controller. Runes previously was assistant controller at Grubb & Ellis Realty Advisors LLC, formerly Triple Net Properties LLC.
