Compiled by Natasha Thakkar
ACCOUNTING
Cindy E. Gonzalez of Mendoza Berger & Co. in Irvine was promoted to tax partner. Gonzalez will manage all tax department operations for her office. She also is a founding member of Women Looking Forward of the OC United Way.
Lance G. Adams was named a partner at the Irvine office of Windes & McClaughry Accountancy Corp. Adams provides consulting services for businesses in the communication, high-tech and real estate industries. He also is treasurer for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation.
AUTOMOTIVE
Anaheim Hills-based Fix Auto USA promoted Ron Guilliams to national vice president of client services. Guilliams previously was Southern California business development vice president. Fix Auto is a network of body shop owners.
BANKING
La Habra-based American First Credit Union added Jim Hale as director of operations. Hale will manage 69 associates, all branches and the contact center.
CONSULTING
Anaheim-based Axis Technical Group Inc. promoted Jeff Hasan to senior vice president of information technology. Hasan will head up the strategic consulting services division, serving healthcare and financial services industries.
Tustin-based Franek Technologies Inc. added John Pickert to its business development and consulting staff. Pickert recently was technical administrator and new building project manager for New York’s Chief Medical Examiner Forensic Biology Laboratory.
EDUCATION
Rajeev Tyagi was named senior associate dean at the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. Tyagi has been a faculty member since 1996 and has won four teaching awards at the school of business. He is an associate editor for the management science journal.
FINANCE
The Waltos Group, part of Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., promoted Jonathan Fagan to chief development officer. Fagan began his career with Northwestern Mutual as an intern while attending California State University, Long Beach. He will oversee all recruiting at the Newport Beach office.
HOTELS
The Hilton Anaheim added Carlos Acosta as director of food and beverage. Acosta previously was director of food and beverage at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside.
LAW
Michael I. Katz was named a partner at the Irvine office of Thomas Whitelaw & Tyler LLP. Katz previously was a partner at the Irvine office of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Katz specializes in intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions and breach of contract.
MARKETING
Brent J. Jessee joined Morpace Inc. in Irvine as vice president. Jessee handles business development and project management in the automotive sector. Previously, he owned and operated Innovative Solutions International in San Clemente.
NONPROFIT
Carla Poulin was named secretary of the board of the Junior League of Orange County. Poulin is active in the Project Management Institute of Orange County.
Orange County United Way added seven members to its board: John Carpino, Knute Kurtz, Lisa Locklear, John Mansour, Nancy Meyer, Ben Prince and Mike Salmon.
The Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley added members to its board: Michael Chambers, Donald Mahoney and Denise Jacques. Also joining the board are Michael T. Beattie, Patrick Petersen and Barbara Poliquin.
Jeff Mayer was named chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Orange County district council. Mayer is principal at McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners Inc. in Irvine.
REAL ESTATE
Morgan Kuzmanic joined Irvine-based Keystone Pacific Property Management Inc. as on-site activities and facilities manager for the One Ford Road community in Newport Beach. Kuzmanic will assist the community association manager with maintenance, operations and community events.
Professional Community Management of California Inc. added Cynthia Cattern as director of management services. She will manage The Summit at Turtle Ridge, oversee associate managers and conduct training sessions.
RESTAURANTS
Steve Jennings was named chief financial officer at the Salt Creek Grille in Laguna Niguel. Jennings previously was chief financial officer for Ruby’s Diner Inc.
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