PEOPLE
Bridgford Named President of Foods Maker
Anaheim-based Bridgford Foods Corp., a maker of refrigerated, frozen and snack foods, named William Bridgford as president.
Bridgford, grandson of company founder Hugh H. Bridgford, replaces Robert Schulze, who retired last week.
Bridgford, who previously was corporate secretary and vice president, started his 37-year career at the company working summers while in junior high school. Earlier, he served as manager of the company’s plant at its Anaheim headquarters.
“I hope to continue the traditions of excellence established by those I’ve learned the business from,” Bridgford said.
He oversees Bridgford’s five processing plants and 700 workers, including 200 in Anaheim.
Bridgford Foods sells its products through some 38,000 stores nationwide, as well as in Canada and other markets. The company started as a meat market in San Diego 67 years ago. Family members own about 70% of the publicly traded company.
Bridgford is a California native and a graduate of California State University, Full-erton. He lives with his wife Susan and two sons in Fullerton.
,Kristen Picard
BANKING
Russ Wertz joined Tustin-based Sunwest Bank as a member of its board. Wertz is the founder and managing partner of accounting firm Wertz & Co. in Irvine.
ENGINEERING
Linscott, Law & Greenspan Engineers in Costa Mesa promoted Keil D. Maberry to associate principal. Maberry joined the company in 1997 and has been senior transportation engineer since 2000.
FINANCE
Scott Miller joined Brea-based Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. as a sales manager. Prior to coming to the pet insurance company, Miller worked as senior manager of service sales and support at computer maker Gateway Inc.
HEALTHCARE
Peter J. Mackler was named director of government relations and policy for MemorialCare Medical Centers, which includes Anaheim Memorial Medical Center, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley and Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills.
LAW
Snell & Wilmer LLP added John C. Yi to its Irvine office. Yi’s practice focuses on product liability litigation.
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NONPROFIT
Kevin Covert was elected to the board of Orange Coast Venture Group in Laguna Hills, a networking group for Orange County venture capitalists. Covert is a managing director at Montgomery & Co. in Santa Monica.
Mission Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, appointed Scott Maccabe to its board of directors. Maccabe is vice president and general manager at Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.’s storage device division in Irvine.
Margaret Bayston and Greg Smith joined the board of directors of Healing Odyssey, a Laguna Hills-based nonprofit that provides education and support programs for cancer survivors. Bayston is chief executive and executive director of Laura’s House, a domestic violence service and prevention organization in San Clemente. Smith is cofounder and vice president of Motor Sports Industries Inc., an auto parts distributor in Orange. Healing Odyssey is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
REAL ESTATE
Del Mar-based Brookfield Homes Corp. promoted three executives to vice president at its Costa Mesa office: Brian Geis, vice president, development; Rick Cuoco, vice president, land acquisition; and John O’Brien, vice president, infill.
Susan Finley was named president of Merit Association Ser-vices, part of Mission Viejo-based Merit Cos. Finley joined the company in 1983 as an account executive.
TRANSPORTATION
The Orange County Transportation Authority named James Anthony Rudy as its new chief of transit police. Rudy most recently served as lieutenant and bureau commander for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Intake Release Center.
