PEOPLE
Wolgemuth Joining Concordia Board
Compiled by Meenakshi Viswanathan
Sam Wolgemuth, former chief executive of Irvine-based Freedom Communications Inc., has joined Concordia University’s Presidential Advisory Council.
Wolgemuth, along with 22 other council members, is set to attend meetings held by university president Dr. Jack Preus three times a year. The council discusses issues facing the school and offers guidance. Concordia is a Lutheran school in Irvine.
Wolgemuth said his decision to join the council was shaped by his belief in Concordia’s mission.
“Every church-related school faces the challenge of learning with a Christian calling,” he said.
Wolgemuth left Freedom, publisher of the Orange County Register, in 2002.
“I am at a great place in my career, where I can spend the rest of my life giving back,” Wolgemuth said.
Wolgemuth earned a bachelor’s in philosophy from Taylor University in Upland, Ind., and did post-graduate studies at Stanford University, Harvard University and INSEAD, an international business school allied with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. He lives in Coto de Caza with his wife Mary Gayle and has four grown children.
,Helen Afrasiabi
ADVERTISING & PUBLIC
RELATIONS
Mission Viejo-based Integrity Public Relations Inc. added Deborah Vudhivadhana as an account coordinator. Vudhivadhana will provide administrative and tactical support to the agency’s account teams and client base.
AGRICULTURE
San Diego-based Mir-amar Wholesale Nurseries promoted Debra Doyle to manager of its commercial landscape center in San Juan Capistrano. Doyle joined the company as a sales associate in 2002.
ARCHITECTURE
Dallas-based HKS Inc. hired Maria Martinico as managing director and vice president of its Irvine office. Martinico previously was a senior associate at Gensler Architects in Newport Beach.
CONSTRUCTION
San Diego-based Roel Construction Co. hired Michael Dearen as superintendent for its general construction group and Zackry Montgomery as project engineer. Both Dearen and Montgomery will work out of the company’s Irvine office.
ENTERTAINMENT
Kristin Nolt was appointed senior vice president, public affairs, for the Disneyland Resort. Nolt previously was a senior vice president with the National Restaurant Association.
FINANCE
Santa Ana-based First American Corp. named Kenneth D. DeGiorgio senior vice president and general counsel. DeGiorgio joined First American in 1999 as regulatory counsel.
HEALTHCARE
Mike Green joined Irvine-based healthcare list and database company SK & A; Information Services Inc. as vice president, database group. Green most recently served as director of data acquisition and licensing at Experian Information Solutions Inc. in Costa Mesa. SK & A; also added Rob Voelker as account manager to its national sales team.
LAW
John Pitkin joined Marshack Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP in Foothill Ranch. Pitkin will specialize in civil litigation and business dispute resolution. Pitkin previously managed his own law practice specializing in corporate and personal civil issues.
NONPROFIT
Orangewood PALS, a volunteer auxiliary of Orangewood Children’s Foundation, promoted Keith Bohr to chairman and Greg Brown to vice chairman. Both Bohr and Brown have served on the board of the group for more than five years.
REAL ESTATE
Andy Batcheller was promoted to senior portfolio manager with Los Angeles-based Arden Realty Inc.’s Newport Beach office. Batcheller previously served as a portfolio leasing manager.
The Newport Beach office of Grubb & Ellis Co. hired Robert Griffith as a senior vice president with the investment group. Jon Nesbitt joined as a vice president. Meanwhile the Anaheim office of the company added Arthur J. Holland as a vice president with the industrial group.
