PEOPLE
El Pollo Loco Names Eadon Marketing Chief
Irvine-based El Pollo Loco Inc. has tapped food industry veteran Karen Eadon as vice president and chief marketing officer.
Eadon has spent 25 years in the restaurant business at McDonald’s Corp., Taco Bell Corp., CKE Restaurants Inc. and Applebee’s International Inc.
A Chicago native, Eadon lived in California from 1985 until 1999, when she joined Applebee’s in Overland Park, Kan., and then McDonald’s in Chicago.
She said she’s glad to be back.
“It’s like paradise here,” Eadon said.
At El Pollo Loco, Eadon will be responsible for the public relations, research and product development and marketing.
One of her challenges will be to help grow El Pollo Loco’s business with Hispanics. At about half of the chain’s customers, Hispanics are a larger part of El Pollo Loco’s business than at other fast-food chains.
Eadon said she was an El Pollo Loco fan during her time in California.
“You can’t get anything like this outside of California,” she said.
In 1974, Eadon earned her bachelor’s in sociology and psychology from the University of Illinois in Urbana. She received her master’s in marketing from Northwestern University in 1977.
Eadon’s husband of 22 years, Jack, is an author of mystery novels. His books include “A Consequence of Greed.” The couple is looking for a home in the Irvine area. Eadon said she is an avid reader and enjoys hiking, skiing and spending time with her cat Caspurr.
,Andrew Beck
ARCHITECTURE
JBZ Architecture + Planning of Newport Beach named William Beck Jr., Michael Penrose and Edgardo Rubio as associates. Beck is a project manager with 15 years experience. Penrose is a senior designer and registered architect and has been with JBZ three years. Rubio, with 20 years experience, is a project manager at JBZ.
BANKING
Wells Fargo Bank’s Private Client Services appointed Jasmine S. Shodja assistant vice president and a private banker in its Newport Beach office. Private Client Services provides financial products and services through various banks and affiliates.
Union Bank of California named Michele E. O’Leary regional manager for Orange County commercial banking. She will serve as vice president and be responsible for corporate clients with revenue of $30 million or more.
CONSULTING
Psychologist Lee Hausner joined IFF Advisors LLC of Irvine. She will serve as national director of IFF’s Family Enterprises. She will provide consulting services to families and foundations dealing with financial succession.
EDUCATION
Chapman University appointed Anita Vanaman director of alumni and parent relations. She worked for Walt Disney Co. for more than 20 years. She will broaden and strengthen relationships with alumni and parents through a variety of programs and outreach.
INSURANCE
Douglas Judson was named president and chief executive of Irvine-based Millennium Corporate Solutions Inc. Judson is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a member of the Associated General Contractors and Construction Financial Management Association.
LANDSCAPE
Ima+ design, landscape architecture firm in Irvine, promoted two of its senior landscape architects. Ann Yamashiro Cutner and James Keenan were named principals and will be responsible for larger projects. Cutner has expertise in retail and entertainment, theme parks, office and campus design. Keenan has worked at theme parts, hotel and resort developments, urban streetscape design and infill residential projects.
MEDICAL
Dr. James Hawkins has been named by the Saddleback Memorial Medical Center Foundation as the center’s physician of the year. Hawkins is the center’s medical director of cardiology and is a fellow with the American College of Cardiology.
Additionally, Judy Ruppe has been named Saddleback’s employee of the year by the foundation. She serves as coordinator of the cardiology services at Saddleback and is responsible for managing the department’s staffing, budget and statistics.
Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. of Tustin named Douglas Ryan director of its computed tomography business unit. He will be responsible for developing tactical and strategic marketing plans for the unit. He will focus on continuing and growing Toshiba’s CT market share.
