Compiled by Kelly Ryan
ASSOCIATIONS
The National Association of Women Business Owners OC chapter selected new officers. Barri Carian became president of the association and is principal of Carian Consulting. Also on the board are Cassie Hoag of Equity Architects LLC, as president-elect; Camille Jayne of Matters at Hand, as immediate past president; Lydia Welton of Teamsmarts, as secretary; Josefina de la Cruz of Josefina de la Cruz Accounting, as treasurer; and Kimberly Gerber of Excelerate Inc., as vice president of member services.
Fred H. Lerner joined the board of directors of The International Photographic Council. Lerner is chief executive of Ritz Interactive in Irvine. He has more than 30 years of experience in the photography industry including seven years as president and chief executive of Kodak Processing labs.
EDUCATION
David Weinberg joined JSerra Catholic High School as instrumental music director. He will launch the school’s instrumental music program. Weinberg taught instrumental music for 25 years at Mater Dei and Santa Margarita Catholic high schools. Andrew Alvarez also signed on as director of choral music. Alvarez previously worked at Eastside Christian High School in Fullerton. He has a studio in Anaheim and teaches voice at San Marino High School.
FINANCE
Patrick Howell was hired as a vice president and small business banker at Wachovia Bank in Irvine. Howell has 12 years of experience in banking and the financial services industry. He previously worked at Bank of the West and First Federal Bank of California.
Elisabeth Lauren Smittipatana joined Credit Exchange Corp. as director of human resources. Smittipatana currently owns Coffee Therapy Inc. and was a former vice president of operations and human resources at Team Post Op. Inc.
INSURANCE
Veterinary Pet Insurance named Kenneth L. Watkins chief financial officer. Watkins is a certified public accountant with 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. He previously was chief financial officer and vice president for PacifiCare Behavioral Health.
LAW
Archer Norris added Michael B. Gray as of counsel to its litigation practice in Newport Beach. He focuses on complex litigation involving general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals.
NONPROFIT
The Orange County Forum named Kathy Tavoularis media relations coordinator. She is a strategist and consultant for Tavoularis Projects. Additionally, James M. Leach of Cox Communications Inc. was named president of the OC Forum. Leach previously was vice president of the forum.
The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo added Allen Goh and Stuart Anderson to its board of directors. Allen is a senior manager in the audit and accounting services practice as Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson LLP. He is a member of the board of directors for the Andover Community Association. Anderson is a principal and broker of Citywide Lending Group International.
The Orange-based Child Abuse Prevention Center added Michelle Nathanson as director of community development. She has 18 years of experience dealing with children’s is and women’s healthcare issues.
The American Red Cross of OC added Stanley V. Purdue as chief executive and Janet Whitcomb as chief operating officer. Purdue became a Red Cross volunteer in 1973. Whitcomb has been involved with nonprofits for more than 20 years and was recently executive vice president of the Volunteer Center of OC.
REAL ESTATE
Jack Van Berkel joined NNN Realty Advisors as senior vice president of human resources. Van Berkel has 25 years of experience in the industry including senior positions at CB Richard Ellis Group Inc.
Passco Cos. added Carey P. Levy as president. Levy has more than 25 years of experience in real estate investment, development and marketing. He most recently was a senior vice president and director for Granite Investment Group.
J.L. Hare Associates in Tustin hired Amy Wirtjes as project coordinator. Prior to J.L. Hare Associates, Wirtjes owned Speedy Permits in Laguna Niguel.
TECHNOLOGY
Irvine-based memory products maker US Modular added John Kauppinen as vice president of product development. He has more than 36 years of experience in the industry and has worked at what’s now Sanmina-SCI Corp.’s Viking Interworks Inc. in Rancho Santa Marga-rita, Aliso Viejo’s Centon Electronics Inc. and Dane-Elec Corp. in Irvine. Also, Bob Bilbruck was named vice president of mobile strategy. Bilbruck most recently worked at Newegg.com.
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