Anthony Cherbak has been named chief operating officer and president of Irvine-based Resources Connection Inc., a provider of accountants, lawyers and other professionals to companies on a project basis.
Cherbak’s promotion comes on the heels of the return of cofounder Don Murray as chief executive. In July, Murray replaced Thomas Christopoul, the company’s chief executive for the past year.
Cherbak now is responsible for day-to-day operations of the company and meeting with U.S. and global clients, he said. Murray, who’s also executive chairman, handles “key decisions,” Cherbak said.
Cherbak also joined Resources Connection’s board, filling the seat formerly held by Karen Ferguson, the company’s former executive vice president and chief strategy officer who left last month.
He declined to say whether he’s in line to eventually replace Murray, who’s 62 and had sought to step back with the 2008 hiring of Christopoul.
Cherbak has been with the company since 2005, most recently as executive vice president of operations and president of international operations.
Prior to joining Resources Connection, he spent 27 years with Deloitte & Touche LLP in Costa Mesa, where Resources Connection got its start.
Cherbak ran the audit practice at Deloitte.
He graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1978 with a bachelor’s in accounting. He lives in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and three kids. He enjoys running and surfing.
EDUCATION
Mark Liang was ap-pointed dean of admissions and records at Santa Ana College. He has served as interim associate dean since late 2008. Liang’s re-sponsibilities include overseeing the college’s information systems and putting together reports.
Rancho Santiago Community College District hired Sarah Santoyo as director of grants. Santoyo has served as interim resource development coordinator since 2006. In her new role, she will oversee grant proposals, negotiate awards, provide fiscal oversight and work with funding agencies.
University of California, Irvine Extension hired Dave Dimas as the director of its engineering, sciences and technology programs. He will oversee the development of curriculum for all three programs as well as evaluate the needs for additional courses and certificate programs. Prior to joining UC Irvine Extension, Dimas worked at Santa Ana-based MSC.Software Corp.
GOVERNMENT
The U.S. Conference of Mayors appointed Miguel Pulido to serve as chairman of the Energy Policy Committee. Pulido is the mayor of Santa Ana and a board member for the Orange County Transportation Authority. He will head the 30-member committee in its effort to influence legislation on climate protection, sustainable jobs, transportation, public safety and community development and housing.
LAW
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP partner Jim Moloney was elected chair of the American Bar Association’s Proxy Statements and Business Combinations Subcommittee of the Federal Regulation of Securities Committee. Moloney, who is based out of the firm’s Irvine office, will oversee the development and application of federal securities laws.
NONPROFIT
The Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley elected Peggy Mackinnon to its board. Mackinnon is the owner of Peggy Mackinnon Communications in Laguna Niguel.
REAL ESTATE
Irvine-based Keystone Pacific Property Management Inc. promoted Carla Taylor to enforcement coordinator in its Rancho Santa Margarita office. Taylor previously was associate community association manager. Her du-ties will include enforcing the rules for CZ Master Association, which oversees the masterplanned community of Coto de Caza.
Santa Ana-based Moote Group promoted Syl Egan to senior residential estimator. Egan previously was a senior project manager at the land management company. His responsibilities will include creating estimates for building construction. Prior to joining Moote, he held executive positions at Lennar Homes Co. in Irvine and Catellus Residential Group in Newport Beach.
TECHNOLOGY
Irvine-based Iris Technology Corp. appointed Carl Kirkconnell chief technology officer. Kirkconnell, who is experienced in spacecraft thermal control systems, will be responsible for advancing Iris’ presence in that business. Prior to joining Iris, he was a senior fellow and product line manager for Raytheon Co.’s space cryocooler production and development programs.
TRANSPORTATION
The Orange County Transportation Authority promoted Jim Kenan to deputy chief executive and Ken Phipps to executive director of finance and administration. OCTA also hired Kristine Leathers Murray as executive director of government relations. Kenan previously was interim chief executive. Phipps most recently was director of finance and administration. Murray was OCTA’s federal relations manager from 2005 to 2007 and most recently was vice president of government affairs at the Orange County Business Council.
