Architecture
Stan Braden, president and principal of architectural and planning firm KTGY Group, Irvine, was elected president of the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association.
Education
Colleen Buffington, vice president of Career Networks Institute, Orange, was elected to the board of the California Association of Private Post-Secondary Schools. The organization represents more than 300 private post-secondary schools in California.
Law
Family law attorney Dana Allan Godfrey joined the Newport Beach Professional Corporation of Violet P. Woodhouse. Godfrey, a 26-year family law veteran, is also an adjunct instructor at the University of Phoenix and a visiting professor at American College of Law.
The Irvine office of Arter & Hadden LLP added Thomas H. Reilly to its labor and employment practice group. He was previously a partner with Scott, Reilly and Whitehead, a labor and employment firm representing employers.
Manufacturing
Sonance, a manufacturer of architectural audio products based in San Clemente, appointed Scott Sylvester corporate trainer. He will also assist in product development and support field sales management. Sylvester was previously with Denon Electronics in New Jersey.
Organizations
Bob Worley, owner of La Paz Patio & Fireside in Laguna Hills, was elected vice president of the California Hearth Products Association, whose members include manufacturers, sales representatives , retailers and service personnel in the fireplace industry.
The International Map Trade Association, Washington, D.C., appointed Beth Cantrell, executive director of the Thomas Bros. Maps Education Foundation, to its board of directors. Cantrell has been with Irvine-based Thomas Bros. Maps since 1987.
The Kiwanis Club of Orange installed its 1999-2000 slate of officers, including: Eric Inglett, investment representative with Edward Jones, president; Ahmad Tabassi, owner of Orange Texaco, vice-president; and attorney Richard Coombs second vice-president. In addition, member Milfred Smith was named lieutenant governor of division 4 for the California/Nevada/Hawaii district of Kiwanis International.
Retail
National Sports Grill, Anaheim, promoted Polly McCoy to promotions and public relations coordinator. McCoy joined the company five years ago and was previously office manager for Rockwell Graphic Systems and communications assistant for Warner Brothers.
Nina J. Leong was named executive vice president of licensing and business development for Irvine-based Ocean Pacific, a licensor of branded California lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. She was most recently a vice president with Disney Consumer Products.
Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel appointed Stephen McCarthy general sales manager. He will oversee a staff of more than 30 sales representatives and manage the dealer’s finance and leasing department. In addition, Ed Keller was appointed business development manager. He will manage Internet sales and oversee the lease retention program.
Irvine-based Autobytel.com appointed David S. Grant chief technology officer. Previously, Grant held a similar position with www. SuperDrugStore.com and was senior vice president of enterprise architecture for Countrywide Home Loans Inc.
Technology
Blake Fennell was appointed COO of the Photonics Components Division of international photonics products supplier, Melles Griot. The Photonics division includes the company’s Irvine headquarters as well as operations in Rochester, N.Y., Europe and Asia. Fennell has been with the company since 1990 and was most recently vice president and general manager of the laser group in Carlsbad.
Santa Ana-based Troy Group Inc. appointed Robert S. Messina president and COO. Messina was previously executive vice president of the company, which has 175 employees locally and focuses on product development and strategic acquisitions in the e-commerce arena.
Wyle Systems, Irvine, named William M. McMahon Jr. CEO, replacing Josh Napua, who resigned to pursue other opportunities. McMahon was most recently vice president for strategic alliances.
John D. Leavitt was named national sales manager for Cristek Interconnects Inc., Anaheim, a new position at the firm. Previously, Leavitt was with ITT Canon and Amphenol Aerospace.
Lake Forest-based Who?Vision named Matt Medeiros, chairman and CEO of Philips Flat Display Systems, to its board of directors.
Arya Rohani was promoted to Western regional vice president for Odetics ITS, Anaheim. He is responsible for contract and project management, overall business development and marketing. Rohani joined Odetics in 1997 from the city of Irvine, where he was manager of transportation.
Telecommunications
Read Clarke was promoted to vice president and general manager of Nextlink’s LA and Orange County markets. Clarke’s 20-year career includes stints with AirTouch Cellular, Mutual Signal and Sprint. He will oversee Nextlink’s growth in the Southern California market.
IMC Networks, Foothill Ranch, named Jeremy G. Ognall vice president, sales and marketing. Prior to joining IMC, Ognall held management positions at CompuCom Systems, Dallas, and Entex Information Systems Inc., Ryebrook, N.Y.
Transportation
O’Neil Relocation, Garden Grove, named Linda Krasner director of corporate development of Pinnacle Service. Krasner has more than 20 years of experience managing and developing relocation programs.
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