PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
ACCOUNTING
Orange resident Bruce Allen, senior marketing manager in the technology and communications group at Deloitte & Touche LLP, has been named to the National University Institute for Community Research and Civic Entrepreneurship’s Advisory Board. The San Diego-based institute participates in community-based research and related economic development projects.
ARCHITECTURE
Robbins Jorgensen Christopher, Newport Beach, has named Fernando Calderon an associate. Calderon is a Rancho Santa Margarita resident and a graduate of California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
BANKING
Peter R. McNulty has been appointed senior vice president for Downey Savings, Newport Beach, for its newly formed correspondent lending division. The division is a source of residential mortgage loan products for Downey’s portfolio and for the secondary mortgage market. McNulty has more than 20 years of experience in mortgage lending.
CONSTRUCTION
Granite Homes, Irvine, has hired John Walch as assistant project manager. Walch will oversee the planning, scheduling and development of the homebuilder’s six Southland neighborhoods. Additionally, the company named Christine Harmon as its new executive assistant. Harmon will assist with document preparation, tracking land opportunities, insurance and legal matters and will be responsible for the department’s organization process.
HOTEL
Tom Brennan has been appointed tennis professional at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Previously, Brennan was head teaching professional at The Tennis Club at Monarch Beach in Dana Point for five years. He has provided tennis instruction throughout southern California for more than 10 years and is a member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association.
LAW
Fisher & Phillips LLP has added Talar Herculian to its staff as associate. Herculian received her law degree from University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1999. Previously, she worked for two years as an employment law associate with Callahan, McCune & Willis in Tustin. She has been representing management in employment disputes since becoming a member of the California Bar in 1999.
The Orange County Bar Association business and corporate law section has selected Laguna Niguel resident James J. Scheinkman as program chair of its third annual Capital Markets Seminar. Scheinkman, an attorney with Snell & Wilmer LLP, will plan and moderate the event.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Chuck Holland has been appointed director of information technology for Lake Forest’s Professional Community Management Inc. Holland joined the company in 1997 and previously served as the senior systems engineer at PCM-managed Leisure World. He will be responsible for the overall management and operation of the firm’s technology department. In addition, PCM has hired Ed Thirawankanok as a systems and network analyst. He will be responsible for providing general computer support and technical assistance to the company’s clients.
The Merit Cos., Mission Viejo, has added Corona del Mar resident Kathy Sommer to its staff as horticulturist. Sommer will be working with the company’s horticultural program to provide advice and consulting on landscape issues. She is a former freelance garden writer and UCLA extension instructor, a certified arborist and licensed pest control adviser. In addition, Rancho Santa Margarita resident Robin Torriero was promoted to senior account executive for Merit Property Management, Inc., which is a part of The Merit Cos. Torriero has served as community association manager for Merit for the past two years.
MUNICIPAL
The city of Aliso Viejo has hired David Norman to the newly created position of assistant city manager. Previously Norman was assistant city administrator for the city of Lompoc. He earned his masters of public administration from California State University, Hayward.
REAL ESTATE
Irvine-based Wentz Group has appointed Brian Parno vice president of southern California. Parno will stabilize and refine regional objectives, policies, procedures and performance standards, as well as oversee management, success, and profitability of regional operations. Additionally, the company has named Eric Flynn director of business development. Flynn will direct business development and marketing activities, support existing clients, and create new prospects.
TECHNOLOGY
Bill Singer has joined the sales team at Pro Tel Technologies, Irvine. Singer will focus on sales in the converged telecommunications equipment markets of the company.
URBAN PLANNING
Elizabeth C. Mahoney has joined Culbertson, Adams and Associates Inc., Aliso Viejo, as director of environmental planning. Previously, Mahoney served as a manager with the Orange County Transportation Authority for the commuter rails program. She has worked in the fields of project planning, management, administration and government relations for more than 12 years.
