ACCOUNTING
Gretchen Valentine, a partner at Ernst & Young, has joined the firm’s technology and communications practice in Irvine. The 18-year industry veteran is a tax specialist.
Irvine-based Corbin & Wertz added John Gonzalez and Dhyanesh Bhatt to the firm’s tax planning and preparation practice group. Previously, Gonzalez was with Windes & McClaughry Accountancy Corp. of Long Beach; Bhatt was with Arthur Anderson LLP.
BANKING/FINANCE
Laree E. Lopez was appointed assistant vice president and branch manager of Manufacturers Bank’s Newport Beach office. The 37-year industry veteran comes to Manufacturers Bank from National Cash Processors Inc., where he was manager, cash vault services.
Ohio Savings Bank appointed Henry Barica account executive for the firm’s wholesale mortgage banking division. His responsibilities will include marketing the firm’s wholesale purchase program to mortgage companies and other loan originators throughout Orange County. He will be based in Mission Viejo.
Paul Rodeno was promoted to chief administrative officer of Eldorado Bank, Laguna Hills. Previously, Rodeno was a commercial lender for First Interstate Bank.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
NeoTherapeutics, Irvine, appointed Martyn Gunning director of business development and licensing. The firm also promoted Samuel Gulko to senior vice president, finance. In addition, Dr. Alvin J. Glasky, the firm’s chairman and CEO, was appointed president of NeoGene Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of NeoTherapeutics.
EDUCATION
Irvine-based Driving Concepts Inc., a provider of high-performance and safety awareness driving programs, appointed Jack Lindquist of the Lindquist Group chairman.
ENGINEERING
Hall & Foreman Inc. added Robert Gunther to the firm’s Santa Ana office as a project manager in the municipal services division. The 20-year industry veteran is a specialist in water and wastewater management.
HEALTHCARE
Orange-based Western Dental Services Inc. appointed Joseph Minsky director of information systems. Minsky was previously on contract assignment for Ernst & Young LLP as technical project lead on the Sprint account.
INSURANCE
Ross E. Watson joined Armstrong/Robitaille, Fullerton, as an account executive and producer. Prior to joining Armstrong, Watson was with Aon Risk Services in Costa Mesa.
REAL ESTATE
Costa Mesa-based Essex Realty Management hired Bill McCarthy as a senior manager. Previously, McCarthy was director of business development for the national headquarters of Jamba Juice in San Francisco.
RETAIL
Tuttle-Click Automotive Group, Irvine, promoted Paul Nogaki to corporate Internet director. Nogaki will be responsible for overseeing Internet sales activities for the firm’s California dealerships.
SPORTS
Ian McFadyen was promoted to general manager for The Sports Club/Irvine. Previously, he was operations manager for the club, a position now handled by Alison Kirsten, who held a similar position with the company in New York.
TECHONOLOGY
Irvine-based Minds@Work appointed Dennis Palatov chief technology officer. Prior to joining the firm, the 15-year industry veteran directed projects at Random Research Inc.
Rancho Santa Margarita-based Viking Components Inc. appointed a 12-year industry veteran, Mike Nubel, vice president of product marketing and product management. His responsibilities will include strengthening the firm’s brand name. Previously, Nubel was senior vice president of consumer technology merchandising for Value America.
John Dunham was promoted to director of manufacturing operations at Tustin-based TDK Semiconductor Corp. Dunham, who joined TDK in 1990, will oversee the firm’s worldwide manufacturing facilities.
Softech & Associates Inc., Costa Mesa, named Terry Cooper president. Previously, Cooper was president of On-Site Solutions, a company he founded. Both Softech and On-Site Solutions are resellers and development partners of FileNET, Costa Mesa.
A 25-year industry veteran, Skip Feher, was promoted to vice president, marketing and business development at Tustin-based Airshow Inc. The firm also promoted Russ Johnson to senior director, business development.
Mission Viejo-based CellBook added to its sales staff: Mark Middleton, director; and Alisa Lucisano and Connie Hamilton, account managers.
iStarXchange, Irvine, hired three executives: Kenneth G. Strong, director of marketing; Bryan A. Robb, director of business development for warehouse distributors and jobbers; and Chuck Rathert, director of government accounts.
Glenn Boyd was named vice president of Irvine-based Intersil Holding Corp.’s wireless market and sales segment. Previously, the 25-year sales veteran was the firm’s Western-area sales director.
Adrian I. Rice joined Targus Inc., Anaheim, as vice president of the office products group. Rice, who was formerly vice president of sales and marketing for Curtis Computer Products, will bring his 20 years of experience in the field.
TRADE SHOWS
Nth Degree, an Atlanta-based events management company, promoted Scott Bennett to vice president, Western regional sales. Bennett will be based in the firm’s Tustin office and direct all sales activities west of the Mississippi River.
UTILITIES
Irvine-based Newport Generation Inc. added four executives to the firm: David A. Stoner and Scott A. Noll, vice presidents of development; Stephen A. LeClerc, vice president of technical resources; and Jonathan L. Glazer, director of financial analysis.
