PEOPLE
Compiled by Kristyn von Rotz
Perry Named Charo Chicken Chief
Seal Beach-based restaurant chain Charo Chicken Inc. named Ray Perry as permanent chief executive. Perry, who has run Charo Chicken for the past two years as a consultant, took an ownership stake in the company along with the new title.
Perry said his task is to step up marketing and manage costs as Charo expands. The company is looking to “grass roots” marketing, including fliers, door hangers and advertising to businesses, he said.
The key is getting the word out about Charo on a daily basis in areas near the chain’s 11 restaurants, Perry said.
Charo competes in a crowded field, which includes better-known names such as Irvine’s El Pollo Loco Inc. Other rivals range from fast-food chicken chains such as AFC Enterprises Inc.’s Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A Inc., which is opening eateries in Orange County next year, to Santa Ana-based Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Wendy’s International Inc.’s Baja Fresh Mexican Grill.
Charo, which opened its own restaurants up until 1999, is looking to franchisees for growth. The company expects franchisees to open 13 locations by late 2004. The three newest ones are set to open in Temecula, San Clemente and Lakewood.
The focus is on Southern California, Perry said. The company has “tight criteria” for picking locations, he said. Income, population and traffic are weighed, according to Perry.
Perry is an industry veteran. His most recent positions include chief operating officer at Hardee’s Burgers (part of Santa Barbara-based CKE Restaurants Inc.), chief executive of El Pollo Loco and executive vice president at CKE’s Carl’s Jr.
Perry studied business at the University of Cincinnati and started working before finishing his degree. He lives in Villa Park with his wife, Robbie. He has four children.
In his spare time, Perry said he sometimes plays racquetball and starts each day with a five-mile walk.
,Helen Afrasiabi
APPAREL
Foothill Ranch-based The Wet Seal Inc. appointed Steve Horak as vice president, planning and allocation for the company’s Wet Seal unit. Horak most recently was vice president of planning, allocation and inventory management at Los Angeles-based Guess? Inc.
ARCHITECTURE
Irvine-based Ware Malcomb promoted Rudy Lazatin to director, auto dealerships. Lazatin has been with Ware Malcomb for 20 years and previously worked as project manager and director, corporate services.
CONSTRUCTION
Merlex Stucco Inc. in Orange promoted Nick Brown, who has been with the company for almost two years, from general manager to vice president. Prior to joining Merlex, Brown worked at National Gypsum Co. in Long Beach.
St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Cos. promoted Bonnie J. Martin from project manager to director, education services for its Newport Beach office. McCarthy also promoted Craig A. Swenson from project manager to director, education services.
FINANCE
Nicky Delanty was named manager for Wells Fargo & Co.’s office in the John Wayne Airport area. Delanty has been with Wells Fargo since 1988. She most recently served as manager of the bank’s Irvine Corporate Business Center and Von Karman offices.
NONPROFIT
The Ocean Institute named Tim McMahon, senior vice president of Grubb & Ellis Co.’s retail services group, as chairman of the Jazz in January event. The proceeds of the event benefit the institute, which educates students and teachers in ocean awareness, marine life and maritime history.
REAL ESTATE
John E. Perrine was appointed a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch & Co. He’s based at the company’s Laguna Hills office.
Brandt M. McCullough joined Irvine-based Crown Realty & Development as director of acquisitions. McCullough comes to Crown Realty from Birtcher Real Estate Group, where he served as a vice president.
