PEOPLE
Compiled by Kristyn von Rotz
APPAREL
San Clemente-based shoemaker Emu Australia promoted Greg Licht to president. He formerly was the company’s executive vice president. In his new role, Licht will focus on the expansion of global sales and licensing, while continuing to oversee the company’s sales, marketing and operations departments.
AUTOMOTIVE
Equus Products Inc., a maker and distributor of test equipment, gauges and tachometers for the automotive industry, appointed Scott J. Gompper to sales manager in Fountain Valley. Gompper will be responsible for managing sales activities with an emphasis on new business development. Most recently, Gompper served as sales manager for Kinsbursky Brothers Inc. in Anaheim, heading the company’s axle and air-conditioning divisions.
COMMUNICATIONS
James Beltran was appointed director of technology at The Peterson Group, a marketing communications agency. Prior to joining Peterson, James was a manager in the Internet technologies practice group in the Southern California region of Herrick Douglass Technology Development.
FINANCE
First Bank & Trust named James Wullschleger as senior vice president, small business lending at the bank’s Westminster office. Wull-schleger has 26 years of banking experience.
Kent Falk was promoted from first vice president, manager of commercial loans to senior vice president and regional manager of South County Bank. Falk will serve both the Rancho Santa Margarita branch and the Laguna Beach branch, which is set to open this year.
GOVERNMENT
Assemblywoman Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) hired Jennifer Kerns as press secretary and communications director. Kerns has a public relations background in the private sector, having served in the healthcare and telecommunications industries for the past seven years. She most recently worked for Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach. She also has been involved as media adviser for the Republican Party of Orange County.
LAW
Bullivant Houser Bailey PC recently expanded its litigation practice group with the addition of senior litigator Michael C. Kellar to its Irvine office. Kellar has been litigating complex and general civil litigation cases in California for more than 25 years.
REAL ESTATE
Dixie Milberg joined Empire Homes as director of home services. She is responsible for overseeing the customer care program. Milberg comes to Empire Homes from Merit Property Management, where she was a regional manager in Mission Viejo.
Prudential California Realty named Steve Rodgers as president of its Orange County division. Rodgers has been with the company for more than 10 years.
Tustin-based Coreland Cos. appointed Tracey Zimmerman as manager of corporate affairs. Zimmerman will be responsible for all marketing, including press releases, advertising and corporate brand management. Zimmerman previously served as marketing director and property manager with Hopkins Real Estate Group in Newport Beach for 15 years.
Newport Beach-based CT Realty Corp. hired Barry A. Chase as executive vice president of acquisitions. Prior to joining CT Realty, Chase was president of Koll Development Co.’s western division, where he managed the development of commercial office, industrial, retail and mixed-use properties.
TRANSPORTATION
The Orange County Transportation Authority hired Manuel Hernandez as its new director of public communications and marketing. Hernandez has more than 25 years of local transportation experience, serving for 15 years at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority as the director of local government and community affairs and as a public affairs officer. He was involved in the Accessible Bus Program, preparation for the 1984 Olympic games and transportation planning and implementation of the Metro Red Line.
