NEWSMAKERS
Growth Challenge Lures Health Veteran
When a job gets comfortable, Kshitij Mohan says he starts to feel uncomfortable and searches for new challenges.
That is a big reason why Mohan is moving from Washington, D.C. to become president and chief executive of International Remote Imaging Systems Inc.
The Chatsworth-based company makes automated urinalysis equipment and has achieved profitability over the past three years but not by much. And it’s about to introduce a line of products intended to boost sales, always a tricky proposition.
“I pride myself on getting growth going,” said Mohan, 57, who arrives with a list of private and public sector credentials.
Mohan most recently was a health industry consultant for King and Spalding, a Washington-based law firm, but back in the 1980s he served in two government health care jobs.
From 1983 to 1988 he was director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Device Evaluation, which tests the safety and efficacy of medical devices. He came to that job from the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he served for four years as a science examiner overseeing programs such as the National Science Foundation.
After leaving the FDA, he spent 12 years at Baxter International Inc., the giant manufacturer of health care products, where he rose to corporate vice president for research and technical services. From 2000 to 2001 he was senior vice president and chief scientific officer of Boston Scientific Corp., a manufacturer of cardiovascular and other medical devices.
International Remote is trying to expand its sales by introducing a lower cost but more technically advanced urinalysis machine. The company’s existing machines cost up to $175,000, limiting sales to only the largest hospitals and labs.
A native of India, Mohan received his bachelor’s degree from that country’s Patna University. He later received a master’s in physics from the University of Colorado and a doctorate in physics from Georgetown University.
Laurence Darmiento
Entertainment
Donald C. Richards has been named associate national director of affirmative action/diversity for the Screen Actors Guild. He will develop educational programs regarding diversity in television, film and commercial programming. Richards most recently was president of D.C. Richards & Associates, a consulting firm dealing with multicultural marketing.
Nancy Valenta has been named vice president and senior consultant at SmithGeiger LLC, a market research and consulting firm serving the news and entertainment industry. She became a consultant to the firm in 2002, and had previously been executive producer for KTTV-TV’s 10 p.m. newscast.
Betsy Villalobos has been named publicist for Six Flags California. She was previously the media coordinator for the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
iO Film, a new digital film finishing boutique, has hired Chip Potter as executive producer, and Claus Globig as account executive. Potter will head the new sales and marketing department, and Globig, who will report to Potter, will handle sales efforts. Potter was a director of computer graphics at the Title House. Globig worked for Image Resolution as a sales representative.
Premiere Radio Networks has promoted Amir Forester to vice president of public relations, a new position. Forester will continue to oversee media relations for the radio syndication company while developing national media strategies and coordinating Premiere’s public relations with other divisions of Clear Channel Communications, its corporate parent.
Financial
Todd A. Kaltman and Kenneth A. Nofziger have been named managing directors of Duff & Phelps LLC, an investment banking and financial advisory firm located in Century City. Both have been with the company since 2000 where Kaltman has been involved in fairness opinions, valuations and other advisory services for businesses and Nofziger has been advising companies, accountants and attorneys on valuations.
Adlink has announced that Maureen Walsh has been hired as director of strategic marketing, where she will oversee both the promotional and creative service departments. Walsh was most recently vice president, affiliate relations at United Paramount Network in Los Angeles.
Natalie Neiman has been promoted to financial consultant for Smith Barney in Sherman Oaks. She previously was a marketing associate at the firm.
Government
Connie Rice has been appointed to the oversight committee on the recently passed Measure K a $4 billion local school bond. She’s co-founder of The Advancement Project, a public policy group, and served on the BB Oversight Committee.
Health Care
Health Net Inc. announced that Edward Wendt has been named senior vice president and chief information officer. Wendt, who joined Health Net in 2002, had been chief information officer of WellPoint Health Networks Inc.
Ray Jankowski has been named president and chief executive of Community Hospital of Long Beach. He replaces Dr. Robert Pugach, who has been serving on a part-time basis. Jankowski has been chief operating officer of CalOptima, a managed care program serving Orange County.
Law
Stephen Rothschild and Leslie Frank have been named partners at King Holmes Paterno & Berliner LLP. Rothschild is a business and entertainment litigator and Frank practices entertainment law.
Barry Leigh Weissman and Henry David have been named partners at Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP. Weissman was previously head of the insurance practice group at Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP and Davis was a partner in that firm’s bankruptcy practice.
Bryan Cave LLP has announced the election of two new partners in its Santa Monica office. Katherine Fleming Ashton and D. Thomas Triggs are now partners in the firm’s finance, securities and technology group.
Corine Zygelman has become an associate partner in the Los Angeles office of Murchison & Cumming. She joined the firm 14 years ago as a paralegal and is a litigator with an emphasis on intellectual property, business litigation and general liability.
Donna Black has joined Morrison & Foerster as a partner in the Los Angeles land use and environmental law group. She was formerly a partner at Brown Winfield & Canzoneri specializing in land use, real estate and environmental law.
Jeffrey Blum has been made a partner in the Los Angeles office of Wright Tremaine LLP, a Seattle-based firm.
Manufacturing
Ready Pac Produce of Irwindale has hired Robert Spence for the newly created position of vice president of business development where he will focus on introducing the company’s products to new markets. Spence has been general manager of reusable plastic containers/vice president of produce at CHEP USA, a pallet and container company. Ready Pac is a processor of fresh-cut produce.
Sean Hellenbrand has been named director of license marketing at Aurora World Inc., a Compton-based supplier of plush toys and gifts. Hellenbrand previously had been director of licensing and retail development at Larry Harmon Pictures Corp.
Ancora Capital LLC, a mail presorting firm, has announced the promotion of Michael Dulion to chief operating officer. He was previously its West Division president and will be replaced by Paul Faherty. Prior to joining Ancora, Faherty served as an executive for AG Water Technologies Inc.
Non-Profits
The Southern California chapter of the Arthritis Foundation has announced its new board. The chairman is Peng Thim Fan, a Glendale rheumatologist. The chairwoman-elect is Mary McKinney, vice president of private lending at Comerica Bank in Pasadena.
Cynthia Amador is the new president and chief executive of CHARO Community Development Corp., an economic development organization. She most recently was CHARO’s executive vice president for contract administration, business development and new venture implementation.
Publishing
LA Weekly newspaper has named Audrey Limon its marketing and new business development director where she will focus on increasing the publication’s brand awareness. She has been director of business development for America Online.
Real Estate
Rodney Jackson is the new human resources director at KB Home’s Southern California business units, covering Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Jackson is the former director of organization effectiveness and human resources at Peregrine Systems Inc.
Edward Rosenthal has joined CB Richard Ellis as vice president for historic properties and land sales. He was previously with Grubb & Ellis.
Technology
Platinum Equity LLC has appointed Rodica B. Seward as executive vice president and chief strategy officer. Prior to joining Platinum Equity, Seward held senior-level positions with Lucent Technologies, Wasserstein Perella & Co. Inc., the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Coopers & Lybrand and Morgan Stanley
