Advertising

Allison Nathe has been named managing director of Pittard Sullivan’s productions division. She will supervise the production of live-action projects, especially those for commercials and television network identity products. Prior to joining, Nathe was a creative director and producer for Ameripix Productions.

Margot Tanner has joined DDB Needham, Los Angeles as director of response marketing. Her responsibilities will include strategic planning and management. Most recently, Tanner was president of Direct Resources.

Apparel

Richard Gerhart has been appointed chief financial officer of the Sirena Apparel Group Inc. He will be responsible for overseeing accounting, tax and SEC compliance, equity and debt financing activities, cash management and insurance. Most recently, Gerhart served as chief financial officer for Treivush Industries Inc. Also, Mattie Ilel joins the company as part of the Liz Claiborne design team. Along with the team’s current designer, she will produce all of the division’s swimsuits and cover-ups. Previously, Ilel owned her own design studio. In addition, Bonnie Wilks will become president of the Rose Marie Reid division. She has managed the company’s Sirena and WearAbouts division for the past nine years.

Architecture

Michael Franklin Ross has joined Wou & Partners Inc. as partner and president. Most recently, he was managing director of SMP/SHG, Los Angeles.

Automotive

Mike Michels has been promoted to national media relations and motorsports manager in the corporate communications department of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. He will be responsible for corporate communication issues, organizational changes and various divisions and subsidiaries. Also, Nancy Hubbell has been appointed Lexus public relations manager. She will be responsible for all Lexus public relations activities including promotion, corporate issues, awards and sales announcements. In addition, Diana DeJoseph has joined the company as senior media relations administrator for the corporate communications department.

Banking & Finance

Dan Kosch has been named vice president of commercial lending at Malaga Bank. He will manage the commercial lending division in Rolling Hills Estates and will focus on providing commercial loans and lines of credit to professionals and small businesses. Prior to joining, Kosch was first vice president and Torrance lending manager for Republic Bank.

Daniel Ruvalcaba has been hired as executive vice president and senior credit administrator for California National Bank. He will oversee all lending activity. Previously, Ruvalcaba has held banking management positions at California Federal and Bank of America. Also, Robert Blackman has joined as senior vice president and retail banking administrator. He will oversee all activity associated with branch operations. Previously, Blackman has held executive positions at California Federal and The Prudential Bank and Trust.

Construction

Robert Law has been named vice president of Pankow Operating Inc., general partner of Charles Pankow Builders Ltd. He will oversee the estimating efforts for all offices in the company. Law has been with the firm since 1974, most recently in the capacity of chief estimator. Also, Chris Turner has been promoted to assistant regional manager for Pankow and named vice president. He will oversee the management of pre-construction and construction activities for various projects. Turner has been with the firm for 15 years, most recently as project sponsor.

Jeff Whynot has been named vice president of human resources at the Los Angeles office of Dames & Moore Group. He will direct and oversee the firm’s human resources policy and programs. Prior to joining, Whynot held a senior human resources management position at one of Southern California’a largest theme parks.

Consulting

Lynne Henry has been promoted to service delivery manager at the Los Angeles office of Keane Inc.’s information services division. Her responsibilities include managing the delivery of service offerings to clients, and managing the professional development of the consulting staff. Henry joined Keane in 1988.

Entertainment

Sheldon Altfeld has been named vice president of programming and network operations for the Football Network Inc. In 1979, Altfeld launched the Silent Network, a network dedicated to the hard of hearing.

Caroline Beck has been appointed chief operating officer of Intertainer Inc. She will oversee product development, marketing, sales, advertising and e-commerce. Most recently Beck served as senior vice president of marketing and business development at Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Game Show Network.

Steve Wyskocil has been promoted to president of EDS Digital Studios. He will provide strategic guidance and future technological direction for the production facility in addition to supervising all activities under the company’s Digital Imaging Group. Wyskocil has been with the company since 1983, most recently as executive vice president.

High Tech

Tim Keaney has been promoted to vice president of marketing at Disc Distributing. He will oversee operations for the company’s marketing and purchasing departments. Prior to joining, Keaney was a regional sales manager for D & H; Distributing Corp.

Insurance

David Conley has been named president of Insurance Marketing & Management Services. He will spearhead all product development, management, marketing and advertising strategy and daily operations for the company. Prior to joining, Conley was vice president and COO at the Rough Notes Co.

New Media

Ronald Fortier has joined Digital Domain Interactive as executive producer of technology. He will assume all technical research and development duties including mergers and acquisitions as well as govern the technological aspects of all company projects. Previously, Fortier was director of technology and producer at Virgin Interactive Entertainment/Westwood Studios/Electronic Arts.

Michael McConachi has been appointed vice president of engineering at GeoCities. He will oversee the company’s operations, software development, site development, project management, quality assurance and business information services departments. Prior to joining, McConachi was vice president of product development and information technology at Pacific Bell Interactive Media.

David O’Neill has joined Teligent Inc. as vice president and general manager for sales and marketing. He will be responsible for the company’s marketing and operations in Los Angeles. Prior to joining, O’Neill was vice president and general manager of WorldCom in Southern California.

Personnel

Lourdes Rocha has been promoted to senior staffing manager with the City of Industry office of Accountemps. Her responsibilities include client consultation, candidate recruitment, placement and training. Prior to joining, Rocha was a sales manager for a Los Angeles-area staffing firm.

Security

Mitch Reitman has been appointed regional dealer director for Protection One. He will be responsible for overseeing the California market for the firm. Most recently, Reitman managed the Western region for Financial Security Services.