Accounting
Gustavo De Greiff has been named manager in the international business center of Los Angeles-based Grant Thornton LLP. De Greiff will be leading the firm’s business development efforts within Latin America. He previously was director of the Los Angeles office of the Colombian Government Trade Bureau for Export Development.
Aerospace
Walter McBride has been appointed chief financial officer for Los Angeles-based Kistler Aerospace Corp. He most recently served as CFO of Unplugged Communications.
Arthur Ruff has been named vice president of manufacturing for Advanced Aerodynamics & Structures Inc. of Long Beach. Ruff will oversee all manufacturing operations for the company’s Jetcruzer and Stratocruzer aircraft. He previously was director of manufacturing for Cessna Aircraft Co.
Banking/Finance
Mike Mithani has been promoted to senior vice president and treasurer for Glendale Federal Bank. Mithani will oversee the bank’s treasury areas, including assets and liability management, investments and strategic planning. He previously was senior vice president and manager of strategic risk management and secondary marketing.
Ava Domanovski has been named business development officer, Western region, for CIT Group/Commercial Services. Domanovski will be responsible for developing credit protection, accounts receivable management and asset-based lending business and will work out of the company’s Los Angeles office. She previously was a sales executive for Ernst and Young LLP.
Los Angeles-based SunAmerica Inc. has promoted Kasey Byrne to senior vice president of its subsidiary, SunAmerica Marketing. Byrne will be responsible for developing strategic initiatives and managing projects designed to expand product sales and distribution channels. She previously was director of business development and planning for SunAmerica Inc.
Thomas R. Higgins has been promoted to national manager of new business and portfolio management for the current-asset management group of Heller Financial Inc. Higgins will work out of the company’s Glendale office and will be responsible for domestic and international business development, portfolio management, underwriting, and audit on a national basis. He will continue to serve as executive vice president for the company.
Entertainment
Jorge Ferreiro has been named to the newly created position of vice president of creative for the licensing and merchandising department of Los Angeles-based Saban Entertainment. Ferreiro will be responsible for the creative development of all domestic and international consumer product properties. He previously served as creative director for Disney Consumer Products. In addition, Jamie Simons has been named editorial director of the department. Simons will develop editorial content for Saban’s consumer product properties. She previously was a full-time freelance writer. Also, Tracy Parsons has been named director of Softlines. Parsons will oversee the department’s home furnishings and accessories areas. She most recently was executive director of licensing and merchandising for Jerry Leigh The Entertainment Apparel Co.
Mark Rosenbaum has been named vice president of Los Angeles-based Twentieth Century Fox International Television. Rosenbaum will assist the president in overseeing all aspects of sales and operations for the company. He most recently was vice president of accounting for Twentieth Century Fox, supporting the International Television Division.
Hollywood-based Paramount Pictures has named Jasmine Madatian senior vice president of national publicity for its Motion Picture Group. Madatian will be responsible for national publicity for the company’s theatrical releases and managing the day-to-day activities of its Los Angeles and New York publicity offices. She previously was vice president of national publicity at Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.
Glenn J. Gumpel has been promoted to executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Universal City-based Universal Studios Recreation Group. Gumpel will be responsible for dealings with major business partners and hotel development in addition to overseeing legal and business affairs and directing the group’s human resources and labor relations activities. He previously served as the division’s executive vice president of business and legal affairs.
James R. Miller has been promoted to the newly created position of president at Warner Bros. Worldwide Theatrical Business Operations of Burbank. Miller will oversee all business-related aspects of the theatrical filmmaking process. He previously was executive vice president of business and acquisitions for Warner Bros.
Law
William J. Emanuel has been named a partner in the Los Angeles office of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. Emanuel will head the labor and employment section of the litigation group. He previously was an associate with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
Ian Campbell has been named executive vice president and director, West Coast, at the new Los Angeles office of Abernathy MacGregor Frank. Campbell will oversee the office, which will provide counseling, account management and service for West Coast clients. He previously was senior vice president of corporate communications at Great Western Financial Corp.
Media
James D. Helin has been named president of the Los Angeles Times’ new California Edition, scheduled for launch later this year. Helin will be responsible for developing and implementing the edition’s marketing, distribution and advertising strategies. He previously headed his own management consulting company.
Public Relations
The communications firm of Manning, Selvage & Lee has promoted two vice presidents to the position of senior vice president in its Los Angeles office. Deborah Stearn Pollack represents Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America and is responsible for corporate relations, issues management and new product launches. Brenda Lynch heads the firm’s “Kid Marketing” group, whose clients include Disney Online, Mattel and Lucas Arts.
Real Estate
Susan Valentine has been named senior vice president and director of marketing at Santa Monica-based Macerich Co. Valentine will oversee all mall and corporate marketing activities and will serve as a member of the company’s operations and business initiative teams. She previously served as a marketing executive at The Rubin Organization.
Woodland Hills-based NewMark Merrill Cos. has appointed Missie J. Gates chief financial officer. Gates will be responsible for all financial operations for the firm. She previously was regional controller of Southern California properties for Westfield Corp.
