A Calabasas native, Jeff Sacks returns to his old stomping grounds as a newly appointed principal in Grant Thornton LLP’s Woodland Hills-based office. Sacks knows his stuff when it comes I.T. accounting, with nearly 10 years of experience in his field. “Technology was really new to the audit profession when I started,” he said. “As technology has grown, (it’s) increased the need for I.T. audits.” As the Southern California I.T. Functional Leader in Thornton’s Business Advisory Services Group; Sack’s expertise is focused in control frameworks, such as COBIT, SOX and COSO. He works with the technology, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and gaming/hospitality industries. “My role within the I.T practice is I.T. audits, SAS 70 and specialty work, I.T. security, etc.,” said Sacks. “My charge is to grow the Woodland Hills and Valley practices.” In a social and business landscape where individuals are increasingly reliant upon all things electronic, many may not recognize the special challenges facing skilled I.T. accounting professionals. Sacks, who cites the innovative direction of his firm, feels Grant Thornton is uniquely positioned to meet those challenges. “Everyone knows everyone (here) we’re a well positioned, good alternative to the ‘big four’ companies and we’re in a good neutral space where we have the same capabilities as the ‘big four’,” he said. “My responsibilities are to keep everyone busy … mentoring my people and developing their careers,” said Sacks. Keeping people busy isn’t a problem in fact, Sacks said, “There’s been a shortage (of people) over the last five years. It’s tough to find qualified I.T. people.” — Ryan C. De Sales COMMUNICATIONS/MEDIA William F. Long assumes additional responsibilities as chief information security officer for Salem Communications. Long currently serves as the director of research and technology for Salem Web Network and initially joined the Christian-oriented broadcaster, publisher and internet content provider in 2000. Long is an 18-year industry veteran, and has experience in computer hardware and software integration. Prior to joining Salem, he co-founded and operated a graphic design outfit. Paul J. Pucino was appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of Woodland Hills-based United Online’s wholly-owned subsidiary Classmates Media Corporation. Pucino joins the company following his tenure at CFO for Digital Insight prior to its merger with Intuit in February. Pucino, a CPA, is a veteran of KPMG, Dean Whitter and the Kemper Group. William Hamm takes over responsibilities as executive vice president, creative development for Starz Media. Boasting over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Hamm is a veteran of such companies as Ghost House Pictures and Tribune Entertainment. Hamm will be charged with the oversight of Starz’s team of creative development executives, and will help to cultivate new television, feature film and media projects. Steven McArthur assumes new responsibilities via his promotion to the position of president of Classmates Online. Classmates online, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Online, Inc., is a provider of online social networking services. McArthur is a veteran of companies such as Expedia, where he served as president of North American operations. Additionally, McArthur formerly served with AOL, as the company’s executive vice president of web properties and also served a tenure with Maple Leaf foods, on of Canada’s largest food processing company. McArthur holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Queens College, Belfast, in addition to an MBA from Harvard University. FINANCE California United Bank announces the addition of Lawrence “Larry” E. Thompson, to its board of directors. Thompson most recently served as the CEO, and continues as chairman emeritus, of Westlake Village-based Guitar Center which was acquired by Bain Capital Partners LLC in June for $1.9 billion. Thompson is an experienced public company board member and as a local resident, will be critical in helping the bank meet the needs of its growing clientele. TECHNOLOGY Dennis F. Fenton elected to retire as vice president of operations of Amgen Company after serving 25 years with the Thousand Oaks-based biotech giant. Fenton, one of the longest-tenured staff members of the biotech firm, joined during Amgen’s first year of operations in 1980. Fenton has been involved with practically every aspect of the company, including process development, research, sales and marketing, in addition to research and development. Fenton will be succeeded in his role by Dr. Fabrizio Bonanni. Richard J. Thompson joins the Power-One board of directors and will also serve as a member the board’s audit committee. Thompson most recently acted as chief financial officer for American Power Conversion and has held positions with such companies as Artesyn Technologies and Control Data Corporation. Thompson brings not only financial expertise to Power-One, but practical operations know-how in the power, energy and semiconductor industries as well. Optical Communication Products, Inc. has elected Joseph Y. Liu as non-executive chairman of its board of directors. Liu currently serves as president and ceo of Oplink Communications, Inc. which is merging with OCP. He has been a board member OPC since June. Peter L. Donato has assumed the responsibility of corporate vice president and CFO for IRIS International, Inc. in Chatsworth. A CPA since 1993, Donato offers more than 13 years of experience in the medical devices, biochemistry and automotive fields. Donato assumes duties from interim CFO Veronica Tarrant, who will return to her prior duties. Mr. Donato most recently served with Gamma Medica-Ideas as CFO. Previously he was a divisional chief financial officer of Accellent Cardiology and has also worked as a divisional controller for Scotts-Miracle Gro Company. HOUSING AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. adds three new members to its Agoura-based operations team. Pat McBride assumes new duties as field manager and will be charged with overseeing all onsite operations as well as the review of potential sites for development and constructability concerns. Newly-appointed assets manager, Irene Tomlin, will supervise all finances for ongoing operations of affordable communities funded by tax credits and Matthew Segerdal comes on board as project manager, to oversee the development and financing of projects in the Los Angeles area, from acquisition to lease-up. ENTERTAINMENT Telepictures Promotions has named Tishan Waymire vice president of branded entertainment and new business. Waymire’s responsibilities will include the development of new business initiatives, in addition to the oversight of product integration and sponsorship opportunities. Waymire most recently served as director of branded entertainment and strategy for TiVo and prior to that held positions with Mark Burnett Productions and Microsoft. Additionally, Bob Mohler has been promoted to executive in charge of new media for Telepictures Productions. Mohler will be charged with new media operations; including the implementation of new digital initiatives, the development of online formats for existing television properties and the evaluation of the use of new technologies. Mohler is a seven-year Telepictures veteran, and previously worked for DePaul University as an acting professor; prior to which he served as managing and artistic director for the Eclipse Theatre Company in Chicago. FOOD SERVICE IHOP Corp. has named Greggory Kalvin vice president, controller. In this position, Kalvin will provide leadership for IHOP’s accounting, tax and financial reporting groups and will be responsible for the company’s accounting management and regulatory reporting and compliance process. Kalvin most recently served as chief accounting officer for j2 Global Communications Inc. Prior to that, Kalvin served as managing audit director for Prudential Healthcare and held various accounting related positions for KPMG LLP.