NATION

Eastern Airlines has realigned its top management structure to allow Frank Borman, chairman and chief executive, to concentrate on the carrier’s long-term direction.

As part of the restructuring, Miami-based Eastern named Joseph B. Leonard, formerly senior vice president-operations services, as executive vice president and general manager in charge of Eastern’s day-to-day activities.

“The changes will free me from most of the daily operations of the airline and allow me to focus on strategic and external issues that affect the long-term course and health of out business,” Borman said in a statement.

Eastern, after suffering major losses in recent years, had a first-quarter profit of $24.3 million and expects a profit for all of 1985.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Los Angeles-based Whittaker Corp.’s chief financial officer, Harry S. Derbyshire, will retire at the end of June. The financial staff of the diversified health-care and technical products company will report to Alan Jacobson, senior vice president-administration, a spokesman said.

Lear Siegler, Santa Monica, promoted three men to the post of vice president: Ronald C. Buehner, management services; Jerry H. Burnett, corporate auditor, and Harvey A. Marsh, assistant controller.

Thomas M. Smith has been named first vice president and manager of the municipal bond department for the Los Angeles securities firm Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards.

Richard Wittstadt, vice president and media director at the advertising agency Dentsu Young & Rubicam/Los Angeles, has been named a senior vice president of DYR/USA.

Sopac Energy Corp., Los Angeles, named as directors Rushton O. Backer, vice chairman of Collins Foods International; Thomas J. Bernard, chairman, president and chief executive of Investors Bancor, and Charles T. Manatt, founding partner of the law firm Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney.

Creative Search Corp., a Torrance-based management and technology consulting firm, named Robert J. Bilanchone president and chief operating officer. Surinder M. Bhatia remains chairman and chief executive.