Derr Named Vice Chairman of Chevron

Kenneth T. Derr, the vice president who has headed Chevron Corp.’s program to implement its $13.3-billion merger with Gulf Corp., will become a vice chairman of the San Francisco-based oil company Oct. 1, Chevron said Wednesday.

The company also announced that Donald L. Bower, 61, will take early retirement in October after six years as vice chairman.

Derr, 48, who joined the company in 1960, became a vice president in 1972 and was named president of Chevron USA, the company’s major domestic operating subsidiary, in 1979. He has been a director since 1981.

In June, 1984, he became head of the merger program, the process of combining operations and shifting tens of thousands of employees in the wake of the biggest merger in corporate history.

Bower, a 38-year Chevron employee, has been a director for 17 years. He oversaw the company’s worldwide marketing operations and in 1977 became Chevron USA’s first president.

As previously announced, James E. Lee, Gulf’s chairman, president and chief executive, has also been named a Chevron vice chairman.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Western Airlines, Los Angeles, as part of its plan to restructure its marketing organization, named Richard J. Carter vice president-sales and Adam M. Aron vice president-marketing programs.

Carter will oversee passenger and cargo sales and reservations activities, while Aron will be responsible for advertising, promotion, market research and automation.

Carter and Aron, along with Robert L. Moore--vice president-market planning since 1983--will report to Robin H. H. Wilson, Western’s president and chief operating officer. “This team of three will bring new skill and direction to Western’s marketing effort,” Wilson said in a statement.

Gerald R. Johnson has been named president of Santa Monica-based First Federal Savings Bank of California, succeeding William S. Mortensen, who continues as chairman and chief executive. Johnson, a 25-year employee, had been executive vice president and chief operating officer. He will continue in the latter post.

First Federal also named Babette E. Heimbuch executive vice president. She retains her job as chief financial officer.

Norman Barker Jr., vice chairman of First Interstate Bancorp and chairman of its First Interstate Bank Ltd. subsidiary, has been named a director of Ducommun Inc., Los Angeles.

Lear Siegler Inc., Santa Monica, named Richard E. Sinelli president of its Borroughs division, a Kalamazoo, Mich.-based producer of office furniture.

Walt Disney Pictures, Burbank, named Robert B. Levin senior vice president-marketing, motion pictures, a newly created position. He replaces Barry Lorie, who had been vice president of Disney’s marketing group and who chose not to renew his contract, Disney said.

Grubb & Ellis Co., Los Angeles, which recently acquired Westside Commercial Brokerage Co. in West Los Angeles, named Gregg Gann vice president and district manager of Grubb & Ellis’ newly opened West Los Angeles office. He was Westside’s managing partner. Westside founding partners David B. Thind and Timothy C. Macker have joined Grubb & Ellis’ senior office marketing team.

Additionally, Jeffrey T. Carey was named vice president and district manager of the downtown commercial brokerage office, and Robert H.S. Kirkpatrick was named vice president and district manager of the Ontario branch.

James B. Lynch was appointed president and chief executive of Long Beach-based Coast Bank. He previously was a management consultant for Butterfield Savings and Capistrano National Bank in Orange County.

20th Century Fox Film Corp., Los Angeles, named George J. Krieger vice president-pay television, Robert Stern vice president-administrative services, a new position, and Mary Anne Harrison vice president and assistant general counsel.

NATION

American Motors Corp. Chairman Paul Tippett, who relinquished day-to-day control of the struggling auto maker in April, announced that he will become president of Fort Mill, S.C.-based Spring Industries, a maker of bed linens, rugs and towels.

Tippett said he will retain the titular office of AMC chairman “at least until the next directors’ meeting” July 8.

Warner-Lambert Co., Morris Plains, N.J., said Joseph D. Williams, who has been chief executive since January, will succeed Ward S. Hagen, who is retiring as chairman.

Melvin R. Goodes was named president and chief operating officer of the pharmaceutical firm.

Roy Sanbrook has been named president and chief operating officer of the Stauffer Group of Chesebrough-Pond’s Inc., Greenwich, Conn.