CALIFORNIA - News from Nov. 21, 1986

Williams-Sonoma, a retailer of gourmet cookware, household and garden items, named Chief Executive W. Howard Lester to the additional post of chairman. Charles E. Williams, the company’s founder and former chairman, was appointed vice chairman.

The San Francisco company also appointed Wayne L. Badovinus as president and chief operating officer, both new posts.

Badovinus, 43, was previously chairman and chief executive of Frederick & Nelson and had earlier been president and chief executive of the Broadway South West, executive vice president of stores for Emporium Capwell and senior vice president and general manager of Nordstrom in Oregon. He joined Williams-Sonoma as a director in January.