James W. Kniest has been named director...

James W. Kniest has been named director of marketing for Hutton Development Co. Inc., Santa Ana. Kniest will be responsible for the research, analysis and recommendation of appropriate investment and development opportunities for the company, as well as sale of company assets.

H. Collyer Church has been appointed chief underwriting counsel and vice president at World Title Co., Burbank. Church recently served as senior vice president and senior title counsel for Ticor Title Insurance Co. He will oversee developing and underwriting standards and practices.

Stuart Laff, senior vice president and manager of corporate facilities for First Interstate Bank of California, is the first recipient of the Crystal Award from Women in Commercial Real Estate. The award is presented to the person who best exemplifies support of women in the industry.

Ferguson Partners, Irvine, has named Ronald J. Silber chief financial officer for the firm. Silber’s responsibilities will include serving as member of the company’s executive committee and the senior staff member in charge of accounting, finance, administration and data processing.

Samuel M. Burnett has joined Welton Becket Associates as a project director.

Linda Branch, vice president of Hope Ranch Realty, Santa Barbara, has earned her professional designation as Certified Residential Specialist from the Realtors National Marketing Institute.

Attorney Irene Ayala and Pastor Thomas Kilgore, Jr., have been reconfirmed by the Los Angeles City Council for four-year terms on the seven-member Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners.

Christopher Call has joined A-M Homes, Southern California region, as vice president/finance and administration.

Christopher D. Davey has been appointed manager, asset management division, for Phillips Property Management, a subsidiary of Phillips Financial Group, Agoura Hills.

Martin A. Ensbury has been named director of marketing for Westgroup Partners, Los Angeles.

Randy Anable has been promoted to sales manager for Warmington Homes’ Ventura County division.

Taehee Lee has formed his own architectural firm, Taehee Lee & Associates at 3810 Wilshire Blvd.