* Ronald L. Merriman, managing partner of...

* Ronald L. Merriman, managing partner of KPMG Peat Marwick’s Orange County office and area manager for the firm’s western region, has been appointed U.S. international development partner for the Pacific Rim. He will be responsible for overseeing the U.S. practice for Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. KPMG is an accounting and consulting firm.