L.A. Gear Reshuffles Management

L.A. Gear, the financially ailing athletic and sports clothing marketer, Monday announced several management changes.

William L. Benford has joined the company as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He was senior vice president and chief financial officer of Central Soya Co. from 1988 until early this year. Before that, he was vice president and treasurer of DEKALB Inc. For the past several months he has been affiliated with Shamrock Holdings Inc., the investment company for Roy E. Disney, which pumped $100 million into L.A. Gear last week in a sale of preferred stock.

Gil N. Schwartzberg was appointed to the new position of vice chairman of the board of directors. He was executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the Marina del Rey-based company.

Kevin Ventrudo, former chief financial officer, has been named senior vice president for administration.

David F. Gatto has been named senior vice president of strategic planning. Gatto, a manager of the Boston-based consulting firm The L/E/K Partnership, is to join L.A. Gear on Sept. 30.