Cenfed Names John Michel as Chairman

John H. Michel has been named chairman of Cenfed Financial Corp. in Pasadena, succeeding Kenneth H. Patton, who retires April 29.

Michel is the president of North Valley Distribution Co., a dairy products and medical supplies distributor in Santa Monica. He also is general partner of Michel Ranch in Waterford, Calif.

Patton was chief executive until retiring in 1986 but had remained on as chairman. Cenfed is the parent of Cenfed Bank, with $1.1 billion in assets.