Company Town : Ride Developer Iwerks Names New COO; CFO Resigns

Ride simulation developer Iwerks Entertainment, which has been trimming its staff amid losses, announced a shake-up in its executive ranks with the naming of high-technology veteran Roy A. Wright as its chief operating officer and the resignation of its chief financial officer, Deborah B. Miao.

Wright was president and chief executive of RDI Computer. G. Edward Smith, who joined the company in July as a consultant on Iwerks’ finances and operations, will become executive vice president and interim chief financial officer.

* Reiko Bradley was named vice president of acquisitions for Largo Entertainment.

* Three former TriStar marketing executives have joined Universal Pictures. Edward Egan was named senior vice president of marketing, Mark Kristol was appointed senior vice president of media and research, and William Loper was named senior vice president of creative advertising.

* MCA Motion Picture Group promoted James Burk to senior vice president of finance, Carlos Penera to vice president and controller and Joseph Randazzo to vice president of participations.

* Leslie A. O’Brien has been named vice president of corporate marketing and business development for MCA/Universal.

* Beth Halper was named manager of artists and repertoire at MCA Records.