VALLEY PEOPLE
* Eric Grubel has been promoted to vice president of sales for ACT Networks, Calabasas, the company said. He joined ACT in 1998 as vice president of business development. Grubel had held a similar position with Xylan Corp. He succeeds Mario Uribe, who resigned to pursue personal interests, ACT Networks said.
The company manufactures integrated voice products and data network applications for digital communications industries.
* Walt Disney Co., Burbank, announced that Chris Montan has been appointed president of Walt Disney Music, a newly created position. Montan has been a producer and music executive with Walt Disney Studios for 15 years. He will oversee music for Disney projects, including animated features, stage productions and television.
At Disney Consumer Products, Robyn Miller has been named senior vice president, global marketing and studio development. She had been a senior marketing executive at Buena Vista Home Entertainment. She will be responsible for marketing strategies for the company and will oversee consumer product strategies for Disney entertainment properties.
* Michael L. Sandfrey has been promoted to general agent for Berkshire Financial Group Southern California, Sherman Oaks, the company said. Sandfrey had served as vice president and managing director for Craig & Associates and co-general agent for Berkshire.
* Jim Izu, vice president of information systems at Oakwood Worldwide, Los Angeles, has been elected president of the Southern California Golf Assn., North Hollywood. He is the first member of an affiliate club, the Mickey Mouse Golf League, to lead the association. Izu had been vice president last year and a member of the association board since 1991.
* Marissa Andrada has been promoted to vice president, human resources, for Universal Studios, Universal City, the company said. She will continue to oversee the human resource development group, diversity and other programs and assume responsibility for company staffing.
* Ed Hogan founder of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, Westlake Village, has been named to the Travel Industry Hall of Leaders, the Travel Industry Assn. of America announced.
Hogan’s community service, enterprises employing more than 1,700 people and generating $400 million in annual revenues, and other accomplishments of the former commercial airline pilot were cited by the association.
