REGIONAL PEOPLE
* Wing Chao has been promoted to vice chairman of development for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Asia-Pacific. Chao adds this title to his existing responsibilities as executive vice president of master planning, architecture and design for Walt Disney Imagineering in Burbank.
In addition, Steve Tight, senior vice president of operations development for Hong Kong Disneyland, and Timur Galen, senior vice president and general manager of Walt Disney Imagineering, will lead the development of Hong Kong Disneyland.
Tight will drive the overall business strategy and operating plans for Hong Kong Disneyland and serves on the board of Hong Kong International Theme Parks Ltd., which is a venture between the Hong Kong SAR government and Disney to build the park.
Galen will oversee the design and construction of the park, retail, dining and entertainment district and hotels planned for the site.
* Mark Koehler was named senior vice president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online in Burbank. Koehler will continue to be responsible for building and expanding Disney’s online travel offerings, including those for Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line, which are all represented at DisneyVacations.com. Koehler will oversee planning, development, creative, technical, marketing, and financial functions.
* Jeffrey B. Goldstein has been promoted to executive vice president and general sales manager of domestic distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures in Burbank.
Goldstein moves up from senior vice president and general sales manager, a position he has held since April 1999. In his new post, he will continue to lead all sales and administrative activities throughout the U.S. and Canada, work closely with exhibitors and participate in theatrical domestic strategy and planning.
* Nasim Ashraf, M.D. has been appointed executive vice president of business development and public affairs and has been named to the board of directors of NetSol International Inc. in Calabasas. His duties will include leading the company’s philanthropic activities.
NetSol International develops software for the global information technology industry. With an international work force of more than 450, NetSol specializes in software development, proprietary and asset-based leasing and finance programs, IT consulting, and creation of e-business and Web-based solutions.
* Roger H. Platten has resigned as vice president and director of Unico American Corp. in Woodland Hills. Platten will serve as a consultant to the company through 2001.
Platten plans to return to the legal profession, the company said.
Unico has agreed to repurchase 65,000 shares of company stock from Platten at $6.50 per share as part of its continuing stock repurchase program.
Unico American is an insurance holding company that provides property, casualty, health and life insurance, and related premium financing, through its wholly owned subsidiaries.
