Universal Broadband Names New Chairman

Universal Broadband Networks Inc., an Irvine high-speed communications carrier that experienced several executive departures earlier this month, has named Stephen E. Pazian as chairman. He succeeds Jon H. Marple, who resigned.

Pazian, who joined Universal earlier this year, previously served as president and chief executive of Bell South’s MobileComm unit. He also had founded SoCal Ventures to assist Internet and technology start-up firms.

Marple and Vice Chairman Mary E. Blake resigned earlier this month and surrendered 2.25 million shares of common stock to the company for cancellation. Chief Operating Officer Nancy Hobbs and Chief Technology Officer Steve Pierson also resigned at the time.