REGIONAL PEOPLE
* John Gernert has been promoted to executive vice president of VPA Inc. in Calabasas. Gernert will manage all facets of VPA’s operations, including claims, customer service, information systems, finance and administration, and sales and marketing.
VPA Inc. administers and manages absence and disability programs, including sick leave, FMLA, short-term, long-term and state disability benefit plans for corporations and businesses.
* Wyman Roberts has been appointed executive vice president marketing for the Universal Studios Recreation Group in Universal City, a unit of Universal Studios.
* Philip Lelyveld has been promoted to vice president of digital industry relations at Walt Disney Co. in Burbank. Lelyveld will lead Disney’s efforts in emerging technology standards and related inter-industry technology strategies, including digital cinema, digital production and enhanced television standards, digital rights management and other new media initiatives.
* Volkmar G. Hable has been appointed executive vice president of operations at On Assignment Inc. in Calabasas. Hable will be responsible for the growth and management of On Assignment’s field operations for all divisions.
On Assignment Inc. provides temporary staffing services to the health, environmental and science communities in the U.S., Britain and Belgium.
* Martin Renzoni has been named chief operating officer for Broadband Highway in Encino. Renzoni will coordinate Broadband Highway’s marketing, sales and customer support efforts. In addition, he will explore real estate opportunities for the company and coordinate all network operations.
Broadband Highway provides high-speed Internet access to commercial buildings using Ethernet technology and point-to-point laser links, known as free space optics.
* John V. DeMaso has been named president of Litton Marine Systems, a subsidiary of Litton Industries of Woodland Hills. DeMaso replaces Clark “Corky” Graham, who was appointed vice president of resource utilization and productivity improvement for Litton Ship Systems.
Litton builds nonnuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and designs, builds and overhauls surface ships for government and commercial customers worldwide.
* Rob Tuffly has joined Kern Direct Inc. of Woodland Hills as vice president-creative director. Tuffly will supervise the creative staff.
Kern Direct is a direct-response marketing management firm specializing in high technology business-to-business clients.
