California International Business Report » People on the Move

Wine Institute hires international marketing executive

editor — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:54:00 +0000

The Wine Institute hired a director of international marketing, according to a report in San Francisco Business Times. Linsey Simpson Gallagher will fill the new position at the San Francisco-based Wine Institute, created because Joseph Rollo, head of the institute’s international department for 20 years, had seen his work increase dramatically. Rollo will continue full time work at the Wine Institute under the title director of international trade policy. Gallagher, who starts Nov. 1, was vice president of her family’s real estate business on the East Coast. She was also marketing manager for E.&J. Gallo Winery and also manager of finance for the NBC Today Show. Robert Koch is president and CEO of the Wine Institute.

Yahoo replaces CEO with co-founder Jerry Yang

editor — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:14:22 +0000

In a shake-up aimed at re-energizing Internet search giant Yahoo Inc., the company announced Monday that chief executive officer Terry Semel was stepping down and was being replaced by one of the firm’s founders, Jerry Yang, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. The announcement came less than a week after Yahoo’s annual shareholder meeting where Semel answered questions from anxious and angry stockholders who questioned the direction of the company in general and Semel’s compensation in particular. Last year, Semel earned an estimated $71.7 million, more than virtually any other CEO at a publicly traded company. Yang, a longtime board member, will be joined at the top by executive vice president Susan Decker, who was named as Yahoo’s president Monday. Decker, the former head of the Yahoo’s Advertiser and Publisher Group, had been considered a future replacement for Semel. Yahoo has struggled to keep up with rival Google, whose stock has risen by 32 percent in the past year based largely on the strength of its online search advertising business.

Bank of America names California president

editor — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 06:29:48 +0000

Bank of America Corp. has named Janet Lamkin, currently president and CEO of the California Bankers Association, as its California state president effective June 25, 2007. Lamkin previously spent 10 years with Bank of America, where she led corporate communications and public affairs for the company, including the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. She left the bank in 2004 to lead the CBA. As California state president, Lamkin will oversee Bank of America’s presence across all California markets and will provide state-level leadership for 15 California market presidents who represent the bank in local communities. While no longer headquartered here, Bank of America is still the largest bank in California.

California Clean Energy Fund hires angel investment expert

editor — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:06:00 +0000

“The California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) announced today that it has retained Susan Preston to implement its strategy to close the funding gap for promising seed and startup-stage clean energy companies. CalCEF is a $30 million nonprofit investment fund created to spur investment in California’s clean energy economy. Ms. Preston, an expert and author on angel financing, has a background and expertise that complements CalCEF’s focus on investments in seed-stage clean energy companies. Established in 2004 as a result of the PG&E bankruptcy settlement, CalCEF supports companies developing a wide range of clean energy technologies that will bring economic and environmental benefits to California and assist the state in meeting its aggressive clean energy goals.”

George Lucas Educational Foundation hires COO

editor — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 02:06:00 +0000

The George Lucas Educational Foundation has hired Cindy Johanson as its first chief operating officer. The San Francisco Business Journal reports that she previously worked at the Public Broadcasting Service, where she managed the led PBS web site. She also co-founded the National Teacher Training Institute to teach math and science teachers using television and online classes. The foundation is a nonprofit focused on education. Milton Chen is its executive director.

Doppelganger names Borland executive as new CEO

editor — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 02:04:00 +0000

“Doppelganger Inc., a provider of avatar-based virtual worlds, on Wednesday named former Borland Software Corp. executive Tim Stevens as new president and CEO. San Francisco-based Doppelganger said Stevens succeeds the company’s founding chief executive, Andrew Littlefield, who remains on as chief creative officer and board member.”

USC Grad appointed VP Business Development of Dubai Holding

editor — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 04:04:00 +0000

UAE national Salem Bin Dasmal has been appointed Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Tatweer, the managing company of Dubai Holding entities in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai Holding is a holding company that belongs to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Mr. Bin Dasmal was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Dubailand- a huge entertainment complex being built in that country. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Northrop University, as well as a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters of Accounting from the University of Southern California.

LinkedIn hires new CEO

editor — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:29:00 +0000

Palo Alto based LinkedIn has hired Dan Nye, previously an Executive Vice President at Advent Software, as its new CEO. Linkedin is a business and social network that uses the “six degrees of separation” model to allow members to make connections with other professionals. Nye replaces Reid Hoffman, who founded LinkedIn and who will remain as Chairman and President, Products. LinkedIn is well funded with backing by Sequoia Capital, Greylock, Bessemer Venture Partners, and the European Founders Fund.