BUSINESS PEOPLE.

William R. Dahlman has been named president and CEO of The Employers Group, the nation's largest and oldest human resources management association. Dahlman, a management consultant, is a resident of North Hollywood and a graduate of the University of Southern California. The Los Angeles-based Employers Group represents industries employing 2.5 million workers. Dahlman succeeds Don Butler, who retired after 17 years.

Burbank-based Hunt Lowry Productions has named Walt Disney Co. executive Casey La Scala senior vice president of production. Hunt Lowry Productions, which is based at Disney Studios in Burbank, has an exclusive, first-look deal with Disney. La Scala had been creative executive for Disney's Touchstone Pictures, where he managed the development and production of ``Ransom'' and ``Father of the Bride II.''

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. has promoted William Mechanic, head of Fox Filmed Entertainment, to the posts of chairman and chief executive officer. Mechanic has served as president and chief operating officer since the division was formed in December 1994. He succeeds Peter Chernin, who was named president and COO of News Corp. in October. Mechanic came to Fox from Walt Disney Studios, where he had been president of international distribution and worldwide video.

Dan Slusser, who has run Universal Studios' day-to-day operations since 1981, will retire Jan. 5. Slusser, the 58-year-old chairman of the Universal Studios Operations Group, joined parent MCA Inc. in 1974 as vice president, administration at Yosemite Park & Curry Co. Universal expects to name a replacement in early January.

Tim Stedman has been named vice president, creative director at MCA Records, where he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the MCA Records Art Department. Stedman's position at MCA Records marks his return to the label after a stint at Hollywood Records. From 1986 to 1989, Stedman ran his own design studio, Public Eye.

Brooke Karzen has been named as executive director, development, for dick clark productions inc., where she will be responsible for developing and producing series for network, syndication and cable programming. Karzen previously was director of programming at Eyemark Entertainment, the first-run syndication unit of CBS.

Nelson ``Nick'' E. Brestoff, a resident of Calabasas, has joined law school classmate Dennis A. Winston to open the law firm of Brestoff & Winston. The firm will specialize in banking, business and real estate disputes, environmental, entertainment, First Amendment, insurance coverage, unfair competition law and litigation, and appellate proceedings including the United States Supreme Court.

Paul Satenstein has been named chief financial officer, MCA Records, where he will oversee administration for all domestic label operations of MCA Records and its associated ventures. Satenstein previously was chief financial officer at MCA Music Publishing.

Personal computer expert and scientist Dr. Alan Kay has joined The Walt Disney Co. as a Disney Fellow and vice president of research and development. For the past 12 years, Kay has been with Apple Computer. Kay will be part of Walt Disney Imagineering's Research & Development organization, where he will work with all Disney business units to find innovative ways to enhance the educational and entertainment value of Disney's offerings.

Michael Siegel, M.D., has been named senior medical director/vice president, medical affairs, for Southern California, a newly created regional directorship at Woodland Hills-based HealthNet. Siegel has held senior medical management positions with HealthNet since July 1992, and has served as acting chief medical officer since June 1996. He is currently an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine.

Universal Studios Hollywood's President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Gault has been named to head MCA's Universal Studios Japan theme park, scheduled to open in Osaka in 2001. Gault, who joined Universal nearly four years ago after 28 years with Sea World and Busch Entertainment, has overseen the Hollywood studio attraction, CityWalk operations and the Universal City Cinema management.

George D. Kirkland, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau has been inducted into the Travel Industry Association of America's Travel Industry Hall of Leaders. Kirkland has been with the LACVB since 1990, and has been a member of the California Tourism Commission, served as chairman of the National Council of Urban Tourism Organizations, and was the first U.S. director of the International Congress and Convention Association. He also serves on the executive committee of the TIA Board of Directors.

Mel Wilson was unanimously affirmed as president of the San Fernando Valley Association of Realtors for 1997. He is currently a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Commission as an appointee of Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. Wilson has served on numerous government and civic boards, including the California Small Business Advisory Commission and the Pacoima Chamber of Commerce. He is past chairman of the California State University, Northridge, Advisory Board and continues as a member of that group.

Woodland Hills-based Health Systems International Inc., has announced the appointment of Douglas C. Werner to the new position of senior vice president, strategic planning and business development. Werner's previous position was regional vice president, western region, for Aetna Health Plans, where he developed and led commercial and government health plans since 1987. He holds a master's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

J. Brian McGrath has been appointed senior vice president, international business development, at MCA Inc., where he will be responsible for developing international business opportunities in support of all divisions. McGrath began his entertainment career in 1970 at Viacom Inc., and has held a number of senior executive positions in entertainment, marketing, investment banking and sports, and most recently served as commissioner of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations. He previously was president and chief executive officer of ISL Marketing in Lucerne, Switzerland, a leading sports marketing company.

Jin-Dih Shih has been promoted to vice president and actuary for WellPoint Health Networks Inc. Shih joined the Woodland Hills-based company in 1983 and has managed several areas within the organization, most recently as director and actuary in charge of valuation.

Alice Rosenblatt has been appointed senior vice president for actuarial and planning services for WellPoint Health Networks Inc. Rosenblatt will serve as WellPoint's chief actuary as well as overseeing corporate planning and budgeting functions. She will provide corporate support to the division actuaries through financial analysis, management reporting and advice regarding rating, pricing and forecast assumptions, and product design.

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6 Photos

Photo: (1) DAHLMAN

(2) BRESTOFF

(3) KARZEN

(4) GAULT

(5) KIRKLAND

(6) SATENSTEIN