PEOPLE IN BUSINESS : YUKELSON NAMED HEALTH NET VP.

Ron Yukelson has been named vice president, public relations, at Woodland Hills-based Health Net, one of California's largest health plans.

With more than 20 years' experience in communications and 11 years in the health care industry, Yukelson will lead day-to-day operations of the Health Net public relations department.

Yukelson has served in various media positions, working most recently as director of marketing and public affairs for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

MGM names three to licensing division

MGM's consumer products division recently announced that Lisa Westfield-Avent was named vice president of domestic licensing. Jim Lieberfarb and Juanita Palomino have been hired to serve as directors of licensing and sales, reporting to Westfield-Avent.

Westfield-Avent will oversee the development of strategic licensing programs for all current animation and live-action feature and television properties, as well as titles from the MGM and Orion libraries.

Lieberfarb will be responsible for presenting MGM trademark and science-fiction themed properties to key manufacturers and target licenses.

Palomino will handle the development and implementation of licensing sales of such notable MGM properties as ``Pink Panther,'' ``RoboCop'' and the library of classic films.

May named Pleasant executive VP

Christine Hogan May recently was appointed to the position of executive vice president of Pleasant Holidays, the nation's largest travel company serving Hawaii, Mexico and Tahiti.

May previously served as vice president of administration for the company. She will continue her previous responsibilities overseeing the company's Westlake Village headquarters, including its personnel, corporate travel and customer relations departments.

May began working at Pleasant as a part-time employee in 1971 and full-time in 1976. The $350 million-a-year company was founded by her parents, Ed and Lynn Hogan, in 1959.

New Regency names three senior executives

Three senior executives have been appointed at New Regency Productions, the Burbank-based company reported. William S. Weiner was named executive vice president of business affairs and general counsel; Louis Santor was named executive vice president and chief financial officer; and Roy Matalon has been named senior vice president of distribution.

Weiner will continue to act as counsel to all of New Regency's divisions, including its creative, production, international and finance departments. In addition, he will supervise the company's corporate legal affairs and business.

Santor will continue to oversee all financial aspects of the company's corporate operations. His duties will include corporate acquisitions and investments and financial strategy planning. He joined New Regency in 1992 as manager of finance, was promoted to director in 1994 and to vice president of finance operations in 1995.

Matalon will be responsible for overseeing the expanding distribution and marketing strategy for all New Regency products.

Boulet promoted to VP in Canada

Florent Boulet was recently promoted to vice president and Canadian district manager for Warner Bros.' domestic theatrical distribution division.

In his new position, Boulet will help oversee distribution of feature films in Western Canada for Burbank-based Warner Bros.

Lang appointed Disney education boss

Former senior vice president of strategic marketing Laurie Lang was appointed to head a new education initiative for Burbank-based Walt Disney Co.

In her new position, Lang will be responsible for developing programs that stimulate innovative approaches in teaching and create opportunities for professionals' and families' involvement in education.

The initiative is an expansion of Disney's American Teacher Awards.

Meserole named Disney brand VP

Hilary Meserole was appointed senior vice president of corporate brand management for Burbank-based Walt Disney Co.

Meserole will be responsible for strategic development and management for Disney brands worldwide. She also will provide marketing advisory support for business development projects.

Meserole had been a vice president responsible for managing the company's relationships with its theme park sponsors and corporate marketing partners.

Phillips, Franklin join Shotmaker Co.

The Shotmaker Company recently announced two new additions: Tony Phillips, rental manager for dollies and cranes; and Tiffany Franklin, rental coordinator for dollies and cranes.

Phillips offers many years of practical film and commercial production experience, in addition to a strong administrative background.

Franklin has five years' experience in the industry.

Headquartered in North Hollywood, Shotmaker manufactures, markets and rents production equipment for the motion picture and television industries.