On the Move

Jeff Akens has been named president of Western Career College. He will lead the eight-campus Northern California private college system. He joined the college in 1993 as a career services coordinator. Most recently, he oversaw expansion of the college's Central Valley campuses and was responsible for initiating many schoolwide projects.

* * *

Stanford Home for Children has hired Keith Diederich as executive director. He brings 15 years' experience in nonprofit administration and leadership to the position. Most recently, he was president and executive director for Girls and Boys Town of Southern California.

* * *

Holly Parrish Bezner has joined California Professional Association of Speciality Contractors as general counsel. She also will provide educational and legislative resources to the organization's members on issues including construction defect reform, risk transfer, contract review and negotiations, and unfair business practices.

* * *

The Firehouse Restaurant has hired Megan Schuyler as director of operations. She has extensive experience in restaurant management and organizational development. Most recently, she was general manager of Piatti Restaurant in Sacramento.

* * *

Michael Pavik has been hired as vice president of real estate for GenCorp Inc. He will oversee entitlements for Easton, a 6,400-acre master-planned community south of Highway 50. Previously, Pavik was vice president of land development for Pulte Homes/Del Webb's Sacramento division.

* * *

Bouchard Communications Group has hired Rick Niemi as vice president of client development, Lori Powell as senior account executive and Kristy Garza as account executive.

* * *

Nolte Associates Inc. has named Todd George and Brad Riel as group directors of construction management services. George manages transportation construction projects in the Central Valley. Riel has more than 20 years of experience and is a construction structures representative.

* * *

Casey McPartland has joined Bridges to Leadership as an engagement partner. He has 35 years of experience in programming, software development, system development, project management and consulting practice management in a number of industries.

* * *

Kyle Vargas has joined Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects as building information modeling/ computer-aided design manager. He has 22 years of experience. Most recently, Vargas worked at Morton & Pitalo as a CAD manager.

* * *

HDR has hired Chris Ferrari as a senior water resources project manager. He will manage water resources projects related to floodplain analyses, channel, drainage and levee designs. He has 17 years of experience in public and private sectors.

* * *

Community 1st Bank has named Steve Galyardt as vice president/senior relationship officer. He has more than 27 years of banking experience. Previously, he was manager of Union Bank of California's Auburn office.

* * *

Randall Nelson has been promoted to retail banking officer at First Bank. He will manage customer service operations. He has more than 20 years of experience. He has been working for the bank for more than six years.

* * *

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has named the following as branch managers: Patrick Magnani, Sacramento; Jacob Pulliam, Sacramento; Katy Lowes, south Sacramento; Shane Couture, south Sacramento; Cynthia Rose, Carmichael; Mike DiPietro, Citrus Heights.

* * *

Sutter Medical Group has hired the following doctors to serve greater Sacramento: Dr. Adam Duer, family medicine; Dr. Caron Houston, internist; Dr. Roger Mendis, gastroenterologist; Dr. Steven Sobel, family practice; Dr. Gina Tobalina, family medicine.

* * *

Dr. John Hackert has opened a colorectal surgery practice at Mercy Hospital of Folsom's campus. He earned a bachelor of arts in Latin and a medical degree at the University of Michigan. He completed fellowship training in colorectal surgery at the University of Southern California.

About the writer:

• E-mail notices of managerial and professional career moves to onthemove@sacbee.com. Photographs may also be e-mailed, but will be used as space allows.