Amex President Named as Head of Larger NYSE

Robert J. Birnbaum, 57, president of the American Stock Exchange, on Thursday was named president and chief operating officer of the much larger New York Stock Exchange in a move that structures the Big Board into seven distinct lines of business.

The post had been vacant since last May, when John J. Phelan Jr., 53, was named chairman and chief executive of the Big Board. Phelan, Birnbaum and Vice Chairman William M. Ellinghaus, 62, will compose the senior management group. Birnbaum’s appointment is effective May 6.

Spokesman Richard Torrenzano, a NSYE vice president, said Birnbaum’s appointment “reflects the transition (of the exchange) to a contemporary business organization with distinct lines of business serving a broad base of customers and constituents.” Birnbaum will oversee those seven areas--equities, bonds, options, futures, market data, regulation and automation services--and will report to Phelan.

Other appointments Thursday included David Marcus, 46, who was named executive vice president-regulatory services, and John P. Johnson, 43, who was named vice president-finance.

Birnbaum, a lawyer, joined the Amex in 1967 and served as its president for eight years. He was also chief of regulation and inspection with the New York office of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1961 to 1966.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Walt Disney Pictures, Burbank, named Robin Russell vice president-legal affairs for the motion-picture division. Separately, Roy Alexander was named vice president-creative services and Amy Gruberg vice president-media and cooperative advertising in the marketing division.

Richard M. Post has been named senior vice president and major loan manager for Gibraltar Savings, Beverly Hills.

Cecelia Andrews has been appointed senior vice president-business affairs for Paramount Network Television, Los Angeles.

Mike Gursey was named president of the personal management division of the Larry Thompson Organization, Century City.

NATION

AMF Inc. of White Plains, N.Y., formed an office of the chairman including: W. Thomas York, chairman and chief executive; William P. Sovey, president and chief operating officer, and Stanley Groner, who was named executive vice president.