Newport Beach resident Sandra Champion, a...

Newport Beach resident Sandra Champion, a financial specialist,

recently joined IFF Advisors LLC in Irvine as a partner and national

director of Fiduciary Advisory Services for the firm. Champion has

more than 20 years of Wall Street and investment management firm

experience. She will be responsible for consulting with individuals,

families and foundations in the areas of financial modeling and

strategies, investment policies and procedures and fiduciary

standards and guidelines.... Marine Corps Pfc. Jason B. Ferguson of

Newport Beach recently completed basic training at the Marine Corps

Recruit Depot in San Diego. Ferguson, a 1994 Newport Harbor Highs

School graduate, successfully completed the 12-week training phase

that consisted of classroom and field assignments, physical

conditioning, combat and weapons training and instruction in the core

values of the Marine Corps.... Army Spec. Larry Bush, son of Hellen

Bush of Costa Mesa, was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal

while serving as a mechanic assigned to Fort Irwin in Barstow. The

Army Achievement Medals are awarded to members of the U.S. Armed

Forces serving in a noncombat area and who have distinguished

themselves by meritorious service and achievement.... Sean Freeman of

Costa Mesa, recently took part in an international summer abroad

program through Syracuse University. Freeman, a sophomore and

international relations major at the University of Southern

California, participated in the university’s globalization

program.... Newport Beach based marketing communications agency, The

Peterson Group, announced the appointment of Athena Real to

controller in September. Real, an accounting professional since 1989,

will be responsible for all financial aspects of the company’s

operations including billings, payroll, tax payments, collections and

preparing financial statements.... Julie LaFond, a Newport Beach

resident, will act as chair of the fourth annual Cattle Baron’s Ball

at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort on Oct. 5. The ball is

sponsored by the Cattle Baron’s League of Orange County to benefit

the American Cancer Society. LaFond served as chief executive and

chief operations officer of Jane Fonda Health & Fitness for 16 years,

before becoming a college and high school professor, and owns her own

business focusing on health and fitness concepts for children and

adults.... Lindsay Freeman, a Costa Mesa resident and senior at

Estancia High School, attended the American Legion Auxilary’s 56th

session of Girls Nation in July. Freeman was one of 96 girls from 48

states that attended the event, which taught the mechanics of federal

government through hands-on exercises. She was chosen to participate

in the weeklong event because of her interest in government, her

scholastic achievements and her leadership skills. During her week at

Girls Nation, Freeman was named secretary of commerce.

* NEIGHBORS spotlights achievements in the community. Please

direct noteworthy information to Christine Carrillo via fax at (949)

646-4170, or send e-mail to christine.carrillo@latimes.com.