The Peterson Group, headquartered in Newport...

The Peterson Group, headquartered in Newport Beach, promoted Mia

Castillo to project manager. Castillo, who has worked as an account

coordinator since she joined the firm in early 2001, will now be

responsible for managing client public relations activities,

including publicity and coordinating special events. Castillo will

also assist in the development of the company’s municipal clientele

....Three UC Irvine faculty members were recognized last month for

their various research contributions. Larry Overman, a professor of

chemistry, was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award

for Research. Overman, whose research involves creating molecules

that have never existed before and replicating molecules identical to

those found in nature, holds five patents for his discoveries and is

the recipient of more than 25 awards and fellowships. Sharon Block,

an assistant professor of history, received the Distinguished

Assistant Professor Award for Teaching. Block, who researches sexual

coercion in Colonial America by distinguishing the crime of rape from

the coercion of sex, hopes that learning about historical power

dynamics will allow her students to make connections to social and

institutional inequities in the present. Janice G. Plastino, a

professor of dance who directs research in dance science, was awarded

the Daniel G. Aldrich Jr. Distinguished University Service Award. She

has been a contributing author and coauthor on two books, published

several articles and reported numerous findings in dance science and

has continued her work as a choreographer and director ....Orange

Coast College Fine Arts Professor Wayne Tennant received three awards

for his work in the fourth annual Open Juried Art Competition in

Mission Viejo last month. Tennant received first and second place for

two of his digital art paintings and tied in the third category, in

which he received best of show, with Orange County College Adjunct

Art Professor David Opheim. Tennant teaches courses in lettering and

computer typography and rapid illustration techniques ....The

Southern California Contractors Assn. named Sukut Construction Inc.

President and Chief Executive Michael Crawford president of the

organization during its 30th Inaugural Ball held at the Four Seasons

Hotel in Newport Beach last month. In his new role, Crawford plans to

expand the organization by maintaining high professional standards

and fair and equitable labor practices for construction contractors,

as well as extending the organization’s emphasis on strong skills, a

high level of integrity and consistent responsibility of its members.

* 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.