Koll Co. Adds Post of President, Picks Wirta for the Job

NEWPORT BEACH —  Ray E. Wirta has been named the first president and chief operating officer of the Koll Co., the big Newport Beach developer.

Until now, Koll has operated without a president or chief operating officer. Instead, the presidents of the company’s various divisions reported directly to Donald M. Koll, chairman and chief executive officer.

Wirta, 46, of Newport Beach, was president of the company’s management services group, responsible for managing Koll’s $4 billion worth of property.

In his new job, Wirta will concentrate on managing the company’s daily operations. Koll said the appointment of the company’s first president doesn’t mean he will be less involved in the company.

“My involvement in the company’s activities will remain as strong as ever,” Koll said in a statement issued Monday, “but the realignment will give me more opportunity to concentrate on broader issues.”

Wirta joined the company, which says it is the largest developer on the West Coast, in 1982 as a senior vice president in charge of asset management. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1984 and to the presidency of the asset management group in 1988.

Before joining Koll, Wirta was senior vice president of World Savings & Loan in San Francisco, president of Bank of America’s Premises Corp. and worked for the Irvine Co., the huge Newport Beach landowner and developer.

Founded in 1962, Koll Co. now has offices all over the West Coast and as far east as Dallas.