Southern California Interviewing Service, Encino, Calif., has appointed Denise DuChene-McGowan as president.

Donald Passaglia has been named vice president of Roper Starch Worldwide’s Newport Beach, Calif., office.

Robert Holland, Jr. has been elected to the board of directors of ACNielsen Corp., Stamford, Conn.

The Society of Insurance Research has elected new officers and directors for 1997: Wendell Larson, president; Russell Bingham, president-elect; Peter Delucchi, vice president-annual conference; Edward Belton, vice president-P&E conference; Diana Lee, vice president-education; Jerry Lopes, vice president-research; Robert Norris, vice president-membership; Edward Seipp, treasurer; Lynn Kelly, secretary. Directors include Wayne Holdredge, Larry Reynolds, Mike Murray, Brad Wilson, Don Wulf, Ken Simon and Philip Stichter.

Arthur Christiani has joined Yankelovich Partners, Inc., Norwalk, Conn., as a partner.

Kelly Tiggard has joined Aragon Consulting Group in St. Louis as a project coordinator.

Wirthlin Worldwide, McLean, Va., has named Jim Granger chief executive officer and president and Joel White chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

Eleanor Garro has joined the Marketing Research Association, Rocky Hill, Conn., as training and education coordinator. In addition, Valerie Start has been named marketing communications coordinator.

Andrew Sawieljewski has joined Northeast Data Collection, Danbury, Conn., as technical associate.

Steven Markenson has joined Widener-Burrows & Associates, Annapolis, Md., as senior vice president. The firm has also added Pauline Bassler as field director, Allison Shriner as research analyst and Kristen Chisari as assistant field director/personnel specialist. In addition, Susan Landis has been promoted to vice president, administrative services, Dinah Ostenso has been promoted to senior project manager, and S. Renee Simon has been promoted to project manager.

Friedman Marketing, Mamaroneck, N.Y., has named Arlene Haskins manager of its Castelton Square Mall in Indianapolis, Ind. Also named manager are: Laura Motycka (Chicago), Laurie Wickett (Minneapolis), Jason Rodgers (Richmond, Va.), and Denise Raupp (Raleigh Springs, Tenn.). The company named Shirley Caldwell of its New Orleans location as Manager of the Year.