Irvine Co. replaces retiring top executives

The Irvine Co. has appointed replacements for two retiring top executives and plans to appoint a new member to its management team, company officials announced Thursday.

Dan Young, the company’s executive vice president of entitlement and public affairs, will now oversee all residential development on the Irvine Ranch, replacing 14-year veteran Joe Davis.

Tony Russo, who joined the company in 2003 and serves as senior vice president of government relations, will replace longtime spokesman Larry Thomas, who recently announced his retirement after 20 years with the company.

Thomas said he was pleased with his replacement, calling Russo an astute leader with a solid background in politics and government.

“He’s got very big gifts and he’s smart about policy,” Thomas said. “He’s just got a great deal of depth to him and on top of that, he’s just a wonderful, warm, decent guy.”

The Irvine Co. also announced that Gregory Lindstrom, a litigator for the international law firm Latham & Watkins, will join the executive management team in the coming weeks.

Chief Executive Michael McKee, in a memo to colleagues, praised Thomas and Davis for their years of work with the company.

“Both have been popular and effective leaders, gifted managers, and have earned substantial reputations in their fields,” he wrote. “They enjoy many friends and admirers among those who have worked closely with them.”