Gregory S. Krikorian has been named to head the Valley Economic Alliance, a business assistance organization based in Sherman Oaks. Krikorian is executive vice president of development for Cal-Conn Enterprises Inc., a Glendale publisher of “Senior Living” and “Business Life” magazines. He also is owner of the Krikorian Marketing Group and serves on the Glendale Unified School District board. Krikorian begins his positions as chief executive and president on July 1. His initial plans are to meet with Alliance board members, stakeholders and other business interests from the five cities the Alliance serves – Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas and San Fernando. Long term, he wants to work on improving job-growth opportunities and workforce development. “The number one goal is that the Alliance be in every business plan and marketing plan and have businesses out of state consider the Valley as a home,” Kirkorian said. Krikorian replaces former newspaper executive Ron Wood, who stepped down as head of the Alliance May 1 but has been helping with the transition. Wood had served as president and CEO under a two-year contract after the death of longtime Alliance leader Bruce Ackerman. He is retiring.