Dowlan Gets New Post at Western Financial Parent

James R. Dowlan has been appointed executive vice president, retail banking, for Westcorp Inc., the parent company of Irvine-based Western Financial Savings Bank.

He has been vice president of Westcorp and senior vice president of Western Financial since 1984. Dowlan was also appointed president of Westhrift Life Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Western Financial, in 1988.

Before joining Westcorp, he was vice president, installment loan administration, for Union Bank.

In addition, Ronald W. Rohrer was named to the position of executive vice president of mortgage banking. He has been senior vice president of Western Financial since 1984 and manager of mortgage banking since 1983. Before that, he was with California Federal Savings & Loan Assn.

Also, Alan L. Milligan was appointed to Westcorp’s board of directors. He has served as a vice president of Westcorp since 1974 and as a senior vice president of Western Financial since 1984. He directs the bank’s auto-dealer centers and oversees the collection-management system.