Aigner Joins Downey S & L Board

Dennis J. Aigner, dean of the UC Irvine Graduate School of Management, has been appointed to a newly created position on the board of directors of Downey Savings & Loan in Newport Beach.

Aigner, 53, a professor of economics, served as a consultant to Downey for several months before his appointment Wednesday. The board named Aigner to a one-year term. The thrift plans to nominate him for a full three-year term at the annual shareholders meeting next year.

At the recent annual meeting, shareholders approved a measure to increase Downey’s board from seven to nine members. The S&L; will probably add another director soon, a spokesman said.

Aigner, a Laguna Beach resident, has been dean of the graduate school for the past three years. Previously, he was an economics professor at USC and chairman of its economics department for eight of those years.