A.G. Edwards Names Finance V.P.

* A.G. Edwards & Sons, the St. Louis-based investment bank, has hired James P. Preusch, chief financial officer of the Los Angeles Harbor Department, to lead its growing public finance operations on the West Coast. Preusch will join the firm’s Los Angeles office as a vice president, after having served most recently as CFO of the Harbor Department and as treasurer of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. During his 14 years with the city, he completed more than $2.7 billion in financing transactions.

* Gottschalks Inc., the Fresno-based department store chain, has named Jim Famalette, president and chief operating officer, as its chief executive. He succeeds Joe Levy, who will continue as chairman of the 40-store chain founded by his great uncle in 1904.

* David Harris has been appointed assistant general manager of Beverly Center, the West L.A. shopping mall operated by Taubman Co. Harris previously served as the operations manager of Ampco System Parking in Los Angeles.