Baja begins management rebuildBaja begins management rebuild

THOUSAND OAKS Calif. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has bolstered its management team with the appointment of a marketing specialist to fill a vacant post and the creation of a new purchasing position.

Jerry de Lucia was named director of marketing. Formerly of Catalina Restaurant Corp., operator of the Coco’s and Carrows family-dining chains based in Carlsbad, Calif., De Lucia will replace former director of marketing Meade Wildrick.

Tim Koch was named director of purchasing, a newly created position. Koch served previously as purchasing manager for the Carl’s Jr. and Green Burrito restaurants, owned by CKE Restaurants Inc., based in Carpinteria, Calif.

Formerly a subsidiary of Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy’s International, Baja Fresh was purchased by Caliber Capital Group LLC for $31 million last year. Baja Fresh, based here, operates or franchises 292 restaurants nationwide.