Qualcomm Labs Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., has agreed to sponsor a high-tech incubator program with EvoNexus, the CommNexus San Diego incubator for startup companies. “Qualcomm has been an active partner with CommNexus since 1998 and our new relationship with Qualcomm Labs takes EvoNexus’ unique, community-supported incubator model to an entirely new level,”said Rory Moore, CEO, CommNexus. “With EvoNexus’ proven results, we are confident  we can work with Qualcomm, a world leader in technology innovation, to help build new companies here in San Diego that will transform the local economy and energize the entire region.” The new incubator program will be located in EvoNexus’s Downtown San Diego and La Jolla offices. Moore said EvoNexus has already graduated six companies and raised $82 million in venture funding. It currently has 22 companies in incubation and has helped create more than 300 jobs, according to Moore.

Qualcomm Labs and EvoNexus are inviting companies to apply for participation in the program. The deadline is July 3. Start-up companies and entrepreneurs in the high-tech sector who are interested in applying or receiving more information can access the application at evonexus.org/qualcommlabs. The admissions team will be paying particular attention to proposals that address these focus areas: Connected objects and machine to machine communications; low-cost backhaul solutions; wireless health and education platforms; and sustainability and green technologies for portable devices.

Men Who Rock

July’s issue of SD METRO will identify 20 men who are making an impact in San Diego in their chosen fields. You are invited to submit nominations, describing your candidate’s qualifications. Send your nominations to rebecapage@sandiegometro.com.

Ad Club to Present Fourth Annual Interactive Day

The San Diego Ad Club will host representatives from Twitter, Mashable, Amazon and R/GA as keynote speakers at this year’s Interactive Day San Diego on June 15 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The day-long event will cover 24 topics presented by industry leaders. Keynote speakers will include Frederick Townes, founding chief technical officer of Mashable and co-founder of W3 EDGE; Robert Pietsch, director of sales for the West for Twitter; Seth Dellaire, vice president of North American sales for Amazon.com; and Chris Colborn, chief experience officer for R/GA. Google, Pandora, comScore, Living Social, SEOmoz, Starz Entertainment, Qualcomm, Razorfish, Covario and Digitaria are confirmed presenters for the event, which lasts from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets start at $229. For information, visit sandiegoadclub.com.

San Diego Office Buildings Win TOBY Awards

Torrey Pines Court and Kilroy Santa Fe Summit are Pacific Southwest regional winners of Outstanding Building of the Year awards — the TOBY Awards — presented by the San Diego Building Owners & Managers Association. The awards recognize quality in office buildings and excellence in office building management. The two properties will advance to the International TOBY Awards competition in Seattle in June. Torrey Pines Court (10350 N. Torrey Pines Road) is a 37,960-square-foot Class A office building. Kilroy Santa Fe Summit (7525, 7535, 7545 and 7555 Torrey Santa Fe Road) is a Class A office campus with four four-story buildings.

Women’s Empowerment Int’l to Hold Annual Meeting

Beatriz Marina Bours, social entrepreneur and board member of Grameen de la Frontera, will be the guest speaker at the June 10 annual meeting of Women’s Empowerment International from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Marina Village Conference Center in Mission Bay. Grameen de la Frontera is the organization’s “bank for the poor” partner in Sonora, Mexico. Guests will also take part in a Skype conversation with borrowers in Sonora, and get updates on the organization’s programs in Ghana, Honduras and San Diego.

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San Diego — Brigham Black has been named senior vice president, Southern California, for Lincoln Property Co., a real estate investment, development, property management and leasing firm. Black will oversee Lincoln’s San Diego holdings and operations. The firm currently manages 700,000 square feet of office property in San Diego. It owns and manages 11.5 million square feet of office, industrial and retail property in Southern California. Black has more than 18 years of commercial real estate experience. His previous work includes various roles over nearly 12 years with The Shidler Group and its affiliated companies. Black is president of NAIOP San Diego, the commercial real estate development association.

Eleven school districts in San Diego County, including some of the region’s largest, were among 188 in California — an all time high — reporting perilous financial situations, the state Department of Education announced Monday. School districts are required by the state to report three times annually on their financial condition for the current and next two fiscal years. They must give certifications on their status — positive means they can meet their financial obligations; qualified means they might have problems paying their bills; or negative, meaning they will not be able to make their payments. No districts in San Diego County issued negative certifications in the second interim report to the state, but 11 gave a qualified certification, including Borrego Springs Unified, Carlsbad Unified, Fallbrook Union High, Grossmont Union High, Jamul-Dulzura Union Elementary, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Ramona City Unified, San Diego Unified, San Marcos Unified, San Ysidro Elementary and Vista Unified. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said 2.6 million children are educated by school districts around the state that are in financial difficulty. The total of 188 districts is 61 more than listed in the first interim report, he said. — City News Service.

Danziger To Leave CCDC for PR Post

Derek Danziger, vice president of marketing and communications for the Centre City Development Corp. — an agency with an uncertain future — has taken a job as vice president of Nuffer, Smith, Tucker, one of San Diego’s oldest public relations firm. He begins the new job on July 2. Danziger held his CCDC post since 2008 and has more than 17 years of experience in public relations, marketing and public affairs. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with such a passionate organization, full of people dedicated to positively transforming our Downtown and bringing new life to our city. But, I’m also very excited by the chance to move on to an exciting new phase in my career,” Danziger said in an email. His previous work has included stints in the education and public relations departments at SeaWorld San Diego, and coordinating international media relations activities for the grand opening of Legoland California. CCDC’s future as the redevelopment arm of the city for Downtown was clouded after redevelopment agencies throughout the state were put out of business by Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature to help balance the state budget.

BBB Warns Businesses of Phony Emails

The San Diego Better Business Bureau is warning businesses about phony emails purporting to be from the agency that claim there is a consumer complaint against the business. The emails contain the BBB’s name and brand logo and redirects the user to a website infected with malware software intended to damage or disable computers and networks. The BBB said the emails are a scam because it does not send complaints to businesses as email attachments. The BBB said it believes the fraudulent emails are part of a nationwide phishing scam designed to extract financial data from computer networks for the purpose of identity theft, including stealing sensitive financial information from businesses that use online banking accounts. Copycat spammers also are reportedly sending multiple copies of the same spoofing email containing links to the malware or a virus. Some victims with infected computers after clicking the link have lost money transferred out of their bank accounts, the BBB said.

The Preuss School Tops Again in Newsweek Survey

The Preuss School,  a charter middle and high school on the campus of UC San Diego, has again been named the top transformative school in the country by Newsweek magazine for its ability in getting low-income and first-generation students ready for college and beyond. The ranking is included in the “America’s Best High Schools” list. In addition to being named the No. 1 Transformative High School in the U.S., The Preuss School also is ranked at the top of all San Diego County high schools and is ranked 30th overall in the nation.

Reaction Design Relocates

Reaction Design, a developer of combustion simulation software, has relocated its corporate headquarters to the Pacific Corporate Park, 5930 Cornerstone Court West, Suite 230, in San Diego. Bernie Rosenthal, CEO of the company, said the new location offers significantly more useable square footage to allow for upgraded customer and employee facilities. It was represented in its new lease by Hughes Marino. An open house is scheduled for May 24 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

The New Children’s Museum Adds Staff

Three new staff members have been added to the management team of The New Children’s Museum, joining Executive Director and CEO Julianne Markow and Tomoko Kuta, director of education and exhibitions. The new hires are Hannah Berger, director of development; Kerri Fox, director of marketing and communications; and Wade Lindenberger, director of finance and administration. Berger, who has more than 10 years experience in the charitable sector, recently managed fundraising and grantmaking programs for the Herbalife Family Foundation in Los Angeles. Fox has more than 10 years experience in account management at agencies in Los Angeles and Chicago. Lindenberger, with more than 20 years of experience in finance, administration and senior management, previously was a CPA at Big Four accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. (Pictured: The management team: Tomoko Kuta, Wade Lindenberger, Kerri Fox, Julianne Markow and Hannah Berger. Photo by Paul Nestor.)

Architectural School Leader Wins
Construction Education Award

Linda Thomas-Mobley, chair of the construction management program at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design, has been named winner of the 2012 Carol A. Kueker Construction Education Visionary Award by the National Association of Women in Construction Education Foundation. Thomas-Mobley’s role in leading the creation of the school’s online Master of Construction Management program was cited by the foundation. The Kueker award recognizes a U.S. educator or advocate who has a passion for and dedication to construction education. The National Association of Women in Construction’s San Diego chapter  named Thomas-Mobley its Executive of the Year for 2012.

Second Chance Founder Speaks Today in La Jolla

Author and public speaker Scott H. Silverman will appear at the La Jolla Community Center today at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. Silverman, considered a leader in the field of workforce development, is the author of “Tell Me No, I Dare You: A Guide for Living a Heroic Life.” He was, for more than two decades, the founder and executive director of Second Chance, a human services agency that provided job readiness training, employment placement assistance, mental health counseling, case management, and affordable housing referrals to people in need. The community center is located at 6811 La Jolla Blvd.

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San Diego — Edward J. Marr has been named senior vice president, investment officer for San Diego County Credit Union. Marr has more than 30 years of financial management experience. He is responsible for overseeing the credit union’s investment portfolio. Marr previously served for the past five years as investment officer and treasurer with The Golden 1 Credit Union of Sacramento. Marr also spent 12 years with ESL Federal Credit Union of Rochester, N.Y., as its treasurer. He has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.

San Diego State University’s scarlet and black colors and logo will soon be featured on an Alaska Airlines 76-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop as part of a promotional campaign by the airline. Like other university-themed planes operated for Alaska Airlines by its sister carrier, Horizon Air, the Aztec aircraft will be painted at no cost to the university and will fly throughout Alaska’s regional route system, the company said. The airline is offering fans a chance to win a seat on the May 31 inaugural flight. An unveiling event will be staged that day to celebrate Alaska Airlines’ new nonstop daily service from San Diego to Fresno/Yosemite, Monterey and Santa Rosa/Sonoma County starting June 4. Local radio stations are involved in the promotion. For details, visit kogo.com.

Takeda California to Relocate to San Diego

Takeda California Inc., a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Japan’s largest pharmaceutical company, is closing its San Francisco facilities and relocating its antibody and biologics research technologies and staff to San Diego. The move follows last year’s merger of Takeda San Diego and Takeda San Francisco to form Takeda California. The company will have the capability within Takeda research to address unmet medical needs in cancer, immunology and metabolic disease by antibody biologics and small molecule approaches, according to Paul Chapman, senior vice president of Takeda’s pharmaceutical research division. The company works on new medicines for treating cancer, inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases.

San Diego Gets High Marks for Being Business-Friendly

San Diego was ranked the least expensive big city in the state in which to do business, according to a list compiled in the Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey for 2011.  The survey was a study of 421 cities nationwide that evaluated business taxes and fees, economic incentives and other programs and assigned each a cost rating based on a proprietary formula. Mayor Jerry Sanders said the study pointed out that San Diego had the best business climate among the state’s largest urban centers. The study by the Kosmont Companies and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College found Los Angeles County and the Bay area were some of  the most expensive areas in the state, while the San Diego County was one of the most affordable for business. Sanders said business had increased in the clean-tech industry in San Diego, which had grown from about 140 companies, to more than 800 in the past few years. San Diego also had more solar installations than any other city, which helped attract manufacturers, Sanders said. Three of the top five companies in the algae-to-fuel industry also operate in San Diego, he said. San Diego was such a low cost area because the taxes and fees were much lower across the board compared with those in the rest of the state, according to the survey. San Diego County’s average business license tax rates were 60 percent lower than the state average. — City News Service

Water Authority Board to Consider Rate Increase

The board of the San Diego County Water Authority is set to vote on a staff-recommended 9.6 percent increase in the cost of untreated water purchased by its 24 member agencies in 2013. The increase was prompted by rate increases from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Water Authority’s investment in more reliable water supplies and infrastructure projects. The total cost for municipal and industrial untreated water would rise to $1,003 per acre-foot on Jan. 1, 2013, up $88 per acre-foot, or 9.6 percent from the current rate. The proposed treated water rate for 2013 is $1,259 per acre-foot, up $111 per acre-foot, or 9.7 percent.  (An acre-foot is 325,900 gallons, enough to meet the needs of two average single-family households of four people for a year.) The Water Authority board is scheduled to receive a presentation on the proposed rates at its meeting May 24, at which time it is scheduled to set a public hearing for its June 28 meeting.

Poll Workers Needed for June 5 Primary

The county Registrar of Voters is seeking poll workers for a variety of positions for the June 5 primary election. There is a high demand for bilingual workers, especially those who speak Chinese and Vietnamese. Chinese speaking workers are needed for the Del Mar Heights, Carmel Valley and University City areas and Vietnamese speaking workers are needed in Escondido. The Registrar also needs standby workers to fill in for people who drop out. Poll workers receive a stipend ranging from $75 to $175 depending on the assignment and those who are bilingual receive an additional $15 if they are assigned to provide language assistance to voters. Poll workers can be assigned to neighborhoods other than their own. Interested poll workers must be U.S. citizens, registered or eligible to be registered voters in the state and have transportation to their assigned polling location. To apply, visit sdvote.com. For information, call (858) 565-5800.

Rich Rhoden Wins Drew Brees
Celebrity Championship

2-Day tournament raises $195,000 for charity

Rick Rhoden, a five-time tournament champion, received a projected purse of $100,000 by winning the 14th annual Drew Breese Celebrity Championship over the weekend. Rhoden posted a scores of 71 and 74 for a final score of 145 — two strokes over actor Jack Wagner. A tie for third and forth place goes to NFL kicker, Josh Scobee and NHL star Jeremy Roenick, finishing at +5 for the tournament. The tournament raised $195,000 for the Brees Dream Foundation, who will disperse the proceeds to four San Diego charities — Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Armed Services YMCA, Friends of Scott Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Pacific South Coast Chapter.

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San Diego — Kristine Costa has been promoted to community affairs and municipal manager and Eloisa Orozco has been appointed to area communications manager at Waste Management in San Diego. Costa will serve as the contract manager for the cities of Santee and El Cajon as well as manage the company’s contracts with the Navy, San Diego Airport, San Diego Unified Port District, United States Coast Guard and other government entities. She has worked for the company for over 11 years, previously serving as an education solutions representative and construction services representative. Orozco will oversee internal and external communications and media relations, as well as serve as a spokesperson for the company. She joins the company from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, where she was executive director of the San Diego County affiliate.

San Diego County Jobless Rate Drops

Nonfarm employment up by 2,600 jobs over the month and up 9,200 over the year

The unemployment rate in San Diego County dropped to 8.7 percent in April — down from March’s 9.6 percent — the state Employment Development Department reported today. California’s jobless rate was 10.5 percent and the nation’s was 7.7 percent for the same period.

Between March 2012 and April 2012 — Total nonfarm employment increased from 1,236,300 to 1,238,900, a gain of 2,600 jobs. Agricultural employment gained 300 jobs, or 3.1 percent. Professional and business services reported the greatest month-over increase, adding 1,400 jobs. Administrative, support, and waster services (down 100) offset a gain of 1,500 jobs in professional, scientific, and technical services. Employment in management of companies and enterprises remained unchanged over the month. Five other nonfarm sectors also posted month-over job growth, but the most significant gains came from leisure and hospitality (up 1,300) and financial activities (up 1,000). Four sectors recorded job losses. The most notable came from government (down 1,100) and manufacturing (down 900).

Between April 2011 and April 2012 — Total nonfarm employment gained 9,200 jobs, or 0.7 percent. Agricultural employment declined by 800 jobs, or 7.5 percent. Educational and health services reported the greatest year-over gain, adding 5,500 jobs. Health care and social assistance (up 3,900) accounted for roughly 71 percent of the job growth in this sector. Educational services added 1,600 jobs. Four other sectors also gained jobs over the year: professional and business services (up 4,800); trade, transportation, and utilities (up 3,400); leisure and hospitality (up 1,800); and financial activities (up 1,000). Five nonfarm sectors posted year-over job losses. The most significant came from government (down 3,100) and manufacturing (down 2,400).

USS San Diego to be Commissioned on Saturday

The Navy on Saturday will commission the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego during a 10 a.m. ceremony. The ship is named for the city, principal homeport of the Pacific fleet. Three previous ships have carried the name — the armored cruiser named in 1914, the World War II-era cruiser commissioned in 1942 and the combat stores ship commissioned in 1969. Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Additional remarks will be given by Mayor Jerry Sanders; Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy (research, development and acquisition); Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt, commander Naval Surface Forces; Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, commanding general, 1st Marine Division; and Rear Adm. David H. Lewis, program executive officer – ships. Linda Winter, wife of former Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, is serving as the ship’s sponsor. The principal mission of San Antonio-class ships is to deploy combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. Cmdr. Kevin P. Meyers, a native of Baltimore, is the commanding officer of the ship, leading a crew of approximately 377 officers and enlisted personnel. The USS San Diego will be homeported in San Diego. The commissioning will be at the Navy Pier, 910 North Harbor Drive.

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San Diego — Ben Lieberman has been named executive chef at the Bali Hai Restaurant, tapped to lead the 30-member culinary team at the Shelter Island dining spot. Lieberman previously was chef de cuisine at Burlap and the chef de cuisine at Seersucker in Downtown. His other culinary positions included chef de cuisine at the Hyatt Islandia and stints at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant and Spago at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and Katsuya in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University.

Loker Business Center Fully Leased

Loker Business Center in Carlsbad has been 100 percent leased, reports Cassidy Turley San Diego. SFT Carlsbad LLC, dba Rock N Roll Sushi, signed a 10-year lease valued at $633,476 for 1,585 square feet of space. Loker Business Center is located at 2708 Palomar Airport Road and totals approximately 34,500 square feet. Andrew Peterson, Bruce Schiff, Phil Lyons and Chad Iafrate of Cassidy Turley are the leasing team for Loker Business Center. The team represented both the lessor, Scott Snyder, and the lessee, Rock N Roll Sushi, in this transaction.

Government agencies in the San Diego region came in for a round of praise and criticism Wednesday evening when the San Diego Taxpayers Association held its 17th annual Goldens Awards Dinner at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center. Golden Watchdog awards recognized smart, sensible practices in taxpayer-funded programs. Golden Fleece awards recognized government program and services that are wasteful, inefficient or absurd.

• Winner of this year’s highest honor, the Grand Golden Watchdog Award, is the county of San Diego for “Better Than Extreme Couponing.” As a result of cost saving measures over the past decade, the county’s Capital Program will save taxpayers approximately $1.46 billion over the next 30 years by paying cash for one-time capital improvement projects rather than financing them with long-term debt thanks to having the foresight to set aside the funds to do so.

• The Golden Watchdog award went to the Port of San Diego, “The Price Is Right,” for its procurement reform policies, which have been streamlined to reduce costs and ensure best practices are in place.

• This year’s Grand Golden Fleece was presented to the Otay Water District, “Game of Thrones.” The district voted to provide free lifetime health and dental benefits to their managers and unrepresented employees in July 2011. A month later, the board then extended those same benefits to all employees in an August 2011 vote. Ratepayers have seen their water rates soar more than 40 percent in recent years and voiced vehement opposition. As a result, the district’s unfunded liability will increase by more than 90 percent.

•The 2012 Metro Golden Fleece recipient is the city of San Diego, “Let’s Not Make a Deal.” The city attempted to enter into a no-bid, exclusive 28-year deal for security services at Qualcomm Stadium in 2006. When the long-term contract and ultimate cost to the taxpayers was revealed, the city finally went out to bid. It received cost-saving offers from five other companies, but still decided to go with the original contractor. After a protest was filed and upheld because the city failed to follow specified procedures and requirements, the city has finally — again — re- bid the contract. Meanwhile taxpayers are still paying for the high-priced original contract.

• The 2012 Regional Golden Fleece recipient is the San Diego Unified School District, “Calling Mister Rogers!” The district’s Early Childhood Education Program failed to meet filing deadlines under its contract with the Neighborhood House Association. It not only lost $2.7 million in reimbursed expenses as a result, but also cost the program its First 5 funding. It also spent money on a questionable study regarding a Project Stabilization Agreement for Prop S.

• The San Diego SAFE board was recognized as a “repeat offender” for spending money on questionable marketing campaigns and extending agreements without competitive bids for managing the system. The board won last year for failing to trim its spending.

New Contribution Limits Proposed for Municipal Offices

New limits on financial contributions by political parties to candidates for San Diego’s ostensibly nonpartisan municipal offices were proposed Wednesday to the City Council’s Rules Committee, City News Service reports. The plan drawn up by the city’s Ethics Commission stems from a federal court ruling that struck down San Diego’s old ban on donations from political parties. A temporary $1,000 ceiling was later rescinded by the judge in the case, so there are no limitations on such giving in the current election year. The commission proposed a limit of $12,000 per election for citywide races, and $3,000 for City Council races. The cap would be a combined total of all levels of the parties, whether local, state or federal, said Stacey Fulhorst, the commission’s executive director.

Measure Encourages Banks to Increase Lending in Community

San Diego City Council President Tony Young has introduced legislation that encourages banks that do business with the city to increase their lending and other services to local residents and businesses, particularly those in under-served communities. “The city’s more than $1 billion in annual public tax-dollar deposits should be put into financial institutions that will help keep struggling families in their homes, doors open at fledgling small businesses and investments flowing to rebuild our hardest hit neighborhoods,” said Young,  chair of the Rules Committee that is considering the item. The Rules Committee voted to direct the city attorney to draft a responsible banking ordinance that requires the city’s financial staff to contract with banks that are responsive to the community’s needs and do not engage in predatory lending.

SD Economic Development Corp. to Hold 47th Annual Dinner

A talk by futurist James Canton highlights the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.’s 47th annual dinner May 23 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in Downtown. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be among the guests. The 2012 Herb Klein Civic Leadership Award will be presented to Ron Fowler. EDC Chair Debra Reed, CEO of Sempra Energy, will relinquish her chairmanship to Stath Karras, executive managing director of Cushman & Wakefield. A reception is at 5 p.m. and the dinner and program is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $185 each.

Two Named to Architecture Group’s College of Fellows

Cooke

Sachs

Gilbert D. Cooke, who served as dean at NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) from 2001–2009, has been named a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows for his contributions to the education field, in particular for his teaching, academic leadership and involvement in transforming NSAD into a nationally recognized school with a practice-oriented curriculum. Lisa Sachs, who serves as a member of NSAD’s Construction Management Advisory Board, also is being inducted into the College of Fellows. Cooke, who is among 105 AIA members elevated to the College of Fellows for 2012, has been invited to participate in a formal ceremony for recently named Fellows. Sachs is a managing principal with Cumming Corp., a provider of professional construction project services. Sachs is the author of “What is Your Construction Management IQ?”

Tri-City Hospital Foundation Council Hosts Quarterly Meeting

Local business leaders in North County have been invited to hear the progress of the new medical office building under construction  at Tri-City Medical Center’s Oceanside campus at the May 22 quarterly meeting of the Tri-City Hospital Foundation’s Corporate Council at 7 a.m. at the hospital. Major construction began in April on the new three-story, 57,000-square-foot building. Larry Anderson, CEO of Tri-City Medical Center, will describe Tri-City’s plans for the new medical building. For registration, call (760) 940-3370.

The median price paid for a home in San Diego County in April was $329,500 — an increase over March’s median of $320,000 and a 2.4 percent jump from April of last year, according to DataQuick of San Diego. Total home sales also increased — from 3,237 in March to 3,559 in April, compared to 3,277 home sales in April of last year.

Statewide — Across Southern California, the median sale price rose year-over-year in April for the first time in 16 months, reflecting stronger, affordability-driven demand and a slimmer inventory of homes for sale – especially low-cost foreclosures, according to DataQuick. The median price paid for a Southland home last month was $290,000, up 3.6 percent from $280,000 in both March this year as well as April 2011. “The housing market continued its painfully slow crawl back toward normalcy last month,” said John Walsh, DataQuick president. “You can see it in the fading role of foreclosures, the uptick in median prices here and there, and the higher levels of sales in coastal counties.”

New County Courthouse Project Gets State Board Approval

The State Public Works Board has approved preliminary plans for the new San Diego Central Courthouse for the Superior Court of San Diego County. Largest of all the projects funded by Senate Bill 1407, the new facility will be located Downtown on 1.4 acres bounded by West C Street, Union Street, West B Street, and State Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2014 with completion in late 2016. The project will provide the central San Diego court district with a full-service consolidated facility for criminal, probate, family court, and small claims cases. It will replace the dilapidated San Diego County Courthouse and two other small court buildings deemed unsafe, overcrowded and inadequate for modern court operations. Small claims cases currently heard at the Kearny Mesa courthouse will also move to the new facility, improving service to residents of the central San Diego area. The 22-story, 704,000-square-foot structure will house 71 courtrooms as well as space for public services, court administration, and secure holding of in-custody defendants. It will include a secure underground connection to the nearby San Diego Central Jail and a public circulation bridge to court and county offices in the adjacent Hall of Justice. “This urgently needed replacement of our existing courthouse will offer litigants, court users, the public, and our judges and employees a safe and modern environment that will greatly improve access to our courts,” said Presiding Judge Robert J. Trentacosta.

Vanguard Space Technologies Receives Multi-Million Dollar Contract

Vanguard Space Technologies Inc. of San Diego has been awarded a multi-million dollar subcontract from Lockheed Martin for fabrication and testing of two spacecraft bus structures for the Air Force’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Satellite. The AEHF Satellite Program is the next generation of global, highly secure, survivable communications systems for warfighters within all services of the Department of Defense. Vanguard is a supplier of high-performance composite structural components and systems for space products. Vanguard specializes in the engineering, fabrication and testing of high-performance composite structures for space. The company’s main product lines include antennas, reflectors, spacecraft bus structures, solar array substrates, dimensionally-stable optical benches, and multi-functional composite structures.

Trigild Appointed Receiver for Puerto Rico Residential Project

San Diego-based Trigild has been appointed receiver and asset manager of Ocean Club at Seven Seas, a 300-unit luxury residential community in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The property is the firm’s first outside the continental United State. The U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico made the appointment. The FDIC, which took over the property for the failed Westernbank Puerto Rico, is the property’s current lender and requested that Trigild be appointed receiver over the property, which was valued at $80 million when constructed in 2007, according to Josh Hall of Trigild.

SDSU’s Hospitality Master’s Program Gets Final Approval

San Diego State University’s new master’s degree program in hospitality tourism and management has been given final approval by the California State University chancellor’s office. The program is aimed at mid-level managers with five to 15 years of experience who want to advance to the next level of leadership as a director, general manager or CEO within a hospitality, recreation or tourism organization or agency. The program will be offered through the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and administered by SDSU’s College of Extended Studies. Students wanting to enter the program must apply before the June 15 deadline. For more information, call (858) 451-6096.

Mayoral Debate Set for May 30

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association will host a mayoral debate May 30 with candidates Carl DeMaio, Bonnie Dumanis, Bob Filner and Nathan Fletcher at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center. The program lasts from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $49 apiece.

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San Diego — Brooke Tabshouri has joined Fisher & Phillips LLP as an associate in its La Jolla area office. Tabshouri focuses her practice on representing employers and management in a variety of aspects of labor and employment law, including wrongful termination litigation and wage and hour violations. including class action disputes, wrongful termination, and employer training. Tabshouri previously held a position as a research attorney for Judge Richard D. Huffman of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, in San Diego.

Council Approves Outsourcing City’s IT Systems

Contracts with two companies that will handle the bulk of the city of San Diego’s information technology systems were passed unanimously by the City Council in hopes of saving money while improving services, reports City News Service. The deals with Atos IT Solutions and Services and CGI Technologies and Solutions — part of a move by the city to end its 30-year relationship with the quasi-independent Data Processing Corp. — are worth a combined $117.8 million. The agreements should result in a minimum cost savings of a range of $7.4 million to $20 million, as estimated by the mayor’s office, or as little as $2.1 million up to $14.8 million, as calculated by the city’s Independent Budget Analyst’s office. Mayor Jerry Sanders said the firms will also upgrade the city’s IT infrastructure, which is “stuck in the 1970s.” “Until now, for some reason, the services have never been put out to bid,” Sanders said.

The two firms will perform software development and maintenance and provide help-desk support for city employees, among other services, the mayor said. If they perform well, and two years are added to the contracts, the savings would range from $21.6 million to $39 million, he said. “This is no small amount — this money can be used to resurface more roads, hire more police officers and extend library and rec center hours even further,” Sanders said. Chief Operating Officer Jay Goldstone said the transition from DPC to the other companies will cost the city more than $12 million next year, including $6 million from the general fund. That money is already in the mayor’s budget proposal, he said. Goldstone said the savings from the contracts will catch up, though, and the city should break even after about three years. The last couple of years will result in the savings, he said.

According to Goldstone, about 95 percent of DPC’s revenue comes from the city of San Diego, and 144 of its employees work on municipal functions. Many of the workers are expected to be hired by the new vendors, he said. DPC will continue to provide IT services to the city for a transition period of about one year, Goldstone said. He promised to update the City Council’s Rules Committee on plans to dissolve the Data Processing Corp. in July. Language is in the contracts to prevent the companies from sending jobs from the contracts to other countries. Another IT contract with an outside firm also has been reached and will be announced in the near future, with similar savings totals, city officials said.

Bill Regulating Pet Groomers Advances in State Senate

A measure by state Sen. Juan Vargas that would create a voluntary certification program for the pet grooming industry has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill, called “Lucy’s Law,” was submitted to prevent injuries and fatalities to pets resulting from visits to the pet groomer. The measure now goes to the Senate floor. “Professionalizing the pet grooming industry is a necessary step toward ensuring that groomers are properly trained and pets are protected from harm,” said Senator Vargas (D-San Diego).  “Through this certification program, pet owners can be confident that their pets are in good hands. Vargas  authored SB 969 after learning about Lucy, a small Yorkshire terrier mix, who sustained multiple injuries during a routine trip to the groomer. Among these injuries were a detached retina, a severed ligament in her leg, and lacerations to five of her eight nipples. According to Vargas, there have been thousands of life-threatening injuries to pets over the years due to negligent and under-trained pet groomers who use improper techniques when grooming animals. Injuries from these negligent acts range from severe lacerations due to incorrect usage of grooming tools, toe injuries, broken bones caused by the animal being dropped, eye injuries, and in the most severe of cases, death.  SB 969 would create the California Pet Grooming Council and would allow for voluntary certification of pet groomers and pet bathers and brushers. SB 969 would establish the requirements necessary to obtain a certificate as a pet groomer or pet bather and brusher, and set forth the duties and obligations of a certified pet groomer or pet bather and brusher.

Silvergate Bank Reports First Quarter Income

San Diego-based Silvergate Bank announced first quarter 2012 net income of $1,029,000, the second highest quarterly earnings in the bank’s history. Silvergate Bank’s financial results for the three-month period ending March 31 also included funding $419 million in residential mortgage loans through its warehouse lending division; acquiring $53.5 million in reverse mortgage loans guaranteed by the U.S. Federal Housing Administration; and maintaining capital ratios substantially above industry averages and federal regulatory standards. The Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio was 13.39 percent and its Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 17.36 percent, both of which substantially exceed “well capitalized” minimums of 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively, the bank said.  “Our well capitalized position ensures our ability to provide clients with innovative services and products to meet their needs today and well into the future,” said Alan Lane, president and CEO. The bank opened a new full-service branch in Carlsbad and relocated and expanded its La Mesa branch during the quarter.

Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is the site for the 112th annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 28, at  10 a.m. Live music by the U.S. Marine Band will begin at 9:55 a.m.  The one-hour program will include a flyover by the Air Group One-Commemorative Air Force, a wreath tribute, U.S. Navy soloist, cannon and rifle salute, bagpipe soloist and special readings for the occasion. Lt. Gen. Thomas Wauldhauser, USMC, will be the keynote speaker. Special parking has been arranged for this event.  Beginning at 8:30 a.m., double-decker busses and other donated vehicles will be shuttling spectators to the cemetery from the main gate parking lot at Electron Street directly to the program site. Parking is also available at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park (2115 Park Blvd.) with free Old Town Trolley shuttle service to and from the service.  Boarding begins at 8:00 a.m. and the shuttles depart at 8:30 a.m. for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

PERSONNEL MOVES ____________________________________

San Diego — Paul Najar has joined Gafcon Inc. as vice president and general counsel. Najar’s work is to build and maintain the legal infrastructure of both Gafcon and SharePoint 360. He has more than 23 years of corporate law and administrative management experience in a variety of industries, including construction, financial services, health care and information technology. Prior to Gafcon and SharePoint360, Najar was co-founder and principal of Mayfair European Advisors, an international consulting firm  that helps U.S. companies establish or improve  their operations in Europe.

Peter F. Wallick has been appointed regional vice president for Golden Eagle Insurance Co.’s mid-California region. Wallick will be responsible for the growth of commercial lines and maintaining strong relationships with Golden Eagle Insurance-appointed agencies in his region. He is based in the company’s Aliso Viejo office.

Aldila Inc. of Poway, the leading graphite shaft manufacturer on the PGA Tour, announced net sales of $15.9 million and a net loss of $449,000 ($0.08 loss per share) for the three months ending March 31, 2012 as compared to net sales of $11.3 million and a net loss of $535,000 ($0.10 income per share) for the comparable period in 2011. The company’s composite products sales increased 61 percent for the three-month period  compared to the comparable period of 2011. Golf shaft units shipped increased by 61 percent and the average selling price declined by 2 percent for 2012 as compared to 2011. “While we are encouraged with our increase in overall sales in our golf business, our gross margins continue to be impacted by the rising costs in our China operation,” said Peter Mathewson, chairman and CEO. “With virtually the entire golf industry manufacturing base entrenched in China, we believe this to be problematic for the entire industry as costs continue to rise systemically on account of rising labor costs. We believe it is imperative to reduce our costs in China as quickly as possible and to that end we have begun to shift production in a more meaningful way to our facility in Vietnam.” Mathewson said this would give the firm a “viable alternative” that most of its competitors lack.

Peter Ueberroth to Speak at USD

Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth will speak at a May 31 breakfast event sponsored by the University of San Diego’s Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate. The breakfast will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on the campus. Registration for Breakfast costs $35. Ueberroth was MLB commissioner between 1984 and 1989. From 1980 to 1984, he was president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, the organization responsible for staging the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games — the first privately financed games.

Gas Prices Rising

The cost of fuel on the wholesale market jumped more than 30 cents a gallon last week, putting upward pressure on prices, KPBS reports. The average cost of a gallon of gas rose about 4.5 cents overnight. High prices have kept demand for fuel low, but now record inventories appear to be dwindling. The supply of fuel is shrinking, in part, because of refinery issues. “There’s been a lot of shutdowns for planned and unplanned maintenance, and also the refineries have been cutting back supply because demand has been very weak,” said Charles Langley, a gasoline analyst for the Utility Consumer’s Action Network.

Embarcadero Plan to be Reviewed on Thursday

The Joint Powers Authority for the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan will meet at 2 p.m. on May 17 to review a construction update and hear information on a planned shuttle that will serve the embarcadero area. The meeting will be in the Port of San Diego Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway. Construction on the first phase of the plan — intended to beautify the waterfront and create new public open space — began in January. The contractor, USS Cal Builders, is currently installing utilities and constructing the new North Harbor Drive roadway.

Jack in the Box Names New President and COO

Leonard A. Comma has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Jack in the Box Inc.  Comma, who had served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company since 2010, retains oversight of operations, restaurant development and franchising, and will now also oversee marketing for Jack in the Box restaurants. Comma joined Jack in the Box in 2001 as director of convenience store and fuel operations.

Cubic Corp. Appoints New Lobbyist

Cubic Corp. has named Andy Jazwick as its vice president for legislative affairs. Jazwick replaces Jack Liddle, who is retiring after holding the position the past 15 years. Jazwick will be Cubic’s representative and lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He has more than 25 years of experience in government and public relations, public policy, corporate business development and international affairs and as a senior staffer on Capitol Hill. Before joining Cubic, he was the senior vice president for aviation security at Reveal Imaging. Jazwick also was SAIC’s senior lobbyist to the government and industry in the homeland security, national defense and intelligence areas for 11 years.

Bellus Academy to Sponsor Fundraiser for Cancer Survivor

Bellus Academy, a beauty school, will host a special fundraiser on May 17 to benefit recent aesthetician graduate Ashley Bartlett Moore of North Park, who has been battling ovarian cancer since her diagnosis earlier this year. Calling it Ashley Moore Day, the Academy plans to fill every appointment available on May 17 across all three of its California campuses — Poway, National City and El Cajon. Each campus will be accepting donations on behalf of Moore as well as holding a silent auction, offering giveaways and posting a banner for patrons to wish her the best. The money raised will help Moore pay her rising medical expenses that exceed her insurance coverage. Well-regarded by her peers and mentors, Moore made a name for herself within the Academy, earning top marks toward her degree and successfully passing her state board exam in April 2011. She then launched her own traveling aesthetician business, giving various skin treatments in clients’ homes before becoming the in-house aesthetician at Simply Spa, a boutique spa in Santee.

National Park Service: Balboa Park Could Lose Historical Designation

In a letter to the city of San Diego, the National Park Service says plans to alter Balboa Park’s Cabrillo Bridge to keep cars out of the Plaza de Panama could put the park’s historical designation at risk, KPBS reports. The letter says the plan, which also includes building a parking structure and rerouting traffic through the park, is inconsistent with the standard of treatment for historic properties. The National Park Service began looking into the project at the request of California’s state historic preservation officer. That official also said major changes to the park will cause it to lose its Historic Landmark Designation and possibly future funding opportunities.

Qualcomm co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Irwin Jacobs originally proposed plans to make over Balboa Park for its 2015 centennial celebration. Mayor Jerry Sanders backs the plan. Bruce Coons, executive director of Save Our Heritage Organisation, told KPBS in February that the park losing its Historic Landmark status would be a huge blow to tourism and the park’s ability to garner federal, state and local grants. But Mark Johnson, the founder of Civitas Inc. and the designer for the Plaza de Panama project, said then that he is not worried about losing the park’s historic status. “We think the improvements we are making are a great benefit, on balance and an extremely positive thing for the park that will enhance the historic district,” he said. (Photo: Aerial view of the plan and the proposed Centennial Bridge.)

Hotel La Jolla Renovation Reaches Halfway Mark

Construction of Kimpton’s new Hotel La Jolla, undergoing a $4 million overhaul, has reached the halfway mark. The overhaul includes work on the hotel’s 110 guest rooms, structural groundwork, including the lobby foundation and restaurant framework. The guestrooms will provide guests with a casually chic ambiance and amenities, including flat panel TVs, oversized desks, pillow-top mattresses and 600-thread-count Frette linens. In addition to the guestroom and lobby developments, the scenic top floor restaurant is underway.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants took over management of the hotel in April 2011. It is owned by an affiliate of Westport Capital Partners and Cove Equity Group. The property is scheduled to be fully transformed to a Kimpton hotel this summer, with a grand opening celebration to follow July 11. (Photo: Caroline Dyal, the hotel’s general manager.)

Regents Bank Names Steven Sefton as President

Steven D. Sefton, a 28-year veteran of the Southern California banking industry, has been appointed president of Regents Bank. Dan C. Yates remains chief executive officer of the bank as well as president of Grandpoint Capital Inc., the parent company. Sefton previously was senior vice president of Citizen’s Business Bank, managing one of its largest regional offices. He joined the bank as the first manager of the headquarters’ Commercial Banking Group, where he worked for four years. From 1995 to 2008, Sefton worked for Mellon 1st Business Bank. In 2002, he was appointed regional vice president, managing a de novo commercial office he opened. From 1991 to 1995, he worked at Sanwa Bank as vice president and team leader. Sefton began his banking career at City National Bank, working at the Beverly Hills headquarters in 1984.

Chula Vistan Appointed to Board of Registered Nursing

Gov. Brown has appointed Michael Deangelo Jackson of Chula Vista to the state Board of Registered Nursing. Jackson, 40, has been a clinical nurse II in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UC San Diego Medical Center since 2000 and served as an extern there from 1999 to 2000. He has been an adjunct clinical faculty member in the registered nursing program at Southwestern Community College and an operations supervisor at Scripps Mercy Medical Center since 2007. Jackson was a mental health worker at Scripps Mercy Medical Center from 1992 to 2000. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Jackson is a Democrat.

Camp Pendleton Enlisted Quarters Named Project of the Year

A recently completed $131 million Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) at Camp Pendleton has been named a 2012 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association, San Diego/Imperial chapter. The award was presented at the APWA’s annual awards luncheon, held at Hilton San Diego in Mission Valley on May 10. San Diego architectural firms RJC Architects and Joseph Wong Design Associates, in a design/build team with Hensel Phelps Soltek Joint Venture, completed the project — recognized in the “Structures, $75 Million and Above Category” — in January 2012. Other members of the team on the project include Berger ABAM, structural engineer; MA Engineers, mechanical engineer; Elen Engineers, electrical engineer; KEMA, sustainable design consulting; and Aon Fire Protection.

Cubic and UC San Diego Collaborate on Transit Project

Cubic Transportation Systems and the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego are collaborating on a project that would give transit customers the ability to make better travel choices by using information they receive from mobile devices and wireless communications and from new technologies. Cubic will contribute $500,000 over five years to the Jacobs School of Engineering to fund research done by faculty, students and Cubic Transportation Systems staff.  The project, according to the partners, aims to achieve a better understanding of the application and utilization of emerging technologies to improve transportation services. “The partnership with UC San Diego will help Cubic realize its vision of mobility in the future — what we call Nextcity,” said Matt Cole, senior vice president of strategy and business development. “Consumer mobile devices, wireless communications and account-based payment processing create the opportunity to make significant new information available to travelers.”

Cubic said Nextcity will deliver personalized information to passengers so they can make informed travel choices. “Our research will make better use of the existing data and seek innovative ways to apply this information and technology to better the traveler’s experience, and improve the efficiency and utilization of the transportation system and a city’s resources,” said Pradip Mistry, vice president of engineering. The research partnership potentially spans mobile and web technologies, wireless networking, location-based services, data warehousing and system architecture and analytics, all areas of expertise at the university.

Venture Capital Investment More Than Doubles in 1st Quarter

In the first quarter of 2012, venture capital investment in the San Diego region totaled $358 million in 22 transactions, which is more than twice the $156 million in 30 transactions recorded in the first quarter of 2011 and above the long-term quarterly average, according to a report by Cassidy Turley Commercial Real Estate Services. The report is based on figures from Money Tree Report by PricewaterhouseCoopers and National Venture Capital Association.

The quarterly average of venture capital investment in the San Diego region over the last 69 quarters (1Q95 to 1Q12) is $269 million. In comparison, Silicon Valley attracted $2.1 billion, which is below the quarterly average of $2.5 billion. Los Angeles and Orange County combined attracted $567 million in the first quarter of 2012, which is above the quarterly average of $477 million.

Golden Fleece Award Finalists Announced

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association has announced the finalists for its annual Golden Fleece Awards, which are given to government programs or services that exemplify “the wasteful, inefficient or downright absurd use of taxpayer dollars.” The recipients will be announced at the association’s annual dinner May 16 at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center. The Regional Golden Fleece finalists are: San Diego Unified School District – Calling Mister Rogers! (Early Childhood Education Program/Project Stabilization Agreement Study); Otay Water District – Game of Thrones (Increase in Retiree Health Benefits); Southwestern Community College District – American Idle (Corner Lot Project); Sweetwater Union High School District – Hell’s Kitchen (District Cafeteria Woes).

The Metro Golden Fleece finalists are: City of San Diego – Let’s Not Make a Deal (Qualcomm Stadium Security Contract); City of Escondido – D’oh! (Escondido Management Raises); City of San Diego – Extreme Makeover, Bureaucracy Edition (Public Utilities Department Billing System); City of Oceanside – So You Think You Can Dance? (Library Services RFP).

The Repeat Offenders finalists are: County of San Diego SAFE Board  – Mad Men (and Women) (Marketing Campaign); Tri-City Hospital District – Keeping Up With The Klaims (Legal Issues Persist).

San Diego Press Club to Celebrate 40th Anniversary

The San Diego Press Club, celebrating its 40th year, will hold a gala party May 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Civita in Mission Valley. “Oh! Ridge,” a group that’s been playing in San Diego since the ’70s, will entertain. The party will take over the 10,000-square-foot recreation center at Circa 37, a luxury apartment village at Civita. Sudberry Properties, master developer of Civita, is the host and major sponsor of the celebration. Press Club memorabilia will be on display and special acknowledgement of those who launched the organization, along with the “next” generation – those expected to lead the club for the next 40 years. Funds raised by the event’s Honorary Committee and party proceeds will benefit the San Diego Press Club Foundation for journalism scholarships. Openings for the Honorary Committee are still available for a $100 donation. Tickets are $20 for members of the San Diego Press Club and professional media and public relations associations; $25 for nonmembers. Deadline for tickets, which must be purchased in advance, is May 14. For information and tickets, and to join the Honorary Committee, call (619) 231-4340.

Hughes Marino Executive Featured in Forbes Guest Post

Star Hughes, director of business development for Hughes Marino in San Diego, has a guest post in Forbes.com under the title, “How I Became a 21-Year-Old Business Executive.” Read her story at:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/05/09/how-i-became-a-21-year-old-business-executive/

40 Under 40 Nominations Open

Nominations are now open for SD METRO’s annual 40 Under 40 Awards recognition program. Nominate a man or woman you think has made outstanding contributions to his or her profession, industry or to San Diego County as a whole. We will announce the winners in September. Either fill out the nomination form at sandiegometro.com or send your nomination to rebecapage@sandiegometro.com. Better get crackin’! The deadline is May 31.