Daily Business Report — Oct. 26, 2009

East County chambers call off merger plans

Officials from the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce announced that they have ceased exploratory merger discussions and will remain as independent entities. The two organizations decided that despite common interests and similar missions, the respective memberships are best served without a merger. Details of the discussions will remain confidential.  “I’d like to thank the board members and staff from both chambers for the time and effort put forth in these discussions,” said Brian Gray, chairman of the San Diego East County Chamber. “While the conclusion is not to merge, we will continue our collaboration as separate chambers to improve the business climate in East County and throughout California.”

“It was important for both memberships to fully investigate this potential consolidation. Both parties were at the table in earnest to see if it made sense to combine,” said Bob Ring, chairman of the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce.

Market Snapshot program set for Nov. 10

NAIOP San Diego will present a Nov. 10 program on Capital Markets-Distressed Real Estate and REOs as part of its “Market Snapshot” series. It will be held at the Marriott San Diego/Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast and the program at 9:15 a.m. The cost is $50 for members, $75 for guests before Nov. 6. Panelists will be D. Michael Konynenburg, president of Eastdil Secured; Douglas Wilson, chairman and CEO of Douglas Wilson Cos.; Alex Ziklakis, president of Capstone Advisors; and Brian Driscoll, senior vice president of Grubb & Ellis|BRE Commercial. Donald Ankeny, president and CEO of Westcore Properties, will be moderator. For more information, call Karen Burges at (858) 509-4110.

Leasing specialist joins Jones Lang LaSalle

Lease specialist Bess Wakeman has joined Jones Lang LaSalle as executive vice present. She will work with Managing Director Lynn LaChapelle to help build the firm’s landlord-focused leasing business in the San Diego market. Wakeman previously was leasing director for The Irvine Company Office Properties in San Diego. She also was leasing director for Equity Office and was a broker with CB Richard Ellis. She has been selected as one of the “Most Powerful Real Estate Woman in Southern California” by Real Estate Southern California magazine and currently serves as a NAIOP board member.

Federal Contract Awards

Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Chula Vista, won an $11,159,562 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, Crane, Ind., for communication equipment. (Source: Targeted News Service).

Naturalization ceremonies to be held on Veterans Day

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will have a naturalization service for as many as 100 sailors, soldiers and Marines at a Nov. 10 ceremony at Downtown’s USS Midway Museum. The naturalization ceremony is at 10 a.m. The event is being held to coincide with Veterans Day. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller will preside and the keynote address will be by Rear Adm. William French, commander of Navy Region Southwest.

Qualcomm receives award for improving air quality

Qualcomm Inc. is the first company to be given the new Blue Sky Leadership Award, an honor created by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, in partnership with the Industrial Environmental Association, to recognize a local company that demonstrates a commitment to improving air quality and providing inspiration to others to do the same. Qualcomm recently installed to cogeneration turbines that are fueled by natural gas. The units produce electricity for company operations, and the heat generated by them is used to run two large chillers in the air conditioning system. The turbines reduce the pollutants released into the air by 35 percent compared to the ones they replaced, which are now used as emergency backup only. The company also improves air quality by conserving energy and reducing the amount of fuel used by the company and its employees. It has installed solar panels on the roofs of its buildings, has a fleet of hybrid vehicles and encourages employees to commute without cars by offering transit subsidies, shuttle service and bike lockers.

Grant awarded for combating border crime

A $2.8 million Bureau of Justice Assistance federal grant has been awarded to the San Diego-based Institute for Public Strategies to help combat violent crime at the border. “These resources will allow law enforcement to improve strategic relationships within border communities to prevent crime, drug abuse, and violence,” said Congressman Bob Filner. “The Institute for Public Strategies has consistently demonstrated knowledge, skill, and professionalism while implementing innovative solutions to critical challenges.”

AKW Medical leases space in Cabrillo Commerce Center

AKW Medical Inc. has leased 7,273 square feet of showroom/warehouse space at Cabrillo Commerce Center, 5620 Kearny Mesa Road, Suite A, in San Diego. The 62-month lease is valued at $402,927. AKW Medical Inc. specializes in the sales and service of new and refurbished medical equipment. Cabrillo Commerce Center is a nine-building, 214,380-square- foot industrial/showroom project fronting SR-163 immediately north of Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Doug Works of CB Richard Ellis represented the lessor, Harsch Investment Properties. Steve Salmons of Commercial Properties Services represented AKW Medical Inc. The lease brings the project to 94 percent occupancy. Other project tenants include Olhausen Game Room Superstore, The Furniture Warehouse, Animal ER, Select Mailing and San Diego Harley Davidson.

Chuck Latham Associates Inc. leases new site

Chuck Latham Associates Inc., has signed a 64-month, $252,265 lease for 2,904 square feet of office space in Vista View Plaza located at 6725 Mesa Ridge Road in Mira Mesa. The company is a national sales firm representing manufacturers of livestock and pet food and beverage products. The company is relocating from its current Sorrento Mesa location and will occupy its new space in January. In addition to its San Diego office, Chuck Latham Associates has headquarters in Parker, Colo. In the transaction, Chuck Latham Associates was represented by Brant Aberg of Grubb & Ellis|BRE Commercial. The lessor, Westcore Properties, was represented by Mike Hoeck and Michael Alessio of CB Richard Ellis. Westcore Properties acquired Vista View Plaza in 2007.

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