Daily Business Report — Nov. 11, 2009
San Diego County Veterans Day Parade
Today’s San Diego County Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. at Cedar Street and Pacific Highway. The theme is “Welcome Home Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.” Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch is the grand marshal. Honorary grand marshals are the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Public parking is available on Harbor Drive and on side streets near the parade route. Parking meters will not be enforced.
Veterans Day Memo
On Veterans Day, it is important to note that, even in the midst of the worst economic downturn of the past half-century, Department of Defense expenditures continue to bolster the economy of the San Diego region. According to a report published by the National University Institute of Policy Research:
• San Diego leads the nation in total military expenditures, payrolls, retirement and disability payments, and fourth for procurement contracts and Veterans Affairs spending.
• Retired military personnel and family survivors residing in San Diego County numbered 57,900 in 2007. More than $1 billion in military retirement and disability payments benefits the region each year.
• Between 2001 and 2007, total military related expenditures increased nearly 78 percent in San Diego. Procurement defense contracts jumped 147 percent, military payrolls rose 47 percent and Veterans Affairs expenditures rose 88 percent.
San Diego Fleet Week, the nation’s largest salute to the military, has concluded this year under the auspices of the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation. “Servicemen and women from the U.S Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, as well as the general public and the local community, enjoyed a wide variety of activities over the past few months,” the foundation reports.
August events included the Star Spangled Salute, sponsored by the Port of San Diego at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in Downtown. Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, representing California’s 75th District, and the first combat veteran of the war on terror to serve in the Legislature, was the keynote speaker. Bank of America again partnered with the San Diego Padres and the Fleet Week organization to sponsor active duty military personnel and their families for a night of baseball at Petco Park. The bank donated over 3,000 tickets to local servicemen and women to cheer on the Padres.
September events included the All Enlisted Golf Tournament at Admiral Baker Golf Course, which hosted more than 250 enlisted military men and women. The Enlisted Recognition Luncheon at SeaWorld brought together the city’s business leaders with more than 240 sailors, Coast Guardsmen and Marines, and featured special celebrity guests, Adam Jamal Craig and Peter Cambor from “NCIS: Los Angeles.” The Coronado Speed Festival was held at Naval Air Station North Island and hosted over 22,000 people over the course of the last weekend in September. Active duty military and their direct dependents were again admitted free this year, and the weekend had over 8,000 individuals come through the gates.
October events included the Fleet Week Foundation Breakfast at the Admiral Kidd Club, which featured keynote speaker, Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.
The San Diego Fleet Week Foundation is soliciting contributions for next year’s celebration. More information is available at fleetweeksandiego.org/donate.html.
Women Journalists to Speak on their Careers
The San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will sponsor a panel program Thursday in which women journalists look back on their careers in newsrooms, anchor desks and behind the mike in San Diego. The event is at 6:30 p.m. in the Degheri Alumni Center board room at the University of San Diego. Former NBC 7/39 weather anchor Pat Brown will moderate the panel, consisting of: Carol LeBeau, former KGTV 10News anchor who recently retireed after 28 years; Maureen Cavanaugh, host of KPBS’s “These Days” and a former anchor for KSDO and KOGO; Gina Lubrano, veteran reporter and former reader’s representative for The San Diego Union-Tribune; and Tracy Greer, North County Times online editor and a former sports writer. The event is free. For reservations, e-mail spjsandiego@gmail.com.
Foley & Lardner Adds Partner in Del Mar and San Diego offices
Amar Thakur has joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in its San Diego and Del Mar offices. Thakur works with the intellectual property department in the IP litigation practice group. He previously was co-chair of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton’s intellectual property practice group. With his addition, Foley & Lardner has added more than 30 lateral partners during 2008 and 2009, including nine IP litigation partners who have joined the firm in San Diego, New York and Boston.
Seminar on Change Management Communications
The International Association of Business Communicators-San Diego will hold a Nov. 18 seminar on Change Management Communications, where attendees will learn about effective tools, tips and techniques to improve organizational communication during change. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UCSD Extension, Sorrento Mesa Center, 6926 Lusk Blvd., San Diego. The speaker will be Brian Justice, principal and owner of Brian Justice Strategic Communications, who will describe how in today’s challenging economic times organizations of all sizes and across all industries are changing for the short- and long-term. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Register online at http://sandiego.iabc.com or pay at the door.
NEW LEASES
• Cavignac & Associates Takes Tower’s 18th Floor
Cavignac & Associates Insurance Brokers has leased 14,401 square feet — the entire 18th floor of the Bank of America Tower in Downtown San Diego —for five years. As part of the transaction, Cavignac & Associates will have prominent monument signage on Fifth Avenue. Cavignac & Associates was represented by Craig Irving of Irving Hughes. The building owner was represented by Tim Cowden of Colliers International. The owner of the Bank of America Tower, One San Diego Associates, has just completed a major upgrade of the building including a new lobby, elevator overhaul and numerous green upgrades.
• $1 Million Lease Signed at La Jolla Colony
Corepower Yoga LLC has signed a 10-year, $1,095,744 lease for 3,000 square feet of retail space at La Jolla Colony, 7728 Regents Road, Suite 503, in La Jolla. Corepower Yoga, a yoga studio, was represented by Daniel Kraft of National Site Selection Service Inc. The lessor, Grant Tucker-La Jolla, was represented by Aaron Hill and John Jennings of Cushman & Wakefield. La Jolla Colony, is a 71,000-square-foot retail center. Additional tenants include Vons, San Diego County Credit Union, Leucadia Pizzeria, i-Tan and Los Primos Mexican Restaurant.
• Gamma Scientific Takes Industrial Space
Gamma Scientific has signed a three-year, $514,800 lease renewal for 14,300 square feet of industrial space at 8541 Aero Drive in San Diego,
the corporate headquarters for the company that has specialized in optical radiation measurement since 1961. Gamma Scientific was represented by Andy Irwin of CB Richard Ellis. Westcore Properties, the lessor, represented itself. Westcore Properties acquired 8581 Aero Drive, a four-building, 103,096-square-foot industrial park featuring one- and two-story buildings in January 2005. Now 88 percent leased, additional tenants of the park include South Sun Beads and San Diego Blood Bank. The project is part of Westcore Properties’ 8.6 million-square-foot commercial real estate portfolio of industrial and office space.
REAL ESTATE SALES
• Building Sold at Pacific Coast Business Park
The first of 14 new buildings located at the Pacific Coast Business Park has been sold for $681,720 to MMG Enterprises. The 5,244-square-foot building was sold by AMB DFS Pacific Coast LLC. Jim Spain, Chuck McNary, Josh McFadyen and Michael Mahoney of Colliers International represented the seller. The buyer was represented by Lars Eisenhauer of CB Richard Ellis. The remaining 13 buildings range in size from 4,817 square feet to 28,308 square feet, and are being offered for sale. They feature clear heights of 18 to 24 feet, electrical supplies of 400 to 800 amps, fire sprinklers and finished office areas. Pacific Coast Business Park will ultimately feature 1.5 million square feet of office, industrial, and R&D buildings. The project is a joint development of AMB Property Corp., Guthrie Development and DWO Enterprises.
Health Net of California Expands Program Into San Diego
Health Net of California is expanding its program — Salud HMO y Más — into San Diego County. The program is part of Salud con Health Net, an array of products providing access to culturally sensitive health care. U.S. doctors and hospitals in Mexico are overseen by Sestemas Medicos Nacionales S.A. de C.V., the only Mexican health plan licensed by the state of California.
Super Glue Corp. Sticks With Nuffer, Smith Tucker
Super Glue Corp. has selected Nuffer, Smith Tucker to develop public relations programs for the Rancho Cucamonga-based company. Super Glue is a subsidiary of Pacer Technology. The San Diego-based public relations firm will be creating a strategic plan for the company to launch a system that helps consumers select the right adhesive for their specific job or project.
Oceanside Charitable Foundation Holds Fall Social
The Oceanside Charitable Foundation, an affiliate of the San Diego Foundation, invites Oceanside residents to learn more about the foundation and the impact of its grant making. The foundation will provide interested parties with specific information on its efforts in the community at a special Fall Social on Nov. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Joe and Mary Mottino YMCA, 4701 Mesa Drive, in Oceanside. “We have a wide variety of excellent community organizations and programs in Oceanside we would like to consider for potential grants,” said Thomas Nunan, Oceanside Charitable Foundation co-chair. “In the past year, we have granted $30,000 to youth-based programs such as the YMCA Youth and Family Services —YMCA Street Outreach to help them meet the needs of the communities they serve. We encourage everyone to attend to learn how pooling each of our individual resources can make a large impact here in Oceanside.”
“We started the Oceanside Charitable Foundation in 2007 to help identify and meet the emerging needs of our community by encouraging and increasing responsible and effective philanthropy by and for the benefit of all who live, work and play in Oceanside,” said Rex Martin, membership committee chair. “Ultimately, we strive to provide Oceanside community members with a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts that will benefit Oceanside now and into the future.” The evening agenda includes an update from YMCA Youth and Family Services – YMCA Street Outreach, on its grant-related activities. The staff of the Joe and Mary Mottino YMCA will provide tours of their facility.
