Daily Business Report — Dec. 8, 2009
National Conference of State Legislatures Meets in San Diego
The National Conference of State Legislatures will stage its Fall Forum Wednesday through Saturday at the San Diego Marriott Hotel under the theme “New Ideas, New Opportunities.” An array of speakers will address state budgets and economic recovery, education reform, job creation and state innovation. The NCSL also will release reports on the condition of state budgets, immigration-related laws in the states and policy recommendations to reform America’s high schools. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will address the group on Thursday along with Ambassador Ron Kirk, U.S. trade representative, during atwo-part program that will provide a discussion of two different state-federal issues: education and trade.
“Although the national economy is on the uptick, many states won’t see any recovery for another year or longer,” said NCSL Executive Director William T. Pound. “It’s during trying times like these that state legislators rise to the challenge to balance budgets while still providing essential services. The meeting in San Diego will highlight some opportunities and innovations for states as they move forward.”
Other notable speakers include Charles F. Bolden, the newly appointed administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and former astronaut, who will talk on Friday about the importance of science and math education and NASA’s short- and long-term plans for space exploration. Bolden, a retired Marine Corps officer, was once the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
Christopher Thornberg, an economic forecaster from Beacon Economics in Los Angeles, will look at the prospects for economic recovery during his discussion on Saturday. And a representative of the Obama administration will discuss new directions for federal programs that serve children and families.
During the meeting, state legislators serving on NCSL’s 12 standing committees will develop policy resolutions that guide NCSL’s actions before Congress and the administration. At the forefront are health care and education reform, immigration and REAL ID.
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. to Merge with Adamas
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. announced that it will merge with Adamas Pharmaceuticals Corp. in Del Mar. The combined company will focus on the development and commercialization of therapeutic products for a variety of viral diseases, including hepatitis and influenza. Adamas recently launched a pre-filled Epinephrine syringe and is seeking to generate revenue that can be used to support development efforts for product candidates representing larger market opportunities. The merged company will be named Adamas Pharmaceuticals Corp. and be headquartered in San Diego. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Adamas will be merged with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of La Jolla.
The management team and board of directors of the combined company will be appointed by Adamas. Dennis Carlo, the CEO of Adamas, will serve as the CEO of the combined company after the merger. Carlo is a veteran of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. He previously served as CEO of publicly-traded Immune Response Corp., vice president of research and development and therapeutic manufacturing of Hybritech Inc. prior to its acquisition by Eli Lilly & Co., and director of bacterial vaccines and immunology at Merck & Co.
Stockholders of the two companies must approve the merger. Stockholder meetings will be held in the first quarter of 2010.
Ben Hueso In For 2nd Term as Council President
Councilman Ben Hueso on Monday was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve a second one-year term as president of the San Diego City Council. The one-year appointment was created by the change to a strong mayor/strong council form of government, which was approved by voters in 2004. Responsibilities include scheduling items for consideration by the Council, chairing City Council meetings, and selecting committee chairs and committee vice-chairs for approval by a Council majority.
FEDERAL CONTRACTS . . .
Cubic Awarded $6 Million From U.S. Pacific Air Forces
Cubic Defense Applications Inc., the defense systems business unit of Cubic Corp., will continue to provide full services and support for air combat training systems at U.S. bases in the Asia-Pacific region under a new $6 million contract option exercised by the Pacific Air Forces. The support includes more than 30 technicians who will perform training system mission planning, pod loading, maintenance and postmission debriefing support. The services will be provided at four U.S. bases in Japan and Korea as well as on various deployments in the region. PACAF originally awarded Cubic the contract in 2004 to provide management, labor, hardware, software, engineering and maintenance support to Misawa and Kadena air bases in Japan, and Kunsan and Osan air bases in the Republic of Korea.
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Synergy Electric Awarded $9.4 Million
Synergy Electric Co. in Santee was awarded a $9,367,117 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, San Diego, for the installation of photovoltaic systems at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Place of performance will be in Oceanside.
ON THE MOVE . . .
BOMA California Selects Ray Magnussen as Vice President
Leaders from the eight metropolitan Building Owners and Managers Associations have selected Ray Magnussen of Paragon Services, San Diego, as vice president to help lead the statewide organization. Magnussen has been a member of BOMA San Diego since 2000, served as president in 2007 and previously served as vice president and a member-at-large. BOMA California is the statewide professional association representing each of California’s eight regional Building Owners and Managers Associations (Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange County, Sacramento, Oakland/East Bay, San Diego, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley), in statewide legislative and regulatory matters. Members of BOMA California represent all facets of the commercial real estate industry.
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Chris Gwynn Takes Padres Job
Chris Gwynn, the younger brother of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn and uncle of current Padres player Tony Gwynn Jr., has been named director of player personnel for the San Diego Padres. Former Padres outfielder Dave Roberts was named a special assistant to baseball operations. Chris Gwynn, 45, began his scouting career as an amateur scout for the Padres in 1998. He was promoted to cross checker in 2004 and has served as a professional scout for the Padres since 2006. Roberts rejoins the Padres after spending the 2009 season as an analyst for the New England Sports Network.
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S.D. North ConVis Hires VP of Sales
The San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired hospitality industry veteran Larry Kaufman as vice president of sales. Kaufman will be responsible for overseeing the bureau’s seven-person national sales team based in Carmel Valley. He most recently worked for Noble House Hotels and Resorts in San Diego for six years as the area director of sales and marketing for the Paradise Point Resort & Spa, Hilton Mission Bay and Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs properties. Prior industry experience includes Starwood Hotels & Resorts as the area director of sales and marketing for 11 years as well as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.
NEW LEASES . . .
Market Del Mar Signs Lease in Bankers Hill
Market Café & Bar Inc. has signed a lease for 3,900 square feet of restaurant space in the former Modus Supper Club located at 2202 Fourth Ave. in Bankes Hill. The 1- year lease is valued at $1,017,000. Michael Spilky of Location Matters, Restaurant & Retail Brokerage represented both the landlord & Market Café & Bar. Other project tenants include the California Department of Consumer Affairs, National University, Security National Mortgage Co. and Fidelity Information Systems.
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Empire Group Renews Lease
Empire Group renewed its lease for 9,306 square feet of warehouse space at 8825 Rehco Road, San Diego. The 36-month lease renewal is valued at $295,932. Dean Asaro of CB Richard Ellis represented both Empire Group and the lessor, Hazard Commercial Complex LLC.
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Two Leases at Bernardo Executive Center
Two leases totaling $1 million have been signed at Bernardo Executive Center, a three-building, 173,745-square-foot office project in Rancho Bernardo. Nemo’s Bakery leased 7,332 square feet for 65 months and Coradiant Inc. leased 5,932 square feet for 25 months. Jeb Bakke, Scott Kincaid and Mike Corbosiero of CB Richard Ellis represented the lessor, TA Western. Gary Williams of Colliers International represented Nemo’s Bakery. Brian French of Studley represented Coradiant. Other project tenants include State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, National University, Security National Mortgage Co. and Fidelity Information Systems.
Jewish Family Services Honors Jill Borg Spitzer
Jill Borg Spitzer is celebrating her 25th anniversary with Jewish Family Service and 23rd year as CEO of the organization. “Jill’s deep commitment to helping people in need has been instrumental in JFS’s phenomenal growth during the last 25 years,”” said Steven Levine, president of the JFS board. JFS has 15 sites in San Diego County and Coachella Valley, employs about 265 staff, and has an annual budget exceeding $12 million. JFS has more than 50 programs that provide a range of social services for the very young to the very old. The agency serves more than 30,000 per year. Spitzer has a master’s degree from Columbia University.
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