Daily Business Report — April 19, 2010

40 Under 40 Nominations

Nominations are now open for San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s 11th annual 40 Under 40 awards. The nomination period ends May 31. The honorees will be feted at our annual luncheon on Sept. 9 at the San Diego Convention Center and profiled in the September issue of the magazine.

Visit http://sandiegometro.com/40under40/ for a nomination form.

County Employment Picture Brighter

San Diego County added 5,500 jobs between February and March and registered an 11 percent unemployment rate in March, the state Employment Development Department reported. March’s jobless rate compares with 10.7 percent in February and 9 percent a year ago. California’s jobless rate for March was 13 percent and the nation’s was 10.2 percent.

Between February and March 2010, total nonfarm employment increased by 5,000 to reach 1,210,300 jobs. Agricultural employment gained 500 jobs, or 5.7 percent, the department reported.

• Government reported the greatest month-over gain, adding 1,700 jobs. Local government (up 1,400), contributed to more than 80 percent of the job growth in this sector, primarily in local government education (up 1,100). State government added 300 jobs.

• Six other nonfarm sectors also posted month-over job gains. The most notable included educational and health services (up 1,600) and leisure and hospitality (up 1,100).

• Only two of 12 industries recorded month-over job declines, including information (down 200) and construction (down 100). Manufacturing and mining and logging posted no change in employment levels over the month.

Between March 2009 and March 2010, total nonfarm employment decreased by 35,100 jobs, or 2.8 percent. Agricultural employment remained unchanged over the year.

• Educational and health services reported the only year-over gain, adding 2,200 jobs. Health care and social assistance (up 1,900), was responsible for more than 85 percent of the job growth in this industry. Educational services added 300 jobs.

• Manufacturing recorded the greatest year-over decline, down 7,900 jobs. Roughly 85 percent of the job losses came from durable goods (down 6,700). Nondurable goods decreased by 1,200 jobs.

• Nine other sectors also declined in employment levels over the year. The most significant job losses occurred in construction (down 7,400). Both professional and business services and trade, transportation and utilities decreased by 4,900 jobs each.

LEAD San Diego Gets Interim President and CEO

Vicky Carlson, a member of LEAD San Diego’s board of directors for just under six years, has resigned her position to become interim president and CEO of the organization, effective today. She replaces Judy Forrester, who stepped down on Friday to accept a position with Bank of America as senior vice president and corporate social responsibility market manager for San Diego. The board is to conduct a search for a permanent president and CEO over the next 90 days. Forrester joined LEAD San Diego in 2006 to facilitate a major organizational restructuring and transition.  Since then, the organization has been able to implement a strategic vision that focused on financial stability, the inclusion of new programs and expanded community outreach that has revitalized and reinvigorated the 28 year old leadership organization, said Mark Leslie, board chair.

K. Hovnanian to Build 29 Homes in Carlsbad

K. Hovnanian Homes has purchased 5.13 acres of land at the southeast corner of Poinsettia and Interstate 5 in Carlsbad with the intent to construct 29 single-family homes. The purchase price was $4,825,000. The property went through a foreclosure process and was returned to the US Bank Trust Department, according to Jason Kimmel, a broker for Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial. “This property is one of the last infill development sites in coastal Carlsbad,” said Kimmel. Tim Winslow, Kimmel, Kelly Strickland and Kevin Nolen of Cassidy Turley represented US Bank Trust Department and K. Hovnanian Homes in the transaction.

Colliers International Adds Sales Manager

Tucker Hohenstein has been named sales manager in the Carlsbad office of Colliers International. Prior to joining the Carlsbad office, Hohenstein was affiliated with Cushman and Wakefield, formerly Burnham Real Estate. Hohenstein received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from USC.

AutoZone Leases Space in University Square

AutoZone Development Corp., dba AutoZone, an auto parts retailer, has signed a 120-month, $1,208,400 lease for 6,500 square feet of retail space in University Square Shopping Center at 5921 University Ave. in San Diego. The lessee was represented by Chris Bryant of Paragon Realty West LLC. The lessor, 5921 University Ave. LLC, was represented by Rob Ippolito and Kam Walton of the Cushman & Wakefield Retail Advisors Team. Other tenants in the shopping center include Food 4 Less, Marshalls, T-Mobile and Game Stop. AutoZone plans to open in the third quarter 2010.

Upcoming Small Business Workshops

SCORE San Diego has scheduled the following workshops through the end of this month:

• April 20 – Restaurant 201: How to Survive and Thrive in Today’s Economy – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• April 21 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• April 22 – Marketing & Contracting with State and Local Government – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• April 23 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• April 26 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media for Small Businesses – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• April 27 – QuickBooks Basic – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• April 28 – Buying a Business – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• April 29 – Small Business Marketing: Basics for Promoting Your Business – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• April 30 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – Carlsbad – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

For more information on the workshops, call (619) 557-7272.

Business Datebook

April 20

PRESENTATION: Juval Aviv, president and CEO of Interfor Inc., will discuss some of the major financial fraud cases he has investigated during 30 years in the corporate investigations field, including personal anecdotes. Sponsor: Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) San Diego. 7 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. program, Doubletree Hotel Hazard Center, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, SanDiego. Free for ACG members, $50 for nonmembers. Make reservations at acteva.com.

April 21

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: San Diego Press Club hosts a panel of photojournalists to discuss new digital tools and share tips on taking compelling photos and videos. Panelists: Nancee Lewis, photojournalist; Sam Hodgson, former reporter-photographer for voiceofsandiego.org; and Joe Little, 10News Team reporter for ABC affiliate KGTV. 6 to 8 p.m., Essy’s Studio (adjacent to the Sports Arena). Free for Press Club members, $10 for nonmembers. For reservations, call (858) 274-6160 or e-mail to: reservation-sdpc@cox.net.

LUNCHEON: Joon Han, founder and strategy specialist with Better San Diego, to speak on “Getting Ahead by Giving Back” at the luncheon meeting of the National Association of Women Business Owners San Diego. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sheraton La Jolla, 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla. Early bird pricing for members and guests available through April 15. For more information and online registration, visit nawbo-sd.org.

April 28

WORKSHOP: Grossmont College Career Center will present “Job Interview Fitness,” a free workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Career Center, Room 627, on campus. Topics: job interview tips, ethics and etiquette. Speakers:  Nancy Davis, Grossmont College student development services supervisor, and Carole Martin of The Interview Coach. For more information or to reserve a seat, phone (619) 644-7614.

April 29

PROGRAM: The World Trade Center presents “Standards, Connections, Pathways and Problem Solving — the DNA of Lean,” featuring Samuel Obara of Honsha demonstrating why so many companies fail when trying to implement lean strategies. 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., World Trade Center conference room, Downtown. $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers. Walk-ins, $55. For information, call (619) 615-0868, Ext. 111. To register, visit wtcsd.org.

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.