Joel Valenzuela, a 15-year Port of San Diego employee, has been named director of maritime operations, a position that had been vacant for nearly a year. Valenzuela previously was department manager of maritime industry and trade relations. Port officials said the position was filled because of its critical role in port operations and despite the district’s hiring freeze. Valenzuela was credited with generating increased revenue from the maritime division and for being instrumental in securing major customer accounts, including windmill components, steel and yacht imports. He previously served as a project analyst in the port’s executive offices. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and public administration from San Diego State. He holds an undergraduate degree from UCSD.
New Department Dean Appointed at Grossmont College
Steve Baker
Steve Baker, a professional musician for more than 40 years and a music instructor, has been named dean of Grossmont College’s department of arts, languages and communication. He began his career with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District in 1985 as a music instructor and has taught at both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. At Grossmont, he was music department chair and interim dean before his latest appointment. In his career as a pianist, Baker has performed with numerous national and international recording artists. The Steve Baker Trio specializes in Brazilian and Afro-Cuban-influenced jazz and performs in varied venues. He holds degrees in music from Grossmont College, UCSD and and San Diego State, where he received a master’s degree in piano performance. His post-graduate studies were at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
Interim President of Mesa College Selected
Elizabeth Armstrong
Elizabeth Armstrong has been named interim president of San Diego Mesa College, succeeding Rita Cepeda, who left to become chancellor of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. Armstrong, assumes the post on Aug. 2, was vice president of instruction at Mesa College from 2002 to 2008, when she retired. She came out of retirement in 2009 to serve as interim vice president of instruction at Miramar College. Armstrong has more than 35 years in higher education. Before coming to Mesa College, she was vice president of instruction at Cañada College from 1999 to 2002 and dean of science, technology and learning resources from 1989 to 1999. She also was a faculty member at Skyline College for 15 years. She holds abachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University. Armstrong is expected to serve through June30, 2011, or when a permanent president has been selected.
NAWBO Board Installed
Christine McDannell of Social Starfish Inc. heads the newly installed board of directors of the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Adrienne Moch, owner of Adrienne Moch Writing & Editing, is the immediate past president. Other board members are Jacqueline Sirota of Jacqueline Sirota Learning x Technology Solutions, secretary; Jere Batten of Batten Accountancy Inc., treasurer; Colleen Connery of CoCo & Associates, membership director;Tamara Badkerhanian-Ganev of BSE Engineering, public policy director; Kaz Adams of Kaz Adams Creative, retention director; Katy Goshtasbi of Puris Image & Style, corporate partner director; Jenny Lemmons of Better Way to Say It, ambassador director; and Diane Craik of Focus Business Brokers, director-at-large. Seminar: NAWBO will continue its monthly seminar series on Aug. 13 with a program presented by Katy Goshtasbi on “What Is Your Image Saying About You?” It will be from noon to 1 p.m. at Brandman University, 7460 Mission Valley Road, San Diego. Members are free, visitors pay $25. Box lunches are provided.
Managing Director Chosen for Marsh San Diego Office
Etet Deguia
Etet Deguia has been appointed a managing director in the San Diego office of Marsh, an insurance broker and risk adviser. Deguia has been with the local office for more than 23 years. She is Marsh’s life science and health care practice leader and has worked in those fields for the past 13 years. Before her appointment, she was a senior vice president.
Guild Mortgage Co. to Move HQ to Kearny Mesa
Guild Mortgage Co. has signed a 10-year lease for 41,750 square feet of Class A office space in the North Island Credit Union building at 5898 Copley Drive, Suites 400 and 500, in San Diego. Financial terms were not disclosed. The mortgage company will relocate its corporate office on Gramercy Drive, also in Kearny Mesa, later this year. The lease will bring the building to full occupancy. Marten Barry Jr., Mark Silverman and Gina Coldani of NAI San Diego Commercial Real Estate Services represented Guild. The credit union was represented by Matthew Carlson, Eric Vann, JP Huntington and Chris High of Cushman & Wakefield and David Ferguson of Goldman Ferguson Partners.
North Park News
North Park News is now on Facebook. Become a fan and receive updates on what is happening in San Diego’s emerging hot spot neighborhood. If you have a business or event in North Park and surrounding communities, e-mail your information to Cyndi Meeves at: cyndi@sandiegometro.com.
Small Business Workshops
Upcoming SC ORE San Diego workshops for small business owners and those who want to launch small businesses:
• July 23 – Insurance: What You Need to Know – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• July 24 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now – 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).
• July 27 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 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).
• July 29 – Intellectual Property: Promise and Practicalities – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 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).
• July 31 – 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).
For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.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.
