Daily Business Report — Aug. 24, 2010
Meet Our 40 Under 40
San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s 11th annual 40 Under 40 Awards luncheon will be held at noon on Sept. 9 in Ballroom 6 A&B of the San Diego Convention Center. Tickets are $75. Tables are $750. For tickets, contact Cyndi Meeves at (619) 906-4105. The awards honor 40 of the San Diego region’s best and brightest minds in a variety of industries. And read about the honorees in the September issue of San Diego Metropolitan.
Higgs Fletcher & Mack Establish Diversity Scholarship
A $10,000 diversity scholarship has been established at the University of San Diego by the law firm of Higgs Fletcher & Mack to benefit a student demonstrating a commitment to serving diverse communities. “This scholarship supports our firm’s commitment to promoting diversity in the San Diego legal community,” said Steve Cologne, a partner at Higgs Fletcher & Mack. “It will be provided to one USD student to help lessen the financial burden of law school during the 2011 academic year.” The scholarship was established as part of the Law Firm Challenge, a fundraising program of the USD School of Law Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
USD Law School alumni who participated in funding the scholarship include: Steven Cologne, Loren Freestone, Victoria Fuller, Jo Ann Gambale, Michael Gibson, Jonathan Grissom, Alexis Gutierrez, Susan Hack, Craig Higgs, Margaret Mangin, Susan Mercure, William Miller, John Morrell, Catherine Morrison, Julian Myers, Bruce O’Brien, Kristin Rizzo, Jason Ross, Phillip Samouris, Sarah Schaffer, Sam Sherman and Mark Stender. Non-alumni attorneys who contributed include: Rahil Swigart, James Harrigan, and Richard Shaw.
Wallace Joins Westcore Properties as CFO
Mark A. Wallace has joined Westcore Properties as chief financial officer. Wallace previously was executive vice president-chief-chief financial officer and treasurer for HCP Inc., a real estate investment trust based in Long Beach. Wallace also served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Tremont Corp. in Denver. Wallace also spent 10 years in the Dallas office of Arthur Andersen LLP. Wallace is a CPA and has been active in several professional organizations including the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Financial Executives International and the National Association of Corporate Directors. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and an executive master’s degree from Colorado State University.
Kofsky New Sales Director at Manchester Grand Hyatt
Michael Kofsky has been named director of sales at the 1,625-room Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Kofsky has served Hyatt for 10 years in a variety of executive sales positions. He will oversee all aspects of direct sales at the waterfront hotel, which expanded in August 2003 from 875 rooms to 1,625-rooms and now has 150,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 25,000-square-foot, rooftop pool deck.Kofsky, a graduate of Miami University, entered the meetings and conventions industry with Hyatt in Tampa, Fla. He joins the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego from Hyatt Regency Minneapolis where he was director of sales.
Morgan and Friesen join Grubb & Ellis Co.
L. Thomas Morgan has joined Grubb & Ellis Co. as senior vice president and Gary Friesen has joined as an associate. The two will specialize in assisting churches and nonprofit organizations with their real estate needs. Morgan and Friesen are from American Church Brokers, which was formed by Morgan, a 35-year industry veteran. Prior to forming American Church Brokers in 2009, Morgan spent five years as a senior vice president of Church Brokers, a part of Diversified Realty Advisors that ceased operations in 2009. He has held consulting and development roles with StoneCreek Co., Baywide Tenant Reps, American Airport Associates and the Port of San Diego. He began his career with CB Richard Ellis in 1973 as a retail specialist. Friesen began his career in commercial real estate in 2008 at Church Brokers. He spent nearly 30 years as city director and director of public relations for World Impact Inc., an inner city missions organization.
Bridgepoint Adds Senior Vice President
Bridgepoint Education Inc. has appointed Douglas C. Abts as the company’s senior vice president, strategy and corporate development. Abts spent seven years at Science Applications International Corp. in San Diego, most recently serving as corporate vice president for mergers and acquisitions. He previously held the positions of vice president for strategic development and business development manager. Abts also spent six years in the Navy, where he was a SEAL Team operations officer. Abts earned a master’s degree from Harvard Business School. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.
Dentt Properties Sells Industrial Park for $12.25 Million
Dentt Properties, a San Diego real estate investment and development firm, has sold a 94,698-square-foot multi-tenant industrial park in Spring Valley for $12.25 million as part of a 1031 exchange. The company reports it is seeking to acquire a quality core multi-tenant industrial asset with the proceeds. The five-building industrial park sold by Dentt Properties was 98 percent leased to 45 tenants. The project, located at 2731-2739 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley, was sold to Monica Handler Penner. In the transaction, Dentt Properties represented itself. The buyer was represented by ECP Commercial.
N.J. Company Purchases Elevator Companies
New Jersey-based Schindler Elevator Corp. has signed an agreement to purchase substantially all the assets of California-based Reliable Elevator, Inc. (San Diego), Reliable Elevator of Los Angeles Inc., Reliable Elevator of Orange County Inc., and Reliable Elevator of Inland Empire Inc. The companies focus primarily on elevator maintenance, repair and modernization. The acquisition, said spokesman John Impellizzeri, will enable Schindler to expand its presence in California and lay the groundwork for future growth in the area.
San Diego Trust Opens Point Loma Office
San Diego Trust Bank has opened a new full-service banking office at 1110 Rosecrans St. in Point Loma. Raymond Simas is the manager of the office. The office is at the corner of Rosecrans and Avenida de Portugal with reserved parking, ATM and night depository. Clients can contact staff at the office directly by calling (619) 225-1355.
Sapphire Technologies Opens S.D. Office
Sapphire Technologies has opened a new office in San Diego at 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, No. 1070 (ZIP 92108). The regional staffing branch specializes in placing IT talent. Charity Cescolini is the branch manager. The phone is (619) 798-7300.
Ad Club Presents ‘What’s Your Story’
The San Diego Advertising Club will present “What’s Your Story,” an Aug. 27 morning seminar on strategies on how to build empathy and connect with consumers, as well as self-branding. It will be from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 595 Hotel Circle South, in Mission Valley. Presenting will be Ryan Berman of Fishtank Brand Advertising and a member of the Ad Club executive board of directors. Additional discussion topics will include how to entertain, educate and engage consumers and translating skills to speak the right language to your audience. Cost to attend is $35 for Ad Club members and $45 for nonmembers with reservations. For reservations, visit sandiegoadclub.com or phone (619) 255-2281.
Upcoming SCORE San Diego Workshops
• Aug. 25 –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).
• Aug. 26 – Effective Marketing – 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).
• Aug. 27 – Internet Marketing 304: LinkedIn – 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).
• Aug. 28 – 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).
• Aug. 31 – Import/Export – 9 a.m. to 4:30 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).
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.