Daily Business Report — Dec. 13, 2010
Port of San Diego Names Permanent President/CEO
Wayne Darbeau, who has been serving as the interim president and CEO of the Port of San Diego since the resignation of Charles Wurster in September, has been appointed to the position permanently. “We considered a nationwide search for this position, but we realized that the person who has the best qualities to move this organization forward was right here,” said Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. Darbeau was the port’s vice president of administration before his elevation to the interim post. He has been with the organization since 1998 and has held leadership positions including senior director, director and administrator. Darbeau earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts, a master’s degree in international relations from the University of San Diego and an MBA in business from the University of Redlands.
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association Honors Members
The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association’s President’s Awards for Distinguished Service were presented to Grace A. Usiyan, Michelle A. Allison, Zara L. Lawson, Desa L. Burton, Janice Brown, Vickie E. Turner and Shaka H. Johnson at the organization’s 34th annual awards and scholarship dinner at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. Janice Brown, founder of Brown Law Group, and Superior Court Judge Dwayne K. Moring were honored with Life Membership Recognition awards. The association represents the interests of African-American attorneys, judges, law professors and students in San Diego County.
(Photo: Mistress of Ceremonies Regina Evans and keynote speaker Andre Birotte Jr., United States Attorney, Central District.)
San Diego is a Top Destination
San Diego is No. 2 in British Airways list of the top 10 destinations for 2011 — behind Marrakech in North Africa. The airline’s top 10 destinations also includes its new routes, including flights to San Diego beginning on June 1. British Airways’ top 10 destinations include Marrakech at the No. 1 spot followed by San Diego, New York, St Kitts & Nevis, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Japan, Las Vegas, Mauritius and St Lucia.
Water Reliability Coalition Promotes Purification Project
The San Diego Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) Coalition has changed its name to the Water Reliability Coalition, saying it better matches its long-term goals to support the development of a safe, reliable, sustainable and cost-effective local water supply. The coalition is currently promoting the city of San Diego’s Water Purification Demonstration Project, which will test the feasibility of treating wastewater to drinking water standards. The name given to the demonstration project also is new. It used to be called the Indirect Potable Reuse Reservoir Augmentation Demonstration Project. “Coalition members support the region investing in local sources for a drought-proof water supply to decrease its dependence on less reliable and ever-more expensive imported water,” the organization said. “The Coalition believes that recycling water for potable use can be an important part of San Diego’s water supply portfolio diversification.
Coalition members include BIOCOM; Building Industry Association; Building Owners and Managers Association, San Diego chapter; Citizens Coordinate for Century 3; Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation; Empower San Diego; Endangered Habitats League; Environmental Health Coalition; Friends of Infrastructure; Industrial Environmental Association; National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, San Diego chapter; San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council; San Diego Audubon Society; San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.; San Diego Coastkeeper; San Diego County Taxpayers Association; San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; San Diego River Park Foundation; Surfrider Foundation, San Diego chapter; Sustainability Alliance of Southern California; Utility Consumers’ Action Network.
San Diego Home Sales Decline
Sales of all residential housing properties in San Diego in November slowed 8.5 percent since October, the San Diego Association of Realtors reported. Detached home sales were down almost 9 percent while attached were down 8 percent. There were 14.5 percent fewer sales in November compared to the same month of 2009. Year-to-date sales through November are down 6.2 percent compared to this time last year. Properties spent significantly more time on the market, with an average of 87 days in November — almost 28 percent more days on average compared to last November, the association said. In contrast to previous month-to-month comparisons, the median sales price in November increased slightly since October. Median sales prices have remained steady. Year-to-date in November showed an 8 percent increase over last year. “Because of the holiday season, another month of fewer sales is not at all unexpected,” says Mark Marquez, association president. “We are hopeful that the early part of 2011 will post better numbers. Rates remain low and San Diego has about six months of available inventory; both are a plus for buyers. We are closely watching the proposals with regards to the Mortgage Interest Deduction which is an important incentive for homeownership. Just the idea of limiting or eliminating that deduction could keep many buyers on the fence and delay the housing recovery even further.”
Barrio Logan College Institute Receives $100,000 Gift
The Barrio Logan College Institute has received a $100,000 donation from Keith Behner and Catherine Stiefel, San Diego State graduates who retired and spend their time researching charitable causes. ”This is the biggest donation we’ve ever made. Education is a strong interest and concern for us. We grew up with a lot of advantages and had the opportunity to take out college loans,” said Behner. The Barrio Logan College Institute serves underrepresented, college-bound students in San Diego offering bilingual services. “We prepare kids for college through free academic enrichment, skill-building, tutoring, mentoring and college exploration,” said Behner. Currently, the couple funds a scholarship at SDSU. Behner grew up in Coronado, went to Coronado High School and was the planning director for Rancho Santa Fe. Stiefel is from New York and was the vice president and manager of acquisitions accounting for SAIC.
SCORE San Diego Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops in December.
Workshop fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register, visit score-sandiego.org.
• Dec. 14 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Dec. 14 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; FREE! Please pre-register).
• Dec. 15 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a 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).
• Dec. 16 – Financing Your Business – Carlsbad – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Dec. 17 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media – 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).
• Dec. 18 – Financial Statements – 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).
• Dec. 20 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Business Plan – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).
For more information regarding SCORE San Diego’s workshop series and locations, call (619) 557-7272.
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.
