Daily Business Report — Jan. 4, 2011

Economic Development Group Names Vice President

Meredith Dowling has been appointed vice president of business development for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. Her responsibilities are to work with San Diego company executives to grow high-wage jobs and to develop initiatives to raise San Diego’s ranking as an important market for investment. Dowling most recently was vice president of international and technology business development for the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce. Earlier in her career Dowling was a director with the Regional Technology Alliance and UCSD CONNECT, and since returning to San Diego several months ago, has had her own consulting business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in business management, entrepreneurship and organizational communications, both from New York University.

David Perkins Named President/CEO of Pacific Coast Steel

David Perkins has been named president and CEO of Pacific Coast Steel in San Diego, assuming the day-to-day operating duties of the firm’s longtime president, Eric Benson. Perkins was executive vice president of the firm, a reinforcing steel contractor. “Pacific Coast Steel is one of the largest reinforcing steel subcontractors in the United States and has the largest market presence on the West Coast, operating in 10 Western states,” said Perkins. “I look forward to being involved in the company’s continued success.” Benson served as president and CEO of the company for more than 18 years and is credited with growing it from a small independent company into the largest reinforcing steel contractor in the United States, employing nearly 2,500 people. He remains active with the firm as a member of the board of directors and the executive management team.

Real Estate Sales

• Industrial Building Sold for $2 Million — Robond Investments has purchased a 16,208-square-foot industrial building at 7865 Ostrow St. in San Diego for $2 million from the Earl Robinson Family Trust. The property was purchased on behalf of Allied Refrigeration and is to be used for a branch location. Randy LaChance and Glen Volk of Voit Real Estate Services’ San Diego office represented the seller. Robond Investments,was represented by Glenn Arnold and Jeff Sallen of Cassidy Turley.

• Apartment Complex Sold for $1.215 Million — A 14-unit apartment complex at 633 North Fig St. in Escondido has been sold for $1.215 million to Donald G. and Barbara L. Palmer. The sellers were Gustavo V. and Joan A. Rico. The complex is single story and contains eight one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments. It was built in 1962. The sellers were represented by Robert Pew with TIE Commercial. The buyers were represented by Dave Plutner with DP Properties.

• Willow Creek LLC Buys Building for $2.5 Million — Willow Creek LLC has purchased a 23,461-square-foot building at 10200 Willow Creek in San Diego for $2.5 million. The seller, BFC —Willow Creek LLC, was represented by John Gross, Jon Busse and Gary Williams of Colliers International and the buyer was represented by Jeff Solomon of Major League Properties Inc.

• Two Office Buildings Purchased for $1.35 Million — Kevin MacNamara has purchased two office buildings totaling 34,412 square feet located at 13205 Carriage Road and 12751 Poway Road in Poway for a total of $1,352,000.David Santistevan of Colliers International represented the seller, Byron B. Webb,Inc., and the buyer in the transaction.

State Appointments

• Correction: Eugene Mitchell of Carlsbad, who was reappointed to the Little Hoover Commission by Arnold Schwarzenegger before he left the governor’s office, is not 54 years old as was stated in a press release and carried in Monday’s Daily Business Report. Mitchell is actually 42 and will turn 43 on Jan. 29. Mitchel has been been regional vice president of external affairs for San Diego Gas and Electric Company since 2005.

• Carl Josephson, 58, of Carlsbad has been appointed to the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. He has served as president of Josephson-Werdowatz and Associates since 1988. Josephson worked as senior associate engineer at Klagge-Stevens and Associates from 1985 to 1988, associate engineer at Nowak-Meulmester and Associates from 1981 to 1985, and project engineer in the structural engineering division at Hope Consulting Group from 1980 to 1981. The position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Josephson is a Democrat.

• Deane Manning, 59, of Fallbrook, has been appointed to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. He has owned Superior Hearing Aid Service since 1997. Manning was general manager of Destination Hotels from 1994 to 1996 and general manager and director of Golf Operations for JC Resorts from 1986 to 1994. He is a member of the International Hearing Society, the Menifee Medical Center Foundation Board and the Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation Board. The position does not require Senate confirmation and compensation is $100 per diem. Manning is a Republican.

Schwarzenegger Blasted by City Attorney and DA

“Esteban Núñez — son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez — is a criminal who was sentenced by an experienced and well-respected Superior Court judge. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reduced the sentence by over half to help his political crony’s son. In doing so, he undermined the judicial system and has jeopardized public safety. This homicide occurred in the city of San Diego. I speak for the overwhelming majority of San Diegans in stating that we are appalled and angry over Mr. Schwarzenegger’s conduct. It reflects poorly on him, personally, and on his legacy as governor.” — Jan Goldsmith, San Diego City Attorney, commenting on Schwarzenegger commuting the sentence of 22-year-old Esteban Núñez of Sacramento from 16 years to seven years in state prison in connection with his role in the stabbing death of a man in 2008.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis also condemned Schwarzenegger’s action. “We were shocked to hear of the governor’s last-minute commutation, which greatly diminishes justice for victim Luis Santos and re-victimizes his family and friends. The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted and the decision comes as the appeals process was continuing.”

Women’s Museum Changes Name, Plans to Move

The Women’s History Museum and Education Center has changed its name to The Women’s Museum of California and will move from Golden Hill to larger quarters in Liberty Station’s Promenade at NTC in Point Loma next year. “As one of only five women’s history museums in the country, we felt it was fitting to claim the right to be the Women’s Museum of California,” said Museum Director Ashley Gardner. “Our tag line, ‘preserving the past, inspiring the future,’ encompasses our long-term mission to educate current and future generations about the experiences and contributions of women.” The museum was launched in 1983. Gardner said increased activity, interest and donations made it necessary to move to a larger space. Last year the museum produced 40 events, took part in 41 community events and took its traveling exhibit to 12 schools, according to Gardner.

Big Bay Whale Days and Whale Festival

January is a whale of a month for San Diego. For the entire month, San Diego bayfront businesses are offering discounted whale watching and bay cruises and admission specials to waterfront museums, while hotels, restaurants and retailers are providing similar discounts. It’s all part of the third annual Big Bay Whale Days, which will culminate on Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the Whale Festival along the Embarcadero. The festival will be held in the new Port Pavilion on the Broadway Pier and will offer a variety of interactive and hands on displays to spark the interest and imagination of any child including a walk-through whale, live sea creatures, face painting, art projects and a bounce house. Music and entertainment also will be featured. Children 12 and under will cruise free (with paid adult) on Hornblower Cruises and San Diego Harbor Excursion whale watching cruises all day long.

The 2011 Big Bay Whale Days and the Whale Festival are sponsored by the Port of San Diego. Participating Embarcadero merchants and organizations include: Hornblower Cruises & Events, USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego & Sailing Yacht America, San Diego Harbor Excursion, Seaport Village, Anthony’s Fish Grotto. For more, call (619) 725-8879 or visit whaledays.com.

Small Business Workshops in January

SCORE San Diego has scheduled January workshops to help small business owners and those interested in starting a small business. Fees range from $29 to $109. For more information, call (619) 557-7272. To register for a workshop online, visit scoresandiego.org.

Upcoming SCORE San Diego Workshops:

• Jan. 6 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; no charge – please pre-register).

• Jan. 7 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 7 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 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).

• Jan. 12 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).

•  Jan. 12 – How to Start a Nonprofit – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

•  Jan. 13 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Jan. 14 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Contracts and Leases – 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).

• Jan. 15 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 18 – Restaurant 101 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 19 – Internet Marketing 301: Increase Sales Through Pay-Per-Click – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 20 – Internet Marketing 101: Use the Internet to Successfully Marketing Your Business – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 21 – Women’s Networking Breakfast – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; pre-paid registration $30 by Jan. 18, $40 thereafter).

• Jan. 21 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; no charge – please pre-register).

• Jan. 24 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 24 – 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).

• Jan. 25 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 26 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Jan. 26 – Good Governance for Nonprofits: Effective Board Performance – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Jan. 27 – Internet Marketing 302: Develop a Winning E-mail Marketing Success Strategy – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 27 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Jan. 28 – Marketing and Contracting with State and Local Governments – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 31 – 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).

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