Daily Business Report — March 31, 2011
Torrey Pines Bank Launches Women’s Banking Group
Torrey Pines Bank has launched the Women’s Banking Group to address the specific needs of local female business owners, entrepreneurs and others throughout California. The Banking Group is being rolled out initially in San Diego with other markets planned later. The new division will be led by Teofla Rich, senior vice president and head of private banking who has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Access to the Women’s Banking Group, the bank said, is open to anyone looking for a more personal banking relationship. Customers will gain access to a team of banking experts, an array of products and services, invitations to special events and networking opportunities. The bank noted that more than 14,000 private businesses in San Diego are owned by women. “Clients of the new initiative will have an edge, through everyday opportunities to connect and collaborate with other clients with a wealth of information and experiences,” said Gary Cady, CEO of Torrey Pines Bank. Besides Rich, other members of the women’s private banking team are Annalena Thompson, senior vice president, commercial real estate officer; Francesca Castagnola, senior vice president and manager; Gail E. King, senior vice president and commercial lending officer; Crystal Watkins, senior vice president, director of marketing; Sonja McQueen, vice president, cash management sales; Linda Stouffer, vice president, commercial banker; and Tina Clemmons, vice president, Western Alliance Equipment Finance.
Construction Starts on White Labs’ New Offices
Construction has begun on the new 12,035-square-foot office and R&D facilities of White Labs Inc. in the Mark II Business Park at 9495 Candida St. in Mira Mesa. Smith Consulting Architects performed design work for the facility. White Labs, a craft brewing company, will move to the new site from its existing location in the Miramar area. The tenant improvements include the creation of 5,000 square feet of clean area for production. The facility also will include offices, training/classroom space, cold storage, a distribution area and tasting room. Construction is scheduled to be finished in June. Chris and Lisa White of White Labs are providing project oversight. Mark Langan is vice-president-in-charge for Smith Consulting Architects, with Brian Drache as project architect. Jim Serbia and William Camacho of Serbia Consulting Group are providing project management services. Todd Davis of Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial represented the lessee. Good & Roberts is the general contractor, with Berg Electric and Pacific Rim Mechanical as the design/build electrical, plumbing and mechanical team.
Carlsbad’s The Campus Reaches 74 Percent Occupancy
Newport National Corp.’s The Campus, a three-building office development in the Carlsbad Research Center, has reached 74 percent occupancy, according to Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial. The project is located at 5962, 5964 and 5966 La Place Court and is adjacent to McClellan-Palomar Airport. Newport National purchased the property in January 2010. Recent leases were signed by GenMark Diagnostics Inc., Colorati,Inc., Meissner Jacquet Investment Management Services and Millenium Trust Co. Building and site renovations were performed on the buildings after Newport National purchased the property. “The Campus is positioned as the new go-to location for tenants in Carlsbad looking for an affordable option with Class A finishes and a unique environment,” said Justin Halenza of Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial.
Matthew Marino Elected Partner in Allen Matkins Law Firm
Matthew Marino, an attorney in the San Diego office of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis, has been elected a partner in the firm, effective July 1. Marino practices in the litigation department and focuses on civil and business litigation, with emphasis on real estate, construction claims, business torts and landlord/tenant matters. He is a member of the National Association of Industrial Office Properties and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, for which he serves on the board of governors. Marino also is a member of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and earned his law degree from the Georgetown Law Center.
Jonathan Walz Joins Grubb & Ellis Co.
Jonathan A. Walz has joined Grubb & Ellis Co. as executive vice president, debt and equity finance. He is a 34-year industry veteran who was most recently senior director for real estate financial services for Cushman & Wakefield Sonneblick Goldman. He spent the majority of his career with Burnham Real Estate Services, which he joined in 1990 as managing director and principal, capital markets, and was a part owner of the firm until it was acquired by Cushman & Wakefield in 2008. Prior to Burnham Real Estate Services, he spent 15 years as a banking professional. Walz holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of New Hampshire. He is a member of the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council, Urban Land Institute, California Mortgage Bankers Association, NAIOP, Mortgage Bankers Association, Pension Real Estate Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Walz also serves as executive director on the board of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and vice president of the San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation.
Hawthorne CAT Promotes Craig Baker
Caterpillar dealer Hawthorne CAT has promoted Craig Baker as its new used equipment sales manager. He previously held the assistant’s position in the used equipment sales section. He will replace Dick Williams, who is retiring after 17 years with the company. Williams last day will be April 15. Baker has worked at Hawthorne since 1982. He has held various positions in the rental division including fleet manager, area manager and service manager. Baker will be responsible for the marketing and selling of all used Caterpillar machines, allied products and CAT rental machines in San Diego and assisting Hawaii as needed.
Big Fish Nation CEO to Address NAWBO
Beller Blake, CEO of Big Fish Nation, is the guest speaker at the April 20 meeting of the National Association of Women Business Owners San Diego. Her topic: “Take Control of Your Business: Work Less and Make More.” The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton La Jolla, 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla. Online registration is available at nawbo-sd.org.
Small Business Workshops
The Business & Entrepreneur Center and the Small Business Development Center at MiraCosta College will offer free upcoming workshops to help businesses succeed. The workshops will be held at Vista City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:
April 5: Financing Options for Businesses: Direct lenders and the SBA will discuss financing options for a business.
May 3: Ways to Market A Business: Learn to identify the “right” customer for a business and easy ways to market your business to them.
June 7: Marketing A Business Using Google Tools: Learn how to use Google tools such as ad words, ad sense, Google trends and more.
Bring a lunch to the workshops. Drinks will be provided.
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