Daily Business Report — May 9, 2011
UCSD Student Engineers to Develop Solar Tree on Wheels
Joseph Ocampo, a UCSD sophomore and a member of the campus chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW), is leading a team of fellow ESW student volunteers that has won a $10,900 grant to develop a mobile solar-powered station. The team plans to use the grant from the national ESW organization to develop the “solar tree on wheels” that will be used to charge batteries in laptops, cell phones, campus electric utility vehicles and other devices. “If we can develop a system that folds up and is easily transportable, it could be used to charge cell phones and provide power for medical purposes in underdeveloped parts of the world,” said Ocampo, who also is a member of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). “The
technology we develop could also be used in emergency situations in the field to charge battery-powered electronic devices or provide the power needed to refrigerate critical medical supplies.” Ocampo submitted the proposal to the national ESW organization in January. ESW is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with amission of mobilizing students and professionals through education, technical projects and collaborative action to impact local and global sustainability challenges. “With this grant, Joseph and the other students demonstrating solar technologies on campus will learn first-hand the advantages and challenges of solving real-world problems with renewable energy,” said Jan Kleissl, a professor of environmental engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering and one of Ocampo’s three professional advisers on the project. “I am excited that the Engineers for a Sustainable World chapter at UCSD will be able to make a highly visible contribution to what we call the ‘endgame’ of zero carbon emissions.”
Ocampo has recruited a team of students and professional experts to collaborate on the solar charging station. In addition to Ocampo, the UCSD students participating in the project include Hien Nguyen, Lauren Rueda, Peggy Ip and Pule Wang. The professional advisors are Kleissl and two members of the board of the San Diego Renewable Energy Society, Kurt Lund and Charlie Johnson. Ocampo also is forming a campus chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, whose members will be recruited to work on the project as well.
Advisory Panel Meets on Embarcadero Master Plan
The Port of San Diego will hold its fourth Citizens Advisory Committee meeting on the North Embarcadero port master plan and draft environmental impact report on May 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Embarcadero Planning Center, 585 Harbor Lane, in San Diego. It is open to the public. A framework for low-cost waterfront accommodations will be reviewed as well as potential locations for a proposed youth hostel. Members of the Citizens Advisory Committee include representatives from environmental, business, design and public interest organizations, as well as three at-large members.
Hydrologic Warning Council Conference
More than 300 scientists and engineers are expected at the May 9-12 conference of the National Hydrologic Warning Council at the Hillton San Diego on Mission Bay. Flash floods, extreme weather events and climate change are on the agenda. Experts will share their latest forecasting and warning experiences for floods and related natural disasters, including current record-breaking flooding in the Midwest and South, with the goal of reducing loss of life and property damage in future events. Representatives from the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey will join local and state agency professionals, university researchers, and private consultants at the conference, titled “Hydrologic Warning for a Changing World.” On May 11, Naomi Oreskes from University of San Diego and author of the book, “Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Climate Change,” will address the conference. On May 12, Martin Ralph, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, will present the ARkStorm Emergency Preparedness Scenario for California — what happens in California when the next “Big One” happens.
Wells Fargo & Co. Names New Vice President
Tyrone Wallace, a 28-year veteran of Wells Fargo & Co., has been appointed vice president and community banking district manager for the bank’s Del Mar Corridor District in San Diego.Wallace is responsible for 11 banking stores in San Diego County and 147 team members. He will report to Wells Fargo’s Central San Diego Regional President Lauren Tobiassen, and will be based out of Fashion Valley. Wallace most recently served as Wells Fargo’s small business banking area manager. During his tenure with the company, Wallace held various roles including teller, personal banker, business banking officer, service manager, store manager, and sales development consultant. He holds a bachelor’s degree from National University.
Rescue Mission Names V.P. of Development
The San Diego Rescue Mission has named C. Greg Helton as its new vice president of development. Helton previously was chief director of development for the Lake Avenue Community Foundation. He spent 18 years with Grizzard Communications Group Inc. in Glendale as vice president of client services. Past experience also includes serving as senior account coordinator for the Russ Reid Co. Helton also has worked with such nonprofits as City of Hope, S.E.E. International, Up with People, Special Olympics, The Salvation Army, Junior Blind of America and provided support service for Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Pacific Trust Bank Appoints Executive Vice President
First PacTrust Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Chula Vista-based Pacific Trust Bank, has named Marangal “Marito” Domingo as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Domingo has more than 20 years of experience in finance, treasury and capital markets. Previously he was principal for Decision Advisors LLC. From 2006 to 2009, he was chief financial officer and executive vice president of Doral Financial Corp. and its bank subsidiary, Doral Bank Puerto Rico. Domingo also was executive vice president of finance and strategy for Countrywide Bank and held a variety of positions with Washington Mutual and its predecessor company, American Savings. He also served as president and CEO of Downey Financial Corp. Domingo holds bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree fro the University of Michigan.
Historic Garden Tour Set for May 14
Eight gardens with historic backgrounds or connected to a historic home in Coronado are the subject of the San Diego Floral Association’s Historic Garden Tour 2011 on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “This garden tour is San Diego Floral’s major fundraiser each year. Proceeds help to fund our scholarships, community service activities, classes, programs and California Garden magazine,” said Meredith French, publicity chair. “Our tours are unique amongst garden tours in the area due to their historical emphasis each year.” One such garden to be included was originally planned and planted by Kate Sessions, who also had her first nursery growing fields on Coronado, according to French. Participants must visit each place on the tour themselves. They can buy tickets, pick up maps, guidebooks and a free tote bag at Spreckles Park, Sixth and C Avenue in Coronado beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $20 if purchased before the event, and $25 the day of. Tickets may be purchased before May 14 at these locations: sdfloral.org; The Flower Lady, Coronado; Green Gardens, Pacific Beach; Kniffing Discount Nurseries, El Cajon; Mission Hills Nursery; Walter Andersen Nursery, Point Loma and Poway; Weidner’s Nursery, Encinitas. For more information, or to volunteer for a half-day, call (619) 232-5762. Volunteers get free tickets to the tour.
40 Under 40 Awards
The 2011 40 Under 40 Awards nomination period is in full swing. May 30 is the deadline for submitting nominations of people you believe are making substantial contributions to their community, their companies, organizations or institutions. You will find a nomination form on the front page of our Website (sandiegometro.com). Fill it out and submit. Editor’s Tip: Describe your nominee in depth. Give plenty of examples of major accomplishments.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
May 10 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Organizational Structure – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
May 10 – Marketing for Nonprofits – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation in Point Loma (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).
May 12 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
May 13 – Women’s Networking Breakfast & Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; Attendees: $30 pre-paid registration by May 10, $40 thereafter; Exhibitors: $80 pre-paid registration by May 10, $90 thereafter).
May 14 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, San Diego 92011; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).
May 14 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
May 16 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; No charge – please pre-register).
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. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
