Daily Business Report — Oct. 18, 2011
CEO Lou Spisto to Depart Old Globe Theatre
Lou Spisto, CEO and executive producer of The Old Globe Theatre who produced nearly 150 plays and musicals over the past nine years and grew its annual budget to $20 million, has announced his departure at the end of this year. Spisto said he is leaving to work independently as a producer. “Over the past three years there have been significant projects that were offered, apart from the Globe, that I would now like to pursue,” said Spisto. “I remain a part of the Globe family and offer to be of service throughout all my days.”
The organization has appointed Michael G. Murphy as interim managing director. Murphy has been general manager of The Old Globe since April 2003. He previously served as managing director of Austin Lyric Opera, director of administration of San Diego Opera and general manager of San Diego Repertory Theatre.
Spisto was appointed executive director in October 2002 and assumed the position of executive producer in January 2008. He has been responsible for both the artistic and administrative activities of The Old Globe. During his tenure, the Globe produced 27 world premieres, launched a new play development program, oversaw the return of the Shakespeare Repertory Season and brought aboard Adrian Noble, the British director, to lead the Summer Shakespeare Festival. Under his leadership, the theater company produced several new musicals, including the critically-acclaimed “A Catered Affair” “ and Robin and the 7 Hoods,” and launched the national tour of the Tony Award-winning “Avenue Q.
“The staff, board and all of the artists we have brought to the Globe are second to none, and I have loved every minute of the past nine years with them,” said Spisto. “I think we’ve accomplished everything we set out to do and then some. I’m proud to leave the Globe in the most stable financial condition in its 75-year-plus history and with a season schedule every bit as strong as the best in our history.”
National University Chancellor to Step Down
Jerry C. Lee, chancellor of the National University system since 2001, has advised the board of trustees that he will step down on Dec. 31, 2012. Lee oversees the six affiliates of the National University system: National University; John F. Kennedy University; National University International; the Division of Pre-College Programs, consisting of National University Virtual High School and National University Academies; Spectrum Pacific Learning; and WestMed College. “The past 22 years have been some of the most extraordinary years of my life, and I have been blessed to have been associated with such outstanding students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of the System community,” said Lee. Trustees have begun to plan the search process to select a new chancellor and will announce the details in February. Under Lee, National University became the second-largest private, nonprofit educational system in California and the 12th largest in the country.
Volunteer Lawyer Program Celebrates Pro Bono Week
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program will celebrate Pro Bono Week Oct. 23-29, a national effort to promote the delivery of free legal services to low-income citizens. The national observance is sponsored by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. Locally, the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program represents 6,000 disadvantaged clients each year, considered only a fraction of the men, women and children who need legal help in the county. The program’s staff of 19 works with hundreds of volunteers each year to provide services in the areas of domestic violence prevention, guardianship law, family law, AIDS law, immigration law, children and youth law and class action and impact cases, as well as providing support to the homeless and to nonprofit organizations. “The need for pro bono services for low-income San Diegans is immense,” said Amy Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Voluntary Lawyer Program. “Pro Bono Week is a way to draw attention to the fact that no matter one’s economic status, access to legal representation should be available to all.” More information on the program is available by calling (619) 235-5656 or visiting sdvlp.org.
Seltzer Caplan Partner Elected to National Post
Gregory A. Vega, stakeholder in the Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek law firm and a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, has been elected treasurer of the Association of Former United States Attorneys. Vega is in line to serve as president of the association in 2016. Vega was U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California from 1999 to 2001. His practice at Seltzer Caplan focuses on business matters, including representing clients before all federal, state and local regulatory agencies, implementing corporate compliance issues, conducting corporate internal investigations, representing clients in civil tax controversy litigation and white-collar criminal defense.
Tribe Look for Alternative Water Sources
The La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians has selected SCS Engineers to complete a hydrogeological study of the La Jolla Indian Reservation western region to identify new supply wells that will meet the tribe’s water needs. The La Jolla Indian Reservation, a federal reservation of Luiseño Indians in North County, consists of 9,998 acres and is located at the foothills of Palomar Mountain, a semi-wilderness area with the San Luis Rey River running through it. Charles Houser, a certified hydrogeologist and engineering geologist with SCS, is serving as the project manager. He is being supported by Tom Wright, a project geologist with SCS. Houser has completed similar studies for the Jacumba Community Services District, Guatay Mutual Benefits Company and the county of San Diego.
Credit Union Sponsors Educational Seminar
San Diego County Credit Union will present “Personal Money Management,” a free educational seminar with financial expert George Chamberlin, on Oct. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the credit union’s administrative office at 6545 Sequence Drive in Mira Mesa. The public is invited to attend the seminar. For details, visit sdccu.com or call (877) 732-2848. Chamberlin will discuss steps people can take to help ensure a healthy financial future. Topics will include budgeting, investing, estate planning, retirement and more.
Free Shredding Service: The credit union also will offer free shredding services at all six of its branch locations from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The public can bring a maximum of two boxes of personal and confidential information to have it shredded at no charge. The six branch locations are: EastLake branch at 2280 Otay Lakes Road; El Cajon branch at 312 West Main St.; Oceanside branch at 625 College Blvd.; San Diego branch at 5555 Mildred St.; Temecula branch at 31693 Temecula Parkway; and Laguna Niguel branch at 32341 Golden Lantern, Suite A. Since the credit union started the service in 2007, more than 305,000 pounds of documents have been shredded.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of small business workshops. For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.org.
• Oct. 20 QuickBooks Basic for Nonprofits 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The San Diego Foundation in Point Loma (2508 Historic Decatur Rd., #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Oct. 21 Financing Your Business 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Oct. 25 Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 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).
• Oct. 26 Internet Marketing 304: Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Tools 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
