Daily Business Report — Nov. 1, 2011
Former City Manager Pledges $2.1 Million to SDSU
Former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory has pledged $1.2 million to San Diego State University, to be divided among three beneficiaries — the Department of Classics and Humanities, the School of Public Affairs and the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center. McGrory earned a master’s degree in public administration from SDSU in 1976 and has taught part-time there for 18 years. The donation to the Department of Classics and Humanities, which teaches ancient Greek and Roman history and languages, will support student scholarships, research and teaching. McGrory’s donation will create the Jack McGrory Collaborative Research Fellows to enhance student-faculty collaborative research. The donation to the School of Public Affairs will fund a staff position that will help undergraduate and graduate students in the school find internships and full-time positions after graduation. Additional funds will create internships. McGrory’s gift will provide provide additional staffing at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, which serves as the hub for all student veteran support services at SDSU. Additional funds will support scholarships for Marine veterans.
Finalists Selected for Venture Group’s PitchFest Competition
San Diego Venture Group has selected three companies as finalists who will compete to win $17,500 in its Nov. 17 PitchFest 2011 event. The finalists are SwoopThat LLC, Biosilo Foods Inc., dba Gamer Grub, and Deal Current Network Inc. The prize money will be used by these companies to support their business development and growth. “We had one of our strongest pool of candidates in many years,” said David Titus, SDVG president. Ten semi-finalists were selected from the more than 70 nominations. The semi-finalists were Antengo, Barc Inc., Biosilo Foods, iTel Companies Inc., Hold-Free Networks, Swarmology Inc., Deal Current Network Inc., Stasis Medical, VimVida and SwoopThat LLC. Many of the firms will be on display at the PitchFest dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla.
Padres Name New General Manager
Josh Byrnes has been named executive vice president and general manager of the San Diego Padres, replacing Jed Hoyer, who has been named general manager of the Chicago Cubs. Jason McLeod, Hoyer’s assistant in San Diego, also will go to the Cubs as senior vice president of scouting and player development. Byrnes is a veteran of 18 years in Major League Baseball with five organizations, including parts of five seasons as general manager. He began his front office career in 1994 with the Cleveland Indians
Wine Director to Teach SDSU Wine Section
Jesse Rodriguez, wine director at the Addison at the Grand Del Mar, will teach the California Intensive class as part of the Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine program through SDSU’s College of Extended Studies on Mondays, Nov. 14-28, from 6-9 pm. His California Intensive class focuses on California having attained a prominent place on the international wine stage and featuring many interpretations of classic varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and a California original, Zinfandel. Through tasting of California produced wines and discussion, students in his class will focus on the history, traditions, grapes, viti/viniculture practices, wine styles and the future of California wines. For more information, call (619) 594-6924 or visit neverstoplearning.net/wine.
Schubach Aviation Names New General Manager
Daniel R. Hulen, who was director of operations of Schubach Aviation for nearly four years before moving to the San Francisco Bay area, has returned to the company as general manager. Hulen will serve as company liaison to owners and pilots of the company’s managed aircraft. Hulen has 14 years of experience in the aviation industry. Most recently he was director of operations for ACM Aviation Services Inc., a TWC Aviation company based in San Jose. Previous career experience includes nearly three-and-a-half years as director of flight standards with Jet Source Charter, two years as director of operations for Air by Jet LLC, and another year-plus as director of flight standards for Schubach Aviation. He worked 16 years at Price Club (now Costco), his last position as warehouse inventory auditor.
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.
• Nov. 2 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).
• Nov. 3 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Organizational Structure – 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).
• Nov. 4 – Women’s Networking Breakfast and 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 Nov. 1, $40 thereafter; exhibitors: $80 pre-paid registration by Nov. 1, $90 thereafter).
• Nov. 5 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 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.
