Daily Business Report — Aug. 16, 2012

18 San Diego Business Leaders Endorse DeMaio for Mayor

Many represent special interests in Downtown San Diego

A group of San Diego business leaders endorsed Councilman Carl DeMaio for mayor Wednesday, saying his “pragmatic approach to analyzing issues and taking decisive action to find solutions is key to San Diego’s success.” Among the 18 people who endorsed DeMaio via a group statement were Phil Blair, president and CEO of Manpower San Diego; Steve Cushman, a longtime businessman and member of the San Diego Convention Center board of directors; former Cox San Diego chief Bill Geppert; Lani Lutar, executive director of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association; and Kris Michell, head of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. The group statement said the race features “two very different candidates with different visions and philosophies,” making it a clear choice for them. DeMaio is running against Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego). Filner’s endorsements include several former or current Democratic elected officials from San Diego County and the Legislature and several community leaders in the region.

(The full list: Craig Benedetto, Phil Blair, James Brennan, Gordon Carrier, Steve Cushman, Bill Geppert, Ben Haddad, Kimberly Hale Miller, Jeff Jacobs, Keith Jones, Stath Karras, Lani Lutar, Scott Maloni, Kris Michell, Dene Oliver, Phil Rath, Duane Roth, Steve Williams.)

University of San Diego to Offer
Course in Effective Lobbying

A certificate program on how to become an effective lobbyist will be offered this fall by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education. The program is in collaboration with the university’s Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research. The program enables participants to gain a broad knowledge of legislative advocacy and lobbying laws, political system and practical skills that can be put to use to champion causes and improve campaign success. The first course, “Advocacy for Change,” begins Sept. 4. The cost is $610 for the two-unit course.. For more information and registration, visit  go to sandiego.edu/ce or phone  (619) 260-4585.

WomanCare Global CEO Honored Again

WomanCare Global CEO Saundra Pelletier, named one of SD METRO’s 20 “Women Who Rock” earlier this year, has been selected as a finalist for San Diego Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” award. The winner will be announced in the fall during an event sponsored by the magazine. Pelletier, who has led WomanCare Global for the last three years, recently moved the organization’s headquarters to San Diego. Under her leadership, the organization has positively impacted the health and welfare of women in the developing world by providing access to safe, affordable contraception along with other reproductive-focused health care products.

PERSONNEL — Gordon Crawford has joined DataQuick, the La Jolla-based real estate information service, as vice president of analytics. The company produces monthly home sales totals and prices for the San Diego region. Crawford previously worked for 20 years at Fannie Mae, leading research functions. He was most recently vice president of mortgage research.

• Douglas A. Danny and Christopher J. Zorbas have been promoted to first vice president positions at Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. They previously were vice presidents of investments. Danny joined the firm in 1992. Zorbas has been with the firm since 2001.

• Shelley Bradley has joined the San Diego Better Business Bureau as director of sponsorships and special events. Bradley will be involved in the planning and managing events designed to grow the nonprofit organization. Bradley previously was director of business development at the Downtown San Diego Partnership. She has more than 10 years of experience in event planning, fundraising and on-site event operations.

Small Business Workshops (SCORE San Diego)

Aug. 20— Leasing Strategies  – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center, 550 West C St., No. 550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door.

Aug. 22 — How to Start a Nonprofit Corporation – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation, 2508 Historic Decatur Road, No. 200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door.

Aug. 23 — Cost-Effective Marketing Tools & LinkedIn Strategies – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa, 9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door.

Aug. 24 — Financial Statements – What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University – Carlsbad, 705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door.