Daily Business Report — Dec. 3, 2012
Christina Bobb Joins
Higgs Fletcher & Mack
Christina Bobb, fresh out of a four-year stint with the Marine Corps, has joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack as part of its business litigation practice group. Bobb served as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps from 2010-2012 and recently ended her year-long service as defense council in Quantico, Va. and Afghanistan. Before her military service, Bobb worked as a trial attorney for the city of San Diego in the Juvenile Dependency court dealing with child abuse, parental rights termination processes and other matters. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, where she played NCAA Division 1 soccer, and earned a master’s degree from San Diego State and a law degree from California Western School of Law.
Nicole Hmielewski Takes Post
Nicole Hmielewski has been named resource development director for the San Diego County Medical Society Foundation. She has 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, specifically in corporate relations, grants and workplace giving. A resident of San Diego County since 2002, Hmielewski previously served as the director of development and corporate relations for EarthShare California, a fundraising umbrella for more than 80 environmental nonprofit groups. Before that, she was with the Surfrider Foundation working with membership and major donor events.
Carlsbad Desalination Project Moves Forward
A day after the San Diego County Water Authority board approved a 30-year contract to purchase water produced by the proposed Carlsbad Desalination Project, two more favorable decisions are helping to move forward Poseidon Resources’ project. The California Pollution Control Financing Authority unanimously approved the issuance of up to $840 million in bonds to finance the Carlsbad Desalination Project. The approval allows the project to proceed with the sale of tax-exempt private-activity and municipal-purpose bonds to fund the construction of the desalination plant, auxiliary water-delivery-system infrastructure and environmental mitigation projects. Poseidon expects the bond sale to take place in mid-December, with construction to commence shortly thereafter. On Friday, the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the project in the appeal by the Surfrider Foundation of the California Superior Court decision upholding the project approval by San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, establishing the conditions under which Poseidon is able to withdraw seawater from the Pacific Ocean. The decision ends the 14th and final remaining legal challenge to the project.
Japan Airlines Inaugurates the First Nonstop
Flight Between Lindberth Field and Asia
Japan Airlines’ first nonstop flight from Tokyo to San Diego International Airport landed on Sunday. The inaugural flight — the first nonstop between San Diego and Asia — was welcomed by airline and airport staff, community leaders and passengers as it landed at Lindbergh Field. The occasion also marked the beginning of the airport’s first route on the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. “We’re thrilled this service showcases one of the world’s most innovative and exciting new planes, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner — truly a dream aircraft for the San Diego market,” said Thella Bowens, president and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. Until this flight, San Diego was the largest city in the U.S. without nonstop service to Asia. Nearly half a million people traveled between Asia and San Diego each year but had to make connections in Los Angeles, San Francisco or other cities. The flight will operate four times weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) until March 2, 2013, when it becomes a daily flight. Japan Airlines will utilize the 787 Dreamliner, with 42 business-class seats and 144 economy seats.
Apartment Buildings to be Added
to San Diego Spectrum Center
Sunroad Enterprises, in partnership with Wermers Properties, has broken ground on Ariva, a high-end luxury apartment community to be added to San Diego Spectrum Center, a mixed-use office, retail and residential development in Kearny Mesa. Ariva is to include 253 upscale apartment homes in two buildings located at the intersection of San Diego Spectrum Boulevard and Ariva Way. One- and two-bedroom units and private, subterranean parking will be offered. The Ariva development team includes Thomas Cox Architects; Schmidt Design, landscape architecture; designer Robin Wilson who was responsible for all interiors and common spaces; and Kitchell Contractors, who is contracting construction. Completion is slated for late 2013.
Sorrento Mesa Office Building Sold
One Pacific Heights, a 120,350-square-foot Class A office building at 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd. in Sorrento Mesa, has been acquired by BCL Inc. in partnership with AEW Capital Management LLC. The seller was RREEF America. The lobby of the five-story building was renovated in 2007. Rick Reeder and Brad Tecca of Cassidy Turley represented buyers and seller in the transaction. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Regents Bank Completes Merger
With California Community Bank
Regents Bank, a subsidiary of Grandpoint Capital Inc., and California Community Bank have completed their merger. California Community Bank’s shareholders will receive $14.167 in cash per share, resulting in a total transaction value of about $30.8 million, including the payments to cancel outstanding stock options. With the completion of the merger, Regents adds the former California Community Bank offices — to be rebranded as Regents Bank offices — in Escondido, Encinitas, Miramar and Vista — to its banking network, which also includes banking offices in La Jolla, San Diego, and Carlsbad as well as Vancouver, Wash. The combined banks have total assets of $615 million.
Movers & Shakers
We’re seeking nominees for our sixth annual Metro Movers awards. Please submit your nominations by Dec. 13 to Rebeca Page at rebecapage@sandiegometro.com or fax to her at (858) 759-5755 or mail to: SD METRO at P.O. Box 3679, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.
The Daily Business Report is produced by SD METRO. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865. manny@sandiegometro.com.
