Daily Business Report-Sept. 25, 2013

 The majority of the drone testing would be over unpopulated areas. (Photo: drone in a storm)

County Supervisors Support Push for

Southern California Drone Test Site

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday threw its unanimous support behind a proposal submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration to test unmanned aerial systems and vehicles in Southern California, City News Service reports. Several agencies, including the San Diego Military Advisory Council and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., proposed a testing area stretching from Bridgeport to the U.S.-Mexico border, from the state line to 100 miles west into the ocean. It would exclude Los Angeles. The majority of testing would be over unpopulated areas, and would not impact local airports, according to Supervisor Ron

Roberts. The testing site would become one of six in the nation, with a decision anticipated in December.

Supervisor Dianne Jacobs said it would be a significant accomplishment for the region to be selected. “I’m impressed with the fact that this will bolster our economy, (result in) much-needed jobs and create additional economic activity — and also put us on the front lines of these unmanned drones’ development,” Jacob said.

Roberts said companies developing the aircraft and systems, like Northrop Grumman and General Atomics, are already operating in San Diego County, and fostering growth is necessary to retain benefits and jobs. He cited a study showing that in 2011, the industry accounted for 7,100 jobs and $1.2 billion in economic activity locally. “As the world moves forward with UAV technology, I have no doubt that we will experience valuable benefits to public safety and emergency services,” Roberts said. He said that not receiving the test site designation would entice industry businesses to leave the county, taking their jobs and economic benefits with them.

County staff was directed draw up a letter of support to be sent to an FAA official and to monitor the operations in the county for a year and report back.

Two Women Who Accused Former Mayor

Of Sexual Harassment to Appear on Panel

Two of the women who came forward to speak out with harassment allegations against former Mayor Bob Filner in July will be among the speakers at an Oct. 2 panel discussion sharing personal stories and lessons on how to deal with difficult work situations, including harassment and unethical behavior. Businesswoman Patti Roscoe and Joyce Gattas, dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at San Diego State, will join employment law attorney Dan Eaton on the program, sponsored by the San Diego Employers Association. The panel will be moderated by Randy Frisch, vice chancellor at National University. The event is a Strategic Leadership Series event titled S”an Diego Leaders Share Their Stories — Speaking Up When The Stakes Are High.” It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AMN Healthcare, 12400 High Bluff Drive, Suite 100, San Diego. The cost is $49 for SDEA members, $59 for nonmembers.

 

Science Center Celebrate UAV Day on Oct. 6

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park is inviting visitors to help celebrate UAV Day on Oct. 6 where they can meet local experts in the unmanned aerial vehicles field and view actual models. The day’s program will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is in conjunction with th Fleet’s new exhibition, “On the Fly: Technology Takes Off.” Galleries of the center will display small multi-rotor aircraft, custom and commercial UAVs and autonomous RC planes and helicopters for hobbyists. Local experts will bring videos with information about their creations, their organizations and UAV technology and the myriad applications they are capable of.

Brief lectures will be given on the history and development of unmanned aircraft history and its civil integration; current FAA restrictions on commercial usages for UAVs; and the positive applications being developed for UAVs & quadcopters. Visitors may join a workshop on unmanned technology, take a pilot lesson on a quad simulator, and see how they function in an interactive mini wind tunnel.

Participants so far include AUVSI San Diego, Air Law institute, Innovative Designs, 3D Robotics, San Diego Wind Tunnel, Isis Copter and San Diego Drone User Group.

Jon Alan Baker Reappointed to California Architects Board

Jon Alan Baker, 58, of San Diego, has been re-appointed to the California Architects Board by Gov. Brown. He has been on the board since 2005. Baker is an architect and has been partner at BakerNowicki Design Studio LLP since 2011. He was president and chief executive officer at NTD Architecture from 1983 to 2011. Baker is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Baker is a Republican.

Lee Durham Joins Avista Technologies Inc.

SAN MARCOS — Lee Durham has joined Avista Technologies Inc. as technical services director. Durham has more than 33 years of experience in the membrane separations industry. Previously he worked at Koch Membrane Systems and Toray Membrane as global product line manager for specialty separations. Avista specializes in an array of technical and support services for improving the performance of membrane systems.

 

USD to Dedicate Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

The University of San Diego will officially dedicate the new Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace & Justice. Darlene Marcos Shiley said her gift of $20 million to create USD’s new school will honor both her Brazilian heritage and the family of her late husband, Donald P. Shiley, the co-creator of an artificial valve that revolutionized heart surgery. “I would like to be a part of creating people — men and women — who are like my husband,” said Marcos Shiley. “We envision a school committed to innovation and entrepreneurship that will work closely with San Diego’s high-tech community to contribute to the region’s growth and vitality,” said Chell Roberts, founding dean.

UC San Diego Ensures Safe and Secure Supply of Energy

UC San Diego is not taking electricity for granted. It’s working harder than ever, it says,  to deliver a steady supply of electricity in a sustainable and cost-effective way. The university announced that its highly efficient natural gas-fired cogeneration power plant will now have emergency restart capabilities. Campus officials say this step will enhance its electrical system, making it even more reliable, safe and secure. The key to “keeping the lights on” is the campus’ microgrid. Considered one of the world’s most advanced microgrids, the microgrid generates more than 90 percent of the electricity used on campus annually, and saves the campus more than $850,000 per month in power costs. A microgrid is a small-scale version of a traditional large power grid that draws energy from clean sources such as wind and solar power, as well as from conventional technology. It can be connected to a larger electric grid, but can also work independently.