Daily Business Report-March 8, 2016

Francis deSouza is shown in a video of a talk he delivered at an RSA conference while at Symantec Corp. (youtube)

Illumina Board Promotes

Francis deSouza to CEO

City News Service

Illumina President Francis deSouza will become the San Diego-based company’s CEO in July, replacing Jay Flatley, the firm announced Monday.

DeSouza has been president since 2013.

“The time is right for Francis to become Illumina’s next president and CEO,” said Flatley, who will become executive chairman of the maker of genomics equipment.

“Francis is an exceptional leader, with a demonstrated track record of leading large organizations and implementing complex growth strategies,” Flatley said.

During Flatley’s 17-year tenure as CEO, the company’s annual revenue grew from $500,000 to over $2.2 billion last year.

Illumina’s Board of Directors appointed deSouza unanimously. He’ll assume his new position July 5.

DeSouza earned degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He earlier was president of products and services at Symantec Corp., having joined the computer-security company via the acquisition of IMlogic, where he was co-founder and CEO.

While Flatley isn’t leaving the company, the promotion of deSouza, hired by Illumina in 2013, marks the most important change in leadership in Flatley’s long tenure at the company, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. It said Illumina has a market value of more than $23 billion and ranks second in San Diego public companies only to Qualcomm, worth nearly $80 billion.

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Scripps to Host Brain Injury

Rehabilitation Conference

Experts from across the country will gather in San Diego March 11 and 12 for the 11th annual Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference hosted by The Rehabilitation Center at Scripps Health.

Dr. Bennet Omalu will deliver the event’s keynote speech, “Dont Break the Rules, Change the Game: How Bennet Omalu Single-handedly Changed American Football, Professional Sports, and How the World Perceives Traumatic Brain Injuries.”

Omalu, whose story is chronicled in the film “Concussion,” made a career breakthrough when he became the first doctor to discover and identify chronic brain damage as a major factor in the deaths of select professional athletes. He called the disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE),

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference is designed to provide a clear understanding of the need for multidisciplinary strategies in the management of patients with brain injuries.

A faculty of specialists will present the latest in research and outcomes from a variety of medical perspectives. Topics include state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, interventions, and management for medical and physical rehabilitation, as well as cognitive, emotional and social problems common to brain injury patients.

The public is invited to purchase tickets to the keynote session with Omalu, for a registration fee of $35 per person. The event will take place at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road in San Diego. Click here.

 

Port Commissioners to Hear Proposal

To Build 2 Hotels Near Convention Center

By City News Service

The Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners will hear a presentation today on a proposed project that would result in the construction of two hotels near the San Diego Convention Center.

Plans for the $270 million project were submitted to the Port of San Diego by the Robert Green Company, in partnership with Fifth Avenue Landing LLC.

The proposal by Fifth Avenue Landing could have a major impact on the future of an expansion project for the center, which has been held up by litigation. Plans for a contiguous expansion of the facility — one that would keep its exhibit space together as preferred by tourism leaders — could require some of Fifth Avenue Landing’s property.

The company holds a ground lease for six acres adjacent to the center, and after waiting for several years for the convention center’s expansion project to begin, told city officials last year it would have to move ahead with its hotel proposal.

Port commissioners will hear a report on Fifth Avenue Landing’s preliminary plans, which include a 44-story convention hotel of up to 850 rooms and a five-story lower-cost tourist hotel with 565 beds. The project would also include a retail development, open space plazas, a parking garage, a bridge from the hotel tower to public viewing areas of the convention center and a marina expansion.

After the presentation, port staff will ask the commissioners for authorization to continue studying the project and begin an environmental review.

 

Anthony Rendon Takes Oath

As California Assembly Speaker

By City News Service

Assemblyman Anthony Rendon was sworn in as speaker in Sacramento Monday and outlined three of his legislative priorities — poverty, legislative oversight and voter engagement.

Rendon, D-Paramount, following his swearing-in by outgoing Speaker Toni Atkins, also shared his and his wife’s life stories, describing how they were affected by the generosity of California.

“Annie and I benefited from California,” he said. “We benefited from its public housing projects and low-income home loan programs. We benefited from its food stamps and free meal programs. We benefited from this state’s English-as-a-second-language and diversity programs… We benefited from the generosity of a state that promised to never turn its back on us — and it never did.”

Rendon, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2012, was selected in September by his fellow Democrats to be speaker and elected as the 70th speaker on Jan. 11.

San Diego Democrat Toni Atkins held the speaker’s gavel for two years. She became speaker in May 2014, the first San Diegan and first lesbian to hold the leadership post. “I couldn’t be more pleased to leave the Assembly in such capable hands,” Atkins said.

 

Alliance Healthcare Foundation Awards

$1 Million in Grants to Nonprofit Groups

Alliance Healthcare Foundation has awarded $1 million in Mission Support Grants to nonprofit organizations committed to advancing health and wellness in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

The 2016 grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 per recipient, totaling $1 million.

The 2016 recipients in San Diego County are: CHIP (Community Health Improvement Partners), Dreams for Change, ElderHelp, Just in Time for Foster Youth, Multicultural Health Foundation, Neighborhood House, PATH (People Assisting The Homeless), Planned Parenthood, Reality Changers, San Diego County Medical Society Foundation, San Diego Rescue Mission, Somali Family Service, U C San Diego’s Student-Run Free Clinic, and Voices for Children.

“Our Mission Support Grant program benefits nonprofits in the San Diego and Imperial Counties that serve the underserved — the poor, working poor, homeless, and children and focus on health and wellness,” said AHF Executive Director Nancy Sasaki.

 

 

SDSU’s Student-Run Radio Station Wins

Best College Station in the Nation Award

KCR College Radio, San Diego State University’s student-run radio station since 1969, has won the Abraham and Borst Award for Best College Station in the Nation at the 76 annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Golden Microphone Awards for 2016.

“We’re a small operation going up against schools with huge budgets and staffed advisers,” said Matt Hoffman, general manager. “When they called our name, everyone was so excited. It was an incredible feeling.”

This is the first time KCR has won the Abraham and Borst Award. It was nominated in 2015.

In addition, KCR won Best Online Station, Best Play­by­Play Baseball and Best Blog. KCR also received two finalist awards for Best Newscast and Best Station Website.

KCR was the winner of the IBS Golden Microphone for Best Online Station in 2015, as well as Best Campus News and Best Play by Play Other (Hockey).

 

UC San Diego and CETYS University

Strengthen Collaborative Efforts

The University of California, San Diego and Centro de Ensenanza Tecnica y Superior (CETYS) of Baja California have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen and increase collaboration, focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation and policy.

The initiative was formalized March 3 by UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and CETYS University President Fernando Leon Garcia.

Khosla said academic collaboration is vital to our cross-border future.

“This academic exchange will strengthen our partnerships and both of our institutions, enabling us to provide robust intellectual leadership in our cross-border community,” Khosla said. “We are privileged with the unique opportunity to engage in research collaboration with our colleagues from CETYS University on entrepreneurship, innovation and policy.”

 

Butterfly Jungle Opens to the Public

Saturday at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle opens to the public on Saturday.

Safari Park visitors will get the chance to see butterflies from Asia, Africa and Central, South and North America — including the electric blue morpho, the exotic giant owl, and the brilliant orange Julia. There may even be a surprise species or two this year.

“We are always pleasantly surprised if we get an unusual species that is on our import permit, and so will our guests be,“ said Michael Mace, curator of birds at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “With 20 species of butterflies, there’s every color, shape and size for everyone.”

Guests will also be mesmerized by the lush greenery and many exotic birds that populate Hidden Jungle, such as red-crested turacos, African pygmy geese and beautiful sunbirds.

This popular springtime event provides an opportunity to help promote sustainable habitats for butterflies, as farmers in the butterflies’ natural range support their families by raising butterfly pupae for zoological exhibits worldwide.

Butterfly Jungle presents a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors while supporting a very important cause, explained animal care staff.

“Not only is it a unique guest experience, it’s also a good conservation initiative,” said Mace. “Families in these range countries need to make a living. They could either clear-cut a forest for ranching, or for agricultural farming, or they could leave the forest intact and raise butterflies instead.”

Butterfly Jungle runs for four weeks — March 12 to April 10 — with extended Safari Park hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Butterfly Jungle is included in Safari Park admission.

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San Diego Women’s Week Events

 

Monday, March 14: Opening Day

California Center for The Arts Escondido

2 -7:30 p.m.

•  Breakout Sessions

•  Tanya Brown, 7 Sneaky Characters of Abuse

•   Mallika Chopra, Living with Intent

•   Arielle Ford, Finding the Soul in Your Mate

•  Deborah Scott, Chef and Entrepreneur, A Dog and a Suitcase

•  Dr. Nick Yphantides, How the Health Are You

•  Pat Reno, Tackling the Last Taboo, Talk About and Managing Our Money

•  Liz Goodgold, Killer First Impressions

•  Make-overs

•  Swag Bags

•  Vendor Village

•  Finance Village

Tuesday, March 15: An Evening of Girlfriends and Health!

Sharp Rees-Stealy Scripps Ranch. 0670 Wexford St. San Diego

6-8 p.m.

Join us for “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Good Health.” This two-hour evening will feature Sharp Rees-Stealy physicians, clinicians and experts who will give short, informative and entertaining talks on all the health issues women discuss with their girlfriends; from skin care to eye care, nutrition tips to keep the family healthy and contraception and sex through the stages of a woman’s life.

Attendees will also enjoy free health screenings, demonstrations, refreshments and giveaways. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m.

• Health Screenings

• Consults with the Doctor

• Demonstrations and Giveaways

Wednesday, March 16, Women and Wine

Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte, San Diego

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy this hugely popular evening with women from the region while sipping wine and pairing food samples. This beautiful venue will have you feeling like you have entered Tuscany while making connections that empower and inspire you.

• Wine Tasting and Food Pairings

• Fashion Show

• Unique Shopping

Friday March 18, Inspiration Conference

Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort,, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Speakers include Amy Cuddy, Elizabeth McCormick, Kim Coles, Frank Shankwitz, Naomi Tutu and others

Panels:

Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders

Breaking Barriers

Six powerfu keynote speakers, two panels will leave you feeling like you can conquer the world.

• Beautiful Swag Bags with upscale goodies

• Complimentary copy of Amy Cuddy’s new book “Presence”

• Complimentary copy of Kim Coles’ “Gratitude Journal”