Daily Business Report-Aug. 9, 2016
Old Globe Managing Director Michael Murphy will leave his post on Sept. 26. (Courtesy of The Old Globe)
Old Globe’s Managing Director Leaving
To Take Top Artistic Job in Buffalo
Michael G. Murphy, general manager and managing director of The Old Globe Theatre for the past 13 years whose accomplishments included the construction of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center and pioneering the annual performances of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, will leave the company on Sept. 26 to become president and CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Murphy will begin his new job in the first week of October. He will replace Anthony Conte, retiring after 15 years at Shea’s.
“In the 13 years I’ve been here I’ve watched the Globe continue to grow in its national prominence and deepen its service to San Diego and I’m so proud to have made a contribution to that growth,” said Murphy. “I’m grateful to the artists, board members, donors, staff, and audiences who each play an important part making the Globe the flagship arts organization of San Diego. Under the artistic leadership of Barry Edelstein, which builds upon the Globe’s historic legacy and broadens its impact, the theatre will have a bright and flourishing future.”
Shea’s is the leading Performing Arts Center in the Greater Buffalo/Niagara region, with over 250 performances and events per season in their three spaces — the restored 1925 Buffalo Theatre, which serves as a Broadway touring house, the 250 seat Smith Theatre, and the recently acquired 710 Main Street Theatre (formerly Studio Arena Theatre), where the company is expanding programming in conjunction with other local theater companies, and hosting Canada’s renowned Shaw Festival. With an annual budget of $18.5 million, Shea’s reaches over 250,000 patrons annually and presents the widest variety of performing arts in the region including touring Broadway musicals, concert artists, family shows, comedy, education programming, local school presentations, historic tours, special events and a free family film series.
This marks a return home for Murphy, a Western New York native and graduate of Gowanda Central High School, Class of 1979.
Murphy served as managing Director of The Old Globe from 2012 to the present, and as general manager from 2003 to 2012. Among his many accomplishments during his tenure at the Globe are the sensory-friendly annual performances he pioneered for Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (currently in their fourth year and immensely popular as a new family tradition). These performances, presented in a family-friendly and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families, along with a number of other special-needs families, allow these sometimes isolated families to experience art and entertainment together in a safe and fun way, an experience that isn’t always easy to come by.
Murphy also oversaw the construction of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, completed in 2009, when the Globe unveiled its redesigned campus with the opening of the center, featuring the new Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Karen and Donald Cohn Education Center, and Hattox Hall. The White Theatre replaced the Cassius Carter Centre Stage and was inaugurated with a production of the musical “I Do! I Do!”
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Hackers May Exploit Qualcomm
Chip in Android Devices, Report Says
Times of San Diego
An Internet security company is sounding the alarm on a Qualcomm-made chip used in 900 million Android devices, saying hackers may be able to watch photos or video and steal keystrokes.
San Carlos-based Check Point on Monday disclosed details in a session at the hacking conference DEF Con 24 in Las Vegas.
In a blog post by Adam Donenfeld, Check Point says an attack on four QuadRooter flaws “can trigger privilege escalations for the purpose of gaining root access to a device.”
“An attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities using a malicious app,” Donenfeld wrote Sunday. “Such an app would require no special permissions to take advantage of these vulnerabilities, alleviating any suspicion users may have when installing.”
QuadRooter bugs can give attackers “complete control of devices and unrestricted access to sensitive personal and enterprise data on them,” Donenfeld said. “Access could also provide an attacker with capabilities such as keylogging, GPS tracking and recording video and audio.”
Qualcomm didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Donenfeld said the issue highlights the inherent risks in the Android security model.
“Critical security updates must pass through the entire supply chain before they can be made available to end users,” he said. “Once available, the end users must then be sure to install these updates to protect their devices and data.”
Check Point released a free QuadRooter scanner app on Google Play, “which can tell you if these vulnerabilities exist on your device.”
According to Android Today, Qualcomm was notified about the vulnerabilities in April.
“The chipmaker says that all the bugs were fixed at its end and patches were handed over to customers. While fix for three vulnerabilities have already made it to recent Android monthly security updates released by Google, one is still outstanding – it’ll be be included in the September update,” said Android Today.
But Android Central said chances are low that users are vulnerable.
“You could conceivably go to Security settings, enable Unknown Sources, then ignore the full-screen warning that you’re about to install malware. But at that point, to a large extent, it’s on you,” said Android Central.
“Android will identify any QuadRooter-harboring app as harmful and show a big scary warning screen before letting you get anywhere near installing it.”
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Cubic Global Receives $52 Million
Contract Modification from Army
Cubic Global Defense, a business unit of Cubic Corporation, has received a contract modification award worth more than $52 million from the U.S. Army Contracting Command to support rotational and pre-deployment training exercises at the U.S. Army Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Fort Polk, La.
Under the contract, Cubic will continue to assist the JRTC with integrating U.S. and allied forces into rotational training exercises through scenarios. These types of exercises are conducted for units targeted for deployment in support of ongoing military operations overseas and include situational training, live fire, force-on-force and integrated live, virtual and constructive training.
Cubic has served the JRTC since 2001, assisting the Army in training over 138 brigade combat teams and over one million soldiers. Cubic received an initial five-year contract in 2001 and won the competitive bid in 2007 for one-base year with nine renewable option years.
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30-Year Creative Design Industry
Veteran Scott Mires to Retire
Avid surfer, art collector and classic car aficionado Scott Mires, who somehow also managed to pursue a 30-year career in the creative design industry, has decided to retire in September and leave the MiresBall agency to his co-owner John Ball.
Slated for double knee replacement surgery, Mires said, “I’m looking forward to getting my new knees and surfing into retirement. I’ll always be proud of the work the firm has done, and grateful for the people it’s brought into my life.”
Mires said he is looking forward to immersing himself both in new areas of creativity and some downtime after a long career in the industry. “I reached this decision after a lot of thought,” he said. “I’m leaving the agency in good hands — John has been a trusted partner all these years. I know the work the firm produces under his leadership will continue to add tremendous value for clients.”
Mires launched his career in 1985. His working relationship with current co-owner and fellow creative director John Ball began just a year later in a small studio in Little Italy. The agency has since relocated up the road. It’s still home to some longtime clients, plus others — from innovative startups to global category leaders and Fortune 100 companies.
“From my first day on the job, 30 years ago, Scott inspired me with his energy, passion, and work ethic,” said Ball. “And it’s those same qualities that will move us forward today.”
MiresBall has worked with many iconic San Diego-based companies, including Qualcomm, Brigantine, Rubio’s, Taylor Guitars, and Ballast Point, whose rebrand preceded the craft brewer’s billion-dollar acquisition last year.
For two decades, MiresBall has supported Father Joe’s Villages and the many homeless families that are aided by the organization. Mires has frequently opened the studio to welcome visiting art students and instructors.
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Wells Fargo Joins Chamber to Form
Small Business Resource Center
Wells Fargo has joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in launching a new Small Business Resource Center to assist business owners with financial management, small business planning, workforce development, and more.
The center — which is made possible through the Wells Fargo Works for Small BusinessSM program — is available to everyone. A chamber membership or Wells Fargo account are not required to access the resources.
“We’re very excited to launch the new Small Business Resource Center with Wells Fargo,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber. “Small business owners are the backbone of this city, and if we provide them with the resources and information they need to thrive, we can ensure a greater future for San Diego.”
The center’s online resources contain articles, webinars, and videos to assist business owners at each step of the management process, including for emerging entrepreneurs who wish to start a new venture. For individuals wishing to receive in-person guidance, the center also contains workshop dates for business professionals to work directly with industry experts.
“At Wells Fargo we believe we can only be as successful as the communities we serve,” said Ernesto Arredondo, Wells Fargo’s San Diego region president. “With the new Small Business Resource Center, we are confident that we can help business owners get the tools they need to take their business to the next level.”
The Small Business Resource Center is available online at www.sdchamber.org/smallbiz.
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SDSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk
Leaving for Missouri, Reports Say
Times of San Diego
San Diego State University’s highly regarded athletic director has been chosen to lead the athletic department at the University of Missouri, multiple news outlets reported Monday.
Officials at “Mizzou” have offered Jim Sterk the job, but no official announcement of his hiring has been made, according to the Missourinet.com, which first reported the story.
Sterk, 60, joined SDSU in 2010 after spending a decade as the AD at Washington State. Since then, the Aztecs’ football and men’s basketball programs rank third in combined winning percentage, behind only Ohio State and Louisville.
He also stabilized athletic department fundraising and finances, and guided the program through the Big East saga, in which the school announced intentions to join the conference as a football-only member, only to back out later when that league lost its most prestigious members.
More recently, Sterk was named to the committee that selects teams for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and was honored as the 2016 National Athletic Director of the Year by his colleagues.
According to the reports, Sterk would receive a large salary boost at well-heeled Missouri, a member of the Southeastern Conference.
He would replace Mack Rhoades, who resigned after a year on the job to lead the athletic program at scandal-plagued Baylor.
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Local Agencies Invited to Pursue
SANDAG Grants for Seniors, Disabled
Local agencies and community organizations throughout the county are invited to submit applications for $7 million in competitive grants that SANDAG is administering with the goal of improving transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The grants are made possible by two sources of funding: 1) TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax which provides a dedicated funding stream for the Senior Mini-Grant program; 2) the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) Program. Eligible applicants include local government agencies, tribal governments, social service agencies, private and public operators of public transportation, and nonprofit organizations that provide specialized transportation services to vulnerable populations. Grant funding may be used to operate programs as well as purchase vehicles.
A grant application workshop will be held Thursday, Aug. 11, at 9:30 a.m. at SANDAG (401 B St., Downtown San Diego) in the 7th floor Board Room. No registration is necessary. Grant applications and related materials are available at sandag.org/coordinatedplan.
Draft applications are due by Friday, Sept. 23, and final applications due Monday, Oct. 24.
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Council to Look for Alternative Ways
To Present Text of Citizens Initiatives
By City News Service
The City Council on Monday called a special meeting for Wednesday to discuss alternative ways of presenting the text of two citizens initiatives that San Diego voters will decide this fall.
City officials are looking for ways to cut the projected costs of November’s general election, which could reach $5.5 million — well over what was budgeted for this year.
A dozen city propositions will appear on the ballot, including the two citizens initiatives, which could run past 200 pages if the text has to be printed and mailed to voters, City Clerk Elizabeth Maland said.
One of the initiatives would fund construction of a Chargers stadium and convention center annex. The other would prohibit a waterfront expansion of the current convention center and encourage educational and park uses of the Qualcomm Stadium site if the local National Football League franchise vacates the premises.
Both need voter approval because they would raise hotel room taxes.
At a council meeting last week, Maland floated the idea of placing the text of the initiatives online, instead of printing and mailing it to voters.
Another possibility that was brought up was only mailing the pamphlets to registered voter households instead of each individual voter. Maland said that would reduce the number of pamphlets by about half.
In a memo to the mayor and council members, Deputy City Attorney Walter Chung opined that the state elections code preference is to print and mail the text of ballot measures to voters, but also envisions situations in which that might not be practical.
In such cases, state and city law allow the full text of the measure to be made available through alternative means so long as the electorate is informed of where they can obtain a full copy of the measure at no cost, according to Chung.
“If the council chooses to not publish the full text of the matter, the council’s discretion should be exercised keeping in mind the complexities of the citizens initiatives and its obligations of fairness and to fully inform the electorate,” Chung wrote.
A separate memo from the City Attorney’s Office, released late last week, said both citizens initiatives require two-thirds voter approval for adoption, because of the tax increase. The Chargers had been preparing for a two-thirds requirement, but lawyer Cory Briggs, the chief proponent of the other initiative, contends that his needs only a simple majority.
The special council meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at City Hall.
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3 San Diego-Based Warships, Aircraft
Carrier USS John C. Stennis Return
Times of San Diego
Three San Diego-based warships that accompanied the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis on a seven-month deployment are scheduled to return home Thursday, the Navy announced Monday.
The guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay and destroyers USS Stockdale and USS William P. Lawrence left San Diego Jan. 20 and were part of what Navy brass called the “Great Green Fleet,” a nod to the “Great White Fleet” that showcased U.S. naval power in the early 20th century under President Theodore Roosevelt.
The vessels were powered by a fuel mix that included beef fat provided by farmers in the Midwest. The fat was purchased at a competitive price through a partnership between the Department of the Navy and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Mobile Bay is named for a Civil War naval battle. The Stockdale honors Vice Adm. James Stockdale, who won the Medal of Honor for leading prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. The William P. Lawrence is named for another vice admiral who was also a Vietnam POW, and later commander of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Helicopters that operated on the ships are scheduled make their homecoming Tuesday at Naval Air Station North Island.
The Stennis will make a brief stop at North Island Wednesday before returning to its home port of Bremerton, Washington.
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USS Carl Vinson Strike Group
Welcomes New Commander
By City News Service
The carrier strike group led by the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Carl Vinson welcomed a new leader Monday during a command change ceremony at sea.
Rear Adm. James Kilby took over as commander of Carrier Strike Group 1, relieving Rear Adm. James Loeblein.
Strike Group 1 consists of the Carl Vinson, its air wing, the cruisers USS Bunker Hill and USS Lake Champlain and the ships of Destroyer Squadron 1.
Loeblein led the Vinson group through a 10-month deployment to the Middle East and post-voyage maintenance. He will become assistant deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington.
Kilby previously commanded the destroyer USS Russell and cruiser USS Monterey. Most recently, he was the initial commander of the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center.
The Vinson has been cruising off California in preparation for another deployment scheduled for next year.
The Navy has also been using the flattop to test the CMV-22B Osprey tilt- rotor aircraft to see if it will be able to replace the aging C-2 Greyhound as a transport when aircraft carriers are underway.
