Daily Business Report-Sept. 14, 2016
South face of the Brady School of Management (Credit: Tktktk – Own Work)
High-Tech Innovator Poizner
Named Entrepreneur in Residence
At Rady School of Management
Steve Poizner, the high-tech entrepreneur whose achievements included the sale of startup company Snap Track to Qualcomm Inc. for $1 billion and a stint as California Insurance Commissioner, has been appointed Entreprenuer in Residence at the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego.
The Rady School Entrepreneur in Residence, a program of the school’s California Institute for Innovation and Development, provides students with a connection to distinguished business leaders who will share their experience and expertise, according to the school.
“Steve Poizner is an exceptional entrepreneur who will bring valuable insights to Rady School students,” said Rady School Dean Robert S. Sullivan. “We are privileged to have such an experienced and successful leader as the Rady School’s first Entrepreneur in Residence.”
Poizner has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, founding and successfully selling SnapTrack Inc. — which developed GPS-based location technology for cell phones — and Strategic Mapping Inc. and EmpoweredU.
He is currently on the Selection Committee and a mentor at EvoNexus, Southern California’s largest technology incubator, and was the senior vice president of emerging businesses at Qualcomm from 2014-16.
As the Entrepreneur in Residence, Poizner will work closely with the school’s entrepreneurship-focused programs mystartupXX, the StartR accelerator and the Lab to Market capstone course sequence. He will also hold office hours to mentor students.
Poiznrt served as the California Insurance Commissioner from 2007 to 2011, one of only eight statewide elected positions in California, and as a White House Fellow from 2001-2002 where he worked in the National Security Council Office of Cyberspace Security as the director of critical infrastructure protection.
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Girl Scouts San Diego has a new CEO
Veteran Executive to Assume Post in October
Girl Scouts San Diego has named Carol M. Dedrich as its new CEO, an executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience in government, the military, corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Dedrich will assume the post on Oct. 10.
For the last eight years, Dedrich has been the chief external relations officer for Girl Scouts Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA). Like GSGLA, Girl Scouts San Diego’s priorities include serving a geographically broad and diverse membership and volunteer base, reaching out to underserved communities and building lasting
“Carol’s deep understanding of Girl Scout programs, impacts, structures and strategic opportunities will enable her to hit the ground running as she steps into the role of CEO,” said Rick Brooks, who chairs the Girl Scouts San Diego Board of Directors. “She will be a great community leader and public advocate for girls.”
“The lessons I learned as a young Girl Scout prepared me to take on leadership roles in school, the military, and the nonprofit sector,” Dedrich said. “I am eager to bring my expertise and experience to San Diego to lead one of the nation’s most respected Girl Scout councils.”
Dedrich began her career as a Patriot Missile officer in the U.S. Army and is a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
She transitioned to civilian life as development director at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. In addition to establishing and maintaining donor relations, she built a Leadership Giving Program that increased major gift revenue from $626,000 to $2.1 million in just three years.
Dedrich later became vice president of development and marketing at the Fulfillment Fund, a nonprofit that helps provide access to education for promising students who are economically disadvantaged. She helped lead the organization through a national restructure by building its infrastructure, implementing new policy and procedures, creating board development and supporting staff professional development.
Dedrich succeeds Jo Dee C. Jacob, who retired after nearly 15 years as CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego.
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The Maritime Alliance in San Diego Gets
$297,000 to Promote Increased Exports
The Maritime Alliance, a San Diego-based nonprofit that promotes maritime business and technology innovation, has been awarded $296,705 from the International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program.
The award will allow TMA to continue to encourage providers of U.S. marine technology goods and services to increase exports, particularly to France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. With the federal resources, TMA aims to increase exports to Korea by $44 million during the next three years.
Acting U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Ken Hyatt announced the award. “With 96 percent of the world’s consumers living outside of our borders, exports are a critical driver of the U.S. economy, supporting millions of U.S. jobs,” Hyatt said. “TMA recognizes the positive impact exporting can have for their member organizations.”
TMA will match the award with an investment of $948,570 of its own resources. Each award winner pledges at least two-thirds of the project costs and to sustain its project after the initial award period ends.
The funded project will allow TMA to help more U.S. firms export more U.S. products and services by: 1) underwriting the cost of U.S. firms participating at foreign trade shows and missions, and 2) paying part of the costs for U.S. firms to network with foreign buyers at a new U.S.-based trade show.
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AT&T and Qualcomm
Test UAS on 4G Networks
AUVSI
AT&T and Qualcomm are conducting tests of operating unmanned aerial systems on the 4G LTE cellular network. The UAS connect to the same towers that cell phones connect to, and will be operable as long as they are within range of a tower.
The two companies will seek to provide solid evidence that UAS can be controlled safely beyond visual line of sight when operating on cell towers.
AUVSI is the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
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LeTip of Greater San Diego
Hosts 30th Anniversary Celebration
LeTip of Greater San Diego, a business networking organization, will host its 30th anniversary Business Networking Mixer and Celebration on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. The event is free to guests from more than 100 open business categories.
The event will commemorate LeTip’s dedication over the past three decades in taking Southern California businesses to the next level through referral marketing. LeTip generates about 6,000 “tips” or referrals, per year and approximately $1 million in revenue to the local economy. The city of San Diego is proclaiming Sept.15 as “LeTip of Greater San Diego Day.”
LeTip founder Andy Kimari and long-term board member Steven Bates will be honored at the celebration. For more information, call (858) 538-8985, Ext. 101.
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Chargers’ Stadium Plan
Gets Big Endorsement
By City News Service
Measure C, a key component of the Chargers’ plan to build a new stadium and convention center annex downtown, was endorsed by the Associated General Contractors of America’ San Diego chapter, it was announced Tuesday.
The chapter’s board of directors voted Thursday to endorse the ballot measure on the November ballot, according to Brad Barnum, executive vice president of the group. Measure C would use an increase in the hotel-room tax to fund the construction of the project.
The Associated General Contractors of America’s board of directors expressed its support, in principle, of a San Diego stadium initiative in May. In July, the joint stadium and convention center initiative sponsored by the San Diego Chargers received enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The group met with the Chargers and additional stakeholders to evaluate the initiative, according to Barnum.
In August, Associated General Contractors of America’s government relations committee recommended to the board a support position, while addressing concerns about a potential union-only project labor agreement. AGC has a legislative policy position supporting fair and open competition, while opposing government-mandated, or coerced, PLAs, Barnum said.
“Project labor agreements discourage competition, are unfair to non-union contractors and subcontractors, cause construction costs to increase, and undermine the collective bargaining process between employers and trade unions,” Barnum said in a statement.
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Gov. Brown Signs Law
Banning Orca Shows in California
By City News Service
Breeding orcas in captivity and using them in shows for entertainment will be banned in California beginning next summer under a bill signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jerry Brown
SeaWorld San Diego, which used to feature killer whales as entertainment, announced earlier this year that it would only use them for educational purposes and discontinue its breeding program.
The California Orca Protection Act does not apply to scientific and educational institutions that have orcas for rehabilitation and research. The law goes into effect in June 2017. Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), authored the bill.
David Koontz, communications director for SeaWorld San Diego issued a statement in response to the new law. “As a result of our recent announcement, we have been working with Assemblymember Bloom on this legislation, but SeaWorld does not have a position on the bill itself,” Koonts said. “SeaWorld ended its orca breeding program effective March 17 and will replace all its theatrical killer whale shows with educational orca encounters starting in San Diego next year.
“The federal government already regulates marine mammals in zoological settings through the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Animal Welfare Act.
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Tuna Lovers Can Trace Source
of Chicken of the Sea Products
San Diego-based Chicken of the Sea International has launched a digital traceability initiative allowing customers to trace the source, processing location and fishing method of their seafood, as part of its commitment to seafood sustainability.
The new interactive program currently covers all Chicken of the Sea shelf-stable tuna products and will soon allow seafood lovers to trace the company’s entire shelf-stable product line.
The announcement and activation of Chicken of the Sea Trace Your Product establishes the San Diego-based seafood provider’s commitment toward 100 percent digital traceability. The program is a cornerstone of SeaChange, the company’s global sustainability strategy with initiatives encompassing marine conservation, responsible sourcing and operations, caring for communities and safe and legal labor standards.
“It is important for our customers to have an opportunity to know the story behind their fish — where it came from, how it was caught, where it was canned and how the process fits within our sustainability program,” said Jennifer Woofter, Chicken of the Sea’s director of sustainability. “Traceability is an essential step in the responsible sourcing and sustainability process and we are excited to make this development available to our customers.”
Digital traceability: How does it work?
Chicken of the Sea customers simply enter the 10- to 15-digit number located on the bottom of their Chunk Light, Chunk Light Albacore and Solid White Albacore tuna in 3-oz., 5-oz., 7-oz. and 12-oz. cans to receive answers to seven specific questions:
- What is My Seafood? Visitors are given an initial description of their tuna or other seafood species.
- Where Was My Seafood Caught? These results include a world map showing the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Area where the tuna or other seafood was caught, and a link to a species-specific stock status report from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation.
- What Fishing Method Was Used? This section includes both the fishing method and vessel size.
- What Fishing Vessel Caught My Seafood? This information includes fishing vessel name, nation of registry and fishing trip start and end dates.
- How was my Seafood Processed? The processing method is subject to Chicken of the Sea’s strict compliance requirements and stringent Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct.
- Where was my Seafood Canned? The can code indicates where the seafood was processed and canned, which may not necessarily be where it was caught.
- How Does Chicken of the Sea Support Sustainability? This section details Chicken of the Sea’s commitment to sustainability as part of the SeaChange program.
To access Chicken of the Sea Trace Your Product, click here
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Qualcomm Opens Semiconductor
Testing Facility in Shanghai
Qualcomm Inc. announced the opening of Qualcomm Communication Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., a semiconductor test facility in the Waigaoqiao free-trade zone in Shanghai, and its first foray into providing manufacturing services for semiconductors.
By working with Amkor Technology Inc., one of the world’s leading providers of contract semiconductor assembly and test services, the new company will combine Amkor’s test services experience and state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities with Qualcomm Technologies’ product engineering .
The new manufacturing facility demonstrates Qualcomm Technologies’ commitment to continue to invest and help develop semiconductor expertise in China, and is indicative of growth in semiconductor market leadership in the country, the company said in a statement. “Through the ownership and operation of a semiconductor test center, Qualcomm Technologies will enhance its focus on customer service, continue to develop its expertise in operational excellence, and increase its business presence in China.” the statement said.
“The test facility is part of our continued mission to streamline supply chain operations and improve operational efficiency,” said Roawen Chen, senior vice president, QCT global operations, Qualcomm Technologies.
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Feds Commit $1 Billion to Build
Mid-Coast Trolley Extension
Federal Transit Administration officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation will join local leaders today to announce a $1 billion grant to the San Diego region to build the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension.
The Full Funding Grant Agreement is the last critical step needed to begin construction of the region’s newest Trolley line, which will extend service from Old Town to the University City community.
The largest public transit project in the history of the region, the 11-mile Mid-Coast Trolley Extension will include nine new stations serving Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, the VA Medical Center, UC San Diego, and the dense business and commercial districts along Genesee Avenue.
The total project cost is estimated at $2.1 billion, with the regional TransNet half-cent sales tax covering half of the cost and the federal grant covering the other half.
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Personnel Announcements
Jose Iniguea Named to State Commission
Jose Iniguez, 47, of Fallbrook, has been appointed to the Instructional Quality Commission by Gov. Jerry Brown. Iniguez has been assistant superintendent of educational services at the Fallbrook Union High School District since 2014.
He was director of secondary education and instructional technology at the Paramount Unified School District from 2013 to 2014. Iniguez was principal at West Adams Preparatory High School from 2010 to 2013 and house principal at Santa Monica High School from 2005 to 2010. He was an associate principal at Leuzinger High School from 2002 to 2005. Iniguez earned a Master of Arts degree in educational administration from California State University, Northridge, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership and Master of Education degree in bilingual, cross-cultural education from the University of California, Los Angeles.
The position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no copensation. Iniguez is a Democrat.
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Sempra Shake-Up
President Mark Snell To Retire in March 2017
Mark A. Snell, a San Diego State product who rose through the ranks of Sempra Energy to become president of the San Diego-based company, says he will retire in March 2017.
Snell, 60, joined Sempra in 2001 as vice president of corporate planning and development and before being named president in 2011 was executive vice president and chief financial officer for six years.
Sempra — parent company of SDG&E — on Tuesday also announced other executive appointments, mostly effective Jan. 1, 2017.
The changes:
Joseph A. Householder, 61, Sempra’s executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sempra Energy, will be named to the new role of corporate group president of infrastructure businesses for Sempra Energy, reporting to Reed. He will oversee Sempra operations in midstream, LNG, renewable energy and Mexico
Steven D. Davis, 60, executive vice president of external affairs and corporate strategy, will be named to the new job of corporate group president of utilities, reporting to Reed. The SDSU grad also will chair the Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) boards of directors. Davis will oversee operations at Sempra Energy’s utilities in California and South America.
Jeffrey W. Martin, 54, chairman and president and CEO of SDG&E, will become Sempra executive vice president and chief financial officer, reporting to Reed. Martin will oversee all financial matters for the company, including business development and major acquisitions
Dennis V. Arriola, 55 — chairman, president and CEO of SoCalGas — will become executive vice president of corporate strategy and external affairs for Sempra Energy, reporting to Reed. He will be responsible for corporate strategy and will oversee all communications, government relations, regulatory and international affairs activities, as well as corporate social responsibility.
Patricia K. Wagner, 54, president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, will become CEO of SoCalGas, reporting to Davis. Until she assumes her new position in January 2017, Wagner has been appointed an executive vice president for Sempra Energy, effective immediately.
Bret Lane, 57, has been named president of SoCalGas effective immediately, and will continue in his role as SoCalGas’ chief operating officer, reporting to the CEO of SoCalGas.
Scott D. Drury, 51, chief energy supply officer for SDG&E, will become president of SDG&E, reporting to Davis. Drury holds a bachelor’s in public administration and a master’s in business administration from SDSU. He serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. and the advisory board of Alzheimer’s San Diego.
Caroline A. Winn, 53, chief energy delivery officer for SDG&E, will become chief operating officer of SDG&E, reporting to Drury. She holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from CSU Sacramento. Winn serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Western Energy Institute and the Classroom of the Future Foundation.
