Daily Business Report-Nov. 16, 2016
The agency’s Tijuana office is located in the Torre Cosmopolitan in Zona Rio, the city’s main business district.
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker Becomes 1st San Diego
Public Relations Firm to Open an Office in Tijuana
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker, one of the oldest public relations firms in San Diego, has become the first in San Diego to establish an office in Tijuana.
The agency added two new staff members to staff the office — Kathia Bustillos as general director of the office, and Analicia Luken as account coordinator.
The agency’s Tijuana office is located in Zona Río, the city’s main business district, in the Torre Cosmopolitan, the first building in Baja California to be certified as LEED Platinum in the core and shell category.
The connection of San Diego and Tijuana’s economies, people, and flow of goods and services provides the perfect environment for public relations, according to the agency.
“We are thrilled our dedication to our binational clients and authentic engagement with audiences on both sides of the border has allowed this facet of Nuffer, Smith, Tucker’s work to grow at the rate we have seen,” said Nuffer, Smith, Tucker President Bill Trumpfheller. “By having a physical presence on both sides of the border we will be able to provide more comprehensive, culturally appropriate services to our clients and contribute our own agency’s experiences to the discussion of the San Diego-Tijuana region and its potential.”
The agency’s binational clients include Farmacias Roma, JD Group, Bluebox and Grupo DAR, among others.
“In order for this office to provide the resources and expertise needed to help tell the incredible growth stories coming out of the San Diego-Tijuana region, we knew it was important to hire a staff who have a deep understanding of the region and share our love for telling our clients’ stories,” Trumpfheller said.
Kathia Bustillos has more than 32 years of experience in the communications, entertainment and information business. Most recently, she served as the general director for Televisa Baja California, managing the stations in Tijuana, Ensanada and Mexicali. She was the first female to be appointed as a general director in the history of the company. She received a bachelor’s degree in business from Universidad Iberoamericana and a master’s degree in business administration, with emphasis in strategic management, from the United States International University.
Analicia Luken has diverse communications experience in both Mexico and the U.S. She began her communications career as a radio broadcaster for Radio UDEM 90.5 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, and interned for the Frontera newspaper in Tijuana. In the U.S., she recently provided customer service and digital support for Uber San Diego. Luken earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and information science from the University of Monterrey and went on to earn an integrated digital marketing certificate from the University of San Diego.
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Coming Up: CONNECT’s Most
Innovative New Product Awards
Don’t miss San Diego’s most exciting night in innovation.
It is CONNECT’s 29th annual Most Innovative New Product Awards on Thursday, Dec. 1, to honor the celebrities of innovation along with groundbreaking new products launched within the past two years.
Thirty of San Diego’s top life science and technology companies have been selected as finalists. The ceremony includes an awards presentation and dinner.
The event will be at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego. Hours are from 5 to 9 p.m.
Dinner Ticket (1): Member $325, Nonmember $350
Dinner Duo Tickets (2): Member $650, Nonmember $650
Click here for tickets.
Click here for a list of the finalists.
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Calling All Word Nerds to
‘Spelling Bee for Grownups’
The San Diego Press Club will host its inaugural “Spelling Bee for Grownups” starting at 6:30 p.m. today at the San Diego Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown San Diego. The public is invited to attend. Cost to compete as a speller is $10 per person. There is no cost to attend and watch.
Selecting the words will be Peter Sokoloski, editor at large, Merriam-Webster, Inc. Judges will include Grant Barrett, host of the “A Way With Words” radio show, and Misty Jones, director, San Diego Public Library. Advance registration is requested. For information, visit www.sdpressclub.org.
The event is a fundraiser for the San Diego Press Club, San Diego Council on Literacy and the San Diego Public Library.
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San Diego State Named
Top School For Study Abroad
San Diego State University students are leading the way when it comes to studying abroad. The Institute for International Education’s Open Doors report, released Monday, lists SDSU at No. 9 in the nation for study abroad.
The report uses data for the 2014-15 academic year, during which 2,422 students studied in foreign countries. In the most recent academic year, 2015-16, a record number of 2,660 students studied abroad.
The Open Doors ranking takes into account the total number of students studying abroad. When compared to the percentage of university enrollment, SDSU ranks No. 1 for public universities. More than seven percent of SDSU students studied abroad during the 2014-15 academic year.
SDSU students studied in 65 different countries during the 2014-15 academic year. The top five most popular destinations were Spain, Mexico, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany. With more than 350 study abroad programs to choose from, SDSU students can participate in academically challenging, professionally relevant and personally engaging experiences.
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Higgs Partner Loren Freestone Named
President of SD County Bar Association
Higgs Fletcher & Mack partner Loren Freestone has been named president of the San Diego County Bar Association for 2017
After serving as the Bar’s secretary, former chair of its Ethnic Relations and Diversity Committee, and former chair of the Diversity Fellowship Program, Freestone will oversee the operations and work with its board to advance the organization’s policy and initiatives.
At Higgs, Freestone represents and advises small, medium and large employers, corporations and healthcare practitioners in employment disputes, litigation and trial matters. This includes claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and wage as well as hour violations. In addition, he provides needed counseling to employers on employment-related issues and claims, and has represented companies involving employment-related civil restraining orders.
“I’ve been involved with the Bar for about nine years. Given my long involvement in the legal community, I felt it was a natural progression,” said Freestone.
The 2017 board will participate in an installation ceremony at Stepping Up to the Bar, the association’s annual holiday reception, on Dec. 2.
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Bank of America Awards
$200,000 to Accion San Diego
Bank of America has named Accion San Diego as its 2016 Neighborhood Builder winner for San Diego, which comes with a $200,000 grant.
The nonprofit is being recognized for creating economic opportunity for assisting low-to-moderate income business owners who lack access to traditional sources of credit. Through business loans ranging from $300 to $75,000 and support services, Accion strengthens the roots of emerging entrepreneurs and helps them thrive, creating social and economic change.
Currently marking its 12th anniversary, Neighborhood Builders is an investment in communities that combines $200,000 in flexible funding with leadership training for high-performing nonprofits and their executives.
“The Neighborhood Builder Award from Bank of America will provide the additional capacity needed for our organization to meet the increasing demand for our microlending program supporting staffing, technology and training,” said Accion CEO Elizabeth Schott. “We are so grateful for these funds, which will be used to further support hard-working small business owners and help them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams, while contributing to our local economy and job market. Another exciting part of the grant will enable us to provide leadership training to our senior team to help further develop the organization as we continue to expand.”
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Del Sur Home-Building Site Sold for $24.5 Million
The 170-acre site for a master planned community in Del Sur has been sold for $24.5 million to CalAtlantic Homes, an Irvine-based home builder. The seller was Mountain Glen Family LLC.
Colliers International represented buyer and seller in the transaction.
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General Atomics Offers Aircraft
to Support Humanitarian Relief Efforts
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. announced Tuesday that it can provide a company-owned aircraft to support humanitarian relief efforts.
“Angel One,” an aircraft based on the jet-propelled Predator RPA system owned and operated by General Atomics, is capable of delivering 8,500 pounds of Humanitarian Daily Ration packets (HDRs) for 3,400 people each day. This capability could ensure that urgently needed food and medical supplies to reach those otherwise inaccessible, such as victims of war — as in Syria — or following natural disasters throughout the world.
Using a specially designed internal bay door release mechanism, which allows for two separate drops of aid per mission, the field is evenly distributed with HDRs, increasing the likelihood of civilians successfully retrieving needed aid, and ensuring greater delivery success over more traditional “pallet” aid drops.
“Angel One” can fly up to three missions of three hours each per day for as long as humanitarian relief is required.
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Coastal Carlsbad Property
Sold for Multi-Family Project
San Diego Capital Management has purchased a 16,800-square-foot parcel in Carlsbad for $1.6 million with plans to develop the site into a five-unit multifamily project.
Currently, a four-bedroom, three-bath, 2,204-square-foot home sits on the property. The seller was the Henkin Family Trust.
Lee & Associates – North San Diego County represented the seller in the transaction. San Diego Capital Management, was represented by Home Smart.
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USS John P. Murtha on Way to
San Diego After Maiden Voyage
The amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha is scheduled to arrive at her homeport of San Diego on Friday, completing the ship’s maiden voyage.
Following four years of construction and successful sea trials this summer in the Gulf of Mexico, the Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock ship set sail in August for home. Along the way, the crew conducted equipment checks, system tests, crew certification, and countless hours of underway training.
“As we look forward to arriving home in San Diego and reuniting with family and friends, I could not be more proud of this crew,” said Capt. Kevin Parker, the commanding officer. “During our sail around up and down the East Coast and through the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, they have executed every assigned engagement and tasking with professionalism and precision.”
USS John P. Murtha is the tenth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio class. These versatile ships incorporate both a flight deck to accommodate all U.S. Marine Corps helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, as well as a well deck that can launch and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The ship is capable of embarking a landing force of nearly 800 Marines.
The ship is named in honor of Congressman John P. Murtha, who served his country both as a Marine and in the halls of Congress.
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MOON SHOT
The brightest moon in almost 69 years sets behind the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. The ship is moored and homeported in San Diego. It is undergoing a scheduled planned maintenance. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Abe McNatt)
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Personnel Announcements
Daniel Dumke Joins Sundt Construction
has joined Sundt Construction as the new district manager for the California region, overseeing the operations of Sundt’s four California offices— San Diego, Irvine, Sacramento and San Jose.
Dumke has more than 35 years of experience directing company operations, managing significant projects and leading high-performing teams in the construction industry. He brings experience in the building and industrial markets as well as knowledge of large projects and public-private partnerships.
Dumke has led a variety of significant construction projects in Southern California, including the $300 million design-build Central Plant for Los Angeles World Airports at LAX, the $270 million Scripps La Jolla Medical Center and the $220 million Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Douglas W. Lytle Joins Klinedinst San Diego
Attorney Douglas W. Lytle has joined the Klinedinst San Diego office as senior council.
In his new role, Lytle will focus on defending lawyers and accountants in cases alleging professional malpractice. Lytle is an experienced litigation and trial attorney with over 20 years of experience enforcing and defending the rights of businesses and individuals in state and federal courts. He also has significant experience with defending intellectual property, has authored numerous articles appearing in national local publications, and founded the legal blog “Takes on Law.”
Lytleearned his undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego, and his Juris Doctor from Willamette University College of Law in Oregon.
