Daily Business Report-April 26, 2018
Cannabis plant. (UC San Diego)
University Receives $4.7M Gift for Research
into Using Cannabis Compound to Treat Autism
Thanks to a major gift from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation, researchers at the University of California San Diego will embark on a study to investigate the potential of cannabidiol, a chemical found in the cannabis plant, as a treatment for severe autism. The award was given in partnership with and based on recommendations the Noorda Foundation received from the Wholistic Research and Education Foundation.
The $4.7 million gift to the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at UC San Diego School of Medicine is the largest private gift to date for medicinal cannabis research in the United States. The funding will support translational research to investigate whether medicinal cannabinoid therapies can alleviate symptoms in children with severe autism — and if so, how.
While the causes of autism are still not fully understood, a number of abnormalities have been identified in the brains of individuals with autism, including lower levels of available serotonin, a brain chemical associated with mood regulation; an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters; and irregular organization of brain networks. Cannabidiol or CBD has a number of effects on the central nervous system which may be relevant to autism.
“The more severe manifestations of autism are difficult to treat, causing parents to look for non-traditional remedies,” said Igor Grant, M.D., professor of psychiatry and CMCR director. “There are unconfirmed reports that cannabidiol could be helpful, but there are no careful studies to document either its benefits or its safety. This gift will enable our researchers to develop and implement a translational program of research that pairs a clinical trial with detailed neurobehavioral observation, as well as basic science studies to determine if cannabidiol holds therapeutic promise, and if so, via what mechanisms.”
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Ballast Point Honors Hometown
With Release of ‘Made in San Diego’ Beer
Ballast Point announced the release of its new “Made in San Diego” beer —made available exclusively in San Diego County — in partnership with San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The Made in San Diego beer is Ballast Point’s way of giving back to the city that originally backed a humble home brewer’s dream and has supported the brewery for more than 20 years.
As part of the “give back initiative,” the local brewery has teamed up with San Diego Regional EDC to donate 50 cents for every case sold of Made in San Diego beer to the EDC Foundation Entrepreneurship Fund. The multi-year partnership will provide aspiring San Diego entrepreneurs with needed resources to launch and grow their small businesses and will raise up to $25,000 each year for the program.
Ballast Point has been an integral part of the San Diego regional economy over the last 20 years. In 2017 alone, the brewery generated $537 million of total economic activity in the region. Quantified by EDC, the brewery is also a significant contributor to jobs. While directly employing approximately 375 people locally, Ballast Point’s presence in the region impacts roughly 1,074 jobs.
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$44.75 Million Loan Arranged for
Manchester Financial Centre Refinance
CBRE’s Capital Markets’ Debt & Structured Finance team has arranged a $44.75 million loan for the refinance of Manchester Financial Centre, a 160,000-square-foot office property in Bankers Hill, on behalf of Manchester Financial Group.
Originally built in1965, the 12-story building houses Bertrand at Mister A’s fine dining restaurant and is the headquarters for Manchester Financial Group, located at 2550 Fifth Ave. Other amenities include a fitness center, on-site coffee shop, valet parking, storage and bike racks.
Mark McGovern, Scott Peterson and Brian Cruz of CBRE’s San Diego office arranged the ten-year fixed rate loan on behalf of the borrower.
“Since acquisition, Manchester has instituted a capital expense program to continuously upgrade the property including a new and upgraded façade and entrance, new lobby finishes and places to gather, and new creative tenant buildouts for prospective companies,” said McGovern.
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Brain Corp Teams With Tennant Company
to Introduce Autonomous Cleaning Machines
Brain Corp, a San Diego company specializing in the development of self-driving technology for robots, announced a relationship with Tennant Company to introduce autonomous cleaning machines.
“By incorporating Brain’s operating system into our commercial cleaning line of products, we can offer the advanced technology and innovation that customers value in Tennant products,” said Chris Killingstad, president and CEO of Tennant Company.
Brain’s proprietary AI robotic technology software platform, BrainOS, automates commercial-grade equipment, including commercial floor care machines. The new relationship introduces autonomous cleaning machines that have been designed to maximize productivity and increase efficiency for Tennant customers. Tennant will introduce the autonomous machines initially to its customers in North America with further expansion into global markets. The first Tennant product powered by the BrainOS AI robotic technology will be its T7 Micro-Rider floor scrubber with additional models anticipated soon.
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Intesa Founder Margie Newman Named
Communicator of the Year for 2018
The San Diego chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) has named Margie Newman, founding partner and managing director of Intesa Communications Group, as its 2018 Communicator of the Year. The COTY Award recognizes one San Diego area-based leader who demonstrates strategic excellence in communication.
Newman will be honored at a happy hour event at Karl Strauss Brewery in Sorrento Valley on May 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
“Margie is a trusted communications advisor for business executives, elected officials and nonprofit leaders in San Diego, and across the country,” said IABC/San Diego President Kate Griffin. “In addition to her many professional accomplishments, she is highly engaged in the betterment of our city through her meaningful civic and volunteer service. We are thrilled to present her with our most prestigious annual award.”
Newman is founding partner and managing director of Intesa Communications Group, a San Diego-based communications and government relations firm serving clients nationwide. She is known for her methodical planning, thoughtful work approach and contagious enthusiasm. Working closely with senior management and stakeholders at all levels, Newman is adept at building consensus, aligning an organization around a strategic vision, and preparing it to message it effectively.
Before launching Intesa in 2012, Newman served as media relations and social media manager for The Pew Center on the States, a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C
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University of San Diego to Honor Disaster
Relief Leader and Other Outstanding Toreros
A leader in global disaster and refugee relief efforts and other outstanding University of San Diego alumni will be honored on Saturday, April 28.
Tracy Reines, who led the responses to nearly 200 disasters in 75 communities and worked in the field during earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and Nepal, will be honored for humanitarian service. She is currently the regional director for U.S. programs with the International Rescue Committee that resettles nearly 15 percent of refugees coming to the United States.
John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School of Politics, and Vickie E. Turner, partner in Wilson Turner Kosmo, the largest women-owned law firm in San Diego, also will be honored.
“Our outstanding honorees exemplify the spirit of excellence and service we strive to instill in all of our graduates, and we are very proud to honor them,” said University of San Diego President James T. Harris.”
Other alumni honorees: Rasheed Behrooznia, vice president of engineering for Cubic Transportation Systems; William “Bill” Brennan, principal, Marsh & McLennan Agency; Catherine “Caity” S. Riddle Meader, executive director, Family Services of Tulare County; Eleonora –Markella Mantika, liaison officer, United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia;
Sister Virginia Rodee, retired USD assistant vice president for mission and ministry; Cindy Steckel, vice president and chief operations executive/administrator of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla; Sue Snyder, USD Women’s Volleyball Coach from 1990 to 1998.
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BWE Takes Honors for Civil Engineering
Design of Jacobs Medical Center & Central Plant
BWE Inc. has received the “Outstanding Architectural Engineering Project” Award for the civil engineering design of UCSD Jacobs Medical Center & Central Plant. The award was presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9.
During her acceptance speech, Laura Moore, principal civil engineer for UC San Diego said, “This is a small engineering firm that took on a big job very successfully because they provided a good engineer who was fully integrated into the project, every step of the way… and it resulted in a great project.”
CannonDesign led the design team, which included BWE, while Kitchell provided construction management. BWE began civil engineering design in June 2008 and provided full site design and construction administration service for the tower, central plant and the surrounding road. BWE was also responsible for surveying, construction staking, layout and 3D laser scanning services.
The building was named after Irwin and Joan Jacobs, who donated $100 million to the project. It is a 10-story, 509,500-square-foot specialty hospital tower adjacent and connected to the existing Thornton Hospital.
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Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering Receives $10M
Gift for Classrooms, Labs and Innovation Spaces
The University of San Diego Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering has received a $10 million gift from La Jolla residents Rafaela and John Belanich for state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and student innovation spaces. Upon completion of the extensive renovations in Loma and Guadalupe Halls and intermediate annex building, the new facilities will be named the Belanich Engineering Center in honor of the gift.
The plans for the growing and expansive, 74,500-square-foot engineering complex also include spaces for industry collaboration, conference rooms, and faculty and administration offices.
Rafaela Belanich graduated from the University of San Diego, and her husband, John, is an engineer-real estate developer. The couple have given to many institutions including the La Jolla Music Society for The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center.
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Mesa College Professor Speaks Tonight
on New Book: ‘No Forgotten Fronts’
Long before Facebook or Twitter, there was the U.S. Postal Service. And when men and women were serving their country during World War II, letters were often the only way they could communicate with family and loved ones. Which is why Mesa College Assistant Professor Lisa Shapiro spent two years researching the correspondence between young service men and women and one trusted San Diego State College professor.
The result is “No Forgotten Fronts: From Classrooms to Combat” (Naval Institute Press), a newly released book based on thousands of letters penned by San Diego State students who served in World War II.
Shapiro will be discussing her research during a book signing in the Winn Room at the Coronado Public Library tonight at 6:30. The library is at 640 Orange Ave., Coronado, 92118. The event is free and open to the public.
The book is based on letters received by the late Dr. Lauren Post, a San Diego State College geography professor and veteran of World War I who — at the beginning of World War II — asked students entering military service to write him. For the next five years, thousands of letters from Pearl Harbor, North Africa, Normandy, and elsewhere described vivid accounts of training, combat, and camaraderie. Pilots wrote about seeing planes shot down. Men in POW camps sent word about other prisoners. Often, Post passed the information on to frantic families hoping for news about their loved ones. And every month, Post mailed newsletters to his Fighting Aztecs around the globe, letting them know the community cared.
Asked about her research, Shapiro said: “The letters written to one beloved professor describe an American perspective of war that shines with idealism, determination, raw grief, and the power of friendship. These intimate, first-person accounts capture honest, in-the-moment reactions to war that resound with heartache and gratitude.”
Shapiro, who was raised in San Diego, began teaching as an adjunct professor at Mesa College before being hired as an assistant professor of business in 2014. Her quest to learn more about the experiences of those who have served their country was sparked by the large number of veterans at Mesa College, which has a strong record of outreach to veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents. Mesa College serves veterans through its Veterans Resource Center and Veterans Affairs office.
Shapiro also has co-authored with Deborah K. Reed “The Chamber and the Cross,” a contemporary thriller wrapped around a medieval romance. The book was a finalist in the San Diego Book Awards.
