Daily Business Report-June 21, 2018
A juvenile manta swims at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. (Photo: G.P. Schmahl / Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary)
Scripps graduate student discovers
world’s first known manta ray nursery
A graduate student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and colleagues from NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries have discovered the world’s first known manta ray nursery. Located in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Texas at NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, the juvenile manta ray habitat is the first of its kind to be described in a scientific study. Click here to view photo gallery
Joshua Stewart, a marine biology PhD candidate at Scripps and lead author of the study, observed the juvenile mantas while conducting research on manta population structure at Flower Garden Banks, one of 15 federally designated underwater areas protected by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
“The juvenile life stage for oceanic mantas has been a bit of a black box for us, since we’re so rarely able to observe them,” said Stewart, who also serves as executive director of the Manta Trust, a global manta conservation program. “Identifying this area as a nursery highlights its importance for conservation and management, but it also gives us the opportunity to focus on the juveniles and learn about them. This discovery is a major advancement in our understanding of the species and the importance of different habitats throughout their lives.”
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Report: ‘middle-skill’ jobs represent
growing segment of local labor market
A report released Wednesday by the San Diego-Imperial Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research finds that “middle-skill” jobs, which require more training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, comprise a significant and growing portion of the San Diego labor market — and they are the jobs that employers are struggling to fill. In conjunction with the report, San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges (SDICCC) launched a new effort to prepare their students for these well-paying, in-demand middle-skill careers.
In 2017, 38 percent of employment in San Diego County and 36 percent in Imperial County were for middle-skill jobs, and these percentages are projected to grow by 2022, according to the report. Between 2017 and 2022, the San Diego-Imperial COE projects that there will be more than 47,000 job openings per year in the area’s 100 top middle-skill job categories — the vast majority of which are facing a shortage of qualified workers.
These middle-skill jobs pay well. According to the study: In San Diego County, workers in the top 100 middle-skill jobs earn a median hourly wage of $26.70 (or $55.5K annually) compared to a median hourly wage of $19.30 (or $40K annually) for all jobs in the region.
“To ensure our students are qualified for these job opportunities, we align our Career Education programs to meet the regional labor market demand,” said Sunny Cooke, superintendent and president of the MiraCosta Community College District. “We also have powerful partnerships with local employers to help students find their path and launch their careers.”
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UC San Diego honored for leadership
in electric vehicle charging programs
The University of California San Diego has been honored with the 2018 Grid Edge Innovation Award for serving as an epicenter for research, development and commercialization on smart electric vehicle (EV) charging. UC San Diego has collaborations with over 18 companies and organizations in providing 135 EV charging stations on campus. In May alone, more than 700 different EVs were charged by UC San Diego’s world-renowned microgrid.
UC San Diego is the first university to receive a Grid Edge Innovation Award from Greentech Media, an information services company for technologies, markets and businesses shaping the future of the electricity sector. Representatives from the campus will officially accept the honor today at a ceremony in San Francisco.
Collectively, UC San Diego charges over 700 unique EV drivers each month, which represents a monthly reduction in 5,400 gallons of avoided gasoline being used. The number of such drivers is expected to continue to climb, as UC San Diego experiences an annual growth rate of 120 percent in EV commuters to campus.
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Vitamin D associated
with lower risk of cancer
A lower risk of breast cancer is found among older women who have greater levels of vitamin D, according to a study led by UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers. While the study doesn’t prove cause and effect, it’s the latest among many that find those with higher levels of vitamin D have lower risks of various diseases.
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Tech Coast Angels pumped
$14.2 million into startups in 2017
Tech Coast Angels, a Southern California network of investors in seed and early stage startups, pumped more money into fewer young companies in 2017. In its annual report released Wednesday, the regional angel network said it invested $14.2 million in 43 companies last year, compared with $14.1 million in 55 companies in 2016.
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USD and Colombian university
partner to increase student exchange
The University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies (Kroc School) and Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios in Bogotá, Colombia have been selected to participate in a unique program aimed at increasing student exchange and training opportunities throughout the Americas.
Sponsored by the Colombian Institute of Educational Loans and Studies Abroad and the U.S. Department of State, the Kroc School is one of only 11 U.S. universities selected to participate in the Innovation Fund program. The Innovation Fund inspires U.S. universities and colleges to team up with higher education institutions in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada to create dynamic partnerships that will increase student exchange and training opportunities throughout the Americas.
A $25,000 grant will be matched with other Kroc School funds to build opportunities for students to explore peacebuilding and social innovation work.
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Cal State San Marcos gets $1 million
grant to engage students in science
Cal State San Marcos is among 57 colleges and universities selected for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Initiative, which provides $1 million in grant support over five years for each institution.
The initiative aims to catalyze schools’ efforts to engage all students in science regardless of background. That includes underrepresented ethnic minorities, first-generation college students and working adults with families. Selected schools will work with HHMI and its partner, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), to engage in the process of culture change.
Cal State San Marcos’ proposal focuses on faculty development in research-based student learning; advising and peer mentoring focused on students’ science identity; and creation of inclusive pedagogies.
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General Atomics to provide Marine Corps
with additional UAS support
The U.S. Navy has awarded a General Atomics affiliate a potential $39.6 million contract to provide additional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to U.S. Marine Corps through the use of unmanned air systems.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will use its MQ-9 Reaper to assist USMC’s Task Force Southwest in surge support operations under the “undefinitized” contract, the Defense Department said. GA-ASI will perform 50 percent of contract work within the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility and the rest in Yuma, Ariz., or in Poway.
The Navy will obligate $19.39 million at the time of award from its fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds along with overseas contingency operations funds, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
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Apartment Complex on Fifth Ave.
purchased by development firm
25 on Fifth, a 25-unit apartment complex located at 3265 Fifth Ave. in San Diego, has been purchased by Next Space Development Realty Inc., a residential and multifamily development company, for $14.5 million. The acquisition equity was provided by Pacifica Companies.
25 on Fifth is located in the Bankers Hill neighborhood, near Balboa Park. It was built in 2007 and initially developed by Mayfair, who lost the property to Bank of America in the 2008 recession.
Next Space Development plans to renovate the property and sell the units as condominiums.
Kidder Mathews represented the buyer in the transaction.
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Mama’s Kitchen executive director named
San Diego Pride’s community grand marshal
Mama’s Kitchen Executive Director Alberto Cortés has been named San Diego Pride’s Community Grand Marshal. San Diego Pride’s annual festival will occur on Saturday, July 14, in Balboa Park. Cortés has served as executive director of Mama’s Kitchen for 16 years where he oversees the nonprofit’s efforts to support the nutritional needs of people living with critical illnesses, including HIV, cancer, congestive heart failure, and diabetes by providing home-delivered meals, pantry services and nutrition education services to over 1,200 men, women and children in San Diego County annually.
Cortés will also be honored at San Diego Pride’s Spirit of Stonewall Rally on Friday, July 13 at the Hillcrest Pride Flag as one of six awardees who contribute significantly to the LGBTQIA+ community through their leadership, activities, and fundraising efforts.
Cortés also has been chosen as a 2018 honoree for the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus. He was presented with a resolution on June 18 in commemoration of his accomplishments and contributions to the LGBT Community at the LGBT Pride Ceremony in Sacramento at the State Capitol.
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Jay Paulino appointed district governor
for Association of Licensed Investigators
Jay Paulino, an in-house private investigator for San Diego-based CaseyGerry, has been appointed San Diego district governor for the California Association of Licensed Investigators, the largest private investigator association in the world.
In this role, Paulino will undergo extensive leadership training as well as oversee the quarterly conferences and volunteer efforts for the community. According to Paulino, his plan for service is to “advance the professions of licensed investigators, to provide education and training and to gather investigative resources for the members of his district.”
A bilingual, licensed private investigator with expertise in planning and conducting investigations into personal injuries and material damages, Paulino has been a key member of CaseyGerry’s investigative team since 2017 and currently works on the firm’s complex litigation team. He has nearly 10 years of experience handling investigations for both law firms and insurance companies.
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County opens new, modern crime lab
The County celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art crime lab in Kearny Mesa on Wednesday. It will be the hub of forensic services for the Sheriff’s Department and more than 30 local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. The ribbon-cutting ceremony also offered a look inside the new facility.
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Navy’s USS Coronado in operational tests
of MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter
By Lt. j.g. Caroline Zotti | Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One Public Affairs
USS Coronado began underway operational testing of the Navy’s newest unmanned helicopter, Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8C Fire Scout, off the coast of San Diego, June 15.
The operations are a continuation of MQ-8C operational testing that began in April. This next phase is testing the MQ-8C’s ability to operate concurrently with other airborne assets and littoral combat ships. The enhanced capability will provide commanders an improved and integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance picture.
Coronado is one of four designated LCS testing ships and the ship’s commanding officer says he and his crew are excited to help further advance Navy lethality.
“It is a great privilege to advance the Navy’s ability to conduct unmanned aerial vehicle operations,” said Cmdr. Lawrence Repass, USS Coronado’s commanding officer.
Fire Scout operations are a whole-ship effort, requiring effective coordination between the aviation and surface entities aboard.
“Whether it is ensuring that the data links required are functional, fire team personnel are standing by to respond, or managing the airspace and contact pictures; every single Sailor plays a role in Fire Scout operations,” said Lt. Josh Riley, the ship’s combat systems officer. “These sailors and this testing will help shape how the surface force will utilize the strengths and advantages that this valuable asset brings to the table in the coming years.”
During Coronado’s 2016-2017 deployment to the Western Pacific, the ship successfully used MQ-8B Fire Scout as an organic sensor to strike a target beyond visual range using a Harpoon surface-to-surface missile. .
“Operating with the MQ-8C Fire Scout offers unique challenges, but it is the perfect partner to an LCS (Littoral Combat Ship),” said Lt. j.g. Alex Giltz, Coronado’s auxiliaries officer and one of the few shipboard officers who has operated with both versions of the Fire Scout.
