Daily Business Report: Thursday, May 18, 2023
California, Arizona and Nevada near
historic deal to protect Colorado River
After nearly a year wrestling over the fate of their water supply, California, Arizona and Nevada – the three key states in the Colorado River’s current crisis – have coalesced around a plan to voluntarily conserve a major portion of their river water in exchange for more than $1 billion in federal funds, according to people familiar with the negotiations.
The consensus emerging among these states and the Biden administration aims to conserve about 13 percent of their allocation of river water over the next three years and protect the nation’s largest reservoirs, which provide drinking water and hydropower for tens of millions of people.
Colorado River begins the Grand Canyon. (Can Stock Photo / Cboswell)
Northrop Grumman equipping more Air Force
platforms with infrared countermeasure systems
Northrop Grumman Corporation continues its work for the U.S. Air Force for additional Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) systems. Northrop Grumman received the work as part of an existing contract.
The LAIRCM system defends domestic and international aircrews by detecting, tracking and jamming incoming infrared threats. The system automatically counters advanced infrared missile systems by directing a high-intensity laser beam into the missile seeker.
Under these orders, Northrop Grumman is providing LAIRCM upgrades, modifications and installations on a wide range of U.S. fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft. Additionally, this contract covers platforms operated by international customers around the globe.
City Council confirms Farah Mahzari’s
appointment to San Diego Planning Commission
The San Diego City Council has unanimously confirmed the appointment of Farah Mahzari to the San Diego Planning Commission. Mahzari, a resident of Black Mountain Ranch, was appointed by Mayor Todd Gloria to a vacant Planning Commission seat with a term ending on June 28, 2026.
Mahzari is director of government affairs at San Diego Land Lawyers.
She retired from the City of San Diego in 2019 after more than 30 years of public service in a variety of engineering and development roles, including senior development project manager and associate traffic engineer.
Mahzari’s experience includes permitting and processing discretionary and administrative permits, subdivisions, and property development entitlements. Prior to working at the City of San Diego, Mahzari worked at the County of San Diego, the City of El Cajon, and a private engineering consulting firm.
Illumina’s genomic technologies enable
better pathogen preparedness and response
Illumina Inc., a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, recognized the progress and impact of genomic technologies on pathogen preparedness and response. Following the boost in sequencing infrastructure and capabilities driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, today genomic technologies are enabling public health agencies and health care systems to better prepare for, and respond to, pathogenic threats.
From the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Illumina’s pathogen genomic surveillance solutions were deployed to characterize the genome of SARS-CoV-2, catalyze development and updates to vaccines and diagnostics, identify virus variants of concern, and monitor the virus’s evolution and spread. As the World Health Organization (WHO) and countries including the United States have begun declaring and end to their states of public health emergency, COVID-19 continues to present a complicated global public health challenge.
Dr. Hassan Qureshi appointed associate
medical director for St. Paul’s PACE
Dr. Hassan Qureshi has been appointed the new associate medical director for St. Paul’s PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
He will help provide care at all clinic sites countywide.
As a hospice and palliative care physician, Qureshi joins St. Paul’s after two years as the hospice medical director at Vitas Healthcare. There, he provided expert medical care, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to patients and families facing some of life’s most difficult moments, helping patients and their families navigate the challenging journey that comes with life-limiting illnesses.
Qureshi earned his Bachelor of Biological Science from Rutgers University (2007) in New Jersey and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (2014) from Lake Eric College of Osteopathic Medicine in Penn.
He is also working on his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management which will be completed this year.
Presenting The Conrad Prebys Foundation fellows
By Miles Martin
A new educational program at Sanford Burnham Prebys has welcomed a diverse group of early-career scientists to learn how to transform research discoveries into treatments for human diseases. The program was made possible by a generous grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation as part of its mission to increase the diversity of San Diego’s biomedical workforce.
“Our mission at The Conrad Prebys Foundation is to create an inclusive, equitable and dynamic future for all San Diegans,” says Grant Oliphant, CEO at The Conrad Prebys Foundation. “San Diego is one of the top areas in the country for biomedical research, and we’re pleased to partner with Sanford Burnham Prebys to help strengthen the pipeline of diverse talent in life sciences research.”
Jack in the Box heads south of the
border for the first time in three decades
SAN DIEGO — Jack in the Box has signed a 22-unit commitment in four northern Mexico states, marking the first franchise agreement in Mexico for Jack in the Box in over 30 years. As part of the Del Taco refranchising initiative, the company also announced new development agreements for both Jack in the Box and Del Taco to enter Montana and Wyoming. This is the first time both brands have entered these markets.
Major League Soccer coming to San Diego
SAN DIEGO — MLS is expected to announce plans for a 30th team today in San Diego, according to Yahoo Sports. Mohamed Mansour, a British-Egyptian billionaire, is reportedly set to buy the franchise for $500 million. The club, which would begin play in 2025 at Snapdragon Stadium, will be owned by Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. The total investment into the organization could top $700 million.
ESET webinar looks at company secrets
remaining on used corporate devices
SAN DIEGO — ESET, a global leader in digital security, announced its upcoming webinar “We (Could Have) Cracked Open the Network for Under $100,” taking place Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 10 a.m. Presented by Specialized Security Researcher Cameron Camp and ESET Chief Security Evangelist Tony Anscombe, the webinar will delve into new ESET research that examines corporate routers sold on the secondary market and provide evidence that many companies are not following sufficient security protocols and processes for decommissioning hardware, making critical data from past owners accessible and open to abuse.
Bloom Science names top biotechnology
executive chair of its board of directors
SAN DIEGO — Bloom Science Inc., a clinical-stage, central nervous system company focused on discovering and developing breakthrough therapeutics that target the Gut-Brain Axis, announced the appointment of Dr. Grace E. Colón as chair of its board of directors. A distinguished scientist and leading executive in biotechnology, Colón will lend her expertise towards helping Bloom Science in an exciting stage of research and development of new diagnostics and transformative medicines for patients with complex neurological disorders.
NovoEd to showcase innovations
in cohort learning at conference
SAN DIEGO — NovoEd, a leading cohort learning platform for enterprise capability building, will showcase its latest product capabilities and host a series of events at ATD ICE 2023. This annual gathering of learning and development professionals shaping the future of work is set for May 22-24 at the San DiegoConvention Center. NovoEd will celebrate the release of its recent Video Practice Peer Feedback product capability with surprise experiential activations at the NovoEd Booth #1231 at 11:30 a.m. each day during the conference.
Illumina’s genomic technologies
enable better pathogen preparedness
SAN DIEGO — Illumina Inc., a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, recognized the progress and impact of genomic technologies on pathogen preparedness and response. Following the boost in sequencing infrastructure and capabilities driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, today genomic technologies are enabling public health agencies and health care systems to better prepare for, and respond to, pathogenic threats. Read more
BUBS Natural expands product line
ENCINITAS — BUBS Naturals epands its product line to offer a holistic approach to daily nutrition. BUBS Naturals Hydrate or Die electrolyte drink mix is now available to help you hydrate fast and recover quickly, with no added sugar. With 2,000 mg of powerful electrolytes from nature, Hydrate or Die comes in lemon and orange flavors, along with Coconut, which isUSDA Organic Certified and Whole30 Approved. The entire line is NSF for Sport Certified, the gold standard of clean label certifications.
ATEC expands its ISO 17025 accreditation
SAN DIEGO — Advanced Test Equipment Corporation (ATEC), a leading provider of test and measurement equipment rental, sales, and services, announced the renewal of its ISO 17025 accreditation. This certification attests to ATEC’s competency in calibration for a wide range of equipment used in various industries. Additionally, ATEC has expanded its scope of accreditation to include the ability to calibrate both E-Field Probes and RF Signal Generators up to 50 GHz. This expansion reflects ATEC’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional calibration services to its customers.
San Diego County Teachers of the Year
during ‘Salute to Teachers’ Aug. 25
SAN DIEGO — Forty-four local teachers recognized by their districts as Teachers of the Year are now nominees for San Diego County Teacher of the Year. Five will be named the 2023-24 San Diego County Teachers of the Year at a special reception on Friday, Aug. 25 as part of the 33rd annual “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers,” brought to you by San Diego County Credit Union. In partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education, Cox Communications will produce multiple 30-minute “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers” television specials to highlight local teachers.
Disguise Inc. signs licensing agreement
with MGA Entertainment
POWAY — Disguise Inc., a world leader in costume design and manufacturing, announced a new multi-year contract with MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest growing toy and entertainment companies in the world, to design, manufacture and distribute costumes and dress up accessories across the globe for MGA’s hottest brands including L.O.L. Surprise!, Rainbow High, Little Tikes, and Bratz. Based in San Diego, Disguise produces costumes and accessories under many of the world’s leading licensed brands, as well as its own proprietary brands for the world’s largest retailers including specialty, party and pop-up stores.
