Daily Business Report: Aug. 30, 2023
The fake charity at Petco Park has also
been working at Snapdragon Stadium
By Will Huntsberry | Voice of San Diego
Chula Vista Fast Pitch, a phantom charity that has taken a cut of proceeds at Petco Park concession stands for the last nine years in return for providing staffing, has also been operating out of Snapdragon Stadium.
Snapdragon, like Petco and many venues throughout the country, recruits charities to provide staffing at concession stands. In return, charities get to keep a certain percentage of concessions revenue.
Chula Vista Fast Pitch, however, is not a real charity, as Voice of San Diego reported Monday. Internet searches, tax filings and business records show that a similarly named nonprofit did exist at one time. But it shut down in 2014.
At Petco, Chula Vista Fast Pitch brought in $3.7 million in net sales over a five-month period earlier this year, according to receipts obtained by Voice.
Charities generally get roughly 10 percent of their net sales at Petco. Ten percent of $3.7 million is $370,000.
EROAD moves North American headquarters to San Diego
EROAD, a global leader in fleet performance management, announced the relocation of its North American headquarters from Portland, Ore., to San Diego, cementing the region as the epicenter of fleet technology in the U.S.
The company has also bolstered its leadership team with the addition of Tracey Herman, executive vice president of finance; Kerynn Holtzman, vice president of operations; and Sarah Wicker, vice president of marketing.
New Zealand-based EROAD joins a growing number of area businesses focused on transportation and logistics technology, fleet telematics, video-based safety, and data-driven fleet management for commercial vehicles. EROAD’s base of operations in Carmel Mountain Ranch includes office space and a fulfillment center from which technology is shipped to customers around the country.
Tracey Herman has more than 20 years of finance and accounting experience in the technology space, most recently serving as chief financial officer at telematics company Coretex, which EROAD acquired in 2021.
“This move, coupled with the expansion of our U.S. leadership team with highly accomplished and tenured professionals, represents an important milestone for our business” said Akinyemi Koyi, chief innovation officer and president of EROAD North America. “ These moves will help fuel our continued growth as we expand our fleet management, compliance, safety, and performance offerings.”
State awards City of San Diego $45 million for new housing
The City of San Diego will receive $45 million in state funding to help spur the development of climate-friendly homes. “This funding will speed up and reduce the cost of constructing housing by paying for water and sewer hookups, sidewalk improvements, parks, green space, and other improvements that are the connective tissue for housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez.
The state also awarded $45 million to the City and County of San Francisco, $45 million to the City of Fresno, $40 million to the City of Oakland, $35 million to the Housing Authority of Los Angeles, $20 million to the City of El Cerrito and $9 million to the City of Santa Rosa.
Engineers enhance a sustainable, cheap toilet alternative
By Sarah White | SDSU
Environmental engineers at San Diego State University optimized a low-cost, low-water toilet that they are hoping to provide to homeless, rural and refugee populations who often lack regular, safe access to restrooms.
“America is the epitome of the flush and forget system,” said Lilith Astete Vasquez, an environmental engineering doctoral student at SDSU and lead author of a recent Scientific Reports paper demonstrating the scientific benefits of low-water toilets she designed.
It is common practice in most American restrooms to use drinking water to flush away feces, along with toilet paper and urine. Waste treatment happens out of sight and out of mind.
But in communities where water is scarce due to drought or contamination, human fecal waste stays in place above ground or in a dugout hole. This increases risk for the spread of disease and contamination of nearby water sources.
To solve the need for sanitary toilets that use minimal water, Astete Vasquez took inspiration from a solution her advisor, engineering professor Natalie Mladenov, encountered in rural Botswana.
Toni Atkins to step down as California state Senate leader
The leader of the California Senate said Monday she will step down from her leadership post, ending an historic run as the first woman and first openly gay person to lead the upper legislative chamber of the nation’s most populous state.
Toni Atkins, a Democrat from San Diego, said she will step down next year. Sen. Mike McGuire, a Democrat from the state’s North Coast region, will replace Atkins as the Senate’s president pro tempore.
Atkins made the announcement at a news conference with McGuire and most of the Senate Democratic Caucus standing behind her. The display of unity was in stark contrast to the leadership battle that embroiled the state Assembly last year, when new speaker Robert Rivas replaced former speaker Anthony Rendon.
Scripps Oceanography awarded funds
to develop pathogen forecast model
The state of California awarded Scripps Institution of Oceanography $3 million to develop a model to forecast the presence of pathogens in San Diego coastal and tidal waters. The Tijuana River Estuary and Coastal Ocean Pathogen Forecast Model aims to predict the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens from untreated sewage in estuary and coastal waters, which can inform decision-makers when beach closures are necessary as the region works to address cross-border sewage pollution.
Westcore acquires 3.5 million square feet industrial portfolio
Westcore, a leading industrial real estate acquisition, development and asset management firm, acquired the 3.5 million-square-foot Odyssey Portfolio, comprised of industrial properties in Livermore, Valencia and Chino, California, for an undisclosed sum. The portfolio includes assets in some of the strongest markets in California: Chino: nine buildings | 1,466,728 square feet | nine tenants; Valencia: four buildings | 742,558 square feet | five tenants; Livermore: three buildings | 1,296,908 square feet | two tenants.
Caltrans hosts annual Procurement and Resource Fair
Caltrans District 11 is hosting a free, in-person procurement and resource fair at its headquarters office in Old Town at 4050 Taylor St. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. The 19th Annual Procurement and Resource Fair is being held in partnership with the San Diego Public Agency Consortium and is intended for small businesses to engage with and connect with over 70 exhibitors as well as primes from the construction, architectural and engineering fields.
Kellen Gill named chief audit and risk officer at California Coast Credit Union
California Coast Credit Union, the longest serving financial institution based in San Diego, with over $3.5 billion in assets, has named Kellen Gill as chief audit and risk officer. Gill will oversee internal audit, compliance, risk management, and legal for the credit union.
Gill brings a strong compliance and audit background to Cal Coast. For the past 16 years, he has worked in several roles of increasing responsibility at Sempra Energy and San Diego Gas and Electric Company.
New Riff partners with Speakeasy Co
Kentucky based small batch distillery New Riff partnered with Speakeasy Co, the leading DTC eCommerce platform in the alcohol industry, launching an online storefront in April 2023. By partnering with Speakeasy, New Riff can seamlessly deliver its private barrel selections, a differentiator for the brand in the industry. The private barrel program allows small groups, parties, or companies to taste 3-5 blends and end the selection process with a personalized barrel and bottles.
Myositis Association annual patient conference returns to San Diego
The Myositis Association announces its 2023 Annual Patient Conference: Celebrating YOU Our Myositis Heroes taking place at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina from Sept. 7-10. It brings together patients, care partners, and health care professionals from around the world for a unique educational and empowering experience. Myositis, a group of rare autoimmune disorders, causes muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, and disability. This conference helps attendees learn about the latest advances in myositis research, treatment options, and coping strategies.
QuidelOrtho to participate in Morgan Stanley conference
QuidelOrtho Corporation announced that members of its management team are scheduled to participate in the Morgan Stanley 21st Annual Global Healthcare Conference in New York on Sept.12, 2023. Douglas Bryant, president and chief executive officer, and Joseph Busky, chief financial officer, will participate in a fireside chat scheduled for 11:55 a.m. PT.
VIZIO licenses DivX global patent portfolio
DivX, LLC, a pioneer in digital video technology, announced that VIZIO, a leading television brand, signed an intellectual property (IP) license agreement. The agreement resolves all patent litigation matters between the parties, including the pending U.S. International Trade Commission investigation against VIZIO. Since 2000, DivX has established itself as a global leader in the research and development of innovative digital video technology and will continue to license its broad portfolio to companies around the world.
Otay Mesa Chamber to hold annual dinner
The Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce 36th annual Dinner Fundraiser and Award Reception will be held Nov. 8 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Novo Brazil Brewpub, 535 Florence St., in Imperial Beach. Individual tickets are $125. Get tickets
Black Professionals Day to be held Sept. 29
Black Professionals Day is being held Sept. 29 at San Diego Mesa College to encourage San Diego Community College District students to pursue rewarding careers by having them meet San Diego Black professionals who are working in a variety of fields. The free event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Mesa Commons building, MC-211, at San Diego Mesa College. Lunch will be provided. Interested students should register online by Sept. 21 in advance of the event. Register here
San Diego insurance brokerage launches second brand, 4C Advising
San Diego-based Fusco Orsini & Associates Insurance Services is expanding its coverage with the launch of a complementary B2B brand. Aptly named 4C Advising, the new brand will provide small and midsize businesses with four core areas of support including risk management, compliance, HR, and employee care solutions.
