Daily Business Report: Dec. 6, 2023
Report ranks San Diego International Airport
as best in nation for layovers
San Diego ranks as the number one U.S. airport for layovers, according to a report by leading travel expert Upgraded Points. San Diego International Airport scored an impressive 76.8 out of 100, leading the pack of 50 of the nation’s busiest airports. With 36 restaurants, 41 shopping options, 13 charging stations per mile, and 57 off-airport restaurants per 10,000 daily passengers, the airport is a haven for those with extended layovers, the report said.
Where to eat at the San Diego International Airport
Photo: Phil’s BBQ, one of 36 restaraunts at the airport.
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Rancho Santa Fe homeowners group illegally
collected $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief
The Rancho Santa Fe Association, the nonprofit homeowners group that runs a historic golf course and other amenities in the exclusive covenant near Del Mar, has acknowledged it applied for and collected $1.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds it was not eligible to receive.
Association officials struck a deal with federal prosecutors that calls for repaying money from the government’s Paycheck Protection Program — and nearly $500,000 in fees and penalties.No criminal violations were alleged, although charges could be filed still.
Italian Air Force flies new MQ-9A Block 5 RPA from General Atomics
On Nov. 9, 2023, the Italian Air Force made its first flight of a new MQ-9A Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. The new RPA was delivered to the ItAF, along with a new Mobile Ground Control Station as part of a Mid-Life Modernization (MLM) update to the ItAF fleet of RPAs from General Atomics. The aircraft and MGCS are part of a foreign military sale.
Sean Elo-Rivera elected City Council president for third term
Times of San Diego
The San Diego City Council Monday narrowly re-elected City Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera as council president for the third consecutive year. Elo-Rivera was originally elected to the president’s role on Dec. 6, 2021, replacing Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell. Unlike that day two years ago, where Elo-Rivera was elected in an 8-1 vote, the council president was reelected by just 5-4 on Monday.
“I am honored a majority of my colleagues have put their trust in me to lead this council for another year,” said Elo-Rivera after the vote.
The council president is tasked with placing items on the council’s agenda, appointing members to committees and leading meetings.
EDD changes unemployment contractor after scams
By Lynn La | CalMatters
California has a new unemployment and disability payment contractor after the state’s multi-billion-dollar pandemic fraud panic. The Employment Development Department hopes it will be the end of an era of brazen scams, which wreaked havoc for laid-off workers and fueled police busts involving stacks of ill-gotten debit cards issued at the department’s direction by then-contractor Bank of America.
EDD told CalMatters it plans to begin notifying 850,000 benefit recipients of the new payment provider: Money Network, an electronic payment company owned by finance tech company Fiserv.
Sandy Smith joins ICW Group Insurance Companies as a VP
Sandy Smith, a risk management leader with more than 30 years of experience, has joined ICW Group Insurance Companies as vice president, risk management, leading the company’s extensive loss control services focused on workplace injury prevention for thousands of workers’ compensation policyholders nationwide. Smith joins ICW Group with an extensive background in risk reduction.
Realtors group promotes Charles Cooper to chief business officer
The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors has promoted Charles Cooper, a San Diego native, to chief business officer. The post is a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting and providing direct management support to the CEO, providing operational controls, administrative and reporting processes, and implementing effective management systems. Cooper previously was vice president of membership services at SDAR.
Philip Ventura promoted to tax manager at San Diego accounting firm
Philip Ventura has been promoted to tax manager for San Diego accounting firm Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg. Ventura is a CPA with nearly 10 years of experience providing income tax-related services to a wide variety of clients, such as high-net worth individuals, passthrough entities, nonprofits and associations, and entities with international activity. previously he was a tax manager at Newman Certified Public Accountant, PC.
San Diego Air & Space Museum awarded
$250,000 grant for Great Explorations project
The San Diego Air & Space Museum has been awarded a three-year $250,000 grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for America to help fund the third phase of the Museum’s Great Explorations project. The Great Explorations project, previously funded by IMLS, is intended to increase public access to the museum’s collections through improved online records, images, and finding aids. The grant will also enable the museum staff to continue its efforts to strengthen and optimize the museum’s collection care and management systems.
Scentco launches Bedtim Defenderz animated series
Scentco Inc., a renowned U.S. toy designer and leading company in the world of scented products, is launching the first ever YouTube animated series, “Bedtime Defenderz.” This 12- episode release comes following the successful launch of the Bedtime Defenderz plush toy brand last year, which captured the imaginations of children worldwide. Scentco aims to bring the captivating world of Bedtime Defenderz to life.
Servier to present data on leukemia at San Diego meeting
Servier, a leader in oncology, will present data in acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the 65th American Society of Hematology annual meeting and exposition in San Diego from Dec. 9-12, 2023. The latest data underscores Servier’s commitment to advancing scientific research, including gaining a more robust understanding of real-world treatment patterns for patients with difficult and hard-to-treat cancers.
Report shows remote patient monitoring beneficial to patients
A new national study commissioned by MD Revolution shows that physician practices and hospitals who have implemented remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management (CCM) programs are measurably improving patient outcomes. MD Revolution commissioned health care consultancy Sage Growth Partners to independently survey 141 C-level leaders and physicians, surgeons, nurses, and office managers. The complete report can be found here.
Strategic Vision launches the 2024 New Vehicle Experience Study
Strategic Vision is proud to announce the 30th year of its New Vehicle Experience Study (NVES), which revolutionized customer experience surveys and remains the largest, most comprehensive survey of owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States. NVES emerged from hundreds of qualitative interviews to evolve the automotive industry’s understanding of the vehicle ownership experience past the then-standard of Things Gone Wrong per 100 vehicles.
Aging expert to headline Medicare conference
Alexis Abramson, known as “the global expert on everything aging,” will kick off the main conference at the 17th annual Medicare Marketing & Sales Summit Feb. 14-16 in San Diego. “Dr. Alexis,” an expert in gerontology, with a specific focus on longevity, caregiving, and fraud prevention, is an Emmy and Gracie award-winning journalist who has appeared frequently as an on-air expert for NBC’s Today show, CNN, CBS, FOX, and MSNBC.
Mike Colabella of San Diego receives Aldo Croatti Award
Mike Colabella of San Diego has been named a recipient of UniFirst Corporation’s Aldo Croatti Award for 2023. UniFirst is a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety services. Named after the company founder, the Aldo Croatti Award is presented to UniFirst Route Service Representatives wo exemplify customer service excellence.
Blanchard releases ‘Simple Truths of Leadership’ playbook
Blanchard, a global pioneer in leadership development, consulting, and coaching for more than 40 years, announces the release of the newest book by Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley, with Renee Broadwell,“Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook: A 52-Week Game Plan for Becoming a Trusted Servant Leader.” Thew playbook, published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, is a companion to Blanchard and Conley’s best-selling book, “Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to be a Servant Leader and Build Trust.”
SDG&E honored with reliability and sustainability awards
In recognition of San Diego Gas & Electricity’s superior performance and innovation in the utility industry, PA Consulting has honored the company with two of its most prestigious awards: Outstanding Reliability Performance in the West Region Metropolitan Service Area, and Outstanding Grid Sustainability. This is the 18th consecutive year SDG&E has received the Reliability One Award for Outstanding Reliability Performance amont utilities in the West.
