Daily Business Report: January 19, 2024
Girl Scouts San Diego to kick off
2024 Girl Scout Cookie program
On Sunday, Jan. 28, Girl Scouts San Diego will kick off the 2024 Girl Scout Cookie Program in San Diego and Imperial counties. Through Sunday, March 10, Girl Scouts and troops will rally their communities, neighbors, and friends to support the world’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial program by purchasing Girl Scout Cookies, which are available in nine varieties and $6 per package.
100 percent of Girl Scout Cookie Program proceeds stay local, making the magic of Girl Scouting available and affordable in San Diego and Imperial counties. Cookie program funding benefits more than 24,000 youth and adult members through year-round leadership development programs, volunteer training, outdoor adventures at Girl Scout summer camp, property upkeep, financial assistance, and more.
“This year, more than 9,500 resourceful Girl Scout entrepreneurs will engage in the cookie program,” said Carol Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego. “The 2024 program theme, Unbox the Future, speaks to overcoming the barriers that often keep girls boxed in. The impact of the cookie program is tremendous; Girl Scouts are equipped with vital and out-of-the-box entrepreneurial and life skills that help prepare them for a limitless, equitable future.”
Key dates:
Sunday, Jan. 28 — Cookie Program begins.
Friday, Feb. 9 — Cookie booths open. Use Cookie Finder to locate booth near you.
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18 — Cookies on Tap weekend.
Sunday, March 10 — Cookie Program ends.
Saturday, May 4 — OTM Sendoff and Family Festival aboard the USS Midway.
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Down payment assistance for first-time
California homebuyers relaunches with new lottery
By Felicia Mello | CalMatters
California will dole out $250 million more in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers this spring, while making changes to its 1-year-old program aimed at reaching a more diverse group of borrowers across the state.
Last year frenzied homebuyers hoovered up nearly all $300 million budgeted for the California Dream for All loan program in just 11 days. While the new program was wildly popular, some realtors and lenders reported that clients who received the funds were already far along in the home purchase process, fueling speculation about whether the loans were going to people who already could afford to buy homes.
The program’s next round, launching today, keeps the same “shared appreciation” lending model: The state will give first-time homebuyers money towards a down payment — up to 20 percent of the purchase price or $150,000, whichever is lower — then it will get paid back the loan plus a share of the home’s appreciation whenever it sells again.
This time the California Housing Finance Agency, which administers Dream for All, hopes to head off a mad scramble for the loans by replacing its original first-come, first-serve model with a lottery.
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Joanne Franciscus appointed CEO/executive director at Legal Aid Society of San Diego
The Legal Aid Society of San Diego announced the appointment of Joanne Franciscus as its new chief executive officer/executive director. Over her 11-year career at the organization, Franciscus has served as a staff attorney, lead attorney, senior attorney, managing attorney, and, most recently, the firm’s first chief operating officer, where she oversaw day-to-day operations and helped to build LASSD’s culture and vision.
Franciscus came to LASSD after eight years of private practice at a Carlsbad law firm, where, as a partner, she represented plaintiffs in personal injury, workplace sexual harassment, and medical malpractice.
She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law.
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Jason Paguio named chair of LEAD San Diego board of directors
LEAD San Diego welcomes Jason Paguio, CEO of the San Diego Asian Business Association, as chair of the board of directors for 2024. Paguio, who as served on the LEAD board since 2021, is the first Asian American to hold the chair position.
Paguio will serve a one-year term as chair beginning Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. Joining him on the LEAD board are an additional 36 board members representing San Diego County’s diverse industries and communities. Assuming the role of Vice Chair is Nancy Rohland-Heinrich, executive vice president, communications and community engagement at National University. For the full board roster, click here.
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Cupola marks milestone in Botanical building reconstruction
By Drew Sitton | SDNews
The lead framer settled the 2,000 pound, refurbished cupola on top of the Botanical Garden building in Balboa Park on Wednesday morning, Jan. 17. All the wood was replaced but the copper steeple and dome is the same one first installed in 1915 as part of the Panama-California Exposition.
At a tour of the worksite, Jim Summers, Senior Construction Manager of EC Constructors, Inc. estimated the project is 60 percent done.
The comprehensive reconstruction will bring the building back to how it looked in 1915, down to the paint color which historians did spectrographic analysis of to find a modern equivalent. The windows inside the returned arches were recreated by other historic experts based on the original designs and drawings from 1915.
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TAVO Media Group partners with psychologist Carla Gabris
TAVO Media Group announced its partnership with psychologist Dr. Carl Gabris to develop a comprehensive brand strategy promoting her practice as a specialist in anxiety treatment for children, adults, and families. Gabris focuses on helping children and teens reconnect with their emotions and develop essential in-person relational skills. She assists parents in establishing healthy boundaries around the use of electronics, video games, and cell phones.
Maxeon Solor Technologies introduces new U.S. Partner Program
Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd., a global leader in solar innovation and channels, has introduced its new Commercial Partner Program empowering U.S. solar installers and dealers to boost their sales with the company’s innovative product offerings. The program further strengthens a compelling value proposition for channel partners as Maxeon accelerates its direct engagement with dealers and installers in the rapidly growing U.S. market.
TuSimple announces decision to delist from Nasdaq
TuSimple announced its decision to voluntarily delist the company’s common stock from The Nasdaq Stock Market and to terminate the registration of its common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The decision to delist and deregister was made by a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the company, comprised solely of independent directors. Special Committee determined that the benefits of remaining a publicly traded company no longer justify the costs.
Endura Technologies appoints new CEO
Endura Technologies announced a significant transformation in its leadership team. Michael Sanie, a seasoned leader in go-to-market and business strategy, and a veteran of the semiconductor industry, joins as CEO. Faraj Aalaei, former CEO and chairman of Aquantia Corporation and Centillium Communications, steps in as the new chairman of the board of directors. Additionally, Benny Malek, a visionary in technology leadership, is named as a new member of the board.
Certis Oncology closes $10 million Series C fundraising round
Certis Oncology Solutions, a precision oncology and translational science company focused on combining AI-directed drug development with advanced functional testing, announced that it raised $10 million in a Series C funding round, bringing total raised to $42 million. The company also named John R. Tozzi chairman of the board of directors. Tozzi led the company’s last two internal funding rounds.
Wrike named a leader in inaugural 2023 Gartner
Magic Quadrant for Collaborative Work Management
Wrike, the intelligent work management platform, announced that it has been named a Leader in the inaugural 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Collaborative Work Management. Wrike was evaluated based on its Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Wrike is focused on delivering intelligent solutions, like AI-powered Work Intelligence capabilities as well as new product features announced at Collaborate 2023.
Seismic promotes Celaena Powder to general counsel
Seismic, a global leader in enablement, announced it has named Celaena Powder to general counsel, effective immediately. Previously serving as Seismic’s vice president of legal, she will continue overseeing the organization’s legal, information security, and global privacy functions, as well as expanding her focus on external-facing legal and corporate affairs. Prior to joining Seismic, Celaena worked at Gunderson Dettmer, primarily serving the firm’s technology clients.
Excellos announces partnerhip and investment from Vitalant
Excellos Inc., a cell therapy contract and development manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced a new partnership with Vitalant, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies health care organizations. The strategic partnership includes an investment by Vitalant, and cell sourcing, testing and laboratory services. It also includes collaboration with the Vitalant Innovation Center, which provides scientific research and translational development expertise to bring new products and services to patients across the country.
CARET Legal inaugurates CARET Legal Workflow
CARET Legal, a leading legal practice management platform for attorneys and legal professionals, announced the launch of its groundbreaking new feature, CARET Legal Workflows. This latest addition to CARET Legal’s robust suite of features is set to transform the way legal professionals manage and automate their tasks. CARET Legal Workflows is meticulously designed to alleviate the burden of manual entry for legal professionals, offering a streamlined approach to task management.
Carlsbad reissues affordable housing bonds for Mariposa Apartments
The Carlsbad City Council agreed to reissue tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds for a 106-unit affordable rental housing complex during its Jan. 9 meeting. In 2003, the city issued $6 million in bonds to fund Mariposa Apartments. The bonds faced a redemption deadline of Feb. 1, 2024, requiring a mandatory public hearing to gather community input under the federal Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act, or TEFRA.
