Daily Business Report: February 14, 2024
Cool breakthroughs:
Cryocoolers for all climates
For decades, Northrop Grumman has been making highly dependable cooling systems known as cryocoolers for spacecraft. A cryocooler is essentially a specialized refrigerator deployed on satellites and space telescopes to maintain extremely low temperatures for onboard sensors. This is crucial for capturing high-resolution images of Earth or outer space, like the ones captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Reliability is key because the cryocoolers are part of a symbiotic relationship: If the cryocooler malfunctions, then sensors won’t function. They need each other.
“Our cryocoolers are incredibly reliable — they’re performing the same at the end of their 20-year mission as they did on day one. We’ve observed absolutely no degradation in performance over their mission life,” said Owen Cupp, general manager of the Cryocooler operating unit at Northrop Grumman.
While consistent performance over such a long time is noteworthy, not every mission requires a cryocooler to last for 20 years. However, no matter the length of the mission or budget, this technology needs to be reliable because in space, fixing isn’t an option.
Northrop Grumman is developing a more cost-effective, reliable class of cryocoolers based on proven designs used in critical national defense, climate, weather and astronomy missions. These new cryocoolers have a simpler design, can be produced more quickly and in larger quantities, and are suitable for less demanding missions.
Top Photo: Northrop Grumman is developing a more cost-effective, reliable class of cryocoolers based on proven designs used in critical national defense, climate, weather and astronomy missions. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
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A record amount went to lobbying California’s
government. Who were the biggest spenders?
By Jeremia Kimelman | CalMatters
Last year was a good year to be a lobbyist in California.
Advocacy efforts shattered records in 2023, with nearly $480 million poured into influencing legislation and regulatory decisions making their way through state government. That amount eclipsed the previous high $440 million spent in 2022, based on figures from the California Secretary of State.
The top three organizations who spent the most on lobbying last year were Chevron ($11.1 million), the Hawaiian Gardens Casino ($9.1 million) and the Western States Petroleum Association ($6.9 million). The same three organizations were already spending the most money on lobbying headed into the final quarter of the year.
But what about the other top spenders? The ten largest patrons of persuasion put a combined $57 million into trying to convince government officials in 2023, or 12 percent of the total spent on lobbying that year.
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County starts short-term lodging for Jan. 22 flood victims
The County of San Diego has begun providing people displaced by the Jan. 22 flooding with up to 30-days of temporary lodging.
The first people transitioning are in two categories: Those already placed into short-term hotel rooms where supporting funding is now running out and those who have not been in hotels and may now need temporary lodging due to the Jan. 22 flood.
Work on these first placements started over the weekend and will continue through the week. It is being done in partnership with several nonprofit organizations who had been sheltering some of the displaced.
The county earlier identified many of those in need of lodging through a survey or their in-person visit to one of the Local Assistance Centers. Follow up contacts will continue through the week to understand their current needs.
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San Diego Nathan Shock Center Symposium: ‘The Heterogeneity of Aging’
On March 6, the San Diego Nathan Shock Center, a consortium of Sanford Burnham Prebys, Salk and UC San Diego, will hold its second annual Symposium on the Heterogeneity of Aging at the Salk Institute.
The day-long, hybrid program will include scientific presentations from a diverse group of researchers focused on the biology and secrets of aging, including Caroline Kumsta, co-author of a recently published paper that revealed possible novel functions for various autophagy genes, which may control different forms of disposal including misfolded proteins — and ultimately affect aging.
The symposium will be held in the Salk Auditorium and Zoom.
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Videosoft Global and Viasat to provide real-time
industrial monitoring with AI-powered video streaming
Videosoft Global, a Viasat ELEVATE partner, and Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, announced an agreement to integrate Videosoft’s video streaming technology into INTELIE, Viasat’s operational AI platform.
The agreement means Viasat will be able to provide Videosoft’s live-streaming capabilities via INTELIE to increase situational awareness for businesses, help them respond to events in real-time, and make informed decisions.
Videosoft Global’s live video streaming solutions use adaptive video compression and transmission technology to deliver high-quality, low-latency streaming over satellite communications. With streaming capabilities from as little as 4kbps over satcom, cellular, and mesh networks, the technology ensures stability in challenging network conditions, while lowering data costs.
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Petco names Holly May as chief human resources officer
Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. announced it has appointed Holly May as chief human resources officer, effective.
In this role, May is responsible for driving an HR strategy that delivers profitable growth and outstanding performance, and is grounded in Petco’s mission to improve lives for pets, pet parents and Petco partners.
May brings extensive expertise, and two decades of experience in human resources building innovative programs, policies and practices.
Carol Greve-Philips appointed chief
business officer for Navega Therapeutics
Navega Therapeutics, a privately-held early-stage pharmaceutical company developing epigenetic gene therapies, announced the appointment of Carol Greve-Philips as chief business officer.
Greve-Philips brings 35 years of business development expertise to Navega as the company pursues development and commercialization agreements for its lead program, NT-Z001—an epigenetic gene therapy modulating SCN9A.
She has led negotiations for collaborations, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions for biotech companies specializing in rare disease and gene therapy.
Bobbi Quick appointed president of Jazzercise in San Diego
Celebrating 55 years as a leading fitness brand, Jazzercise, the global dance fitness company, announces the appointment of Bobbi Quick as president.
In this role, Quick and Jazzercise CEO Shanna Missett Nelson will collaborate to lead the dynamic female-founded business through the highly competitive fitness and wellness landscape.
With over 30 years of industry experience and expertise, Quick will utilize her wealth of knowledge in operations and sales to execute an ambitious growth plan for Jazzercise.
BRIDGE appoints Yin Woon Rani as vice chair of the board
BRIDGE, the only independent DEI trade organization to serve the global marketing industry, announced the appointment of Yin Woon Rani, CEO and CMO of MilkPEP, as vice chair as well as the appointment of five new leaders to its board of directors.
The latest appointments will bolster the organization’s growing impact across the industry. Rani will support Board Chair Jonita Wilson, chief diversity officer of Discover Financial.
Carrier Johnson + Culture announces new firmwide head of design
Architecture, interiors, and landscape firm Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) announced their recent hiring of
as their new firmwide head of design and design principal.
Luca joins CJ+C with a portfolio of high-profile architectural projects in the U.S. and abroad, in the hospitality, workplace, mixed-use, master plan and residential sectors.
In his 25-year career, he has developed skillsets from several roles within the industry ranging from design principal to business and marketing director.
