Daily Business Report: February 8, 2024
Why California legislators of both parties
want to ban homeless encampments
By Lynn La | CalMatters
Describing California’s homelessness crisis as “inhumane” and “unhealthy,” Senate GOP leader Brian Jones of San Diego and Democratic Sen. Catherine Blakespear of Encinitas announced a bipartisan bill to ban homeless encampments near “sensitive community areas” statewide.
Modeled after San Diego’s “Unsafe Camping Ordinance,” Senate Bill 1011 prohibits encampments within 500 feet of schools, open spaces and major transit stops. It also bans camping on sidewalks if shelter space is available; requires cities or counties to give an unhoused person 72-hour notice before clearing an encampment; and mandates “enforcement personnel” to provide information about homeless shelters in the area.
Jones: “California has spent $22 billion in the past six years on homelessness and what do we have to show for it? Nearly a 40 percent increase in homeless population…. Clearly California’s current approach to homelessness is failing and Californians are tired of it.”
The most recent count found more than 181,000 unhoused Californians last year, 28 percent of the national total.
Adding that it was “not our goal to criminalize homelessness,” Jones said that the state’s homelessness issue was a nonpartisan issue. He touted the bill’s 18 other co-authors of both parties, including Blakespear, who said that San Diego’s camping ordinance has moved about 60 percent of people off its downtown streets since going into effect in July.
Top Photo: A sidewalk filled with tents in San Diego, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters, via CalMatters)
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Academy of Our Lady of Peace announces
10th annual Women’s Symposium
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP) will present its 10th annual Women’s Symposium on March 8, continuing its commitment to the advancement of young women in academia and leadership.
This year the theme is Together We Rise, and the stage will be shared by a multitude of speakers with panel discussions covering topics like public policy, health care and fashion. The symposium will open with a keynote address by Emmy Award-winning journalist, Rocsi Diaz, panel discussions with a lineup of accomplished women leaders such as Kimberly King, founder, CEO, and director of client relations at KKM; Christine LaMarca, president of the California Rental Housing Association; Coreen Petti, associate vice president of university events and partnerships at the University of San Diego, and more.
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Francesca San Diego named CEO of PBO Advisory Group
Francesca San Diego has beem named CEO of PBO Advisory Group LLC, a leading advisoty and outsourcing firm. Founder Mike Ford, the former managing director of the firm, has transitioned to the role of president and founder. Jennifer Rebis, CPA will assume the role of chief financial officer, previously held by San Diego.
San Diego joined PBO Advisory in 2015 as a fractional CFO consultant, working with firm clients. In 2020, she became a minority equity partner and most recently, served as the firm’s chief financial officer. In her role as CEO, San Diego will focus on the delivery of services and operations of the firm, in support of PBO Advisory’s key strategic relationships and growing services.
Ben Moraga named president and CEO of Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
Ben Moraga has been selected as the new president and CEO of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, effective on Feb. 20.
Moraga, who recently served as vice president of Sharp HealthCare Foundation, brings over 20 years of distinguished experience in nonprofit development, community relations, board development and leadership within health care foundations and higher education.
As the vice president of Sharp HealthCare Foundation, he led a team of 35 professionals across three foundations, representing four acute care hospitals, three specialty hospitals and 25 outpatient clinics. Before Sharp HealthCare, Moraga was the associate vice president of university relations and development at San Diego State University.
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SD Community College District celebrates Black History Month
The San Diego Community College District is celebrating Black History throughout the month of February. A range of events includes Rosa Parks’ birthday recognition and libation at San Diego Mesa College, a live performance of the History of Black Art at San Diego College of Continuing Education, followed by a healing circle, film screenings, open mic night, and more across the district.
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Calibr-Skaggs expands license agreement with AbbVie
The Calibt-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, the nonprofit drug development division of Scripps Reserch, announced that AbbVie has expanded its collaboration to further explore Calibr-Skaggs’ switchable CAR-T platform in solid tumor indications and autoimmune diseases. Under the terms of the license agreement, AbbVie will pay Calibr-Skaggs an upfront license fee and maintain exclusive access to Calibr-Skaggs’ switchable CAR-T platform for a term of up to five years.
SOCi dominates G2’s Best Software Awards
SOCi Inc., a leading comarketing cloud platform for multi-location enterprises, has been named to G2’s 2024 Best Software Awards, earning a placement in eight categories, including No. 31 Best Global Software Companies. This is SOCi’s third time receiving a G2’s Best Software Award recognition, thanks to its best-in-class customer service and dedication.
San Diego’s Big Box Storage acquired by Glass Lake Holdings
SDR Ventures announced that San Diego-based Big Box Storage has been acquired by Glass Lake Holdings. SDR served as the exclusive sell-side adviser to Big Box Storage throughout the transaction process. Big Box Storage is a leading provider of storage services across all of San Diego County. The company makes portable storage more convenient and affordable to both residents and businesses.
$9 million NIH grant advances drug to treat nicotine addiction
Scientists at Camino Pharma LLC, Sanford Burnham Prebys and UC San Diego School of Medicine hav received a $9 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health. The three-year grant will fund longer toxicology studies and drug manufacturing of SBP-9330 to support planned Phase 2 studies for nicotine cessation.
North County African American Women’s Association
extends partnership with North Island Credit Union
North County African American Women’s Association (NCAAWA) and North Island Credit Union have extended their partnership for a fourth year, offering scholarships and financial literacy programming to college-bound female students of African American descent in North County. Four $2,500 NCAAWA/North Island Credit Union scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, current ROP, trade school, college and/or graduate students in Carlsbad, Escondido, Fallbrook, Oceanside, San Dieguito, San Marcos and Vista.
Team Lewis grows global analytics and insights group
Hard on the heels of the appointment of Senior Vice President Piper Dolan as head of research, analysis and strategy, Team Lewis, the global marketing agency, has appointed Kurt Hauptman as vice president of analytics. Hauptman joins the team to oversee measurement, reporting and optimization for all clients. He brings more than a decade of experience in analytics and a proven track record of delivering for major clients. This is the latest investment hire in this growing practice area.
Sydney Sloan appointed to GoFormz Board of Directors
GoFormz, a leading mobile forms and data capture platform, announced the appointment of Sydney Sloan, chief marketing officer of drata, to its board of directors. Sloan’s extensive background in document management and software marketing for leading technology firms positions her as a valuable asset to the GoFormz team. Sloan has held the chief marketing fficer role at Salesloft, Alfresco, and Drata, as well as advisory positions with notable companies like G2, Marketo, and Demandbase.
Fast Guard Service offers security and support
services in wake of evacuation warning
Following the recent reissuance of evacuation warnings for flood-prone areas in San Diego, Fast Guard Service is stepping forward to offer its expertise in security and safety services to assist the affected communities in the aftermath of the storm. The company is committed to providing immediate support through its specialized security guard services to ensure the protection of properties and to assist in the orderly evacuation and return of residents. For more information visit www.fastguardservice.com.
Cymbiotika unveils cutting-edge dish soap
Cymbiotika, one of the fastest-growing health and wellness companies, announced the launch of its newest product, Dish Soap. This revolutionary addition to the Cymbiotika family revolutionizes how we approach dishwashing. It is a powerful, plant-based formula and a naturally moisturizing and nourishing dish soap. Cymbiotika’s Dish Soap, available for purchase, is a testament to the brand’s dedication to providing consumers with products that prioritize health and the environment.
Youth leaders selected to represent all 50
states as STEM learning ambassadors
STEM Next Opportunity Fund’s Million Girls Moonshot initiative announced its third cohort of the Flight Crew — a youth ambassador program that is advancing equity for girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Flight Crew elevates youth voices to inspire more young people to become future STEM leaders. The group embodies the spirit of the Million Girls Moonshot, a STEM equity initiative to engage millions more girls in afterschool and summer STEM learning opportunities by 2025.
Stemson Therapeutics announces breakthrough in new hair growth
Stemson Therapeutics announced a major technological advance that clears the path for its proprietary hair rejuvenation solution to advance toward human clinical trials. Stemson is developing an iPSC-derived autologous cell therapy to regenerate healthy hair follicles and has successfully created human hair follicles in humanized mice using engineered follicular units. The engineered follicular units are designed to provide an unlimited source of hair follicle replacements capable of treating a range of hair loss indications.
Wrike names Thomas Scott as next chief executive officer
Wrike, an intelligent work management platform, announced the appointment of Thomas Scott as chief executive officer after holding the position of interim CEO since July 2023. He will also join the Wrike Board of Directors. Prior to his role as interim CEO, Scott served as the company’s chief financial officer beginning in March 2022. He is committed to overseeing the execution of the company’s long-term strategy, driving continuous growth, and empowering customers with an intelligent solution for modern work management.
