Daily Business Report-May 7, 2018
The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard transits Manila Bay on March 8 following a scheduled port visit. The ship is to arrive in San Diego Tuesday, its new homeport. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Sykes)
USS Bonhomme Richard to Call San Diego
Home Again After Six-Years in Japan
The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on Tuesday, concluding the ship’s homeport change. Since departing San Diego in April 2012 for Sasebo, Japan, to replace USS Essex as the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, Bonhomme Richard had served as the flagship of the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet’s expeditionary strike group.
During the six years of deployment, the ship participated in exercises such as the bi-annual Talisman Sabre with the Royal Australian Navy, worked side-by-side with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and participated in exchanges with regional partners, such as Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.
Bonhomme Richard conducted search and rescue efforts following the 2014 capsize of Korean ferry MV Sewol, and assisted with relief efforts following the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016.
“We are honored to be part of this moment in the ship’s history and the crew is excited to have San Diego as our new homeport,” said Capt. Larry McCullen, Bonhomme Richard’s commanding officer. “This crew and every other crew that has served on the ship during that time can be justifiably proud of their accomplishments while executing our nation’s business.”
USS Wasp recently took over duties from Bonhomme Richard in Sasebo as the Navy’s only forward deployed amphibious assault ship.
While homeported in San Diego, Bonhomme Richard will operate in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility before entering an extended maintenance availability, including upgrades and modernization to operate the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.
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San Diego Startup VaultRMS
Acquired by Envisage Technologies
Envisage Technologies, which makes training and compliance software for public safety officials, has acquired San Diego startup Vault RMS, which makes software to help firefighters track their exposure to harmful substances and carcinogens. Envisage will add Vault RMS’ Exposure Tracker to its free FirstForward platform. The Exposure Tracker software allows first responders to document and access data related to exposure to toxic and harmful materials.
Since Envisage doesn’t charge a fee for users to access its FirstForward platform, VaultRMS’ Exposure Tracker will also be free.
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Synthetic Genomics, ExxonMobil
Commercialize Algae Fuels
San Diego-based Synthetic Genomics (SGI) is partnering with ExxonMobil to create low-emission fuel from algae. ExxonMobil and SGI plan to create a facility with 10,000 barrels per day of next-generation algae fuel by 2025. That works out to about 130 million gallons per year, which is equivalent to a large corn ethanol facility.
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Southwest Airlines Plans Nonstop
Service from San Diego to Hawaii
Southwest Airlines has announced plans to provide nonstop service from San Diego International Airport to Hawaii, subject to required regulatory approvals. Nonstop flights also would be offered at Oakland Metropolitan Airport, Mineta San Jose International Airport and Sacramento International Airport.
“The way we plan to serve Hawaii requires us to share these initial details now so that our facilities in the airports will be ready for all that we intend to offer,” Southwest President Tom Nealon told a gathering in Waikiki. “We’re on-track with our plans to sell tickets this year and are respectfully engaged in the process to receive FAA authorization to operate between the mainland and the Islands.”
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Medical Marijuana Inc. and Subsidiaries
Report Record Revenue Sales Month in April
Medical Marijuana Inc., the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, announced that both the company and its subsidiary, Kannaway, have booked their largest-ever unaudited sales revenue in their history in April, as well as reached major milestones in business operations. Medical Marijuana subsidiary HempMeds had its largest unaudited sales revenue month since August 2014, the company reported.
“We’re excited to announce that April 2018 was the largest revenue month in the history of our company,” said Medical Marijuana CEO Stuart Titus. “We’re experiencing tremendous momentum for our entire portfolio of companies and look forward to building upon our success in May.”
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Mutual of Omaha Bank to Acquire
San Diego-Based Synergy One Lending Inc.
Mutual of Omaha Bank said it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Synergy One Lending Inc., a national mortgage company based in San Diego. The transaction is expected to be finalized in June, pending regulatory approval. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Licensed in 45 states, Synergy One offers a full suite of home financing products and services including mortgages and reverse mortgages through a network of loan officers, mortgage brokers as well as direct sales channels. It will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mutual of Omaha Bank under the Synergy One name and its headquarters will remain in San Diego.
Terry Connealy, president of Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, will oversee Synergy One’s operations on behalf of Mutual of Omaha Bank.
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San Diego State Formally Opens
Undocumented Resource Area
By La Monica Everett-Haynes | SDSU NewsCenter
San Diego State University has formally opened the Undocumented Resource Area (URA) as part of its mission to support academic success of its students, regardless of their backgrounds and experiences.
Housed within the Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs, the URA provides a safe and welcoming space for all undocumented students at SDSU, including those from mixed-status families.
“This new Undocumented Resource Area is the right thing to do for our undocumented community and for our university,” SDSU President Sally Roush said, addressing about 150 people who attended the URA’s grand opening ceremony on May 2.
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Balboa Park’s First-Ever Cultural
Landscape Report to be Aired May 10
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Balboa Park, the Balboa Park Conservancy is hosting a community workshop on May 10 to present the results of the first cultural landscape report to ever be prepared about America’s largest urban cultural park and the jewel of San Diego.
Prepared under the direction of renowned cultural landscape specialist and historian Vonn Marie May, the Balboa Park Cultural Landscape Heritage Report delves into the historical significance of the park in order to better create a foundation and context for the planning of future enhancements. It gives a detailed look at how the park came into existence, identifies the main players in the park’s history of growth, and traces its development and design through the major historical eras of the state of California and the city of San Diego.
Following the presentation of the report, special guest Charles Birnbaum, president and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, will lead a panel discussion with local experts on a historically informed vision for the park’s development.
Balboa Park Conservancy Cultural Landscape Report Community Workshop
Thursday, May 10. Registration 8:30 a.m. Workshop 9 to 11 a.m. House of Hospitality Ballroom, 1549 El Prado. RSVP: 619-331-1920.
