Daily Business Report: Friday, Jan. 20, 2023
Legendary local top gun pilot Capt. E. Royce Williams
to receive Navy Cross today for 1952 air heroics
Capt. E. Royce Williams (Ret.), 97, of Escondido, who alone shot down five Soviet MiGs in a dogfight over Korea on Nov. 18, 1952, will receive the Navy Cross today at noon at the Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park.
“Royce Williams is 97 years young, a Top Gun pilot like no other, and an American hero for all time,” said Rep. Darrell Issa. “The heroism and valor he demonstrated for 35 harrowing minutes 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew. His story is one for the ages, but is now being fully told.”
Issa and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro and community members will attend the presentation.
On that day in 1952, Royce piloted his F9F-5 Panther and alone faced seven Soviet MiG-15s – impossible odds by any conventional measure. Royce shot down four and survived a 37-millimeter round to his fuselage, where six inches to the right or left would have meant certain death. Despite the immense damage to his jet, he made a near-perfect landing on the deck of his aircraft carrier.
Royce was instructed to keep the incident a secret and he remained silent for more than 50 years. In addition, Soviet records were released in 1992 detailing how Williams shot down the four MiGs. Having been awarded a Silver Star, a determined campaign led by Issa and others – Operation Just Reward – was launched for Capt. Williams to be more appropriately honored, with the Navy Cross.
Read more on Operation Just Reward here
Top Photo: Capt. E. Royce Williams (Ret.) (Courtesy of Homeland Magazine)
Scripps Research polysulfates could find wide
use in high-performance electronics components
A nw type of polysulfate compound that can form thin, flexible films has properties that could make it a material of choice for many high-performance electrical components, according to a study from chemists and materials scientists at Scripps Research and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
In the study, published January 18 in Joule, the scientists found that the new polysulfates can be used to make polymer film capacitors that store and discharge high density of electrical energy while tolerating heat and electric fields beyond the limits of existing polymer film capacitors.
“Our findings suggest that energy-storing capacitors and other devices based on these new polysulfates could see wide application, including in electric vehicle power systems,” says study co-senior author Peng Wu, a professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research.
Local Umbrella Media partners with AMIBA
and YBNB to launch Shop Black-Owned Month
Local Umbrella Media will join the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) and San Diego-based YBNB to launch Shop Local Black-Owned Month in February. This campaign urges individuals and businesses to support local Black-owned businesses and celebrate diversity. The more dollars spent at local Black-owned businesses, the more dollars recirculate in the local economy, boosting job growth, charitable giving, and overall prosperity.
“San Diego County is blessed with a wide range of high-quality Black-Owned independent businesses that deserve to be recognized,” said Brad Weber, CEO/group publisher at Local Umbrella Media. “Local Umbrella with celebrate throughout February, including feature articles and spotlight on Black-Owned businesses in our network of neighborhood publications. We also plan to welcome select Black-Owned entrepreneurs as guests on our popular “Simply Local” video podcast on the IQ Podcasts Network.
LEAP accepting applications Feb. 1
for second cohort of entrepreneurs
The City of La Mesa, in partnership with the East County EDC, has launched the LEAP program, which distributes up to $20,000 in grant funds to new restaurant, retail, and other enterprises. To qualify, recipients must open a business within the incorporated City of La Mesa. The application program opens Feb. 1.
The program will provide each entrepreneur with a robust start-up training program, individualized advising sessions, and an accountable case management system.
The La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP) directly addresses the biggest obstacles to starting a new business, (1) training and (2) funding. Each entrepreneur who is accepted into the program will be provided with individualized advising sessions and accountable case management. Upon completion of the program, they will also be eligible for up to $20,000 in grant funds.
North County Commercial Real Estate Outlook
The 2023 North County Commercial Real Estate Outlook seminar will be staged Thursday, Feb. 2, at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Registration is a 7 a.m., presentations at 7: 30 a.m.
Guest speakers will be Gary London, senior principal, London Moeder Advisors; Al Apuzzo, president of Lee and Associates; and Tyler Stemley, associate vice president of Colliers.
Gary London will kick off the event with an overview of the San Diego County economy and how it will impact various CRE segments. We will also hear from noted North County experts on the office and industrial segments.
General tickets are $55. San Diego North EDC member tickets are $35. Register here
Girl Scouts San Diego names Kristin Wiggins
as its new chief advancement officer
Kristin Wiggins, a nonprofit executive with more than 20 years experience in the sector, has been named chief advancement officer for Girl Scouts San Diego.
Wiggins’ work has been focused on fundraising, board development and governance, program development, marketing, volunteer management, and special events.
Most recently, Wiggins served as chief advancement officer at Father Joe’s Villages, where she provided strategic vision for its efforts in corporate partnerships, individual giving, foundation and government relations, donor communications, public relations, and more.
During her tenure, private philanthropy grew from $11.5 million to more than $30 million annually.
“The mission of Girl Scouts San Diego aligns perfectly with my personal values and philanthropic priorities,” said Kristin. “The opportunities for girls and women abound through Girl Scouts San Diego, where girls can explore new things, find their passions, and make a difference in our community.”
Second Chance Beer Company to release
‘All I Want’ Kolsch in honor of Black History Month
Second Chance Beer Company has collaborated with the All My Frields Are Rappers brand for the second year in a row to brew All I Want, a hoppy Kolsch style beer available beginning Friday in honor of the upcoming Black History Month.
The mission of the limited release is to develop more awareness and educational opportunities in the craft beer industry for underrepresented communities.
All I Want, which will be available on draft and in four-packs of 16-oz cans, is 4.6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and contains a citrus zest hop aroma along with a crisp malt finish.
Head Brewer Marty Mendiola initially worked with All My Friends Are Rappers Executive Director Kemet Ackee last January to create the beer. Ackee is a San Diego native and nine-year Army veteran, who also is a member of Second Chance’s brewing, brand ambassador, and beertender teams.
Imperial Valley growers brace
to give up some Colorado River water
CalMatters
The Colorado River’s water transformed the Imperial Valley desert into one of California’s most productive farm regions. But now growers will have to sacrifice 10 percent of their supply because of shortages in the river’s supply.
The Imperial Valley is by far the largest user of water in the Colorado River’s lower basin — consuming more water than all of Arizona and Nevada combined in 2022 — so growers there will have to find ways to sacrifice the mos
2023 B2B web design trends released by Bop Design
B2B website design and marketing agency, Bop Design, recently released the top eight B2B website design trends for 2023. The website design trends were a collaborative effort from the agency’s creative principal, art director, design director, and website designer.
The agency recently published the B2B web design trends to their agency blog and according to the list, the web design team expects to see eight design features gain in popularity in 2023. The list includes a variety of trends, including the increased use of motion graphics, incorporating bold, organic shapes, and content layering for space.
CV Sciences launches 30-count of popular
+PlusCBD Reserve Collection Softgels
SAN DIEGO — CV Sciences Inc. a consumer wellness company specializing in hemp extracts and other proven science-backed, natural ingredients and products, announced the launch of their popular +PlusCBD Reserve Collection Softgels in a 30-count bottle. This new offering will be available on +PlusCBD’s’ website today.+PlusCBD Reserve Collection Softgels
initially launched in August 2022 as the newest edition to CV Sciences’ popular Reserve Collection, available in 60-count bottles.
Bespoke Partners releases private equity industry’s
first first leadership talent benchmark report
SAN DIEGO — Bespoke Partners, a leading provider of retained executive search and leadership advisory services for private equity backed software companies, released the private equity industry’s first talent benchmark report focusing on key leadership trends in The Private Equity Talent Benchmark Report 2023 analyzes trends in the executive talent market based on Bespoke’s work with hundreds of private equity backed software and SaaS portfolio companies and thousands of senior executives. Private equity professionals and portfolio company executives can get a complimentary copy here: www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/
New report gives in-depth look
at Mellennial and Gen Z behavior
SAN DIEGO – RMS North America, a leading provider of cloud-based reservation and property management systems to the hospitality industry, released its annual State of the Industry Report. The report closely examines the first digital native generations —Millennials and Gen Z — and offers insight into their camping behaviors and preferences, with a particular focus on technology use. Millennials and Gen Z are characterized by their relationship with technology. With Millennials now making up the largest segment of campers and more Gen Zs camping every year, their technology preferences will strongly shape the industry..
FutureProof hires serial entrepreneur
to supercharge MGA platform
SAN DIEGO– Climate-focused MGA FutureProof has hired Dr. Ram Keralapura as its new chief technology officer. Keralapura brings nearly two decades of engineering, data science, and leadership experience to FutureProof. He was previously chief technology officer at The Public Health Company, and before that was head of data science and machine learning at Chronicle (Google Cloud Enterprise Security). He has also played vital roles in several very early stage startups, helping them build scalable technology and businesses. Dr. Keralapura received a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of California at Davis.
San Diego’s Detexian added
to Growth Lab accelerator program
NEW YORK — StartOut and J.P. Morgan welcomed a new cohort of ten high-performing companies to the Growth Lab accelerator, a six-month program that helps LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs grow their businesses through networking, mentorship, and education. Detexian, based in San Diego, was one of the companies. Now in its sixth year and eleventh cohort, Growth Lab has helped 65 early-stage companies raise more than $763 million in funding and create more than 3,650 new jobs across the United States.
Manscaped launches The Beard Hedger trimmer
SAN DIEGO — Manscaped, men’s grooming company, has launched The Beard Hedger electric beard hair trimmer and The Beard Hedger Pro Kit luxury beard grooming routine, available in the United States and Canada. Anchoring the male grooming giant’s newest innovation is a one-of-a-kind precision-designed beard-sculpting machine. Powerful enough to craft your desired style in a single swipe, and boasting a slew of standout product attributes, The Beard Hedger offers a premium look.
Microsoft laying off 10,000 employees
REDMOND, Wash.– With the world economy facing challenging conditions, Microsoft has announced it’s laying off 10,000 employees. The job losses represent almost 5 percent of its global workforce and will cost the business $1.2 billion in severance and reorganization costs, CNBC reported. Microsift chier Satya Nadella said the cuts will be completed by the end of August, noting that “while we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key strategic areas” – likely in fast-developing areas such as AI.
