| San Diego Business Journal

Stories for July 2014

Thursday, July 31

Gilmer Named CEO of San Diego Symphony

Martha Gilmer, a longtime executive and creative leader with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has been named CEO of the San Diego Symphony.

Provide Commerce Is Being Sold to FTD

Provide Commerce, a San Diego subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corp. and operator of online retailer ProFlowers, is being sold again, this time to one of its biggest competitors, FTD Cos. of Downers Grove, Ill.

Excel Trust Reports Revenue Increase for Second Quarter

San Diego-based Excel Trust Inc. saw total revenue rise 14 percent from a year ago, reaching $30.6 million in its second quarter ending June 30.

McMillin Cos. Buys Land for Planned Little Italy Apartments

The Corky McMillin Cos. of San Diego recently purchased a property in Little Italy for $5.3 million, with plans to develop a new upscale 100-unit apartment project.

Human Longevity Inc. Hires Former Google Exec as Chief Data Scientist

A diagnostic and therapeutic company in La Jolla has recruited Franz Och, scientist and former head of Google Translate, as the company’s chief data scientist.

Vibra Bank Reports Q2 Results

Vibra Bank, based in Chula Vista and a single office, reported a second quarter loss of $26,000, compared to net income of $61,000 for the like period of 2013.

Illumina Appoints Google Exec Huber to Its Board

Illumina Inc. announced that Jeff Huber, senior vice president at Google Inc., has been appointed to its board of directors.

Hacienda de Vega Operators Plan New Restaurant in Carlsbad

Diverse Culinary Ventures LLC has signed a 10-year lease for approximately $1.5 million, for a planned new Hacienda de Vega restaurant in Carlsbad, according to brokerage company CDC Commercial Inc.

Wednesday, July 30

Coastal Commission Appeals Federal Court Ruling on Navy Broadway Project

The California Coastal Commission has decided to appeal a recent federal court ruling that allowed for the Navy Broadway Complex development to proceed, meaning further delays for the long-stalled $1.2 billion downtown San Diego project.

Epic Sciences Raises $30M, Names Lucier New Director and Board Chairman

A diagnostics company in San Diego has raised $30 million in Series C financing to help commercialize its new technology for cancer research.

Garden Fresh Names Morberg CEO

San Diego-based Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp.’s board of directors has appointed John Morberg as its CEO effective immediately.

Qualcomm Buys EmpoweredU

Qualcomm Inc. announced on July 30 that it bought Silicon Valley-based EmpoweredU for undisclosed terms.

Panel Stresses Need, Necessity of Proactive Cybersecurity Measures to Meet Growing Threats

Cyber security concerns have advanced far beyond interruption of service and theft of consumer credit card information and should be a priority of corporate boards, according to members of a panel at the Corporate Directors Forum on Wednesday morning at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla.

Portfolium Funding Is Part of EvoNexus' Recent Successes

EvoNexus, the incubator of CommNexus, the area’s nonprofit trade group for the high-tech industry, said one of its portfolio companies Portfolium recently closed a $900,000 seed round of investment from the Tech Coast Angels and other San Diego-based investors.

SeaPort Airlines Starting San Diego-Burbank Flights in October

SeaPort Airlines Inc. plans to begin new nonstop flights between San Diego International and Burbank Bob Hope Airport on Oct. 1.

Overland Storage Settles Patent Litigation, Enters Cross-License Agreement With BDT

San Diego-based Overland Storage Inc., a provider of data management and protection services, has settled all claims in its patent infringement litigation filed against BDT Media Automation GmbH, the local company announced.

Chula Vista Industrial Park Sells for $11.2 Million

Focus Real Estate LP of Costa Mesa has purchased the Southrail Business Park industrial complex in Chula Vista for $11.2 million, according to the seller, Westcore Properties of San Diego.

ViaSat Shares $116.8M Defense Deal With Iowa Company

The Department of Defense said on July 30 that ViaSat Inc. and Data Link Solutions LLC will share a $116.8 million contract modification to do systems engineering and integration on sophisticated military radios:

Tuesday, July 29

Peggy Johnson Is Leaving Qualcomm

Executive Peggy Johnson is leaving Qualcomm Inc. after nearly two and a half decades at the San Diego tech company, a Qualcomm spokesman confirmed.

Cubic Receives $700M Deal With London Mass Transit System

Cubic Corp. said on July 29 that it received a contract worth more than $700 million to provide fare collection services to London’s mass transit system.

'Mister A’s Building’ at Bankers Hill Gets New Owners

San Diego-based investment firm BBL Commercial Real Estate and Westbrook Partners of New York City have purchased the Fifth Avenue Financial Center in Bankers Hill, better known locally as “The Mister A’s Building,” BBL officials announced.

Correlation Ventures Adds 8 New Portfolio Companies in Q2

Correlation Ventures, a San Diego venture capital firm that invests only with other venture firms and has deployed $166 million, said it added eight new portfolio companies during the second quarter of this year, bringing the total number of companies it’s funded to 88.

State Funding Clears Way for Horton Plaza Park Construction

The California Department of Finance has approved $4.9 million in funding, needed to move forward with development of the $17.7 million Horton Plaza Park project in downtown San Diego.

San Diego Tech Coast Angels Invests $7.3M in First Half

The San Diego chapter of Tech Coast Angels said its investments in the first half of this year, $7.3 million, matched the total invested in all of 2013.

CareFusion Subsidiary Receives Warning From FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has warned CareFusion 2200 Inc., a subsidiary of San Diego-based CareFusion Corp., that it failed to satisfactorily investigate and respond to 32 complaints of particulate matter and debris found in certain medical devices

Sequenom Reports Q2 Results, Inks License Agreement With Mayo Medical

Sequenom Inc., a life sciences company that provides genetic analysis solutions, and Mayo Medical Laboratories, one of the top providers of esoteric laboratory services in the U.S., have announced a license agreement for Sequenom’s noninvasive prenatal testing patents and applications.

NuVasive Reports Q2 Revenue of $190.7 Million

NuVasive reported second quarter 2014 revenue of $190.7 million as compared with $165.7 million from the previous year.

Medical Marijuana Inc. Makes $6.8M Deal for Dixie Botanicals

Medical Marijuana Inc., a San Diego publicly traded company (OTC: MJNA) said it officially assumes control of Dixie Botanicals, a Denver based business that makes cannabidiols (CBD), the main component in a variety of hemp oil products, in a transaction that will likely increase its staff.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. Closes Common Stock Offering

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co., a therapeutics company focused on unmet life-threatening diseases, announced the closing of its underwritten $56.6 million public offering.

Local Developers Begin $5.6 Million Townhome Project in Chula Vista

Private equity firm Pathfinder Partners LLC and developer Lanshire Housing Partners LLC, both of San Diego, have broken ground on Bahia Vista Townhomes, a $5.6 million multifamily project in Chula Vista’s Marina District.

Monday, July 28

In Required Second Vote, Council Again Approves Minimum Wage Hike

In a required second vote, San Diego City Council members approved a series of minimum wage hikes.

Local Contracts for Planned Future Construction Increase 50% in First Half

San Diego County contracts for future construction rose 50 percent from a year ago in the first six months of 2014, with residential and nonresidential projects topping $2.63 billion, according to the latest data from McGraw Hill Construction.

ViaSat Acquires Some of Gray Labs' Assets

ViaSat Inc. said on July 28 that it acquired certain assets of Georgia-based Gray Labs Inc. for undisclosed terms.

PaxVax Secures $62 Million in Funding

PaxVax, Inc., a Redwood City-based vaccine company with manufacturing facilities in San Diego, announced that it has secured up to $62 million in additional funding as part of the acquisition of an oral typhoid vaccine, Vivotif, from Crucell Switzerland AG.

Jarrett Picked to Lead Civic San Diego

Reese Anthony Jarrett was named the head of Civic San Diego, the city’s nonprofit for public-private development projects and programs, by Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Sapphire Names Levine President, CEO

San Diego-based Sapphire Energy Inc., a producer of algae cultivation technologies, appointed James Levine as president, CEO and board member, the company announced.

Virkud Named President, CEO of 3E Co.

Carlsbad-based 3E Co., a provider of environmental health and safety compliance and information management services, appointed Uday Virkud as president and CEO, the company announced.

Lincoln Property Buys SKLZ Headquarters Building for $21 Million

Denali California Faraday Industrial LLC, an entity of Dallas-based Lincoln Property Co., has purchased the Carlsbad building housing the corporate headquarters of SKLZ for $21 million.

Quidel Receives FDA Clearance for Strep Diagnostic

Quidel Corp., a San Diego-based diagnostics company, has received FDA clearance for its molecular diagnostic test, AmpliVue GAS Assay, used for detecting Group A strep.

Peregrine Reports Q2 Results

San Diego-based Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. reported second-quarter revenue of $47.1 million compared with $52.4 million for the like period of 2013.

Escondido Apartments Sold for $7.9 Million

Viewpoint Equities Inc. of San Diego has purchased a 51-unit apartment building in Escondido for approximately $7.9 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

Sunday, July 27

Port Board Approves Severance for Controversial CEO

Wayne Darbeau is leaving his job as CEO of the Port of San Diego following a controversy.

Cypher Genomics Inc. Teams With Illumina, Also Names President and COO

San Diego-based Cypher Genomics Inc. announced a co-promotion agreement with Illumina Inc. and the selection of Adam Simpson as president and chief operating officer.

DJO Global Reports Net Sales of $313.9 Million for Q2

DJO Global Inc., the Vista-based maker of orthopedic devices, reported second quarter net sales of $313.9 million, up 6.5 percent from the like quarter of 2013.

BioMed Realty Trust Signs Bristol-Myers to Additional Space and Lease Extension

Bristol-Myers Squibb has signed a 10-year lease with San Diego-based BioMed Realty Trust Inc. for about 61,000 square feet of additional laboratory and office space at BioMed’s Woodside Technology Park, a life science industry campus in Redwood City.

The Business Events Calendar for the Week of July 28, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled in the county for the week of July 28, 2014.

Boston Marathon Winner to Set the Pace for Competitor Group's Running Brands

Competitor Group Inc., the San Diego based media and event business that organizes the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon Series, said it named Meb Keflezighi as the first vice president of running.

Fitch Ratings Assigns ‘AAA’ Rating to Regional Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds

Fitch Ratings has assigned an ‘AAA’ rating to the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission’s $350 million sales tax revenue bonds, 2014 series A.

Friday, July 25

Efforts Help Preserve and Present the ‘Art of the People’

Even after many years in San Diego, there are things I learn about some of the city’s most beloved places that amaze me.

Bigger Budget Approved for Park Planned at Horton Plaza

Not much has happened at the site of the former Robinsons-May building since it was torn down more than a year ago to make way for a new downtown public square park at Horton Plaza.

Port Approves Severance Agreement, Mutual Release for Controversial CEO

Wayne Darbeau is leaving his job as CEO of the Port of San Diego following a controversy.

Executive Q&A: Susan Daly, attorney and partner with Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg & Bagley LLP

Susan Daly, a veteran commercial and residential real estate attorney with Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg & Bagley LLP, loves what she does, which is to “solve problems.”

Something for Everyone

PROPERTY: Varied Office, Industrial Markets Give Tenants Options

Trends like the comeback of San Diego’s downtown urban core, along with rising space demand fueled by the booming craft beer industry, contributed to continuing improvement in the region’s office and industrial real estate markets in the first half of 2014.

Find the Perfect View for Watching Downtown Luxury Develop

For this column, my goal was to get a true picture of the current market for high-end real estate downtown and to find out what it’s like to live in a thriving metropolis. The best way to do this is to talk to a real estate agent who has lived and worked in downtown for some time.

Local Lenders Making More – But Smaller – SBA Loans in 2014

Although San Diego lenders are generally making more loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, loan amounts have declined for most of this fiscal year, according to the latest report from the SBA’s San Diego district office.

Co. Sees Short Trips as Point to Cut Pollution in the Long Haul

Short-haul truck trips originating at seaports and rail yards contribute their share of urban pollution. Transportation Power Inc. is trying to build a business around cleaning up such trips.

Zoos’ Ad Campaigns Show It’s Creativity That Captures Business

MARKETING: San Diego, LA Agencies Find Work In Each Other’s ‘Territory’

This summer, a new ad campaign for the San Diego Zoo Safari’s Park wants children to tap into their own “tiger power” while a new campaign for the Los Angeles Zoo brings home the message that even mischievous animals need a home.

Fitch Assigns ‘AAA’ Rating to Regional Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds

Fitch Ratings has assigned an ‘AAA’ rating to the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission’s $350 million sales tax revenue bonds, 2014 series A.

Cypher Genomics Teams With Illumina, Names President and COO

San Diego-based Cypher Genomics Inc. announced a co-promotion agreement with Illumina Inc. and the selection of Adam Simpson as president and chief operating officer.

Green Flash Brewing to Distribute in Europe, Expand to Poway

Beverage: San Diego Beer Maker’s Product Now Sold in 11 Other Countries

San Diego-based Green Flash Brewing Co. is the latest expanding beer-maker to extend the reach of its popular brews well beyond U.S. borders.

Grace Riding a Big Growth Wave Atop Internet Radios, Electronics

TECH: Co. Expects to Top $30M in Revenue in 2014

Grace Digital Inc. seems to be winning the consumer electronics game.

Co. Sees Need to View the Digital World Through a New Lens

Optical: It Precisely Incorporates Close-Up And Distance Vision

There’s a new affliction out there, the product of so many people constantly checking their smartphones and other digital devices.

Co. Sees Need to View the Digital World Through a New Lens

Optical: It Precisely Incorporates Close-Up And Distance Vision

There’s a new affliction out there, the product of so many people constantly checking their smartphones and other digital devices.

ITC Rules That ResMed’s Patents Still Infringed On

A Taiwanese manufacturer’s humidifier continues to infringe on patents held by San Diego-based ResMed Inc., the International Trade Commission has ruled, according to a ResMed news release.

Firm’s Data in Demand With Big Financial Cos.

FINANCE: BrightScope’s Growth in Revenue, Clients Leads To Increase in Hiring

BrightScope, a San Diego startup that began rating company 401(k) plans, is still rating those plans and financial advisers, but it is now making more money from all the data it’s collected, and signing up bigger clients.

All Jobs at Former Nokia S.D. Office to Be Cut

Tech: Microsoft Expects To Eliminate All Local Positions by mid-September

Microsoft Corp. plans to permanently eliminate all 378 positions at the former Nokia office in Rancho Bernardo before this fall as part of the company’s announced global restructuring affecting 18,000 workers.

Technology Drives Change in Model For Car Insurance

Big changes are ahead in how you pay for auto insurance in California. San Francisco startup Metromile launched pay-per-mile car insurance and has updated its connected car platform, which provides operational data that could have a huge impact on traffic patterns in San Diego and other metro areas in the state.

More S.D. Cos. Ponder Packing their Bags

Business: Most Staying, Citing Talent Among Reasons

One out of every seven companies here is thinking — at least half-seriously — about leaving San Diego County, following in the footsteps of some high-profile businesses such as Websense, Active Network LLC and Omnitracs LLC.

Fish Market to Lure Visitors to Waterfront

ECONOMY: It May Boost Commercial Fishing, Tourism

Local operators and government officials believe a fresh-seafood market debuting soon on the downtown San Diego waterfront could be a good first step toward restoring what was once a much more vibrant regional fishing economy.

BioMed Realty Signs Tenant Bristol-Myers to Additional Space and Lease Extension

Stone Packs Its Stein and Heads to Berlin

BREWING: Brewery, Eatery And Store Part of Big Plans

Years ago, some people told Stone Brewing Co.’s co-founder that he’d be crazy to take on the established players in beer-making’s European homeland, particularly Germany.

Recovery In Their Sites

Economy: Construction Jobs Rise as Projects Get Going

Work at Kaiser Permanente’s new hospital in Kearny Mesa is going smoothly — so well that the expected completion of the $900 million project was moved up several months to March 2016. And that progress is reflected in the construction employment levels on the site.

Boston Marathon Winner Named VP of Running for Competitor Group

Competitor Group Inc., the San Diego based media and event business that organizes the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, said it named Meb Keflezighi as the first vice president of running.

Business Calendar for Week of July 28, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled in the county for the week of July 28, 2014.

DJO Global Reports Q2 Results

DJO Global Inc., the Vista-based maker of orthopedic devices, reporter second quarter net sales of $313.9 million, up 6.5 percent from the like quarter of 2013.

Port Meeting to Consider Possible Discipline, Termination of CEO

The San Diego Unified Port District Board of Port Commissioners has set a special meeting to consider disciplining or possibly terminating CEO Wayne Darbeau, according to port documents.

Thursday, July 24

Comic-Con Underway, With Ad Support from Downtown Buildings

With the 45th annual Comic-Con International now underway, the area around San Diego Convention Center has again assumed its role as a global Billboard Central for the major film studios, TV networks and video-game makers touting their wares this year.

Pfenex Raises $50 Million in IPO

Pfenex Inc., a Sorrento Valley biotech firm specializing in a class of drugs called biosimilars, raised $50 million in its initial public offering July 23, selling 8.33 million shares at $6 per share.

Qualcomm to Invest Up to $150 Million in Chinese Startups

Qualcomm Inc., which just reported net earnings of $2.24 billion for its third quarter July 23, said it will invest up to $150 million in Chinese startup companies across all stages.

Realty Income Reports Gains in Revenue, Income for Second Quarter

Escondido-based Realty Income Corp. saw revenue rise 22.6 percent from a year ago in its second quarter ending June 30, reaching $228.6 million.

Tickets Available for Best Places to Work Awards

San Diego boasts ideal weather and ideal living. A great environment can also be found at many of San Diego’s workplaces. The San Diego Business Journal is recognizing organizations that have committed to supporting their employees in every aspect of day-to-day business with the Best Places to Work Awards event.

San Diego Private Bank Reports Q2 Results

San Diego Private Bank reported second quarter net income of $594,000, up from $253,000 for the like quarter of 2013 when the results were affected by the bank’s merger with Coronado First Bank.

Cubic Defense Contract Is Potentially Worth $500 Million

The Pentagon said on July 23 that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency awarded Cubic Corp. a contract that could be worth up to $500 million over 10 years.

Wednesday, July 23

Qualcomm Reports Record Revenue

Qualcomm Inc. reported net income of $2.24 billion on revenue of $6.81 billion during its third quarter, which ended June 29.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Prices Stock Offering

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co., a developer of therapeutics targeting unmet life-threatening diseases, announced a price of $10.50 per share for a planned underwritten stock offering of 4.8 million shares of common stock.

Illumina Reports Q2 Results

Illumina Inc. reported revenue of $448 million for the second quarter ending June 29.

Dealstruck Fills Leadership Positions

Dealstruck, a San Diego online business that matches borrowers with investors who advance cash, said it hired three key executive to move the company forward.

National City Apartment Building Sells for $9.8 Million

M&L Financial Co. XXXI of Newhall has purchased the 151-unit Golden Paradise senior apartment building in National City for $9.8 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

San Diego Building Housing Rite Aid Sells for $7.1 Million

B3 Black Mountain LLC of San Diego has acquired a Rancho Penasquitos retail building housing a Rite Aid drugstore for approximately $7.1 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

Youngevity Likes Its Coffee ‘Green’

Chula Vista-based Youngevity International Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiary, CLR Roasters, has procured several contracts for its strictly high-grown washed Arabica coffee, totaling $3 million dollars for its recently launched green coffee distribution division, the parent company said.

Shed Some 'Paper Weight' at Document Shredding Event

Folks who get off on breaking records certified by Guinness may want to attend what’s billed as a Super Shred Event sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union.

Tuesday, July 22

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Announces Proposed Common Stock Offering

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co., a developer of therapeutics targeting unmet life-threatening diseases, intends to sell shares of common stock in an underwritten offering pursuant to its existing shelf registration statement, the company announced.

New Anti-SeaWorld Ad at Airport Targets Comic-Con Visitors

Animal-rights group PETA and the parent of SeaWorld San Diego are again squaring off over a controversial advertisement at San Diego International Airport, this one timed to coincide with the start of Comic-Con International.

Marletta Intends to Step Down as President, CEO of The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute CEO and President Michael Marletta intends to step down, according to the organization’s board of trustees.

Dansky Named CEO at Agena Bioscience

San Diego-based Agena Bioscience, Inc. said that Peter Dansky has joined the company as its chief executive officer and as a member of the board of directors.

EdgeWave Closes $6M Series A Equity Funding From TVC Capital

EdgeWave, a San Diego-based cybersecurity firm, has closed $6 million in Series A equity funding from TVC Capital, EdgeWave said.

Sanchez Named CIO at AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare Services Inc. has promoted Jeanette Sanchez to chief information officer, the company announced.

Former Qualcomm Exec Joins Board of Brain Corp.

Steve Altman, the former president and vice chairman of Qualcomm Inc. who led the creation of that company’s technology licensing strategy, has joined the board of Brain Corp.

Peregrine and RFMD Settle Litigation

Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., a San Diego maker of radio frequency computer chips, said it’s settled all outstanding claims with RF Micro Devices Inc. of North Carolina relating to lawsuits it filed against RFMD in 2012 and 2013.

Chargers Invite Fans to First of 10 Open Practices on July 24

The San Diego Chargers host opening day of their 2014 training camp Thursday, July 24 at Charger Park in Kearny Mesa, starting at 9:30 a.m., marking the first of 10 practices open to the public.

El Cajon Industrial Property Sells for $5.7 Million

Propco LP of Solana Beach has purchased a 70,713-square foot industrial park in El Cajon for approximately $5.7 million, according to brokerage company Cassidy Turley.

Monday, July 21

Green Flash Brewing to Distribute in Europe, Expand to Poway

The local brewer signed a $1.28 million, 10-year lease for an industrial building to expand capacity.

ResMed's Patents Infringed on by Taiwanese Humidifier Maker, ITC Rules

The International Trade Commission finds continued patent infringement despite products being redesigned.

Former Qualcomm Executive Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading

Sentencing of Jing Yang set for November.

Sorrento Therapeutics Awarded NIH Grant for Development of Small Molecule Protein Inhibitor

The grant supports research based on biotechnology licensed from The Scripps Research Institute.

Arena Pharmaceuticals Forges Marketing and Supply Agreement for Weight-Loss Drug in Israel

Arena Pharmaceuticals will be eligible for milestone payments.

Qualcomm Announces Shareholder Dividend

The company will release its third-quarter earnings July 23.

County Employees Retirement Fund's Recent Fiscal Year Return tops 13 Percent

The San Diego County Employees Retirement Association's fund is at a record $10.1 billion.

Sudberry Adds Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Civita Development

The charging stations provide 12 to 25 miles of charge per hour.

Encore Semi Opens Four New U.S. Offices

Each site will include technical and sales staff.

CHW Launches Online Financial Counseling for Hopeful Low- and Moderate-Income Homebuyers

The service, called E-asy Account, uses real-time consumer data to help clients set realistic financial goals.

Companies Vie for Temporary Staffing Work at San Diego-Area Navy Hospitals

Task orders under the contract could be worth up to $130.4 million.

Sunday, July 20

San Diego City Council Committee Delays Vote on Linkage Fee Plan

A San Diego City Council committee has voted to postpone action on a proposed compromise plan regarding commercial development linkage fees.

Microsoft Layoffs to Cut 378 Locally

Microsoft Corp. said it’s embarked on a restructuring that will cut 18,000 people over the next year, including 378 based at its Rancho Bernardo office that once belonged to Nokia, which Microsoft acquired in April for $7.5 billion.

Mead Named President, CEO of The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation Board of Governors announced that Kathlyn Mead has been named president and chief executive officer of The San Diego Foundation.

San Diego Opera Reaches Settlement With Former Director

Ian Campbell and ex-wife Ann Spira Campbell have settled with the San Diego Opera on an undisclosed amount owed to them through 2017, the organization said.

Omnitracs to Move Headquarters to Dallas

Omnitracs LLC is moving its head office from San Diego to Dallas with $3.9 million worth of help from Gov. Rick Perry’s Texas Enterprise Fund.

The Business Events Calendar for the Week of July 21, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled in the county for the week of July 21, 2014.

County's June Unemployment Rate Climbs to 6.1%

San Diego’s unemployment rate increased to 6.1 percent in June, up from May’s 5.8 percent despite the area adding a net of 9,700 jobs to county payrolls.

Dempsey Completes $1.2M Pavilion at Art Institute

Dempsey Construction Inc. of Carlsbad recently completed a new $1.2 million education pavilion at Lux Art Institute in Encinitas.

Tech Coast Angels Quick Pitch Contest Deadline Is Approaching

Tech Coast Angels has set July 31 as the deadline for fledgling technology businesses to apply for the John G. Watson Quick Pitch event, set for Sept. 25.

Tealium Reports a Doubling of Its Organic Sales

Tealium, a San Diego based maker of software that helps companies with online marketing, said its organic sales doubled over the past 12 months

ShakeAway Brings Milkshake Bar Concept to Pacific Beach, La Jolla

U.K.-based ShakeAway has opened two new San Diego locations of its milkshake bar eateries, in La Jolla and Pacific.

Saturday, July 19

Stone Brewing to Open Facility in Germany

Stone Brewing Co. plans to spend more than $25 million renovating building for beer making.

Friday, July 18

Business Events Calendar for Week of July 21, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled in the county for the week of July 21, 2014.

Mead Announced as President, CEO of The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation Board of Governors announced that Kathlyn Mead has been named president and chief executive officer of The San Diego Foundation.

Dempsey Completes $1.2 Million Pavilion at Art Institute

Dempsey Construction Inc. of Carlsbad recently completed a new $1.2 million education pavilion at Lux Art Institute in Encinitas.

Deadline for Quick Pitch Contest Is Approaching

Tech Coast Angels has set July 31 as the deadline for fledgling technology businesses to apply for the John G. Watson Quick Pitch event, set for Sept. 25.

Opera Reaches Settlement With Former Director

Ian Campbell and ex-wife Ann Spira Campbell have settled with the San Diego Opera on an undisclosed amount owed to them through 2017, the organization said.

City Council Committee Delays Vote on Linkage Fee Plan

A San Diego City Council committee has voted to postpone action on a proposed compromise plan regarding commercial development linkage fees.

ShakeAway Brings Milkshake Bar Concept to La Jolla, Pacific Beach

U.K.-based ShakeAway has opened two new San Diego locations of its milkshake bar eateries, in La Jolla and Pacific.

Microsoft to Layoff 378 Locally

Commentary: Business’ Support for Financial Literacy Essential

Without properly enlightened prospects and customers, it is safe to say the San Diego business community will most likely diminish in expansion and accomplishment.

United Way, Volunteers Help Make Reading Part of Kids’ Summer

For the third year, United Way of San Diego County’s Day of Action helped San Diego families who cannot afford to buy summer reading books for their children.

Millennials Prove to Be Hard to Place Because of Expectations

STAFFING: Demographic Will Account for Nearly Half of Workforce by 2020

Retiring baby boomers are being replaced in the job market by a group of young professionals notoriously difficult to employ. While millennials have a reputation for high expectations and a sense of entitlement, recruiters and employers may need to accept that there is a new normal in the talent pool.

Executive Q&A: Tom Porter, president of Marquee Staffing

Tom Porter is president of Marquee Staffing, a provider of staffing, recruiting and placement services in Southern California, with three offices in the region. He founded the company in 1989.

More Than a Filling

STAFFING: In a Technology-Driven World, Placement Services Must Bring Top Talents to the Table

It sounds almost illogical: Engineers are in great demand, yet many working in the engineering-intense San Diego area are temps working on relatively short-term assignments. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of the engineers working in San Diego today are on temporary assignments.

Procopio’s New Associates Bring Diverse Talents to Its Team

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP has hired three new associates: Trent Andrews, Natalie Mueller and Juan Pablo Zaragoza. Andrews’ practice encompasses business and corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions, venture capital and private equity financings, securities matters, leveraged buyouts, corporate governance and other complex business transactions.

Co.’s Sophisticated Bomb Detection Is the Ticket for Airports

Turn on your cellphones, show off your tiny bottles of liquids and enjoy your flight.

Seacoast Commerce’s Quarterly Profit Doubles from 2Q 2013

Seacoast Commerce Bank was the area’s first community bank to deliver its second-quarter results, and it set the bar fairly high. For the quarter ended June 30, Seacoast Commerce, now in its 11th year and headquartered in Rancho Bernardo, reported net income of $501,000, or double what it did in profit for the same quarter of 2013.

Cross-Border Terminal Construction Underway

Developers and San Diego civic leaders recently announced the official start of U.S. construction for a new $120 million cross-border pedestrian bridge linking Otay Mesa with Tijuana International Airport.

Kleinfelder Sees Downtown as Central Place to Expand Globally

ENGINEERING: Access To Work And Workers a Key Driver in Co.’s Strategy

The increasingly overlapping worlds of energy, transportation and the environment figure into the business expansion plans of San Diego-based Kleinfelder Inc., and they were also a factor in the recent move of its headquarters to downtown San Diego.

Local Unemployment Rate Increases to 6.1% for June

San Diego’s unemployment rate increased to 6.1 percent in June, up from May’s 5.8 percent despite the area adding a net of 9,700 jobs to county payrolls.

County Retirees’ Group Cedes All Investment Decision-Making

Finance: Salient Praised For Better Returns; Board Extends Contract to 2019

The county’s employee pension fund, which exceeds $10 billion as of June, is now totally controlled by its outside chief investment officer, Salient Partners of Houston.

As Economic Engine Revs Up, Car Buying Increases in County

AUTO: 2014 New Vehicle Sales Forecast Near 150,000

New car sales, a key bellwether for the health of the economy, continued rising this year in San Diego and were on track to break last year’s record number of about 140,000, according to the New Car Dealers Association of San Diego County.

MJD Interactive Builds App for Sega Game Promo at Comic-Con

TOURISM: Success With App at 2013 Convention Leads to Ongoing Projects

Video game maker Sega has enlisted San Diego-based digital ad agency MJD Interactive for this year’s Comic-Con International to help it lure “Alien” movie fans inside the scary world of their highly anticipated new video game “Alien: Isolation.”

New Mortgage Regulations Open Door for Niche Software Co.

Finance: It Helps Brokers, Lenders With Fee Disclosure

Sometimes increased government regulation is a good thing.

Mtell’s Software Goes Looking For Trouble … Before It Happens

TECH: Predictive Analytics Applied to Industrial Equipment

Industrial software writer Mtell might not be able to repeat its recent 375 percent growth spurt, but it’s making more people take notice.

Jensen Assumes Editor-in-Chief Post at SDBJ

Nels Jensen, a veteran journalist with experience in Southern California and Texas, has been named editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal, Publisher Armon Mills announced July 11.

Startup Conducts Unusual Funding ‘Experiment’

BIOTECH: Co. Aims For More Clout Before Considering VC Route

A local biotech startup and its 22-year-old CEO — with support of local industry veterans — are trying a no-strings-attached funding model to finance their research on a potential cancer vaccine.

Illumina Enjoying a Good Sequence of Events

Biotech: Acquisition Boosts Clinical Readiness; Tax Rebates Offered by City

Illumina Inc. has had an eventful few days as the San Diego-based life science company acquired Myraqa, a regulatory and quality consulting firm specializing in in vitro diagnostics, while moving a step closer to securing a tax rebate agreement with the city of San Diego.

Tealium Reports Its Organic Sales Doubled

Tealium, a San Diego based maker of software that helps companies with online marketing, said its organic sales doubled over the past 12 months to this June, and grew about 60 percent from the first quarter.

No Surprise, He’s Rolling the Dice On Home Auction

Las Vegas high-roller Billy Walters, who brags he’s wagered as much as $1 million on the outcome of a single hole of golf, hasn’t been able to sell El Milagro, his 9-acre, 21,000-square-foot Rancho Santa Fe estate, for a listing price of a tad under $20 million.

Proposed Linkage Fees Would Double Levy

PROPERTY: All Sides See Need For Affordable Housing Solutions

Affordable-housing advocates and the business community have worked out a compromise Version 2.0 of a controversial plan to boost so-called linkage fees geared toward commercial development projects in the city of San Diego.

Edico’s Strategy Is To ‘Come in Second’

TECH: Its Chip Makes Sense Of Genome Sequencing Data

Armed with fresh venture funding and steered by some of the best thinkers in biotechnology, San Diego-based Edico Genome is headed to market with a specialized microchip that it hopes will become the definitive second step in processing a genome.

City Wage Hike Has Some Seeing Red Ink

LABOR: Opposition Considers Options, Calls for Exemptions

Opponents of a local minimum wage hike were weighing their options, including a ballot referendum that would place the matter before voters, after the San Diego City Council’s recent 6-3 vote to raise the city’s minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by January 2017.

Super Powers

Visitors: Local Workforce Linked to Annual Comic-Con Estimated at 5,000 to 6,000

By the time the giant Godzilla replica shows up on the back lawn of San Diego Convention Center — part of a photo op being staged by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment during this year’s Comic-Con International — it might actually have a tough time getting noticed amid the downtown hoopla that now surrounds one of the world’s largest pop culture celebrations.

Omnitracs Is Moving Headquarters to Dallas; Co. Will Maintain a Local Office

Omnitracs LLC is moving its head office from San Diego to Dallas with $3.9 million worth of help from Gov. Rick Perry’s Texas Enterprise Fund.

Thursday, July 17

Local Tribe to Offer Wagering on Online Poker

A business run by a San Diego County American Indian tribe has begun hosting poker games on the Internet.

ColRich Begins Work on Bankers Hill Luxury Condo Project

San Diego-based developer ColRich recently broke ground on Vue on 5th, a new 45-unit luxury condominium community in the Bankers Hill neighborhood, near Balboa Park.

San Diego City Employees Retirement System Expects Return to Top Previous Year's 13.6%

The San Diego City Employees Retirement System, serving about 20,000 members mainly workers at the city of San Diego, said its total assets as of June 30 passed $7 billion and that its preliminary return for the fiscal year ended in June will exceed the 13.6 percent return it had in the prior fiscal year.

The Search Is On — Emerging Generation Awards Nominations Now Open

The San Diego Business Journal is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Emerging Generation Awards, which honors up-and-coming leaders who are in their 20s.

Seacoast Commerce Reports Q2 Results

Seacoast Commerce Bank, based in Rancho Bernardo and with three branches, reported second quarter net income of $501,000, double the figure for the like quarter of 2013.

Kratos Receives Army Contract Potentially Worth 34.8M

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. said July 15 that it received a U.S. Army contract that could be worth up to $34.8 million over five years.

Treasurer Looks to Unite Property Taxpayers and Refunds

San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister announced that his office is holding about $409,000 in nearly 1,800 accounts that he’s trying to return to folks who may have overpaid on their property taxes or have refunds coming to them.

Edico Genome Gets $10 Million in Series A Financing

Edico Genome, a San Diego bioinformatics chip maker, announced July 17 that it received $10 million in Series A venture funds.

Wednesday, July 16

Illumina Acquires Myraqa

San Diego-based Illumina Inc. has acquired Myraqa, a regulatory and quality consulting firm specializing in in vitro diagnostics, particularly companion diagnostics, Illumina announced.

Renovate America Closes $50M Equity Investment

Renovate America, a provider of so-called residential property assessed clean energy, or PACE, financing in the U.S. raised $50 million in growth equity from new and existing investors, the company said.

Pulse Electronics Announces Leadership Changes

Pulse Electronics Corp. appointed Alan Benjamin as interim CEO and John Major as interim chairman of the board, following the resignation of Ralph Faison as chairman, president and CEO, the company announced.

Kearny Mesa Office Park Sells for $19.5 Million

San Diego-based Monro Capital Inc. has acquired the four-building Tierrasanta Research Park in Kearny Mesa for $19.5 million, according to brokerage company Cassidy Turley, which represented the buyer and seller.

AECOM Signs $10 Million Lease at Emmes-Owned Downtown Tower

Engineering and consulting services provider AECOM Technology Corp. has signed a seven-year lease for approximately $10 million, to occupy a space at the 1 Columbia Place office tower in downtown San Diego, owned by New York-based Emmes Asset Management Co. LLC.

San Ysidro Port of Entry Modernization Funding Clears House

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a 2015 appropriations act that includes $216 million for completing the San Ysidro Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion Project.

General Atomics Receives $38.8M Army Deal for Explosives Detection

The U.S. Army awarded Poway-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. a $38.8 million, one-year contract modification to operate, sustain and integrate Highlighter sensors able to detect improvised explosive devices.

Law Partner Named to Cybersecurity Board

Andrew Serwin, a partner at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP, has been named to the board of the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance. The alliance is a nonprofit

Health Issues Said to Be Behind Executive’s Leave of Absence, Resignation

Ralph Whitworth, co-founder of San Diego-based Relational Investors, an activist money management firm, has taken a leave of absence from the firm and resigned as interim chairman of Hewlett-Packard Co. to focus on his health, Relational said.

Tuesday, July 15

Agreement With City Would Keep Key Illumina Operations in San Diego

The city of San Diego plans to provide Illumina Inc. with tax rebates that should ensure the company keeps 300 middle-class manufacturing jobs in town, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced.

San Diego City Council Votes to Raise Minimum Wage

San Diego City Council has voted 6-3 to raise the city’s minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by January 2017.

EDF Renewable Acquires 96% Stake In Wind Prjoject Serving Microsoft

San Diego-based EDF Renewable Energy has acquired a 96 percent stake in the planned 175-megawatt Pilot Hill Wind Project, which has a 20-year power-purchase agreement with Microsoft Corp., EDF announced.

Appointment Fills Key Leaderships Roles for Acadia

San Diego-based Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. appointed Stephen Davis as executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief business officer, effective immediately, the company announced.

Official Start of U.S. Construction on $120M Cross-Border Airport Bridge Announced

Developers and San Diego civic leaders recently announced the official start of construction for a new $120 million cross-border pedestrian bridge linking Otay Mesa with Tijuana International Airport.

Council of Community Clinics Names Tuttle as CEO

The board of directors of the Council of Community Clinics and its subsidiaries named Henry Tuttle as its new chief executive officer.

ScoreStream Gets Ready for Some Football With $800,000 in Debt Funding

ScoreStream Inc., which offers high school sports scores in real time, told U.S. securities regulators earlier this month that it issued $800,000 in convertible debt funding.

Local Median Home Price Up 8% for the Year in June

The median price on house sold last month in San Diego was $450,000, up 2.3 percent from May, and up 8 percent from June 2013, according to Dataquick, the San Diego real estate research firm.

General Atomics ASI Is Seeking International Customers for Predator XP

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. used England’s Farnborough International Air Show to announce the first flight of its Predator aircraft built for markets in the developing world.

Monday, July 14

Otonomy Proposes IPO

San Diego-based Otonomy Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for diseases and disorders of the inner and middle ear, has publicly filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of common stock.

Trigild Completes Retail Center Sales Totaling $42 Million

San Diego-based real estate services provider Trigild recently completed the sale of 37 strip retail centers in 17 states, in transactions totaling about $42 million.

Omega Group Acquired by Trimble

The Omega Group, a San Diego-based provider of cloud based performance support software aimed at helping public safety agencies optimize patrol strategies, was acquired by a division of Trimble Inc., a Sunnyvale software business that has about $2 billion in annual revenue.

Tocagen Raises $8.5M in Investment Round

San Diego-based Tocagen Inc. has raised $8.5 million of a planned $15.75 million investment round, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nominations Are Open For San Diego’s Healthcare Champions

The San Diego Business Journal is accepting nominations for 2014 Healthcare Champions, which honors individuals within the San Diego community who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and performance in the health care industry.

Hera Therapeutics Raises $1.1M in Equity Financing

Hera Therapeutics Inc., a biotech startup operating in the Janssen Labs incubator, has raised $1.1 million in equity financing from 14 investors, according to a July 9 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Event to Encourage Women-Owned Businesses to Seek Federal Contracts

The San Diego ChallengeHER event on Wednesday July 16 from 9 a.m. to noon is aimed at educating female entrepreneurs about the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program, and to bring more women-owned businesses into the federal government’s supply chain, according to an announcement from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which is co-sponsoring the event.

Daylight Defense Gets Research Grant From Army

Daylight Defense LLC of Rancho Bernardo said that it received a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Army to develop next-generation high-power ultraviolet laser capability to support future defense applications.

BuyAutoParts.com to Distribute Duralo Auto Parts

San Diego-based BuyAutoParts.com, an online auto parts retailer, has signed on to be a new dealer for Duralo Auto Parts.

Scripps Extends Partnership With SCAN to Develop New Products, Services

Scripps Health and SCAN Health Plans have entered into a co-branding agreement to explore and develop new products and services designed to serve the growing senior population, the organizations announced.

Frontier Airlines Switching to Terminal 1 at San Diego International

Frontier Airlines is moving from Terminal 2 East to a new location at Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport, effective July 15.

Kratos Reports $4.2M Unmanned Aerial Systems Contract

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. said that it recently received a $4.2 million contract for unmanned aerial systems from a longstanding customer.

Sunday, July 13

SDBJ Names Nels Jensen as Editor-In-Chief

Nels Jensen, a veteran journalist with experience in Southern California and Texas, has been named editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal, Publisher Armon Mills announced July 11.

SDG&E Is First (Utility) in Unmanned Flight With Drone Testing

Setting the stage for unmanned aircraft inspecting power lines, the Federal Aviation Administration gave San Diego Gas & Electric Co. permission to conduct test flights of a small drone in certain rural areas away from houses and in a San Diego utility yard, SDG&E said on July 11.

Pension Fund Buys Three Carmel Valley Office Buildings for $39.2M

West Sacramento-based CalSTRS, the pension fund of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, bought a three-building office portfolio in Carmel Valley for $39.2 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

Royal Australian Navy Taps Tapestry Solutions for Software Work

Kearny Mesa-based Tapestry Solutions said that it received a multimillion-dollar contract from the Royal Australian Navy to create a software tool for a new class of ship.

PriceSmart Reports Q3 Results

PriceSmart Inc., the San Diego operator of warehouse club stores in Latin America and the Caribbean, reported third quarter revenue of $615 million, up from $571.7 million for the like quarter of 2013.

Low-Tech Fizzles, High-Tech Sizzles in Hot Careers Report

Those seeking decent employment in San Diego should probably focus on high-tech, according to a report on Hot Careers 2014 from UC San Diego’s Extension.

Table No. 10 Hopes to Hit the Spot in the East Village

Executive chef Jason Gethin, formerly of Union Kitchen + Tap in Encinitas, has partnered with Cooper McLaughlin to open Table No. 10, a new restaurant at 369 10th Ave. in downtown San Diego’s East Village.

The Business Calendar for the Week of July 14, 2014

Some of the business events planned in the county for the week of July 14, 2014.

More Dessert Is on the Menu in the County

San Diego dessert lovers are getting more places to indulge their sweet tooth, with Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt recently opening its sixth local location and Sloan’s Ice Cream planning to debut its first California spot this fall.

Friday, July 11

High-Tech Sizzles in Hot Career Paths Report

Those seeking decent employment in San Diego should probably focus on high tech, according to a report on Hot Careers 2014 from UC San Diego’s Extension. The sixth annual report found that nine of the 10 careers that made the list are technology and business-oriented. Only elementary school teachers were outside those categories.

Tapestry Solutions Gets Royal Australian Navy Contract

Kearny Mesa-based Tapestry Solutions said that it received a multimillion-dollar contract from the Royal Australian Navy to create a software tool for a new class of ship.

New Restaurant Table No. 10 Opens in East Village

Executive Chef Jason Gethin, formerly of Union Kitchen + Tap in Encinitas, has partnered with Cooper McLaughlin to open Table No. 10, a new restaurant at 369 10th Ave. in downtown San Diego’s East Village.

ViaSat Thanks Firefighters for Keeping Its People, Property Safe

Carlsbad-based ViaSat Inc., through its community outreach program Vpartners, thanked firefighters for the great work they did in keeping the company’s 1,800 employees on its campus on El Camino Real safe from the recent Carlsbad fires.

Executive Q&A: Kim Kamdar, partner, San Diego office of Domain Associates LLC

Kim Kamdar is as comfortable talking about life sciences as she is investing in them.

Local Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists ‘Partying Like It’s 1999’

FINANCE: Recent Successful IPOs Expected To Fuel More Investment

David Titus was in a great mood when he delivered the opening remarks for the recent San Diego Venture Summit.

SDG&E Is First Utility Given Permission to Flight-Test Drones

New VC Firms Finding Lots of Deals In San Diego’s Startup Ecosystem

VENTURE: Region Lured 7 Firms To Set Up Shop and Invest

The money men — and women — are venturing back to San Diego.

If It Ships, I’m on it; the Business of Logistics Is Now on My Beat

(Editor’s note: This week the San Diego Business Journal debuts a new column from a familiar face, our own Brad Graves, who will add logistics and all that it entails to his coverage areas. He will continue to cover technology and the defense industry, including his column on technology, which he will alternate with his new logistics column.)

Local Hotel Industry Seems to Have Put Downturn Behind It

TOURISM: Marketing Efforts Return; Metrics Show a Strong Sector

With regional marketing dollars now flowing freely and political snags in the rear-view mirror, experts said San Diego County’s hotel industry enters the second half of 2014 in a much better financial position than it did a year ago.

Credit Unions Targeting Efforts at Capturing the Gen Y Market

Gen Y consumers, those in their 20s and 30s, are being courted by everyone, including credit unions, which say they’re making significant inroads to capturing a large portion of the market.

San Marcos High-End Real Estate Is a ‘Sweet Spot’ In the Sun

When most of us think of San Diego County luxury homes, San Marcos may not be the first community to come to mind. But think again. This sleepy city that houses the relatively new California State University, San Marcos has several pockets of magnificent luxury homes, many with the best views in the county.

San Diego Gets More Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream Havens

Game-Changing Railgun Moves to Next Phase of Development

DEFENSE: System Shoots Projectiles 7 Times Faster Than the Speed of Sound

General Atomics may have been feeling more like a bridesmaid than a bride on a sunny July morning at Naval Base San Diego.

Mixed-Use and Mass Transit Combine to Meet Needs of Tomorrow

DEVELOPMENT: Input Sought on Plan for Trolley Linking Downtown, UTC

As demographic groups, millennials and retirees are both making strong cases for developing dense, walkable neighborhoods along mass-transit corridors, with shopping, dining and other amenities accessible without a car trip.

Cubic Sees Military System Making Transition to Civilian Service

LOGISTICS: Tracking Technology’s Uses Being Put To the Test at a Florida Port

When American forces came home from Iraq, they had to take tens of thousands of vehicles with them, shipping them out through a base in Kuwait. And Kearny Mesa-based Cubic Corp. helped the U.S. Army stay on top of that logistical challenge with some specialized radio technology.

Innovation: Crowdfunding Effort Helps Steak Locker Creator Make the Cut

TECHnology: Home Appliance Uses App as Part Of Recipe for Better Beef

East Village resident Nadia Bruno and her friends had a hunch — or maybe it was a haunch — that their culinary idea might appeal to the consumer market. Their idea was to make a specialized refrigerator to be used exclusively for dry-aging steaks.

Pension Fund Buys 3 Carmel Valley Office Buildings for $39.2 Million

Amy Wimer Named to Lead SDBJ Sales Staff

Amy Wimer, a veteran publishing executive from Chicago, has been named associate publisher and vice president of sales of the San Diego Business Journal, Publisher Armon Mills announced.

Opera Sees Need to Reinvent, Reinvigorate Itself

ARTS: More Community Outreach, Additions to Leadership Part of Plan

The San Diego Opera continued to revamp operations — as it strives for more community outreach — and its leadership in the wake of recent restructuring that cut 13 positions from the arts group that was once designated for closure.

North Embarcadero Makes Changes for the Better

PROPERTY: Additional Amenities Add to Public Appeal of Waterfront Site

The ever-changing face of San Diego’s downtown waterfront, now a busy hive of construction activity, is about to see completion of its newest addition — the $31 million first phase of the North Embarcadero improvement project.

Two Locals Among Five Accused of Insurance Fraud

Two San Diegans were included among five men arrested by California Department of Insurance detectives on multiple felony charges alleging a complex scheme to defraud insurers.

Language Debate Hits Internet of Things

TECH: Big Players Split on Adopting M2M Standards

A 7-month-old proposal to create a universal language for the Internet of Things — put forward by Qualcomm Inc. and joined by 50 companies — now faces some competition.

Ride Share Cos. Must Land Permit at Airport

TRANSPORT: San Diego Has Not Authorized Any Operations

San Diego International Airport officials are examining how to respond to the fast-changing world of transportation services, now being disrupted by mobile app-enabled ride companies — such as Lyft and Uber — that compete with traditional taxis and shuttles.

PriceSmart Reports Q3 Net Income of $21.3M

RV Park Plan Driven Away By Port Delays

PROPERTY: Car Shipping Biz Proposes Rail Line at Site

The developer of a proposed RV park next to the National City Marine Terminal notified the Port of San Diego it is no longer interested in pursuing the project.

Course Correction

PROPERTY: Golf Facilities Face Strain Of Competition, Costs

The fate of the defunct Escondido Country Club is in the hands of that city’s voters, after supporters led by a local developer gathered enough signatures to challenge a recent City Council decision — declaring the entire 110-acre site as nondevelopment open space — on the November ballot.

SDBJ Appoints Nels Jensen as Editor-In-Chief

The San Diego Business Journal named Nels Jensen as its new editor-in-chief.

Business Calendar for Week of July 14, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled in the county for the week of July 14, 2014.

Thursday, July 10

Qualcomm Sees Benefits in Having Uplinq Conference Elsewhere

Qualcomm is changing the venue of its annual Uplinq conference.

Local Biotech Diagnostics Co. Signs Agreement With Big PPO

San Diego-based bioTheranostics Inc., a provider of genomic cancer diagnostic solutions, said it signed a contract with FedMed Inc., based in Maryland and one of the largest preferred provider organizations in the nation.

MabVax and Telik Complete Merger

San Diego-based MabVax Therapeutics Inc., a privately held cancer immunotherapy company, and Telik Inc., a publicly traded clinical-stage oncology drug development company, have finalized their merger.

Honor Those Women Leaders Who Boldly Take On Today's Challenges

The San Diego Business Journal is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Women Who Mean Business Awards. This longstanding awards program celebrates the exceptional women who have made a difference in San Diego’s business, cultural and civic scenes.

Otay Mesa Industrial Property Sold for $8.1 Million

A San Diego entity recorded as Niceride1 LLC has purchased an Otay Mesa industrial property for approximately $8.1 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

Northrop Grumman Gets NASA Contract for Drone Work

NASA said earlier this month that it awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. a five-year contract for engineering and maintenance on the space agency’s two Global Hawk high-altitude aircraft, which are hand-me-downs from the U.S. Air Force.

MiraCosta College Opening Technology Career Institute in Carlsbad

The city of Carlsbad and MiraCosta College have partnered to open a new Technology Career Institute, in a city-owned building where the college will train workers to fill a growing demand for industrial technicians.

Homeowners Now Can Take Advantage of Clean-Energy Loan Program

San Diego homeowners seeking help on financing improvements to reduce energy and water usage can access a new loan program called PACE for property assessed clean energy.

Michaelson Named President at Katz & Associates

Katz & Associates said it has handed day-to-day management of the public relations firm to Lewis Michaelson, who has been named president.

Wednesday, July 9

San Diego Is in the Race for America’s Cup 2017

San Diego may have lost out on the chance to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, but it has made it to the final two contenders to host the 2017 America’s Cup, say several published reports.

San Diego Office Buildings Part of $214.4 Million Portfolio Deal

Four San Diego office buildings are part of a seven-state, 37-property commercial portfolio acquired by an affiliate of Dallas-based Lone Star Funds for $214.4 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

Paul McCartney to Deliver the Hits at Petco

Petco Park will host a concert by Sir Paul McCartney, half of the surviving Beatles, on Sept. 28 as part of his Out There tour, the San Diego Padres announced.

Kleinfelder Acquires Canadian Engineering Firm

San Diego-based Kleinfelder Inc., which provides construction engineering and architectural services, has acquired the privately held Hood Engineering & Technical Services of Edmonton, Alberta.

Carlsbad Office Building Sold for $26.2 Million

A San Francisco-based affiliate of New York Life Investment Management LLC has purchased the Centerpoint Plaza office building in Carlsbad for approximately $26.2 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

WD-40 Reports Q3 Results

San Diego based WD-40 Co. reported net sales of $95.65 million for the third quarter ending May 31.

Destroyer Work Worth $15.9 Million for BAE Systems

The U.S. Navy said July 9 that it awarded BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair a $15.9 million contract modification to do dry dock work on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Decatur.

County Median Price for House in June is $525,000

The median price for single family houses sold in San Diego last month rose 5 percent from May to $525,000, while the median price for condos sold here last month was unchanged at $334,500, according to the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors.

Tuesday, July 8

IHG Plans New Dual-Branded Hotel in Downtown San Diego

U.K.-based InterContinental Hotels Group, also known as IHG, plans to build a dual-branded Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites hotel in downtown San Diego, with a total of 332 rooms.

Beetham Appointed CEO at Cibus

Peter Beetham has taken the CEO’s job at Cibus, the Mira Mesa-based biotech announced July 8.

Eco Building Products to Establish Joint Venture With Canadian Co.

Eco Building Products Inc., a Vista maker of treated wood products that protect against fire and mold, said it entered into a letter of intent to establish a joint venture with Steelhead Structures, based in Canada.

Omnitracs Names New Chief Technology Officer

San Diego-based Omnitracs LLC, a provider of fleet management solutions to transportation and logistics companies, appointed Dan Speicher as chief technology officer, the company announced.

Borrego Breaks Ground on Solar Project

Borrego Solar Systems Inc., a San Diego designer, financier and installer of solar systems, said it broke ground on the Seneca Solar Projects, an 8.3 megawatt system in Victorville.

ES3 Defense Deal Potentially Worth $7.5M

The U.S. Air Force said on July 8 that it awarded a downtown San Diego company a contract for landing gear emergency response engineering services with a ceiling of $7.5 million.

Aspera Opens San Diego Office

Aspera Technologies Inc., a provider of enterprise solutions for server license management, announced further expansion of its sales and support presence in the U.S. with the opening of a San Diego office, the second in the U.S.

Cohn’s Indigo Grill Reopens after $500,000 Makeover

San Diego-based Cohn Restaurant Group has reopened its Indigo Grill in Little Italy, following an extensive renovation of approximately $500,000.

Monday, July 7

Amy Wimer Named Associate Publisher of San Diego Business Journal

Business Journal taps Chicago publishing veteran to lead advertising sales staff.

Qualcomm Enlists Chinese Manufacturer to Make Snapdragon Processors

Snapdragon processors power smartphones and tablets.

Spring Valley Car Dealer Pleads Guilty to Theft Following Unreported Sales Taxes

The dealer was sentenced to 300 days of work furlough and ordered to pay $400,360 in restitution.

HCP Buys Torrey Pines Life Science Property for $43.7M

Property was 93 percent occupied when it was sold.

San Diego Airport $80M Parking Plaza Project Back in Motion

San Diego International Airport is moving ahead with planning for a previously deferred parking plaza structure adjacent to Terminal 2.

GlassesOff Secures Commitment for Equity Financing of up to $15M

Financing could help fund global marketing.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Moving Headquarters

Move comes after one year of being a public company.

RedIT Completes Data Center Expansion in Rancho Bernardo

The project included adding a network operations center.

Poway Company Gets FDA Approval to Market Assay for Iron Deficiencies

Diazyme Laboratories is part of General Atomics.

Destination XL Opens New Store in Mission Valley

The new store is the company's second in the San Diego area.

Sunday, July 6

Texas Takes One More

Active Network LLC will move its headquarters to Dallas with the help of $8.6 million in incentives from the state of Texas.

ViaSat Signs 'Pioneering' Roaming Deal

ViaSat Inc. and Paris-based Eutelsat Communications said on July 1 that they signed what ViaSat called “a pioneering agreement” letting customers of one carrier roam on the other. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pulse Electronics Receives Notice of Noncompliance From NYSE

Pulse Electronics Corp., a San Diego-based maker of electronic components, said it has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange that it is not in compliance with the exchange’s minimum listing requirements covering market capitalization.

Westcore Sells 9 Industrial Buildings for $88.5 Million

San Diego-based Westcore Properties has sold a nine-building industrial portfolio, which includes five in San Diego, for $88.5 million. The buyer was Rexford Industrial Realty Inc. of Los Angeles, according to statements from the buyer and seller.

Realty Income Corp. Buys El Cajon Retail Center for $20.1 Million

Escondido-based Realty Income Corp. has purchased a two-building community shopping center in El Cajon for approximately $20.1 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

The Business Calendar for the Week of July 7, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled in the county for the week of July 7, 2014.

Navy Deal Worth $9.1M for Pacific Ship Repair

The U.S. Navy announced on July 1 that it awarded a $9.1 million contract modification to San Diego-based Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication Inc. for work on a destroyer in Everett, Wash.

USO San Diego Names Forrester President, CEO.

USO San Diego named Judy Forrester president and CEO.

Fresh Healthy Vending International Adds 9 Franchisees in June

Fresh Healthy Vending International Inc., a San Diego franchisor of vending machines selling healthy snacks, said it added nine new franchisees and 124 machines in June, the company’s highest total since September 2012.

Renovation Brings Starbucks to Fenton Development in National City

A new drive-through Starbucks Coffee location is set to open in September at Southport Commercial Center in National City, as part of a renovation being completed by the property’s owner, H.G. Fenton Co.

Thursday, July 3

Pacific Ship Repair Gets $9.1M Navy Contract

The U.S. Navy announced on July 1 that it awarded a $9.1 million contract modification to San Diego-based Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication Inc. for work on a destroyer in Everett, Wash.

ViaSat Enters 'Pioneering' Roaming Deal

ViaSat Inc. and Paris-based Eutelsat Communications said on July 1 that they signed what ViaSat called “a pioneering agreement” letting customers of one carrier roam on the other.

Home of the Month: Beachfront Beauty

Shore Drive is one block west of Carlsbad Boulevard in a quiet neighborhood with no public beach access.

Active Network Announces Move to Dallas

Active Network LLC will move its headquarters to Dallas with the help of $8.6 million in incentives from the state of Texas.

Chefs Challenge-Buccaneer Ball Raises $175K for Meals on Wheels

Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego invited San Diegans to walk the plank at the Buccaneer Ball and fifth annual Chef Appetizer Challenge held recently.

Will the Battle to Stop Patent Trolls Harm Legitimate Businesses?

A roundtable meeting to discuss the economic dangers posed by “patent trolls” was held recently by a group of San Diego County business executives and lawyers.

More Women Are Starting New Businesses to Seize Opportunities

BUSINESS: Legislation Is Proposed to Increase Female Access to Contracts

New data show that more women than ever are starting their own small businesses, and many rely on organizations and networking to succeed.

In Case of Success Break Glass

LEADERSHIP: In a Time of Solid Ceilings, These 2 Women Shattered Stereotypes

In a recent study conducted by The Center for Women’s Business Research, with support from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the National Women’s Business Council, the economic impact of the estimated 8 million U.S. majority women-owned businesses is $3 trillion.

Starbucks Coming to Renovated Fenton Development in National City

Awarding of Attorneys’ Fees in Patent Case May Mark Major Shift

Leventhal Law earned another significant legal victory on behalf of FindTheBest.com. In what some have called one of the most closely watched patent cases in the technology world, a federal judge granted FindTheBest’s request for attorneys’ fees in a patent lawsuit brought by Lumen View Technology LLC.

Westcore Sells Nine Industrial Buildings for $88.5 Million

Retail Developer Heads for the Border to Go Upscale, Duty-Free

Some nationwide retail developers have apparently decided that there’s room at the U.S.-Mexico border for more than just bargain-hunters at San Ysidro outlet malls.

Big Data Co. Applies Analytics To Online Health Care Marketing

Software: Liquid Grids’ Platform Seeks to Accurately Interpret Conversations

A San Diego-based data analytics company has launched a software-as-a-service platform designed to help health care businesses tap into what’s said on social media and use it to advertise directly to consumers looking online for cures to what ails them.

Business Process Tool Seeks to Put Time in Manager’s Control

Software: BP Logix’s BPM Offering Adds Ability To Predict, Learn From Past

Project managers who lament that it never seems to take the amount of time to do things as they thought might want to look at what BP Logix Inc. has developed.

Pulse Receives Notice of Noncompliance From NYSE

City Gives Back to Brewers to Encourage Growth

Beverage: Move Indicative of Competition to Lure Successful Operations

San Diego City Council recently granted $300,000 in development fee reimbursements for expansions underway at Ballast Point Brewing & Sprits and AleSmith Brewing Co., and experts say other communities could eventually deploy similar strategies to attract operators in the fast-growing craft beer industry.

Teens Without Diplomas Face Bad Job Prospects

ECONOMY: Minimum Wage Hike Could Make Job Search Even Harder

Many San Diego teenagers are likely singing the summertime blues amid an already tough job market and a $1 per hour statewide minimum wage hike that took effect last week.

Cidara Completes $32M Financing

Biopharmaceutical company Cidara Therapeutics Inc. completed a $32 million Series A financing round, the company said.

Manufacturing Among Binational Region’s Strengths

A new economic study from the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California, San Diego’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, along with the Colegio de la Frontera Norte and the Cali-Baja Mega-Region Initiative,

Aerial Tram Proposed For Downtown Transit

TOURISM: Gondola System Could Carry Tourists to the Zoo

San Diego County officials are examining the viability of establishing something along the lines of an “aerial gondola” that would link downtown San Diego with Balboa Park, giving riders a panoramic viewing experience in the process.

Acquisition of Seragon Could Bring $1.7B

PHARMA: Co. Is Working On Breast Cancer Treatment

Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held San Diego-based drug developer targeting breast cancer treatment, agreed to be acquired by Genentech, a subsidiary of the Roche Group AG, for $725 million in cash plus future payments that could reach $1 billion if specific milestones are reached, the companies announced.

Quality and Quantity Both Count at Pipette

TECH: Tool Calibration Is Critical Service for Biotechs

You could say that Pipette.com is enjoying a healthy measure of success.

On Offense

SPORT: SKLZ Sees New Partnership, Products as Ways to Run Up Its Score

Carlsbad-based SKLZ has grown in 12 years from a single-product company — with a training gadget called the Hit-A-Way for perfecting one’s baseball swing — into a $72 million business offering 300 training products in multiple sports.

Business Calendar for Week of July 7, 2014

Some of the business events scheduled for the count for the week of July 7, 2014.

Realty Income Buys El Cajon Retail Center for $20.1 Million

Escondido-based Realty Income Corp. has purchased a two-building community shopping center in El Cajon for approximately $20.1 million, according to CoStar Group and public data.

Forrester Picked as President, CEO of USO San Diego

USO San Diego named Judy Forrester president and CEO.

Fresh Healthy Vending Adds 9 New Franchisees in June

Wednesday, July 2

Seragon Being Purchased in Deal Potentially Worth $1.7 Billion

Seragon Pharmaceuticals, a privately held San Diego-based drug developer targeting breast cancer treatment, agreed to be acquired by Genentech, a subsidiary of the Roche Group, for $725 million in cash plus future payments which could reach $1 billion if specific milestones are reached, the companies announced.

Operations at West Coast Ports to Continue Despite Contract Expiration

Operations at the Port of San Diego and 28 other West Coast ports were set to continue after a labor contract covering dock workers expired at 5 p.m. July 1.

Qualcomm Looking Down Wi-Fi Road With Wilocity Buy

Qualcomm Inc. said late July 2 that it acquired Wilocity, a chip maker based in Silicon Valley and Israel, for undisclosed terms.

Novatel Settles Class-Action Lawsuit

Novatel Wireless Inc. settled a securities class action lawsuit without admitting liability on June 23, according to a securities filing, following a preliminary agreement to settle struck on Dec. 6.

SANDAG Program Will Help Companies to Increase Number of 'Teleworkers'

The San Diego Association of Governments is launching a pilot program aimed at helping employers to convert more of their workers to teleworkers, or working from their homes.

EDF Enters Power Purchase Agreement for Kansas Wind Project

San Diego-based EDF Renewable Energy said the company has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Great Plains Energy

San Diego Riding High on List of Best Bicycling Cities

San Diego is among the nation’s 10 best cities for bicycling, on an unranked list recently published by USA Today.

New Restaurants, Grocer Coming to Little Italy Apartment Tower

Two new restaurants and a natural foods grocer have been signed to occupy the ground floor of Ariel Suites, a recently completed 22-story luxury apartment tower at Beech Street and Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy.