San Diego Business Journal articles from December 2008

San Diego Business Journal archives from December 2008

Tech companies hunkering down by pairing up.
December 1, 2008... Technology companies are resorting to layoffs and forming partnerships to survive a punishing economy that is turning competitors into bedfellows. San Diego's tech sector lost 300 jobs in October, according to the Bureau of Labor...

Cutting costs: biotechs outsourcing work to preserve cash.
December 1, 2008... Squeezed credit markets have reigned in spending at San Diego's small and midsized biotech companies, many of which have less than a year's worth of cash on hand to keep operations running. Consequently, biotech firms have begun...

Roadside assistance needed: county auto dealers closing, merging during credit crunch.
December 1, 2008... The $200 billion in federal loan guarantees aimed at supporting consumer finance announced Nov. 25 is good news for the automotive industry, said local dealer Dave Grundstrom, chairman and part owner of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center in Mission...

Fast & furious: Dataskill's president aiming to break powerboat speed record.(Dataskill acquires Silicon Space Inc.)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At a time when many businesses are throttling back because of the slow economy, Nigel Hook is taking the opposite tack, acquiring a new company, hiring more people and expanding business. Hook, who has headed up...

Correction.(Correction notice)
December 1, 2008... In our Nov. 24 Small Business Quarterly report, we misidentified a company that provides staffing support to the biotech and life sciences sector. It is Lab Support, a division of On Assignment. The Business Journal regrets the error.

All aboard to Margaritaville.(SDBJ INSIDER)(Book review)
December 1, 2008... Economic turmoil? Well, what would Jimmy (not Warren!) Buffett do? Lee Silber, Who has written 13 books and claims to be an award-winning trainer, announces his latest literary effort: "Rock to Riches: Build Your Business the Rock & Roll Way."...

Will Marketside make its mark? Wal-Mart may be planning two new concept stores here.
December 1, 2008... Wall Street analysts may applaud Wal-Mart for posting healthy third-quarter sales while competitors are struggling, but the jury is still out with regard to the discount giant's new scaled-down grocery stores. One analyst is already booing...

Predictions for the New Year.(Ask the EXPERTS)
December 1, 2008... Now is that time of year where "experts" are asked to weigh in with predictions for next year. AS one of these so-called experts, I will agree with the timeless adage that there is nothing new under the sun. While this is not exactly true from...

Orange 21 rebuffs attempts at sportswear merger.(PUBLIC COMPANIES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Mark Simo wants to do a merger, but his former colleagues on the board of Orange 21, the Carlsbad maker of Spy Optic sunglasses, apparently aren't interested in joining up with No Fear, another Carlsbad sportswear firm. Simo happens to be...

5 local companies ranked Forbes' best.(PUBLIC COMPANIES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Five Local Firms Rated Best: Forbes magazine issued the list of America's 200 Best Small Companies and five based in San Diego made it. They were Gen-Probe at No. 123; RF Industries at No. 142; WD-40 at No. 160; Cymer at No. 166; and...

Royale Energy bids on Aspen: Royale Energy.(PUBLIC COMPANIES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Royale Energy Bids On Aspen: Royale Energy said it launched an exchange offer for 48 percent to 55 percent of another energy producing public firm, Aspen Exploration of Denver, at an exchange of a share of Royale for every 2.75 shares of Aspen....

SAIC.(Ticker Takes)(Science Applications International Corporation )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Ticker Takes: SAIC obtained a $24 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command. Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj.com. He can be reached at 858-277-6359.

Jack in the Box.(Ticker Takes)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Jack in the Box said it completed renovations on 750 of its 2,158 restaurants, including 355 during its fiscal year that ended Sept. 28. The "reimaging" project began in 2006. Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail...

Novatel Wireless.(Ticker Takes)
December 1, 2008... Novatel Wireless said it regained compliance to be listed on the Nasdaq exchange by filing past due quarterly reports. Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj.com. He can be reached at 858-277-6359.

TaylorMade/adidas completed its acquisition of Ashworth for $1.90 per share or $26.5 million.(Ticker Takes)(Taylor Made Golf Company Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... TaylorMade/adidas completed its acquisition of Ashworth for $1.90 per share or $26.5 million, plus $46 million in debt. Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj.com. He can be reached at 858-277-6359.

Leap Wireless International.(Ticker Takes)(expansion of wireless phone service )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Leap Wireless International expanded its Cricket wireless phone service to Milwaukee, Madison and two smaller cities in Wisconsin. The company and its joint ventures now operate in 29 states. Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike...

Infosonics.(Ticker Takes)(third quarter sales)(Financial report)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Infosonics reported net sales of $52.9 million in the third quarter, down 18 percent from the like quarter of 2007 Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj.com. He can be reached at 858-277-6359.

Frontera Investment.(Ticker Takes)(third-quarter revenues)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Frontera Investment said third-quarter revenues grew 10 percent to $1.8 million. Send news of San Diego public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj.com. He can be reached at 858-277-6359.

Four Diamond Awards like silver medalists.(TOURISM)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Hotelier Bill Evans called a while back to ask if I remembered who won the silver medal for swimming in the last Olympics. Odd question, I thought while racking my brains for an answer that didn't come. "No, I'm afraid I don't, why?"...

Foreign car sales stuck in neutral, inventories piling up: dealers report backlogs clogging ports and lots.
December 1, 2008... Lackluster sales of autos nationally is causing a backlog of imported cars to stack up at some of the nation's docks, including the National City Marine Terminal. But the overflow is nowhere near what's happening at the Port of Long Beach. ...

Don't wait to cut costs, adviser warns tech CEOs.(TECHNOLOGY)
December 1, 2008... Business adviser and turnaround specialist Peter Shaw of Shaw Management Advisers has some advice for tech company CEOs in the current meltdown: Don't wait to cut costs. "All too often companies wait too long to seek help or take drastic...

East Village 'High-Tech' affordable housing opening in 2009.(TECHNOLOGY)(Affirmed Housing Group)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Low Rent, High-Tech: Construction is finishing up for Studio 15, a new high-tech, affordable housing project in East Village. The $43.7 million project by Affirmed Housing, designed by Carrier Johnson, won a design excellence award last...

West Coast law firm expands local presence.(LAW)(Stradling, Yocca, Carlson and Rauth appointed Hayden Trubitt)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a law firm consisting of 100 West Coast attorneys, is expanding its San Diego presence. The firm recently added former Heller Ehrman shareholder Hayden Trubitt to its growing roster of attorneys. Trubitt...

DLA Piper dedicates pro bono legal services to active military, vets.(LAW)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Legal Services For Military: DLA Piper launched a pro bono project Nov. 19 to provide legal support and community services to the veteran and active duty military population of San Diego and their families. The initiative, titled "Serving...

Court doors closing earlier.(LAW)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Court Doors Closing Earlier: Starting this week, the San Diego Superior Court will reduce its hours of public operations, closing at 3:30 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m. The court said it reduced its business hours as a result of reduced funding...

Wal-Mart settles price-scanning lawsuit.
December 1, 2008... Wal-Mart agreed Nov. 24 to pay $1.4 million to settle a lawsuit filed by authorities over checkout counter scanning errors at the chain's stores throughout California. It also agreed to provide refunds of $3 when customers find mistakes in the...

Car pricing web site trying to find road to profits.(Autobrag.com)
December 1, 2008... The founder of Autobrag.com, a website that searches for the best car prices, says he can help the ailing auto industry by pointing his customers toward the lowest-price deals. Autobrag.com has amassed a database of 9,000 dealers nationwide...

Scripps institution nets $12m from Washington.(Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
December 1, 2008... A $12 million award from the Department of Commerce will jump-start efforts to build environmental research laboratories at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The facility will house research on marine ecosystems, which offer...

Etienne Snollaerts.(BUSINESS profile)(Coldpack )(Occupation overview)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RESUME Name: Etienne Snollaerts. Company: Coldpack. Title: Chief executive officer. Education: M.B.A. in international management. Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium. Age: 52. Current...

Power couples: Nikki & Ben Clay.(Occupation overview)
December 1, 2008... Nicole "Nikki" Clay, partner, manages Clay Co.'s office in San Diego. She works with private-and public-sector companies and organizations to develop and implement government, community and media relations strategies and programs. wHer husband,...

Good sign of the zodiac: center opens.(VISTA)(Zodiac Pool Care Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Zodiac Pool Care recently opened a customer care center at 2620 Commerce Way. The 200,000-square-foot building accommodates 100 employees who provide customer service for dealers of its swimming pool and spa products. Zodiac offers...

Mexican Grill closes as economy declines.(CHULA VISTA)(Chips & Salsa Mexican Grill)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Chips & Salsa Mexican Grill has closed, a victim of the struggling economy, says Associate Broker James Pieri Jr., representing landlord Mountain West. The 1,750-square-foot space at 333 H St. is part of a two-building complex at the...

Free job workshop targets career change.(EL CAJON)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Grossmont College Adult-Reentry Program will host "Get Your Life on Track," a free informational meeting for adults who are interested in retraining for new jobs and careers. The event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the...

Civic Center's 'green' roof crowned silver.(ENCINITAS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Encinitas Civic Center will be the first civic center in Southern California to achieve silver accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program with its new $3.5 million "cool" roof. The roof project, completed in...

Authology jazz club celebrating birthday.(TOURISM)(Spyro Gyra)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... A Blast From The Past And Present: Spyro Gyra, which has spent more than three decades pushing the boundaries and definitions of jazz beyond the commonly accepted parameters, will be playing at Anthology for two holiday shows Dec. 16 and 17....

It's a wrap: the Shore's Restaurant in La Jolla is inviting diners to come and take a load off.(TOURISM)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... It's A Wrap: The Shore's Restaurant in La Jolla is inviting diners to come and take a load off. A load of packages, that is. Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 23, the restaurant's staff is offering to wrap two gifts free of charge for guests...

Presidential election results are hard to come by in China: now's the time to declare a recession.(BUSINESS IN THE NORTH COUNTY)(Column)
December 1, 2008... I just returned from my second trip to China where I visited Hong Kong, Macau and several other southern cities. It is amazing what happens when there is a major election going on back home--the lack of news is frustrating to say the least....

2008 most admired CEOs honored.(SEEN AFTER HOURS: MOST ADMIRED CEO AWARDS 2008)(chief executive officers)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Business Journal honored 10 of the top chief executive officers from public and private companies, as well as nonprofits and government in the region at its second annual Most Admired CEOs event held Nov. 18 at...

Intense trade pulling South County through retail slump: transportation projects ramp up to improve border's traffic flow.(A SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT: COUNTY ROUNDUP)
December 1, 2008... Things don't stand still in southern San Diego County. They roll. South County has multiple lanes of concrete and asphalt reaching toward the international border. Eighteen-wheeled trucks carry all manner of freight through the border...

National City reels from economic woes.(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The allocation from second-quarter sales tax in National City was 15.3 percent lower this year than the same period in 2007. Returns from new car sales saw the steepest decline of 20.3 percent, while general consumer goods, service stations and...

Cities in San Diego County: ranked by population as of Jan. 1, 2008.(A SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT: COUNTY ROUNDUP)(Directory)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... CITIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY Ranked by population as of Jan. 1, 2008 Population as of ...

East County businesses brace for tough economic fight: entrepreneurs take one-two hits from sales dips, tax hikes.(A SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT: COUNTY ROUNDUP)
December 1, 2008... "How long do I continue to fight this battle?" A business owner, faced with some tough economic news, recently asked that question of Mike Cully, president and CEO of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. In recalling the...

Affluent North County not immune to economic malaise: health care, retail sectors faring better than finance, real estate and technology.(A SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT: COUNTY ROUNDUP)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Efforts are in full swing in North San Diego County to help the area's business community weather the storm of a national downturn, which looks like it could continue for months. Michael Robinson, president and...

Tourists, military patrons help business stay afloat along coast: Coronado offers free parking downtown to draw holiday shoppers.(A SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT: COUNTY ROUNDUP)
December 1, 2008... The economy has tossed San Diego's small businesses into rough waters this year and many expect that trend to continue in the year ahead, said the leaders of three coastal chambers of commerce. The federal government's financial bailout...

Legal notice.
December 1, 2008... FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2008-033272 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: Q Media & Marketing Q Media and Marketing 8223 Jade Coast Rd. Unit 113 San Diego, CA San Diego 92126 THIS BUSINESS IS HEREBY REGISTERED...

Parking garage at Cal State San Marcos.(ground BREAKING)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT: Cal State San Marcos Parking Structure 1. INTERESTING ASPECTS: The 487,000-square-foot structure will feature six levels of cast-in-place concrete decks to accommodate 1,600-plus parking spaces. The facade...

Martin Furniture's warehouse construction complete.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Design and construction are complete on Martin Furniture's two furniture warehouse buildings, according to Ware Malcomb. The project is located within the Britannia Industrial Park at 2345 Britannia Blvd. and 2350 Siempre Viva Court in Otay...

Exterior work under way at Chula Vista Apartments.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Los Vecinos Apartments, located on Broadway in Chula Vista, is due to be completed in the spring. Currently under way on the building's exterior are lath construction and scratch coat applications. The thermoplastic Olefin roofing application...

Sully-Jones Roofing has completed re-roofing the commercial building at 7612 Linda Vista Road in San Diego.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Sully-Jones Roofing has completed re-roofing the commercial building at 7612 Linda Vista Road in San Diego. Approximately 3,300 square feet of roofing has been installed on the building owned and managed by AFJR Partnership. The contract was...

The third phase of drywall has begun at the Parkview Apartments complex on top of a two-story parking garage on Kearny Villa Road.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The third phase of drywall has begun at the Parkview Apartments complex on top of a two-story parking garage on Kearny Villa Road. The 289-unit, four-story project is owned by SHLP Parkview and includes a 20,000-square-foot office building. The...

Hendricks & Partners said Imperial Villa Apartments purchased the Casa La Paz apartment community at 370 K St. in Chula Vista.(SALES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Hendricks & Partners said Imperial Villa Apartments purchased the Casa La Paz apartment community at 370 K St. in Chula Vista. Salomon Development sold the 96-unit complex for $12 million. Steve Huffman of Hendricks & Partners represented the...

Douglas E. Barnhart purchased 9,960 square feet of office space at 10805 Thornmint Road for $2.8 million.(SALES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Douglas E. Barnhart purchased 9,960 square feet of office space at 10805 Thornmint Road for $2.8 million. Brian Driscoll, Brian Starck and Michelle Westoby of Grubb & EllisIBRE Commercial represented the seller, Mission Federal Credit Union....

Sean Pourteymour purchased the 2,077-square-foot Felicita Mobil Service Center property at 501 W. Felicita Ave. in Escondido from ExxonMobil for $1.2 million.(SALES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Sean Pourteymour purchased the 2,077-square-foot Felicita Mobil Service Center property at 501 W. Felicita Ave. in Escondido from ExxonMobil for $1.2 million. The gas station and service center were built on a half-acre lot just outside the...

Chhokar & Associates leased 1,303 square feet of office space at 12670 High Bluff Drive in San Diego from Arden Realty.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Chhokar & Associates leased 1,303 square feet of office space at 12670 High Bluff Drive in San Diego from Arden Realty. The 38-month lease is valued at $174,940. Nick Bonner of CB Richard Ellis represented the lessee and Mike Hoeck, Chris...

Mountain-Pacific Financial, the holding company for Re/Max Associates La Jolla, has leased 3,950 square feet of office space at 1010 Prospect St. in La Jolla.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Mountain-Pacific Financial, the holding company for Re/Max Associates La Jolla, has leased 3,950 square feet of office space at 1010 Prospect St. in La Jolla. The 10-year lease is valued at $1,650,299. David Crabb of CB Richard Ellis...

Daisas Medical has leased 1,750 square feet of retail space in Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center, which is located at 11835 Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego, from Sudberry-Pardee/CMR #32.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Daisas Medical has leased 1,750 square feet of retail space in Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center, which is located at 11835 Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego, from Sudberry-Pardee/CMR #32. The property, leased for five years at $389,904, will...

Cambridge Investments has leased 1,737 square feet of office space at 7777 Fay Ave. in La Jolla from J.N. and Daniel.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Cambridge Investments has leased 1,737 square feet of office space at 7777 Fay Ave. in La Jolla from J.N. and Daniel. The property, leased for three years at $168,544, will be used for an investment firm. The lessee was represented by Tom van...

Robert Hines and Dennis Gillaspy of Brandon Taylor Designs have renewed the lease on 1,290 square feet of office space at 5405 Morehouse Drive in San Diego from JMK Realty.(LEASES)
December 1, 2008... Robert Hines and Dennis Gillaspy of Brandon Taylor Designs have renewed the lease on 1,290 square feet of office space at 5405 Morehouse Drive in San Diego from JMK Realty. The property, renewed for two years, had a total consideration of...

Covington & Burling has subleased 11,173 square feet of office space in La Jolla Gateway, which is located at 9191 Towne Centre Drive in San Diego, from Cushman & Wakefield.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Covington & Burling has subleased 11,173 square feet of office space in La Jolla Gateway, which is located at 9191 Towne Centre Drive in San Diego, from Cushman & Wakefield. The one-year sublease is valued at approximately $300,000. The...

Fuji Electric Industrial America has leased the 1,711-square-foot office space at 8755 Aero Drive located in San Diego from Ardent Enterprise.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Fuji Electric Industrial America has leased the 1,711-square-foot office space at 8755 Aero Drive located in San Diego from Ardent Enterprise. The property was leased for two years at $69,792. Sean McNulty of Commercial Realty Advisers...

The American Red Cross has leased 1,669 square feet of office space at 8745 Aero Drive in San Diego.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The American Red Cross has leased 1,669 square feet of office space at 8745 Aero Drive in San Diego. The property was leased for 36 months at $108,330. Sean McNulty of Commercial Realty Advisers represented the lessor and Alan Baca of Jones...

Escondido Union High School District leased 3,000 square feet of retail space in Felicita Village, which is located at 330 W. Felicita Ave. in Escondido, from Felicita Village Shopping Center.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Escondido Union High School District leased 3,000 square feet of retail space in Felicita Village, which is located at 330 W. Felicita Ave. in Escondido, from Felicita Village Shopping Center. The property, leased for five years at $219,798,...

San Diego Printers has leased 15,180 square feet of flex space at 9190 Camino Santa Fe in San Diego from LMC--Camino Sante Fe.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... San Diego Printers has leased 15,180 square feet of flex space at 9190 Camino Santa Fe in San Diego from LMC--Camino Sante Fe. The property was leased for three years at a total consideration of $505,704. The lessee was represented by Deborah...

Interface has leased 6,100 square feet of industrial space at 4241 Ponderosa Ave. in San Diego.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Interface has leased 6,100 square feet of industrial space at 4241 Ponderosa Ave. in San Diego. The property, leased for three years at $83,583, will be used for a printing and mailing company. The lessee was represented by David Andes of...

Service Group has leased 2,250 square feet of office space at 641 17th St. in San Diego from the Smith Family Trust.(LEASES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Service Group has leased 2,250 square feet of office space at 641 17th St. in San Diego from the Smith Family Trust. The property, leased for one year at $42,000, will be used for the Downtown San Diego Ambassador and Concierge Services'...

San Diego public stocks.(MARKET place)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... Index Watch Index 11/24/08 11/18/08 Net change % Change San Diego Business Journal Index 1126.02 1121.35 4.67 0.42% Dow Jones Industrial Average 8443.39 8424.75 ...

Matthew Horsley.(BANKING AND FINANCE)
December 1, 2008... Matthew Horsley has joined Pure Financial Advisors and will be responsible for assisting clients in financial planning.

Gafcon.(CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN)(appointment of Efram Fuller )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Gafcon has hired Efram Fuller as director of project management. He will oversee the development of project managers and be responsible for standardizing policies and procedures, and developing a project management control system.

Jackson Design & Remodeling.(CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN)
December 1, 2008... Jackson Design & Remodeling has appointed Amore St. Ives to senior designer. She focuses on sustainable design projects.

Classics 4 Kids.(GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT)(appointment of Lucy Jackson)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Classics 4 Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to educating children about classical music through professional orchestra concerts and programs, has named Lucy Jackson chairwoman of its board of directors. She is vice president and manager of San Diego...

Marrs Maddocks & Associates Insurance Services.(INSURANCE)(appointment of Andy Arvesen)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Marrs Maddocks & Associates Insurance Services has hired Andy Arvesen as account executive. Arvesen will be responsible for the sales and service of commercial property and casualty insurance products.

Latham & Watkins.(LAW)(appointments of)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Latham & Watkins has elected four partners to its San Diego office--Steven Chinowsky, Divakar Gupta, Kelly Richardson and Brook Roberts. Chinowsky is a corporate attorney with an emphasis in high technology, life sciences and intellectual...

Foley & Lardner has welcomed a new team to its business law and intellectual property department led by Richard Kaufman, with David Charapp and Leslie Overman.(LAW)
December 1, 2008... Foley & Lardner has welcomed a new team to its business law and intellectual property department led by Richard Kaufman, with David Charapp and Leslie Overman. They will focus on life sciences and biotechnology practices and will be based out...

Willis Allen Real Estate.(REAL ESTATE)
December 1, 2008... Willis Allen Real Estate has hired Maria Zanelli as an agent in its Rancho Santa Fe office.

Zodiac Pool Systems.(RETAIL)
December 1, 2008... Zodiac Pool Systems has promoted Scott Frost and Tim Lawrence to vice president. They will lead the newly added East and West sales divisions.

Submarina California Subs.(RETAIL)(appointment of Kirk Thompson and Vicki Finley)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Kirk Thompson will serve as executive vice president of Submarina California Subs, alongside Vicki Finley, newly named director of marketing. Thompson will be responsible for the development of new locations and the chain's nationwide growth....

San Diego Padres.(SPORTS)(promotions of )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The San Diego Padres have promoted Dave Winfield to executive vice president and senior adviser, Paul DePodesta to executive vice president, and Fred Uhlman Jr. to vice president and assistant general manager. Winfield has been a member of the...

Dave Cully.(EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT)(appointment by Sentek Consulting)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Sentek Consulting has named Dave Cully chief operating officer. Cully, a retired Navy commander of more than 20 years, has experience in project management, overall business strategy, finance, contract management, and technical support...

Angela Hill.(ENTREPRENEUR profile)(Incitrio Design)
December 1, 2008... VITALS Name: Angela Hill. Titles: President and creative director. Company: Incitrio Design. Company address: 10951 Sorrento Valley Road. Company phone: 858-202-1822. Year founded: 2004. Prior business...

San Diego Dodge closes: showing effects of the automobile industry downturn, San Diego Dodge of National City is going out of business.(Friday, Nov. 21)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... San Diego Dodge Closes: Showing effects of the automobile industry downturn, San Diego Dodge of National City is going out of business. Lane Pierson, who owns the company, declined to comment. However, the company's Web site thanks...

Mortgage sting: five San Diego mortgage loan employees, who were netted in a national mortgage fraud sting in June, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and face a maximum of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, U.S. Attorney Karen Hewitt said Nov. 20.(Friday, Nov. 21)(Creative Financial Solutions Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Mortgage Sting: Five San Diego mortgage loan employees, who were netted in a national mortgage fraud sting in June, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and face a maximum of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, U.S....

Artes Explores bankruptcy: San Diego-based Artes Medical, maker of the "smile lines" wrinkle filler ArteFill, said Nov. 21 it will cut jobs and explore liquidation.(Friday, Nov. 21)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Artes Explores Bankruptcy: San Diego-based Artes Medical, maker of the "smile lines" wrinkle filler ArteFill, said Nov. 21 it will cut jobs and explore liquidation. Artes said it was exploring bankruptcy because of liquidity concerns...

Unemployment rises.(Friday, Nov. 21)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Unemployment Rises: San Diego County's unemployment rate shot up to 6.8 percent in October, compared with September's revised 6.5 percent, and well above last October's rate of 4.8 percent, according to the latest state Employment Development...

Vical scales back: Vical.(Monday, Nov. 24)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Vical Scales Back: Vical, a San Diego-based biotech developing DNA vaccines, said Nov. 21 it planned to cut 20 percent of its work force and close a research facility in an effort to preserve capital. The restructuring will eliminate 29...