San Diego Business Journal 1.30 | Issue #5

DEVELOPMENT

8 CONSTRUCTION: Imperial Beach pier gets a $2 million makeover, with help from the Port of San Diego

HOSPITALITY

1 HOTELS: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts inks $550 million deal with Manchester Financial Group

14 HOTELS: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Carlsbad renovating golf course

LIFE SCIENCES

1 BIOTECH: Curate Biosciences launches first commercial product

1 BIOTECH: Scripps Research Translational Institute taps Cue Health for COVID study

6 BIOTECH: Cibus ‘cements’ position as ‘industry leader’ with Calyxt merger

MANUFACTURING

12 PHARMACEUTICALS: National Resilience tapped to open biopharma facility in United Arab Emirates, with help from Mubadala

NONPROFITS

4 MILITARY: Foundation for Women Warriors gets $200,000 grant from Chick-fil-A

6 EDUCATION: San Diego Foundation offering $3.5 million in local scholarships

14 CULTURE: Museum of Contemporary Art creating downtown arts hub

REAL ESTATE

16 SPECIAL REPORT: North County takes the lead in developing new medical space

18 SPECIAL REPORT: Office statistics and market conditions

20 MAP: An update on North County construction

22 SPECIAL REPORT: Industrial statistics and market conditions

22 SPECIAL REPORT: Retail statistics and market conditions

SDBJ INSIDER

3 Improvements Coming to Cesar Chavez Park

SMALL BUSINESS

3 MEDIA: Influence Studios caters to ‘influencers’

8 EDUCATION: Brain Balance Center opens third location in Encinitas

12 SKIN CARE: BIOTONE and EASE-Z moving more into mainstream

SPECIAL SECTIONS

23 HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE: Doctors and healthcare leaders discuss the whats, whys, wherefores and the numbers behind preventative care

39 WOMEN OF INFLUENCE IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE TOP 50: Meet the honorees in SDBJ’s Women of Influence in Accounting and Finance Top 50

49 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: New hires and promotions

50 MARKETPLACE

50 LEGAL NOTICES

SPORTS BUSINESS

4 TECHNOLOGY: iGolf expands reach in golf technology universe

TECHNOLOGY

1 COMMUNICATIONS: OFC ’23, or the Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition, is headed for San Diego in March

TOURISM

3 LEADERSHIP: San Diego Tourism Authority CEO tapped for national tourism board

THE INDEX

53 People, associations, companies and organizations

By GEORGE LURIE

Improvements Coming to Cesar Chavez Park

The Port of San Diego will soon begin a project to make improvements to Cesar Chavez Park, located along the San Diego Bay waterfront in Barrio Logan. The popular park includes picnic and playground areas, a public viewing pier and a multi-purpose recreational field.

The project will focus on the recreational field, which is heavily used for various recreational activities.

“Cesar Chavez Park is a jewel in the community of Barrio Logan. It’s a special spot where residents and visitors can have a picnic, engage in sports activities, or just relax and enjoy the incredible views,” said Port Commissioner Rafael Castellanos. “We’re so pleased to see the park gets this much use. This improvement project will make it more sustainable so it can be experienced for generations.”

The project entails removing approximately 90,000 square feet of existing grass turf in the recreational field and replacing it with new turf. It also includes grading and drainage improvements and modifying the existing irrigation system that would accommodate the new turf field.

The field will close next month to allow for establishment of the new grass. The remainder of the park, along with the public viewing pier, will be accessible throughout the construction period.

Marina Landscape Inc. was awarded the contract for the $606,000 project.

+++

Vista-based Flux Power Holdings, a developer of advanced lithium-ion batteries, has expanded its in-house testing and product validation capabilities with all equipment needed to satisfy Underwriters Laboratory (UL) compliance testing, including the addition of an onsite “vibration table.”

“Our full suite of testing equipment is capable of in-house qualification on everything from our smallest to our largest battery systems, eliminating the need to outsource any aspect of testing for either UL or UN certifications and expediting the process,” said Ron Dutt, Flux Power’s CEO.

Lithium-ion batteries with a UL Listing have been tested to meet nationally recognized safety standards as a complete final product, and also includes battery modules and battery packs. Dutt said the UL 2580 battery test standard also tests the ability of batteries, battery modules and battery packs to withstand harsh conditions safely – and testing whether they can be charged and discharged as required. The testing helps ensure the safety of lithium-ion batteries during shipping.

Flux’s vibration table will be used to test its battery systems under simulated vibration conditions to ensure that they can withstand the stresses of vibration and shock that may be encountered in their intended operating environment, reducing the time required from testing to certification.

Flux Power (NASDAQ: FLUX) designs, manufactures and sells advanced lithium-ion energy storage solutions for electrification to a wide range of industrial and commercial sectors including material handling, airport ground support equipment and stationary energy storage. FLUX shares have rocketed more than 45% in the past three months. „

Do-it-Yourself Studios Lets Anyone Shoot Like a Pro SMALL BUSINESS:

„ By RAY HUARD

Kirk Hensler has turned a former Mira Mesa fitness center into a do-it-yourself video and photography production center which he named Influence Studios.

Influence Studios is “for anyone with a camera,” Hensler said.

“I just wanted to see what would happen if we did this. I just wanted to see if we could get this variety of people all using the same space,” Hensler said.

Influence Studios is place for everyone from individuals

Influence Studios Caters to ‘Influencers’

– so called influencers using cell phones to make videos for social media – to advertising agencies, he said.

“People come in there that normally would have to shoot out of their house or outside. They now have the opportunity to create high quality imagery,” Hensler said. “We have people who otherwise wouldn’t have shot indoors now using our space because we’re doing the hard work for them.”

Kirk Hensler Founder and CEO Influence Studios

Influence Studios

FOUNDED: 2021

HEADQUARTERS: Miramar

FOUNDER AND CEO: Kirk Hensler

BUSINESS: Turnkey production studio rentable by the hour

EMPLOYEES: 2

WEBSITE:  influencestudios.com

CONTACT: 619-804-9430

Multiple Sets

Hensler is the founder and producer of Hale Productions

¨ Influence page 52

NOTABLE: Influence Studio bills itself as “the first ever turnkey production space that is pre-styled and pre-lit so content creators, influencers and agencies can capture content without the hassle and expense of a traditional shoot.”

SDTA CEO Tapped for National Tourism Board

TOURISM: Coker Will Advise U.S. Commerce Secretary on Tourism, Travel

„ By KAREN PEARLMAN

Add National Tourism Board Leader to Julie Coker’s resume.

Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, was appointed earlier this month to the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo , and will join nearly three dozen other tourism and travel leaders in the national coalition.

The group of national leadeers is tabbed with providing recommendations, insight and guidance to the Secretary of Commerce on travel priorities that will benefit travelers – and the national travel economy. The coalition also offers counsel on current and emerging issues to support further growth in the travel and tourism industry as the nation’s economic engine.

Coker, who has been guiding the SDTA since 2020, will now be able to give San Diego an even greater presence and voice in addressing government policies and programs that impact the travel and tourism industry.

“For me to be able to join with 31 other travel leaders advising Secretary of Commerce Raimondo and the Commerce Department, especially coming out of Covid and rebuilding, but also looking toward growth in the future, is exciting,” Coker said. “Especially here in San Diego where

tourism is the industry that it is and the economic engine that it is, for us to have a seat at the table as we shape travel policies for the future is so important.”

“Travel and tourism returned with force in 2022 as we opened up our country once again to visitors from around the globe,” Raimondo said. “Since Day 1 of the Biden administration, the Commerce Department has taken decisive actions to support this industry’s recovery. The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board plays a vital role in providing expert recommendations and industry insight to optimize the American travel experience.”

Impressive Resume

Coker was previously president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau following a 21-year career with Hyatt Hotels. She currently serves on several other boards, including as an executive committee member for Visit California. A member of the California Travel Association, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the

Downtown San Diego Partnership, Coker is also an executive committee member of the U.S. Travel Association and Destinations International.

This week, Coker said it is “critical for our state and city… to be involved in shaping policies that will support our industry, strengthen its economic influence and create new job opportunities.”

TTAB was first chartered in 2003 and has been

Mark Keam Dep. Asst. Secretary for Travel and Tourism U.S. Department of Commerce

¨ Tourism page 52

San Diego Tourism Authority

FOUNDED: 1954

PRESIDENT AND CEO: Julie Coker

HEADQUARTERS: San Diego

BUSINESS: Nonprofit mutual benefit corporation with nearly 1,000 members promoting San Diego

REVENUE: $27M (2021)

EMPLOYEES: 66

WEBSITE: sandiego.org

CONTACT: 619-232-3101

SOCIAL IMPACT: San Diego Tourism Authority has a Tourism Accelerator program that seeks to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the tourism industry

NOTABLE: SDTA’s mission is to drive visitor demand to economically benefit the San Diego region with a vision of leading San Diego to become the most desirable destination.

Influence Studios has a variety of settings for video and photo shoots, including a living room set. Photo courtesy of Kirk Hensler

Gina Raimondo U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Julie Coker CEO San Diego Tourism Authority

iGolf Expands Reach in Golf Technology Universe

SPORTS TECH: Major Partnerships Announced at PGA Show

„ By JEFF CLEMETSON

If you play golf, it is more than likely you’ve benefited from something iGolf has contributed to the sport’s technology.

The San Diego-based company maintains the largest and most accurate database of golf course maps and for the last 20 years has quietly become a brand specifically focused on providing the golf technology sector with advancements in software, hardware and GPS content.

“We are definitely a company that has our fingers in an awful lot of areas, but we are quiet about them,” said Brian Verdugo, iGolf founder and CEO.

The company’s behind-the-scenes nature is due to its role in the industry – licensing its intellectual property to more than 60 of golf’s biggest brands, including Fortune 500 companies.

iGolf’s IP has found its way into a variety of products including golf carts, watches, lasers, handhelds, mobile apps, electric push carts (trolleys), launch monitors, speakers and gaming environments.

Because of its growing presence in so many areas of golf technology, iGolf has come out from behind the curtain to make its contributions more known.

“The vertical market we initially went after was very easy for us to understand what it was, and the companies knew who we were,” Verdugo said. “Now that our portfolio is

much more horizontal, with IP in more areas, we have to tell the story a little bit better.”

To tell that story better, iGolf recently made some big announcements in tandem with over a dozen of its long-time and brand-new clients during the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, held Jan. 24-27.

iGolf announced it is currently working with distance measuring companies Blue Tees, RAD Golf and TecTecTec. The company also announced partnerships with companies in the golf carts and trolley space, such as Yamaha, MGI, Motocaddy, Powakaddy and Evolution Golf. iGolf is also focusing on the emerging virtual golf gaming segment with brands like PhiGolf and Rapsodo

The company also re-signed stalwart industry clients TaylorMade and the USGA, both of which use iGolf’s GPS and mapping technology.

New Investments

The new and renewed partnerships are the result of iGolf’s recent investment in adding new IP to its licensing portfolio, including radar-based launch monitor technology, laser range finder sensors, trolley and golf cart intelligence, 3D elevation terrain on 23,000-plus courses and

virtual reality environments for the gaming sector.

Focusing efforts on helping develop technology like radar-based launch monitors is important in developing virtual golf gaming – an important growth area for golf as a whole because of its ability to attract everyone one from pro level golfers to novices just looking to be entertained at places like TopGolf, Verdugo said.

“There’s a huge market out there that we think our customer base can go after and provide a different technology or different platform for bringing in more people,” he said. “It’s an add on to our licensees, saying, ‘If you want to enter this industry, you don’t have to spend five years building incredibly complex technology, we can aid in that process. You still need to build around your brand and what you want to accomplish, who your market segment is, but we can help you get there much faster than you attempting to take that kind of risk and investment to get into the industry.’”

Another important growth area iGolf is invested in is map-based intelligence for golf carts and trolleys. Verdugo said golf course owners and operators in the U.S. need technology that can control fleets of golf carts and keep them from operating in

“sensitive areas” on the course, as well as alert pro shops when a cart is driving where it’s not supposed to. “That’s some of the intelligence level that we’ve put in,” he said.

An even faster growing segment in golf is the trolley market, which Verdugo said “exploded over COVID” when golfers could no longer ride together in golf carts. Like golf carts, trolleys use iGolf’s mapping technology to control where they go and navigate areas of the course with steeper elevations. iGolf provides its IP to the top three trolley makers worldwide, Verdugo said.

“Imagine building golf courses and seeing what they’ll look like in real time or pre-processed autonomous maps for follow me vehicles. The day will come when even golf carts will be fully autonomous. And we’ll be there to power them,” he added „

FOUNDED: 2004

CEO: Brian Verdugo

HEADQUARTERS: San Diego

BUSINESS: Developer of IP technology for the golf industry

EMPLOYEES: 50

WEBSITE: igolf.com

NOTABLE: iGolf has spent the past two decades providing the golf technology sector with major advancements in software, hardware and GPS content.

Easing Transition from Military to Civilian Life NONPROFITS: Foundation for Women Warriors Gets $200K Grant from Chick-fil-A

„ By KAREN PEARLMAN

More than a century old, the Foundation for Women Warriors (FFWW) continues to serve one of the military community’s most vulnerable populations – women veterans transitioning to civilian life.

The Vista-based nonprofit addresses the needs of military women and offers programs to help the personal and economic wellbeing of women veterans and their children and empowering their future. FFWW is the only organization in California solely focused on serving women veterans and their families.

Last year, the group served 1,444 women and children with financial assistance, according to FFWW CEO Jodie Grenier. She said 94% of those served have maintained housing, employment or education, and 97% report having an increase in their transition confidence in the future.

FFWW, which has a budget of about $1.1 million, was recently given a boost with its financial needs, netting a $200,000 grant from Chick-fil-A. The Georgia-headquartered restaurant chain granted $5 million overall and named FFWW one of its 46 True Inspiration Awards program winners for 2023.

To be selected for a grant, organizations must show that they champion key issues that align with Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility priorities: Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities and Caring for our Planet. FFWW won under the Caring for our Communities designation.

Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards were

established in 2015 and since then, 250 grants have been distributed to organizations located across 36 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, impacting more than 3.5 million people. Individual grants range from $30,000 to $350,000.

Grenier, a Marine veteran, said that the funds are unrestricted.

That will allow the organization to put the money toward what it most needs for the work it does –helping women transitioning out of the military with housing, employment, education and childcare.

“With the grant being so sizeable, right now we are deeply focused on building out capacity,” Grenier said. “We have a small programs team, we have a small staff, there’s only nine of us. We do lot of great work, but it also means we’re limited in how many people we can serve each year because we’re so lean. We’re focusing on bringing in additional support for our programs, support for fundraising and marketing.”

FFWW began in 1920 in Los Angeles as an organization called Military Women In Need, created mostly for mothers and widows of soldiers who were lost in wartime. The group expanded in 2002 to be more inclusive in supporting both widows of fallen service members and women in the military.

In 2015, the group became Military Women in Need Foundation, and after Grenier took over in 2016, its name changed for good to FFWW to empower the women veterans community. In 2018, the organization moved nearly all its operations to San Diego County from L.A.

Emergency Financial Services

Just Part of FFWW’s Assistance

“For years, women have been underrecognized and underserved,” Grenier said. “Today we have a program that serves as kind of an umbrella that oversees various services we provide. Our main program is women that need emergency and transition services. We provide emergency financial services coupled with financial education, help people pay rent, pay utilities if they find themselves in a bind. We also have robust childcare assistance program.”

FFWW also stocks a warehouse with items like diapers, baby wipes and infant formula as well as professional clothing and hygiene products.

The group also provides professional development classes and self-care classes that teach intangibles like self-compassion and self-advocacy. Last summer, FFWW enlisted a psychologist to provide classes on meditation and mindfulness. It also partners with employers to teach how to negotiate a salary, ask for non-traditional benefits and assess a work culture that works for you.

“A lot of times we get pigeonholed into operations jobs or law enforcement or first responders,” Grenier said. “We look into how to basically debunk some myths around various industries.”

Another way FFWW helps is by providing connections so those who are transitioning to civilian life meet others in similar situations who can provide support.

FFWW mostly works with San Diego County women – 62% of its client base are local, up from 32% in 2018. It works with more

than 800 partners locally and nationwide.

It also counts on partnerships with businesses such as Nordson Corporation and Hewlett Packard as well as support from San Diego Foundation and Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

Debbie Anderson, programs director for the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, said that her organization has awarded FFWW about $180,000 since 2019. In 2022, FFWW received a multi-year grant from the RSFF’s military and veteran grantmaking program, The Patriots Connection.

“The organization was nimble in responding to client needs during the pandemic like childcare and housing assistance, and responds to other essential needs such as employment and education,” Anderson said. “Jodie and her team are tireless advocates for ‘honoring her service, empowering her future’ and we are honored to partner with FFWW. They have been excellent stewards of our funding and we are delighted with the impact they have had on this very vulnerable population.” „

Foundation For Women Warriors

FOUNDED: 1920

CEO: Jodie Grenier

HEADQUARTERS: Vista

BUSINESS: Veterans services

BUDGET: $1.1M

EMPLOYEES: 9

WEBSITE: foundationforwomenwarriors.org

CONTACT: 310-733-2450

SOCIAL IMPACT: Organization works to prevent homelessness and enhances the personal and economic well-being of women veterans and their children.

NOTABLE: FFWW has testified in front of Congress twice, seeing that women veterans’ needs are being represented and considered in legislation nationwide.

Jodie Grenier CEO Foundation for Women Warriors

Debbie Anderson Program Director Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

iGolf

Brian Verdugo Founder and CEO iGolf

San Diego Foundation Offering $3.5M in Local Scholarships NONPROFITS:

San Diego County Students Can Apply

„ By KAREN PEARLMAN

San Diego Foundation is making things a little bit easier for local students seeking financial assistance with scholarships to college.

As it did last year, helping more than 900 students access money for their continuing education, the nonprofit’s Common Scholarship Application will connect graduating local high school seniors and current college students to $3.5 million in scholarships.

The Common Scholarship Application allows students access to nearly 150 scholarship opportunities with awards from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

The unique scholarships include those for four-year universities, two-year colleges, graduate schools and vocational schools. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors; undergraduates; graduate, medical and professional school students; and adult re-entry students.

“When we support historically under-resourced college students, we’re fostering equity of opportunity in San Diego and supporting the local talent pipeline that builds our region’s workforce,” said Danielle Valenciano, director of the SDF Community Scholarship Program. “Research shows that scholarships reduce students’ work and debt burden, making them more likely to graduate from college and to do so on time.”

Valenciano said that San Diego Foundation has a vision for just, equitable and

resilient communities.

She said that through the Community Scholarships Program as well as the organization’s Community Scholars Initiative, “we recognize and champion the importance of advancing educational equity and do so by collectively focusing our efforts on first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students.”

The application for the scholarships on San Diego Foundation’s website notes that applicants, who must be current residents and have lived in San Diego County for at least one year, need not be straight-A students, star athletes or student body presidents.

The website notes that more important to the process is a commitment to education, showing a potential for success in college, a minimum gradepoint average of 2.0 and participation in community service, extracurricular activities and/or work experience.

“We offer a variety of scholarships targeted at different types of postsecondary education such as four-year universities, community colleges and vocation/trade schools,” Valenciano said. “They are also grouped by interests, such as arts- or athletics-specific scholarships; ethnicity or background; and even scholarships for students from specific school districts.”

The scholarships are made possible

through the SDF Community Scholarship Program and Community Scholars Initiative. Both programs give more regional students the tools and financial support to continue their education.

As part of its program, the Community Scholars Initiative works with local college access organizations to help hundreds more low-income and first-generation students prepare for, pay for and persist through college.

In 2022, San Diego Foundation awarded an historic $3.5 million in college scholarships – the highest annual amount ever – to 989 local students for the 2022-23 academic year. Valenciano said that among the 2022-23 scholarship recipients, 69% were first-generation college students – or the first in their immediate families to pursue a higher education –and 93% of students were considered low-income, according to their earned family contribution data.

Valenciano said that nearly 2,200 college-bound students submitted a collective 16,000 scholarship applications last year.

“Each application is carefully reviewed by volunteers and through extensive outreach efforts, our team does its best to make sure that every scholarship has qualified recipients,” she said. “We look forward to another record-breaking year of scholarship awards.”

The Community Scholarship Program

has donor support of 146 unique charitable funds at SDF, which the foundation’s website touts as being “the largest in the region outside of the university system.”

Since 1997, the program has awarded over $46 million to more than 12,000 college students from across the county.

Those interested in supporting the Community Scholarships Program can donate online at SDFoundation.org/CollegeAccess and those seeking to start their own scholarship fund with SDF can visit SDFoundation.org/ScholarshipFund.

SDF’s Education Initiative supports K-12 and higher education programs to extend opportunities to local students. „

San Diego Foundation

FOUNDED: 1975

HEADQUARTERS: Liberty Station, Point Loma

BUSINESS: Community foundation

REVENUE: $164M in FY 2022

EMPLOYEES: 84

WEBSITE: SDFoundation.org

CONTACT: info@SDFoundation.org

SOCIAL IMPACT: In 2021, San Diego Foundation released its Strategic Plan, which includes “advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, building resilient communities and delivering world-class philanthropy.”

NOTABLE: For more than 47 years, San Diego Foundation and its donors have granted more than $1.4 billion to support nonprofit organizations strengthening our community.

Cibus ‘Cements’ Itself as ‘Industry Leader’ with Calyxt Merger

BIOTECH: Combined Companies Will Lead In Gene-Edited Ag, Sustainable Ingredients

„ By JEFF CLEMETSON

San Diego-based Cibus is positioning itself as the global leader in precision gene editing in agriculture and sustainable low carbon ingredients.

On Jan. 17, Cibus announced it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Minnesota-based Calyxt (Nasdaq: CLXT) under which Calyxt and Cibus will merge in an all-stock transaction. The merger will create a new company called: Cibus Inc; that combines the two pioneers in agriculture-based gene editing and establishes one of the world’s most sophisticated facilities platforms for trait development and next-generation plant breeding.

“It’s an important moment in the growth of agricultural gene editing as a business.” said Cibus co-founder and CEO Rory Riggs, adding that, “the scientists associated with Cibus and Calyxt were the leaders in the earliest intellectual property in gene editing in plants. This merger brings together these leading pioneers.”

Riggs added that “the merger cements Cibus’ position as the industry leader both it its underlying technology, facilities and its pipeline of products.”

Complementary Science

Although each company’s scientific efforts in plant-based biology complement each other, they each have specialized in different areas. The key focus of Cibus’ patented gene editing platform, the Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS), is the development of a new class of

productivity traits in seeds addressing the sustainability of farming by increasing crop yields and reducing use of fungicides, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Calyxt, on the other hand, uses gene editing to develop sustainable ingredients using microorganisms and its Plant Cell Matrix (PCM) technology. Renewable low carbon ingredients are central to global industries climate 2040 initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

“Cibus is an excellent strategic fit for Calyxt given our complementary technology platforms, and the merger provides a great opportunity to leverage multiple synergies to drive innovation and shareholder value,” said Calyxt President and CEO Michael A. Carr. “I am deeply proud of the significant accomplishments made by our team and their commitment to further science in significant ways.”

Soon To Be Public

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Calyxt will issue shares of its

common stock to Cibus shareholders in an exchange ratio such that upon completion of the merger, Cibus shareholders will receive 95% of combined company and Calyxt shareholders will own approximately 5%. of the combined company, subject to adjustments permitted by the merger agreement.

Cibus has a broad pipeline of productivity traits and collaborations with several leading seed companies. It is currently launching three productivity traits: one in canola and two in rice with transfers to customers for commercialization beginning in the first half of 2023. Calyxt has made significant progress in its PCM technology.

Upon closing of the transaction, which Riggs expects will happen in April of this year, the combined company will be renamed Cibus Inc. and will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The current Cibus management team will lead the new combined organization with Riggs assuming the roles of chairman of the board of directors and CEO. The new public company will be headquartered in San Diego.

“Cibus is going to continue to be a San Diego company and a leader in its biotechnology sector for a long time,” Riggs said.

A Very Big Year Ahead

Even without the merger and becoming a public company in the process of it, Cibus was already expecting a very big year ahead.

“We believe 2023 will be a transformative year for Cibus due to many of our major accomplishments that are coming to fruition this year,” Riggs said.

In early spring, Cibus’ “Trait Machine” – a seed production process in a stand-alone facility – is expected to be fully operational. The company is also preparing to transfer its first product – a pod shatter reduction trait in canola for five different seed companies. Cibus is also preparing to transfer two different herbicide resistance traits in rice for the leading North American rice seed company. Each of the three developed traits have been determined not to be regulated articles through the USDA’s “Am I Regulated” process, which was replaced with

¨ Cibus page 34

Cibus

FOUNDED:  2001

CEO:  Rory Riggs

HEADQUARTERS:  San Diego

EMPLOYEES:  200

BUSINESS:  Gene-editing platform for crop seeds

WEBSITE:  www.cibus.com

NOTABLE:  Cibus’ pipeline has six different traits that will be implemented in five different crop types.

Danielle Valenciano Director San Diego Foundation Community Scholarship Program

Rory Riggs CEO & Co-founder Cibus

Michael A. Carr President & CEO Calyxt

Peter Beetham President & COO Cibus

CONNECT WITH US

Bambos Charalambous

Managing Director, J P Morgan Private Bank

bambos.i.charalambous@jpmorgan.com

858.812.6131

www.jpmorgan.com/sandiego

J.P. Morgan’s Market Movers

Back to basics

2022 was a rough year for investors there’s no getting around it. While equity and bond prices have drifted higher in the first weeks of 2023, we think the bear market of 2022 has made it a great time to put capital to work. With higher yields, bonds can again provide a source of income and a potential safe haven. At lower valuations, equities look attractive.

We believe the combination of higher yields and lower equity multiples means markets today may be offering the best potential long-term returns since 2010.

Back to Basics, the title of the 27th annual edition of our Long-Term Capital Market Assumptions (LTCMAs), captures our belief that after a year of turmoil, the core principles of investing still hold firm. Once again, the 60/40 (60% equities, 40% bonds) can form the bedrock of portfolios, while alternatives can continue to offer alpha (manager selection skill), inflation protection, and diversification.

We turn first to bonds. Central bank policy rates “normalized” swiftly over the past year. In other words, they moved into normal positive territory, away from abnormal negative rates. In our LTCMAs, real return (after inflation) forecasts for most government bonds are positive once again.

Our projected equity returns have risen sharply. Our market equity forecast jumped (in USD) 360 bps, to 8.40%, and the emerging market equity forecast increased 320 bps, to 10.10%. A year ago, global equities were expensive. Today, we believe stocks are considerably more attractive, but crucially, the underlying businesses are in good shape. Valuations are now close to, or even below, our estimates of fair value.

Even as return forecasts for public stock and bond markets are positive in this year’s LTCMAs, alternatives can still offer benefits that cannot be easily found elsewhere. In the financial alternatives space, our private equity returns increase 180 bps, to 9.90%; hedge fund returns are up between 110 bps and 220 bps, depending on the strategy; and direct lending jumps 90 bps, to 7.80%. Across all alternative sectors and strategies, we will likely see a wide range of returns, depending on the individual manager.

Looking ahead, we see the best environment in a decade for asset class returns, allowing you to refocus on your long-term goals with genuine cause for optimism.

Source: J.P. Morgan Private Bank, January 2023. “The 60/40: Why it’s time to go back to basics in investing,” By Monica Issar, Global Head of Multi-Asset and Portfolio Solutions & John Bilton, CFA, Head of Global Multi-Asset Strategy, Multi-Asset Solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management

We want to hear directly from you. Let us know if there are any relevant topics or issues of interest in the San Diego market, you'd like to learn more about from our team. Contact us at: ask.sd@jpmorgan.com.

2023 Returns by Market and Factor

J P Morgan’s Interest Rate Watch

Source: The J.P. Morgan View as of 1/23/2023

J P Morgan’s Big Board: Billion and Beyond

SAN DIEGO-BASED COMPANIES WITH $1 BILLION OR HIGHER MARKET CAP

Data provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc., as of 1/23/2023

J P Morgan’s Long Board

SAN DIEGO-BASED COMPANIES WITH $50 MILLION UP TO $1 BILLION MARKET CAP

Data provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc., as of 1/23/2023

*Company has not been publicly traded for more than a year.

The views should not be relied upon for making investment decisions. Any views expressed are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. This information may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan, views expressed for other purposes or in other contexts, and this material should not be regarded as a research report. The views contained herein are not to be taken as advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any investment. The views and strategies described in the material may not be appropriate for all investors. Outlooks and past performance are not a reliable indicator of future results. Investment involves market risk and may lose value, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be achieved. “J.P. Morgan Private Bank” is a brand name for private banking business conducted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its subsidiaries worldwide. Other investment products and services, such as brokerage and advisory accounts, are offered through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPMS”), a member of FINRA and SIPC

Imperial Beach Pier Gets a Makeover CONSTRUCTION: $2 Million Project Includes Artistic Shade Canopy

„ By RAY HUARD

The Imperial Beach Pier is being spruced up in a $2 million project that builds on improvements made to the pier last year in a joint venture by the Port of San Diego and the City of Imperial Beach

Still in the planning stages are additional improvements, all of which are meant to upgrade the 1,491-foot the pier as a tourist attraction, said Dan Malcolm, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

“It does make a lot of sense because it already is a big attraction,” Malcolm said. The Port owns the pier and contracts with Imperial Beach to provide services such as public safety.

“This is an investment we’ve been working on with the City of Imperial Beach for several years,” Malcolm said.

Open Look

First built in 1963, the pier was rebuilt at a cost of $2.8 million following a severe storm and reopened in March 1989. It’s the most southwesterly pier in the U.S. and “is a widely recognized landmark,” Malcom said.

“For us locals, it’s part of our community, cultural identity, and economic vitality. With these enhancements and more to come, the Port and the city hope to highlight all there is to see, do and experience on and around the pier,” Malcom said.

Designed by Civitas, the latest improvements include building an artistic shade canopy in a shark and water design over the pier extension at mid pier,

and replacing the wood railing around the mid-pier extension and the old boat loading ramp near the Tin Fish Restaurant with stainless steel cable railing.

“It’s a very modern look, it’s an open look,” Malcom said.

Plans also call for installing artistically designed placards along the pier, and placing a historical marker or plaque near the restaurant that tells the story of the pier with vintage photographs.

Distance markers also will be added every 250 feet along pier, and arrows will be placed on the railing at the end of the pier marking the distance and direction to legendary surf spots Mavericks and the Banzai Pipeline.

The new shade structure is designed to make it appear as if someone beneath it was under water with a shark swimming above them. “If you take a drone and fly it over, you see the same shark swimming,” Malcom said. “It actually

Brain Balance Center Opens Third Location in Encinitas

SMALL BUSINESS: Addressing Social, Emotional and Cognitive Challenges

„ By KAREN PEARLMAN

Jon Pak left a promising nearly 15-year career in finance and wealth management to follow his heart into a life calling that champions social responsibility.

“Sometimes you just have to trust your gut feeling,” said Pak.

Pak is executive director of Brain Balance Center of San Diego, a non-medical, drug-free program that helps improve attention and focus for those who struggle with social, emotional and cognitive challenges, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, processing disorders, Asperger Syndrome and other related issues.

In 2018, though, Pak was vice president and a private wealth consultant at U.S. Bank in its Private Wealth Management division.

He had climbed the high-net worth ladder for more than a decade, and previously was a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch and a financial adviser at UBS for its Global Wealth Management. He had been making his way toward his long-sought, one-time goal of being a topline stockbroker, “smoking cigars with big shots,” he said.

But after 14 years in the business, he said he realized he was no longer motivated by money. And while he enjoyed the life of dressing the part, riding in limousines, traveling to New York and other perks, he had seen what he called “the ugly side of the industry, the name calling and the backstabbing.”

“One day I woke up tired of that industry, tired of chasing money and tired of wearing a suit every day,” said Pak, 47, a native of Korea who was raised in Chile, earned a degree in marine engineering (aquaculture) from Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello in Santiago, Viña del Mar Concepción, Chile, and landed in the United States in 2001.

Jon Pak Executive Director Brain Balance

member and said he knew that “my passion, my mission in this world has always been helping one another and I wanted to helping others.”

So Pak, who has lived in Rancho Penasquitos since 2006, which was also the same year he earned an MBA from National University, said he had a heart-toheart conversation with his wife and took some time off to plan his future.

Brain Balance Center of San Diego

FOUNDED: 2019

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jon Pak

LOCATIONS: Carmel Mountain Ranch (HQ), Chula Vista, Encinitas

BUSINESS: Integrative educational program

REVENUE: $1 to $2M

EMPLOYEES: 10

WEBSITE: BrainBalanceSanDiego.com

“I ran out of that drive. I wasn’t motivated that way anymore. If you’re not driven by money (in the finance field), you’re doomed.”

Pak, who has a son who is neurodivergent, was involved with different nonprofits as a volunteer and board

Within a month’s time, he knew what was next. He had heard about a business called Brain Balance, which had sites in Southern California as part of about 100 centers across the country, but no presence in San Diego.

“I thought Brain Balance was too good to be true, and ‘How come we don’t have

CONTACT: 858-324-5545

SOCIAL IMPACT: Business supports individuals of all ages to help them reach their full potential and live more productive, fulfilling and happier lives that positively impact the lives of those around them and society as a whole.

NOTABLE: Last year, Brain Balance hosted its third annual candy buyback event where it collected more than 150 lbs. of candy in exchange for healthy brain toys.

The Brain Balance Center in Encinitas opened in January. Photo by Sara Wacker

Dan Malcom Chairman Board of Port Commissioners

Paloma Aguirre Mayor Imperial Beach

Improvements to the Imperial Beach Pier include construction of a shade structure and installing of new railings. Photo courtesy of Port of San Diego

Resilience Tapped to Operate Biopharma Facility in UAE

PHARMA: Deal Includes Equity Investment from Mubadala

„ By JEFF CLEMETSON

National Resilience, Inc. is going international.

On Jan. 10, the San Diego-based drug and complex medicines manufacturing company announced it had entered an agreement to build a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates’ (UAE).

As part of an equity investment in Resilience from Mubadala Investment Company PJSC, an Abu Dhabi sovereign investor, the two parties signed the deal intended to help secure the global biopharma supply chain and advance the UAE life sciences ecosystem through a biopharma manufacturing collaboration. The amount of the investment was undisclosed.

“We are excited to expand the footprint of our Resilience manufacturing network outside of North America. This is a significant milestone, not just for our company but also for our nation,” said Resilience CEO Rahul Singhvi. “We look forward to working alongside America’s allies in the region to ensure that trusted, cutting-edge biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacity is available to support local, regional and global economies.”

Under the agreement, Mubadala will fund

„ By KAREN PEARLMAN

and build the new manufacturing facility, which Singvi anticipates will take approximately three years. Resilience will be supporting the design and construction of the facility with subject matter expert advice. The size of the facility will be determined as part of the design process.

Once built, the facility will be operated by Resilience to manufacture certain biopharmaceutical-related products in the UAE, including a range of therapeutics for complex diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, as well as vaccines.

“We are actively investing in innovation and firmly believe that, by strengthening Abu Dhabi’s national life sciences ecosystem, we are building a future focused, sustainable and knowledge-based economy for the UAE,” said Badr Al-Olama, executive director, UAE Clusters at Mubadala. “Through this agreement, Mubadala and its group companies will unlock further opportunities for growth within the life sciences ecosystem, and alongside our key partners, will play an instrumental role in establishing a state-of-the-art biopharma

campus that will secure the region’s supply chain from Abu Dhabi.”

Building Worldwide Resilience

National Resilience, Inc. was founded in 2020 during the height of the pandemic to address exposed shortcomings in the U.S. drug and vaccine supply chain. Since its founding, the company has built out or acquired nearly 2 million square feet of manufacturing capacity across eight U.S. sites and one in Canada.

“This will be Resilience’s first manufacturing facility outside of North America, a significant milestone for the company, representing that Resilience is seen as a trusted partner who will bring advanced biomanufacturing technologies and operating systems to the region,” Singhvi said. “The company’s focus has been on domestic capacity so far, and a lot of progress has been made there. International expansion, such as the Mubadala partnership, is the natural next step, which will be done in a deliberate manner.”

As part of the collaboration with Mubadala, Resilience will provide manufacturing, technology and operational expertise for the Abu Dhabi-based facility and integrate the site as a node within its global network. The facility will be the first Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

biopharma facility in the region based in Abu Dhabi to manufacture essential life sciences products for advanced biologics. In return, the partnership provides  Resilience  with “local and regional demand and revenue,” Singhvi said. „

National Resilience, Inc.

FOUNDED: 2020

CEO: Rahul Singhvi

HEADQUARTERS: San Diego

BUSINESS: Biomanufacturing

EMPLOYEES: 1,680

WEBSITE: resilience.com

NOTABLE: In two years, Resilience has acquired or built nearly 2 million square feet of manufacturing capacity.

Mubadala Investment Company

FOUNDED: 2017

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO: Khaldoon Khalifa Al

Mubarak

HEADQUARTERS: Abu Dhabi, UAE

BUSINESS: Emirati state-owned holding company that acts as a sovereign wealth fund.

REVENUE: 122 billion dirhams ($33 billion)  in 2021

WEBSITE: www.mubadala.com

NOTABLE: Mubadala’s $284 billion (AED 1045 billion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes.

Getting Some More Skin in the Game

SMALL BUSINESS: BIOTONE, EASE-Z Moving More into Mainstream

A San Diego native and San Diego State University grad with a degree in psychology, Jean Shea was working on a master’s degree when she decided to leave the program to study art – and then got sidetracked when she began to dabble in creating natural products in the late 1970s. Shea was making lotions and selling them to natural food stores during a time that she was living near a massage school on Adams Avenue. The massage school asked her to make products for them, and she agreed. “It was a pioneering time when people sort of rebelled against products with chemicals,” Shea said. “At that point, the door started opening up to natural products.”

Jean Shea’s career in the natural massage oils, balms, lotions, butters, sprays, creams, exfoliants and gels business began when she was trying to figure out why a skin care product she was using didn’t look the same as it had just weeks before.

It was 1980, and Shea, a budding entrepreneur in San Diego with an interest in natural products and deep concern about the safety of chemicals in personal care items, hired a chemist in Los Angeles to create a body lotion using natural ingredients that fit certain criteria she had in mind.

Several weeks later when she returned a second time to L.A. to get more product, she said the lotion had a markedly different appearance.

“I knew nothing about making products, but I knew I had a good product,” she said.

“This natural lotion, the first time I saw it, it was a cream color. The next time, it was bright yellow. I told (the chemist), ‘This isn’t my natural lotion.’ And he said, ‘Oh yes, it is. I’ll show you the formula.’”

Shea said that when he showed her the formula, she memorized it, “then I drove back home and spent the next day calling around, trying to find the ingredients.”

“That’s how BIOTONE started,” said Shea, referring to her business of 40 years.

BIOTONE eventually grew from Shea creating her own Chamomile Moisture Lotion in

her Kensington home with a large pot and mixer and selling it in local health food stores, to today’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Allied Gardens that makes -- all inhouse -- dozens of different products for massage therapists, estheticians, aromatherapists, spa workers and other industry professionals.

Shea, in her 70s, continues to create and oversee all the formulations and manufacturing of the company’s products.

The company is partnering with mega online retailer Amazon.com as part of their Small Business brands that are sold in Amazon’s store.

‘In-Demand’ at Amazon

“They consider us an ‘in-demand product’ and want to stock us in their warehouse,” Shea said.

Amazon partners with U.S.-based small business brands that employ fewer than 100

BIOTONE

FOUNDED: 1980

FOUNDER AND CEO: Jean Shea

HEADQUARTERS: Allied Gardens, San Diego

BUSINESS: BIOTONE Professional Massage and Spa Products, EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy

Products

BUDGET: $3 million per year for promotion and advertising of EASE-Z

EMPLOYEES: 25

WEBSITE: biotone.com, ease-z.com

CONTACT: 800-445-6457

SOCIAL IMPACT: BIOTONE is one of the leading contributors to massage therapy research, and provides educational talks to support students, educators and industry leaders.

NOTABLE: BIOTONE founder Shea’s first product, Chamomile Moisture Lotion, was initially only sold through health food stores; now more than 30 of the company’s products are sold to massage therapists, spas and estheticians in the U.S. and internationally.

Jean Shea Founder BIOTONE

Jen Rhodes Sales Manager

BIOTONE’s manufacturing site in Allied Gardens. Photo courtesy BIOTONE

Badr Al-Olama Executive Director, UAE Clusters Mubadala Investment Company PJSC

Rahul Singhvi CEO National Resilience, Inc.

Museum of Contemporary Art Creating Downtown Arts Hub

NONPROFITS: Creating New Programs, New Partnerships

„ By RAY HUARD

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is reimagining its downtown campus which consists of two separate buildings that are near each other.

Among the changes, the building at 1001 Kettner Blvd. will become an arts incubator and the David C. Copley Building at 1100 Ketner Blvd. – the former baggage area of the Santa Fe Depot – will become a flexible exhibition and performance venue. The idea is to turn the downtown campus into an urban hub for the arts, said Kathryn Kanjo, director and CEO of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCASD), just as the adjacent train station and trolley station across the street form a transportation hub.

“It’s really not altering the physical plant as much as its creating new programs, new partnerships,” Kanjo said. “We have these exquisite properties in an exquisite location at the transportation hub. Folks are wanting to take advantage of that.”

The museum is forming partnerships with the La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) Festival and Optika Moderna, Blindspot Collective with Disco Riot, and World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024

“What we’re doing with the playhouse is unprecedented,” Kanjo said. “We’re going to give our community something that they’ve been asking for.”

A Dynamic Period

The La Jolla Playhouse WOW Festival and Optika Moderna will present an interactive, immersive theater performance called “La Lucha” inspired by professional Mexican wrestling in which wrestlers wear colorful masks.

Betsy Brennan President and CEO Downtown San Diego Partnership

“Immersive theater is participatory. The guests are actually going to be

moving through the space so there’s various and unexpected experiences for the audience. It’s not about fixed seats and a fixed audience,” Kanjo said.

“The playhouse commissions world class projects. To have that entity now have a spot and a presence downtown is pretty exciting. I think there are plenty of people that haven’t been up to La Jolla.”

World Design Capital will work out of the 1001 Kettner Blvd. building, using the space for exhibits

¨ Museum page 34

of Contemporary Art San Diego

FOUNDED: 1941

HEADQUARTERS: La Jolla

CEO AND DIRECTOR: Kathryn Kanjo

BUSINESS: Museum

EMPLOYEES: 83

WEBSITE:  www.mcasd.org

CONTACT: 858-454-3541

NOTABLE: Founded as The Art Center in La Jolla, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego has evolved into an organization of national and international  renown.

Omni La Costa Renovating Champions Golf Course

HOSPITALITY: Resort to Host NCAA Finals Starting in 2024

„ By RAY HUARD

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Carlsbad

is starting a multi-million- dollar renovation of it Champions Course.

“We’re hoping that this will bring bigger events to the golf course,” said Randy Zupanski, managing director of the resort.

Omni Resorts won’t say what the renovation will cost but it will be the first of several improvements to the resort, including a reimagining of guest rooms.

“This is the start of something much bigger for the resort,” Zupanski said of the golf course renovation. “The primary driver of this is that we secured the NCAA finals for the men and women’s championships starting in 2024 for three years.”

The golf course work will be led by Hanse Golf Course Design, founded by golf architect Gil Hanse who also designed Fields Ranch East at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas.

“The setting and surrounds of the Champions Course lend themselves to a golf experience that

looks and feels authentic Southern California,” Hanse said. “Our design work will bring a bit more simplicity and elegance to course aesthetics.”

Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts, said that the renovation will make the Carlsbad golf course “one of the marquee courses available to the public in Southern California.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to kind of bring back the historic championship course and position it in today’s world for golf and actually put Carlsbad back on the map for golf like it was in our history,” Zupanski said.

Planned changes include the creation of a drivable par-four on the 11th hole, a repositioned green on the par 3 16th hole, and a par 5 on the 18th hole with a putting surface brought closer to an existing creek.

“Gil is not changing the map of the course or layout of the course. What he’s doing is reimagining some holes,” Zupanski said. “What he’s doing is really trying to set up the course so it would be better from match play for this NCAA championship

The course will play as a par-72 and have the flexibility to play from 4,300 yards to 7,500 yards.

“We want our course to be playable for everyone. It’s just that if you are a professional golfer, you’re going to be playing the back tees,”

Zupanski said. “It’s being set up to be a more competitive course in today’s environment. The equipment changes over the years have made come of the older courses less challenging. People are hitting the ball farther. They’re better golfers.”

Plans also are to redo the resort’s golf practice area with a lengthened driving range and expanded short game area.

As part of the golf course renovation, the irrigation system will be updated.

“We’re removing some man-made ponds. They’re holding reclaimed water they’re not necessary,” Zupanski said.

Since the COVID pandemic, golf has become increasingly popular, according to Zupanski. “Before COVID, golf was on a downward trend. Through COVID and now, golf is on an upward trend.” „

FOUNDED: 1965

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Randy Zupansky

BUSINESS: Resort

EMPLOYEES: 950

WEBSITE:  www.omnilacosta.com

CONTACT: 760-438-9111

NOTABLE:  La Costa founder Merv Adelson discovered the land during a horse ride through the coastal foothills. When he arrived at the peak of a hill, he reportedly looked down upon the valley and a crystal-clear vision superimposed itself over the scene.  Adelson then joined forces with partners Irwin Molasky and Allard Roen to bring his vision to life.

Kathryn Kanjo

Director and CEO

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Museum

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is reimagining its downtown campus through partnerships with other arts organizations. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Randy Zupanski Managing Director Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Kurt Alexander President Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

The golf course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is being renovated in preparation for NCAA championship play. Photo courtesy of Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

North County Takes the Lead in Developing New Medical Space

„ BY RAY HUARD

NextMed Group is a bit of a rarity. The Carlsbad firm is one of the few companies developing medical office buildings in North County, where space is hard to find and demand is on the rise.

San Diego’s North County in general is the epicenter of San Diego County medical projects, with construction of new medical space under way by Kaiser Permanente, Palomar Health and Tri-City Medical Center

NextMed has prospered using a model in which physicians, surgery centers and other medical practitioners can acquire an ownership interest in the space they lease.

“We feel like we’re a little bit ahead of the market,” said Scott Leggett , founder of NextMed Centers. “The whole idea is just to build a different brand and build a community relationship. We’re just trying to be a little bit different.”

The plan is attractive to medical practitioners in part because by owning shares in the property they use, they can partly offset what Leggett said were downward pressures on medical practices, such as cuts in reimbursements from Medicare and private insurance companies.

“A lot of time, physicians know they should own their real estate, but they don’t have the time and the money to make it happen. That’s something we can help with,” Leggett said. “There’s just a lot of pressure on physician reimbursement. There has been for decades now.”

The result is that physicians may end up selling their practices to hospital systems or big medical companies.

“Our vision has been to deliver a premier facility for some of our region’s top physicians.  In doing this, patients in our community are provided with better, direct access to best-in-class medical care,” Leggett said.

Steady Growth

NextMed’s first project was at 6121 Paseo del Norte, a 23,000-square-foot-building they closed on with a physician’s group under a prior entity in March 2011, according to Leggett.

About half of the building was home to Carlsbad Surgery Center , and physician practices associated with the owners moved into the rest of the building.

NextMed followed the initial project with the acquisition of an 11,000-square-foot former industrial building at 6125 Paseo del Norte in December 2012, which they subsequently enlarged and redeveloped in 2016 into a 20,000-square-foot medical building, Leggett said.

“NextMed executed extremely well on some very challenging projects early on, particularly with their second acquisition, the 6125 building,” said Chris Ross, executive vice

president of JLL, which represents NextMed in leasing the projects.

“Everything they’ve done had its own unique obstacles,” Ross said. “Now they’ve got that experience and the case studies to support their vision of delivering premier facilities and creating ownership opportunities for some of our region’s top physicians, in the process providing better access to first-class medical care in our community.”

Next up was NextMed’s 2018 project to reposition twin buildings at 6183 and 6185 Paseo del Norte totaling 75,000 square feet.

Zoning regulations setting parking requirements capped the amount of space that could be used for medical offices at 6,000 square feet. To allow for all of the buildings to be used for medical offices and outpatient care, NextMed built a 36,000-square-foot parking deck.

In 2022, NextMed moved beyond its home base in Carlsbad to Kearny Mesa, renovating a 39,000-square-foot general office building into a surgery center and medical offices, gutting the interior and expanding the building to 43,000 square feet.

Unmet Need

While demand for medical office space in San Diego County is high, the available space at the end of 2022 wasn’t even close to keeping pace, according to JLL and other commercial real estate brokerages.

JLL reported that at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022, less than 100,000 square feet of medical office space was under development – 60% below the county’s average over the past 20 years.

“Absorption of medical space continues

to outpace new deliveries,” said a recent JLL report.

Lars Eisenhauer, a first vice president of CBRE, said that “the medical office market is as strong as it’s ever been,” but construction costs that are higher for medical space, inflation, rising interest rates and the flagging economy in general are deterrents to new medical construction.

Finding land with the proper zoning also is a challenge.

“I don’t think you’re going to see much change on the inventory side,” Eisenhauer said. “When you’re looking for space in a lot of markets, you don’t have a lot of options. You may have a couple.”

Ross of JLL said that for now, he expects to see more medical space come from converting office space to medical than ground-up construction.

“Speculative development is for the foreseeable future going to be very, very difficult except in small doses,” Ross said. “It’s hard to envision anything new breaking ground outside of a hospital doing something on their own campuses.”

On Track

By far, the biggest ongoing medical construction project in San Diego County is just that, a hospital project - Kaiser Permanente’s $403.3 million hospital in San Marcos.

The seven-story San Marcos Medical Center is on schedule and on budget, said Max Villalobos, Kaiser Permanente chief operating officer for North County.

Scott Leggett Founder NextMed Group

Chris Ross Executive Vice President JLL

Lars Eisenhauer First Vice President CBRE

NextMed Group based in Carlsbad specializes in developing medical office space and outpatient care centers. Photo courtesy of NextMed

Kaiser Permanente’s $403.3 million San Marcos Medical Center is on schedule to open later this year. Rendering courtesy of Kaiser Permanente ¨

Estate

Real Estate

¨ from page 16

Villalobos said that construction was nearly finished by the end of January.

“By the end of April, the construction will be done, and we’ll get the keys but then it will take four to six months to get the hospital ready,” Villalobos said.

That includes hiring people to work in the hospital, stocking it with supplies and complying with regulatory requirements.

“Our team has done a tremendous job, especially with some of the supply chain challenges,” Villalobos said, adding that some materials and equipment was bought up to a year before it was needed.

“It has really paid off,” Villalobos said.

The new hospital will have 206 private rooms, eight operating rooms and a 39-bay emergency department.

Designed to meet LEED gold standards for energy efficiency, the hospital will use reclaimed water for landscaping and cooling towers and has LED lighting throughout, electric vehicle charging stations, bike racks to encourage bicycle commuting and a transit center.

The San Marcos Medical Center is Kaiser’s third acute care hospital in San Diego County and follows the August 2017 opening of its $850 million San Diego Medical Center in Kearny Mesa.

Kaiser Permanente also operates the Zion Medical Center, which opened in 1975.

The new North County hospital will serve patients who live north of State Road 56, as far north as Fallbrook, Villalobos said.

OFFICE

Tri-City

Although nowhere near the scale of Kaiser’s San Marcos hospital project, Tri-City Medical Center in partnership with San Diego County is building a much-needed $27.6 million psychiatric care center on the campus of Tri-City’s Oceanside hospital.

The psychiatric health center will offer short-term treatment for patients after they’ve received initial care at a hospital emergency room or crisis stabilization unit.

The one-story building will be at the northwest corner of the Tri-City Medical Center site at 4002 Vista Way, covering nearly 3.8 acres of the 35.6acre campus.

The center will include patient rooms, administrative offices and a nurses’ station.

“The project is currently in the grading stage of construction,” said Aaron Byzak, chief external affairs officer of TriCity Medical Center.

“Despite the recent inclement weather, we still anticipate an early 2024 opening for this very important community resource,” Byzak said.

Tri-City also is about to start work on a redesign and remodeling of the hospital emergency room.

“This nearly $5 million remodel will transform the waiting room, triage and one of three major treatment areas of the emergency room into a modern, welcoming environment

with a goal of reducing wait times and improving the patient experience,” Byzak said.

Palomar Project

Escondido will be home to a new $100 million mental health hospital planned as a joint venture between Palomar Health and Kindred Behavioral Health, a unit of LifePoint Health

Palomar and LifePoint have also collaborated on a 52-bed rehabilitation center on the campus of Palomar Medical Center in Escondido that treats people recovering from stroke, brain injuries and other muscular-skeletal problems.

Palomar also is completing a three-building medical office complex on the campus of Palomar Medical Center Escondido.

“They finished one four years ago, another

one 18 months ago,” Ross said. “They’re close to filling up their second one. In terms of commitment, they’re pretty well committed on the second building and they’re looking for different uses on the third building.”

NextMed Group

FOUNDED: Originally incorporated in 2011 as Surgery One Physician Services, the company later evolved and rebranded to NextMed

HEADQUARTERS: Carlsbad

FOUNDER: Scott Leggett

BUSINESS: Medical office development, investments, operator  and management

EMPLOYEES:  7

WEBSITE:  www.nextmedcenter.com

CONTACT: 619-578-1866

NOTABLE:  NextMed Group,  which previously operated under Surgery One Physician Services and rebranded to NextMed Group in 2022, has facilitated and invested with physicians and private investors in the acquisition of medical real estate assets.

Market Statistics

Market Conditions

Analysis

Overall availability rates and vacancy increased slightly, largely due to significant increases in sublease availability and vacancy.

Outside of IQHQ and Stockdale’s massive projects in Downtown San Diego, the largest project under construction in San Diego at the end of 4Q was Breakthrough Properties’ Torrey View project. This three-building, 520,000 SF development has its largest building preleased by medical device company BD. Nearly all of the largest projects under

construction in the county are being positioned to attract tenants beyond the traditional stalwarts of legal, insurance and financial sectors. Specifically, life sciences tenants are in the crosshairs of every major developer.

Tenants are reassessing their real estate footprint based on work-from-home policies as well as assessing both short and long-term needs working through and after the pandemic. Leasing within the 10,000 to 50,000 SF range will continue to be the main driver of activity, accounting for 39% of total SF in lease obligations set to expire 12 to 24 months from the end of the quarter.

Sources: CBRE, Cushman &

Max Villalobos COO Kaiser Permanente North County

Aaron Byzak Chief External Affairs Officer

Tri-City Medical Center

Tri-City Medical Center has started grading work for a $27.6 million psychiatric care center on its Oceanside campus. Rendering courtesy of Tri-City Medical Center

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BUILD BETTER BUILD SAFER BUILD UNION BUILD with

North County Construction Includes Master

4. TRI-CITY PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH FACILITY

Cost: $27.6 million

Location: 4002 Vista Way

Description: Acute psychiatric health center with facilities for up to 16 patients

Developer: Tri-City Healthcare District

Contractor: Turner

Construction

Architect: Cannon Design

Estimated Completion: Feb. 2024

1. ALTA OCEANSIDE

Location: 1015 North Coast Highway, Oceanside

Description: 309-unit luxury apartment building on 5.3 acres.

Developer: Wood Partners

Contractor: Wood Partners

Architect: Van Tilburg, Banvard and Soderbergh

Estimated Completion: 1H 2023

2. EL CORAZON

Location: North of Oceanside Boulevard between El Camino Real and Rancho Del Oro Drive

Description: El Corazon is a 465-acre master planned development slated to hold retail, housing, a hotel, parks and sports fields. Included is the $40 million, 170,000-squarefoot Frontwave Arena, which will be home to the San Diego Sockers. Also planned is a 217,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for Ionis Pharmaceuticals, which plans occupancy in 2025. A 23-building, 268-unit apartment complex called Luma is under construction.

Developer: Sudberry Properties

Contractor:Watkins Landmark Construction (arena)

Architect: Icon Architectural Group

Estimated Completion: Early 2024 (arena)

5. PALOMAR COLLEGE STADIUMS

Cost: $22.8 million

Location: Palomar College, San Marcos

Description: Football stadium with seats for up to 3,600 people; softball field with seating for 207 people

Developer: Palomar Community College District

Contractor: Erickson-Hall Construction.

Architect: HMC Architects

Estimated Completion: 4Q 2023

3. OCEAN KAMP

Location: State Route 76 and Mission Avenue

Description: Residential and commercial development, as well as a theme park built around an artificial wave surfing lagoon, is planned for 92.3 acres previously occupied by the Valley Drive-In Theater. A supplemental EIR described the project as a mix of residential (up to 700 units), a resort hotel (up to 300 rooms), office and open space uses.

Developer: N4FL

Worldwide Contractor: PCL

Construction

Architect: Carrier Johnson + CULTURE

6. KAISER PERMANENTE (SAN MARCOS)

Cost: $403.3 million

Location: 360 Rush Drive, San Marcos (near Twin Oaks Valley Road and Craven Road)

Description: Seven-story hospital with 206 beds, eight operating rooms, an emergency room, an intensive care unit and maternity care section

Developer: Kaiser Permanente

Contractor: DPR Construction

Architect: CO Architects

Estimated Completion: Late 2023

Planned Communities, Medical Facilities

Cost: More than $200 million

Grand Avenue, 2nd Street and Valley Boulevard, Escondido Description: The project, on the former site of Palomar Hospital in downtown Escondido, will have 162 for-sale townhomes, 258 rental apartments for families and 90 apartments meant for people over the age of 55. It also will include over 6,000 square feet of retail space.

7.

Market Statistics

Market Conditions

Analysis

Asking

The San Diego industrial market saw a pullback in both sales and leasing volume in 2022, but a continued increase in rental rates and overall occupancy. Construction activity remains strong, though nearly entirely concentrated in South County, and the growth of the industrial tenant base continues.

A strong pipeline of development eases some supply pressure with several noteworthy projects breaking ground at the end of the year. As of Q4

2022, there are five warehouse properties, totaling nearly 677,260 SF currently under construction. These five buildings are split between three buildings at Heritage Industrial Park in Chula Vista and two buildings at Landmark at Otay in Otay Mesa. All of these projects are speculative with no pre-leasing as of the end of the year. The average high-finish asking rate increased $0.20 from last quarter to $1.81 NNN, while low-finish asking rates continued to increase by only $0.01 this quarter to $1.33 NNN. The statistics come from CBRE, which includes Southwest Riverside County in its San Diego research.

Sources: CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Voit

Market Conditions

Vacancies have continued to fall quarter-over-quarter and are at their lowest since Q3 of 2019. Vacancies decreased in nearly all submarkets and across most center types. Demand continues to stay strong, however, without any new construction, tenants may be locked into their spaces for the long term.

There has been a significant amount of positive net absorption over the past seven quarters, and the county’s vacancy rate is now back in line with

pre-pandemic levels. Analysts have found a stabilization in the retail market, but this is also due to a decrease in the retail real estate inventory over the past four years.

The San Diego retail market recorded just $98.7 million in sales volume across 14 centers and 203,380 SF in Q4 2022 compared to $312.7 million in Q3 2022 (-68% QOQ) and $258.9 million in Q4 2021 (-62% YOY). The average price was $447 per SF in Q4 2022 compared to $297 in Q4 2021 (+51% YOY). In 2022, private investors comprised 70% of buyers (vs. 64% in 2021) and 80% of sellers (vs. 69% in 2021), according to Real Capital Analytics.

Sources: CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Voit

HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE

GOOD HEALTHCARE CAN NOT ONLY SAVE EMPLOYEE LIVES, BUT IN THE LONG RUN, CAN SAVE YOUR BUSINESS MONEY AND IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY!

An Informative Q&A With SD’s Top Healthcare Professionals

Laura Josh Area President Gallagher on behalf of California Schools VEBA

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS Department Administrator Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center

Dr. Camille Santos Primary Care Palomar Health Medical Group

Dr. Reyzan Shali Internal Medicine, Primary Care Physician Tri-City Primary Care

Dr. Marie Russell Chief Medical Officer | Chief Operations Officer TrueCare

HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTS

California Schools VEBA

California Schools VEBA is a non-profit healthcare trust that delivers high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for education, municipal and public agency employees. Formed in 1993 − through the combined efforts of school superintendents and school labor leaders − VEBA currently serves more than 65 participating employers and over 150,000 members, throughout Southern California.

To continue improving health care for its members VEBA launched the VEBA Resource Center (VRC) in 2019 to help members assess, identify and remove barriers to achieving optimal health. The VRC provides an extensive range of programs, classes, services and events for members to take a holistic and proactive approach to their overall well-being.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente San Diego’s Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center strives to not merely treat symptoms or illness, but to evaluate an individual’s entire lifestyle and create a sustainable plan for behavior change to achieve better health and wellness. The Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center offers a variety of evidence-based programs to help San Diegans achieve their ultimate well-being. Services include medical weight management programs, nutrition counseling, fitness testing, personal training, exercise classes, free wellness seminars, biofeedback, mindfulness programs, plant-based healthy cooking classes, integrative physician appointments, and therapeutic massage. All services are facilitated by a highly trained, caring, and professional staff. Many of the programs are available to all members of the community (not just Kaiser Permanente members). Visit www.positivechoice.org or call 858-616-5685 to learn more.

Palomar Health Medical Group

Palomar Health Medical Group is Southern California’s premier healthcare system committed to removing the fear that is often associated with healthcare. Arch Health and Graybill, two of Southern California’s most prominent medical groups, have combined and become one extraordinary healthcare system. Their network of 300 world-class doctors treats you like family by ensuring you feel safe, cared for and at home right from the moment you walk through our doors. At Palomar Health Medical Group, every physician is dedicated to your healthcare journey every step of the way. Our world-class team reimagines the entire healthcare experience, created with only one person in mind. You.

Tri-City Medical Center

Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens.

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health and emergency services while also specializing in world-class women’s health, robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City partners with over 80 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

TrueCare

For over 50 years, TrueCare has not wavered in its commitment to patients, their families, and its communities. As a non-profit community health center, TrueCare is dedicated to delivering a superior and compassionate healthcare experience to nearly 60,000 patients every year, reducing barriers and increasing accessibility to quality care. TrueCare cares for the diverse communities of North San Diego and South Riverside Counties with services ranging from primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, chiropractic treatments and dentistry. In addition, TrueCare offers transportation services, community health outreach, insurance enrollment assistance and case management programs. For more information, visit www.truecare.org.

What is preventative healthcare and why is it important?

Dr. Reyzan Shali, Tri-City Primary Care: Preventative medicine equals health protection.

It is well known to all of us that many of the so-called complex chronic diseases can be prevented. The role of preventative healthcare and the preventative healthcare provider is to screen and diagnose early those chronic diseases before they cause long-term damage. The return on investment of preventative medicine is clear — the time, energy and resources spent on preventative medicine pales in comparison to the costs of treating illnesses after they occur.

Dr. Marie Russell, TrueCare:

Preventative healthcare is taking action ahead of time to stop illness from occurring in the first place. The medical research I have reviewed shows that about 60% of health and quality of life are related to lifestyle practices, 10% are hereditary, and the remaining 30% are likely due to environmental causes. Routine screenings can detect certain medical conditions at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best. These include tests to reveal colon or breast cancer. Also, monitoring blood pressure regularly can uncover certain heart conditions before they become serious.

It is also important to stay active physically and eat healthy foods especially, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eat other foods in moderation. Quitting smoking is vital and limiting alcohol is a good practice.

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS, Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center:

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Preventative health care combines keeping individuals well through routine check-ups and screenings with effective evidence-based health education programs that empower them to engage in behaviors that support and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to keep members well and out of the doctor’s office or hospital whenever possible. It is one of the founding principles of Kaiser Permanente. Without a sound focus on prevention, the community’s overall health may be compromised.

Dr. Camille Santos, Palomar Health Medical Group:

Preventative healthcare is the practice of promoting wellness, avoiding disease and ultimately preventing premature death. It also includes looking at social and family histories that may be clues to health risks. It includes identifying unhealthy practices, such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake, that will increase patients’ risk for chronic diseases. It is a time of honest inventory of our health, that patients sometimes don’t feel comfortable talking about, or have been ignoring. Preventative healthcare is a great opportunity to dialogue about current health status and talk about future health goals. It’s also an opportunity to reinforce healthy habits that patients are already practicing. I am blessed as a healthcare provider for the opportunity to partner with my patients toward their goals. For me, preventative healthcare is a window to get to know my patients well.

Laura Josh, Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools VEBA:

Preventative healthcare refers to preemptive measures taken now to prevent future disease. These include health screenings, dental visits, vaccinations, weight loss, healthy eating and overall well-being. Preventative care is key because it can not only lower the long-term cost of disease management, but also reduces the risk of disease, disability and even death.

At VEBA, we encourage members to engage in preventative care – like taking advantage of preventative services covered through their health plan. VEBA members also receive access to our VEBA Resource Center (VRC), where we provide both wellbeing and education resources designed to work in conjunction with clinical care.

As part of our commitment to our members’ well-being, VEBA has a partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to join Healthy People 2030 – an initiative with the goal to improve our nation’s health and well-being over the next decade. As a Healthy People 2030 champion, we provide tools, resources and education so VEBA members can access the preventative care they need.

As the saying goes, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’

The medical research I have reviewed shows that about 60% of health and quality of life [issues] are related to lifestyle practices …

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS Department Administrator Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center

Dr. Marie Russell Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operations Officer TrueCare

HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE

What impacts a community or an individual’s health the most?

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS, Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center: Some of the critical factors that impact the health of a community, as a whole, include

1) access to high-quality healthcare,

2) healthy, affordable food options, 3) adequate green spaces for recreation, 4) free programs/organizations to provide community and social connection, and

5) adequate regulations for public safety (i.e., water quality, infrastructure repair, etc.). On an individual level, the previously mentioned remains true, but with the addition of adequate mental health support, social connection through family, friends and community, and most importantly, a sense of purpose.

Dr. Reyzan Shali, Tri-City Primary Care:

In a word — lifestyle.

President

It is well-known and well-documented that unhealthy lifestyles, including poor diet and lack of physical activity, among others, have been linked to many of the so-called chronic diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and more.

Unhealthy lifestyle has also been linked to increased risk of chronic inflammation and chronic elevation of inflammatory markers, which has been linked to increased risk of many cancers and different musculoskeletal disorders. Also, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle is strongly linked to many mental health disorders, including depression and cognitive decline.

How has the pandemic impacted preventative healthcare?

Laura Josh, Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools VEBA:

The early months of the pandemic took a significant toll on preventive healthcare. All but the most urgent procedures were being delayed, which meant important services like cancer screenings and regular checkups fell to the wayside. Unable to catch early warning signs and manage conditions before they become serious, there were fears of an explosion in highacuity health needs once people were finally able to return to the doctor’s office. However, these concerns catalyzed some

positive change in the preventive health space. Hoping to avoid the onslaught of bad health outcomes, providers, plans and employers got creative about bringing preventive care to the patients. Payers offered no- or low-cost virtual primary care visits, and opened up pathways for patients to self-screen for conditions in their own homes.

At VEBA, we knew that we needed to take a proactive approach to ensure our members’ mental and physical well-being was being supported. Within six weeks, we overhauled our system to provide over 200 monthly classes, programs and services which could be accessed online. The jury is still out on whether these efforts were enough to outweigh the initial care avoidance, but it’s clear they will have a positive impact on access to preventive care going forward.

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS, Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center: The initial shutdown brought on by the pandemic created barriers to healthcare in general and significantly impacted access to preventative care. Since most people were confined to their homes, preventative screenings came to a standstill, leading to a tremendous increase in service demand as the pandemic eased. Mental health also became a huge concern as individuals on lockdown began feeling hopeless and isolated, while healthcare workers on the front lines experienced unprecedented levels of burnout. Some positives have come from the pandemic, including a much more robust virtual delivery of care model, which now allows members to receive care where they are and when they want it, and the reduction of the stigma around mental health and wellness, leading to higher prioritizing and increased resources for those in need.

Dr. Camille Santos, Palomar Health Medical Group:

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly impacted preventative healthcare. Early in the pandemic, there was a shift in priorities in healthcare. This was done in order to accommodate more acute needs in the community. There were also staffing issues as healthcare workers were getting sick, creating more burdens in the healthcare system. There was fear of coming in to the doctor’s office for “wellness exams” for fear of “getting sick.” After the advent of COVID vaccines, patients started gaining confidence again in coming for preventative healthcare. As a

After the advent of COVID vaccines, patients started gaining confidence again in coming for preventative healthcare.

The early months of the pandemic took a significant toll on preventive healthcare. All but the most urgent procedures were being delayed …

Laura Josh Area

Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools

VEBA

Dr. Camille Santos Primary Care Palomar Health Medical Group

HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE

result, we have seen cases of uncontrolled hypertension, development of diabetes in patients who have been prediabetic for some time, increased body mass index to name a few.

Dr. Reyzan Shali, Tri-City Primary Care: The pandemic impacted preventative healthcare in a dramatic way. Many individuals put preventative health measures and screening tests on the back burner during the pandemic. We as physicians and healthcare providers were so involved — and overwhelmed, frankly — caring for COVID-19 individuals that we may not have dedicated as much time as normal to reminding our patients to catch up on preventative screening tests.

Cancer screening, such as mammogram, Pap smears and colonoscopies were all delayed, because the main focus during the first one to two years of the pandemic was to isolate, stay home and minimize exposure. We are still trying to catch up on all these preventative screening measures.

How do you promote preventative care among your employees or the population that you serve?

Laura Josh, Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools VEBA: VEBA has long been a proponent of engaging our members in preventative care and we promote it in a variety of ways. We work with our carrier partners to ensure that VEBA members have the information that they need to take advantage of covered preventative services. Through the VEBA Resource Center, we offer holistic wellness services such as yoga, meditation and cooking classes – which can be utilized in person, online, or at a member’s worksite. We work with community partners such as LiveWell San Diego to provide health screenings for our members and the community at large. We also have a dedicated Well-Being team that consults with our employers to build workforces that are engines of well-being, teaching VEBA members how to live healthy, well-balanced lives.

Dr. Marie Russell, TrueCare: We advise all companies regardless of size to invest in their employees’ healthcare because workers are a vital asset to any business. This valuable investment begins by giving employees time off for medical appointments. We

also recommend offering fun health and fitness challenges to encourage friendly competition. If a company cannot provide health insurance, community health centers like TrueCare can provide access to quality healthcare and resources, regardless of insurance status or income. As a non-profit community health center, TrueCare is dedicated to delivering a superior and compassionate healthcare experience to nearly 60,000 patients every year throughout North San Diego County and South Riverside Counties, reducing barriers and increasing accessibility to quality care. TrueCare never turns anyone away because of their inability to pay.

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS, Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center: The key is creating and fostering a “culture of health” in the workplace. Often, leaders in large, fast-paced organizations put the business mission as the top priority, which usually leads to burnout, less productivity and a less happy team. Ideas for leaders to consider to ensure this doesn’t happen are 1) invest time and resources aside from daily operational duties for employees to focus on their health and wellness (i.e., sponsoring a “wellness club” committee), 2) encourage employees to take time off to recharge periodically, and even building this into operational schedules, 3) recognizing/celebrating employees who take steps to be healthier by staying up to date on their health screenings, participating in healthy workplace activities, etc., and 4) modeling the healthy behaviors themselves.

Dr. Reyzan Shali, Tri-City Primary Care: Taking few minutes out of the day to check on my colleagues, coworkers and nursing staff, and make sure they are prioritizing their health and catching up on preventative measures is not only important, but will generate a very fulfilling and caring work environment. Taking a few extra minutes while visiting with a patient regardless of the type of visit to make sure they are able to update their preventative screening testing is very impactful.

I could be seeing a patient for follow up on diabetes or to help with URI symptoms, but I also try to take extra time to remind the patient of the need to schedule for Pap smear or mammogram or any of the other screening tests.

We are still trying to catch up on all these preventative screening measures.

Dr.

Reyzan Shali Internal Medicine/ Primary Care Physician Tri-City Primary Care

The key is creating and fostering a ‘culture of health’ in the workplace.

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS Department Administrator Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center

HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE

What preventative health measures can be taken at home?

Dr. Camille Santos, Palomar Health Medical Group:

Our home is our sanctuary and our living space. It should be a nurturing place for ourselves and for our loved ones. Out of it should come healthy individuals thriving in the community. There are a lot of preventative measures we can do at home, and I like to break it down into four categories: 1) Food: The “cleaner” our food, the longer our body will run, the better we will feel, the less diseases we will encounter, and the stronger immunity we will build. 2) Activity: Exercise at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week. 3) Sleep: Try to get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. 4) Relationships: Nurture relationships at home.

Dr. Reyzan Shali, Tri-City Primary Care: Many preventative health measures can be taken at home. Most importantly, promoting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among family members is key in preventing many of the burdensome chronic diseases.

Engaging family members to go out for a walk, take a hike and bike rides, or any other form of physical activity, is an excellent way to promote preventative health.

Preparing and cooking meals at home not only provides opportunities for excellent storytelling and laughter but also ensures that better quality food is served at home.

What types of preventative health screenings should be done regularly?

Dr. Camille Santos, Palomar Health Medical Group:

Some recommended preventative screenings are: Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer, colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer and mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Smoking cigarettes increases risk of lung cancer; however, by catching it early through a low-dose CT, the risk of dying from lung cancer reduces by 20%. We order blood tests to screen for diabetes, prostate cancer and hypercholesterolemia. Some patients don’t feel when their blood pressure is elevated, so they don’t come in for their preventive healthcare, they might not

know they have hypertension, which puts them at greater risk for having a stroke or heart attack. Preventive healthcare is very important to identify risk factors early so patients can avoid diseases and increase the chance for longevity.

What is the most effective way to address mental health needs for staff and present options for support?

Christopher Heslin, MS, CNS, Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center: Understanding of the importance of mental health, and mental health care, has improved dramatically over the past few years, along with a significant reduction in the stigma sometimes associated with receiving mental health care. The business community, as a whole, has embraced the concept that everyone can benefit from mental health support. To help foster awareness and understanding, employers can initiate discussions around mental health in the workplace consistently through direct report rounding, department meetings and huddles. Employers can also provide mental health support through access to internal Employee Assistance programs or by providing information and resources for employees to access mental health support resources in the community.

Dr. Marie Russell, TrueCare:

In addition to physical health conditions, companies must recognize their employees may also have emotional and behavioral challenges that could impact their work performance. Away from the office, staff could be struggling with family disruptions, substance abuse issues or other conditions that prevent them from functioning optimally at work. For this reason, we urge companies to give employees a safe space for open, honest and confidential discussions. Compassion is key to gaining trust. Companies can consider an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist employees with personal and/or workrelated problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being.

For far too long, mental health conditions have been stigmatized by corporate America. We are pleased that such outmoded attitudes are changing for the better.

Dr. Reyzan Shali Internal Medicine/ Primary Care Physician Tri-City Primary Care

The ‘cleaner’ our food, the longer our body will run, the better we will feel, the less diseases we will encounter, and the stronger immunity we will build.

Dr. Camille Santos Primary Care Palomar Health Medical Group

Preparing and cooking meals at home not only provides opportunities for excellent storytelling and laughter but also ensures that better quality food is served at home.

HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE HEALTHCARE ROUNDTABLE

What are some of the biggest barriers for staff to proactively take care of their health both at work and at home?

Dr. Marie Russell, TrueCare: Time is a big barrier because many employees not only have children whose well-being they need to consider, but also elderly parents for whom health may be a major concern. Demographers call such people the “sandwich generation” — those adults with at least one living parent age 65 or older and who are raising a child younger than 18. In particular, mothers in the “sandwich generation,” ages 35-54, feel more stress, which can impact their own health, research shows.

We encourage employers to allow workers to take time off work when ill and seek medical attention promptly. Employers should also make sure staff have the facts and caution them against believing the numerous healthcare myths and misinformation that proliferates via social media and other online sources.

How can leaders best support and empower employees on an individual level to put their health and wellness at the top of their priority list, while at the same time keeping them engaged in the business mission?

Dr. Marie Russell, TrueCare: Healthy employees are more productive and decrease costs for organizations, which, in turn, contributes significantly to the bottom line. Leaders know that if they are interested in their employees’ health, then employees are more likely to drive the company mission. Organizations can emphasize the importance of workplace wellness by proactively offering incentives to employees for taking good care of their health.

An example is one of our most successful wellness programs for our TrueCare employees: WellnessWithin encourages employees to focus on their own personal wellness goals. They can discover exciting resources for physical, mental, social and financial wellness. They can also earn points by engaging in TrueCare activities, such as posting to a blog and earn prizes based on the points they accumulate.

Why should preventative health care be a business investment?

Laura Josh, Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools VEBA: Investing in preventative healthcare solutions not only improves health outcomes and can save lives, but it also can improve your bottom line.

VEBA recognizes that there is a relationship between preventative healthcare and long-term cost control. Over the years, we have implemented strategies to ensure that our members get the preventative care they need, which in turn has drastically reduced costs. By investing in preventative care models like the VRC, we are able to provide tools and resources that encourage healthy behavior at all stages, and in all aspects of life. For example, we offer:

• Healthy cooking classes and nutrition education designed to help with weight loss,

• Yoga and meditation to support our member’s mental health,

• Financial literacy counseling to improve member’s financial health. By investing in the health of our members now, we are able to reduce the financial, emotional, and social burden of unexpected diseases in the future.

Do you offer any incentives for preventative care or healthy behavior?

Laura Josh, Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools VEBA:

VEBA understands the importance for our members to not only get preventive care, but to ensure it’s the highest possible quality. That’s why we offer our members the opportunity to join one of our high-performance network plans. Members who select this option receive incentives — in the form of lower premiums, deductibles and co-pays — just for choosing to see the highest quality providers in our area.

Everyone benefits from this approach: our members have lower cost-sharing and a better provider experience, we can guarantee our people are going to the best physicians in Southern California, and we have saved millions of dollars for our employer partners by reducing rates of misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment planning. It’s a win-win!

In particular, mothers in the ‘sandwich generation,’ ages 35-54, feel more stress, which can impact their own health, research shows.

Dr. Marie Russell Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operations Officer TrueCare

Investing in preventative healthcare solutions not only improves health outcomes and can save lives, but it also can improve your bottom line.

Laura Josh Area President Gallagher, on behalf of California Schools VEBA

Fairmont

¨ from page 1

“This project represents an incredible opportunity to bring the signature luxury experience for which Fairmont is known around the globe, on an unprecedented scale and magnitude to downtown San Diego,” Willis added. “This marks the continued expansion of the brand, not only across California, but further strengthening Fairmont’s presence as one of the leading luxury hotel brands in North America.”

To be called Fairmont Manchester San Diego, the development will add to an already stellar cluster of large convention hotels within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter.

The hotel’s rooms include 69 suites and Fairmont Gold, the brand’s distinctive “hotel-within-a-hotel” experience that includes VIP service, exclusive

Curate

¨ from page 1

our microfluidic approach outperforms today’s standard methods.”

Curate officially launched the system at an event in Miami on Jan. 17, following a successful technology access program involving biopharmaceutical companies, CDMOs, academic institutes and other potential customers. Backer said the launch day event further proved industry interest in the new technology.

“I came in with realistic expectations; any time you have a brand-new technology in a highly regulated environment it’s hard to get people excited – but people were excited,” he said. “The number of customers that we’re talking to, feeding out of just this last week, it’s been very satisfying.”

New Lead Character

If the launch of Curate Cell Processing System is the company’s newest chapter, then Backer is its new lead character. He was brought on

Cibus

¨ from page 6

the SECURE Rule’s confirmation process. And although the seed traits have yet to garner approval in Europe, that is another milestone Cibus expects to reach this year. “The successful development and transfer of these first traits to our customers will be an important milestone in the gene

Museum

¨ from page 14

and events that focus on San Diego’s connections to Tijuana.

“This is going to be kind of their base,” Kanjo said.

Blindspot Collective will create the arts incubator at the downtown museum with dedicated offices, rehearsal space and a new program for young adults with support from the California Arts Council

lounge and private reception desk.

High-end amenities at the hotel will include luxury spa and fitness facilities, a rooftop pool, and more than 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space – including two 20,000 square-foot ballrooms. Six dining venues are planned, including a 160-seat signature restaurant, coastal Baja cuisine, noodle shop, rooftop poolside grill, gourmet café and lobby bar. All food spots will have both indoor and outdoor seating.

‘Stunning Design, Impeccable Service’

Doug Manchester, chairman of Manchester Financial Group, said he “could not think of a more perfect brand and partner to transform this prime location into a globally renowned hotel,” and lauded the hotel’s “stunning design… impeccable service and best-in-class amenities. Fairmont Manchester San Diego is going to set a new standard for luxury hospitality in downtown San Diego, and I look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring to the market.”

Alan X. Reay, president at Atlas Hospitality Group, said the

in December to lead Curate in its commercialization phase, replacing company founder Mike Grisham who is now serving as Curate’s chairman of the board.

“David’s commercial experience and alignment with our vision is the perfect fit for us as Curate goes to market,” Grisham said. “His deep knowledge of the cell and gene therapy space will help us position our game-changing technology to help advance an industry with so much potential to help the patients most in need.”

project would be the second largest hotel in the state to be constructed, second only to the 1,600-room The Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, set to open in 2025. He said he believed that the only other area where hotels of this size are being planned is Las Vegas – and those projects include a casino component.

Reay said the construction of both larger hotels is “a huge endorsement to the strength of the San Diego hospitality market” and that because Fairmont is positioned as a higher-end luxury brand, that “again bodes well for San Diego.”

“It is interesting to note that in all of 2022 California had a total of 6,993 new rooms opened,” he said. “The Gaylord and new proposed Fairmont would be equal to 39% of the total number of rooms opened last year.”

“The vast majority of new hotels are in the limited service sector and tend to be in the 100- to 175-room range,” Reay added. “To have two hotels over 1,000 rooms each for San Diego, says so much about the strength of the market and in particular the perceived strength of the meetings and convention business post-COVID.”

Fairmont officials say the hotel is part of a landmark development transforming San Diego’s downtown waterfront with more than

division. That led him to an extensive career at Sigma-Aldrich SAFC and MilliporeSigma, ultimately serving as head of commercial development for gene editing and novel modalities.

five acres of green space and more than 1.7 million square feet of offices, retail, restaurants, public art and entertainment. Manchester said he’s long had his sights set on “what I think is one of the most outstanding stretches of land in the world.”

If the Convention Center expands in the near future, the Fairmont opening will be a boon to overall downtown hotel occupancy, said Bob Rauch, a Certified Hotel Administrator.

“If the Center is expanded by the time the Fairmont opens, there will be no negative impact to occupancy,” Rauch said. “If not, then the hotels that are being added to downtown in this decade might reduce the downtown occupancy percent from the low 80s (percentage) to the high 70s (percentage) for a couple of years – still well above most markets. San Diego continues to add tremendous value to the downtown hotel market with IQHQ, Seaport Village redevelopment, Horton Plaza redevelopment, the new (San Diego International Airport) Terminal 1 construction project and more.” „

move on to what the next thing is, we need good strong scientists, developers and engineers to develop some of those other applications. Microfluidics as a technology is a great baseline – it’s really how you use it that is going to be interesting.”

Mike Grisham Founder & Chairman Curate Biosciences

Backer’s experience leading biotech companies is long and worldwide. He most recently served as chief commercial officer at Oxford Biomedica, and prior to that, was senior vice president of commercial development at cell and gene therapy-enabling tech company ElevateBio

Backer also founded the Carlsbad-based Molecular Medicine BioServices, which he later successfully sold to Sigma-Aldrich’s SAFC

editing industry,” Riggs said. “It will also be a major commercial milestone in the growth of Cibus.”

“2023 is also expected to be an important year for the regulations covering gene editing in agriculture with the European Commission and many other countries reviewing their laws for regulating certain new genomic techniques,” said Peter Beetham, president and chief operating officer of Cibus. “Notably, the UK is on course to introduce

Blindspot Collective also will host other theater companies, including Disco Riot and its 2023 Queer Mvmnt Fest.

“This is a dynamic period for San Diego’s arts and culture community, especially for the neighborhoods surrounding downtown San Diego,” Kanjo said. “With this shift toward community based partnerships, we hope to more fully engage audiences through an extensive range of artistic content and media. Contemporary art looks forward and this initiative aligns directly with our forward-thinking mission.”

“I am really happy to have an opportunity to be part of a company that is again based here in Carlsbad and do what I did before, which is look at a technology that’s new and exciting and then grow it locally,” Backer said.

Growth Ahead

Depending on the “ramp and traction” Curate sees in the coming year, Backer said, the company has plans to scale up its hiring in marketing and manufacturing and expand its office and production footprint.

The company is also looking ahead to other uses for its microfluidics platform beyond CAR-T therapies and plans on investing in its laboratories. “We have a good idea of what version two looks like already,” he said. “To

new laws broadly consistent with the laws from a growing list of important trading nations including the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil and Japan.”

The European Commission is also expected to rule on gene-edited seeds this summer, potentially overturning a previous decision to lump gene-edited seed with genetically modified (GMO) seeds, even though gene edited seeds lack the inserted foreign DNA that is the hallmark of GMO plants and seeds.

Vitalizing Downtown

MCASD in 2022 completed a $105 million renovation and expansion of its main museum in La Jolla, nearly doubling the size of the museum from 58,239 square feet to 97,371 square feet.

Planning for the renovation began in 2014 and the actual construction took three years.

Betsy Brennan , president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership , said that the partnership the museum is forming downtown with other

Backer added that Curate has already received positive feedback and interest from a “variety of customers” that include the “expected cell therapy manufacturers” but also includes “interest from other places – innovators, blood collection centers, lots of different folks.” „

Curate Biosciences

FOUNDED: 2002

CEO: David Backer

HEADQUARTERS: Carlsbad

BUSINESS: Developer of processing system that enables cell therapy

EMPLOYEES: 25

WEBSITE:  www.curatebio.com

NOTABLE: The Curate Cell Processing Platform can reach a cell purity over 90%.

“These regulatory changes, if adopted, promise to enable more open and fair trade in agriculture for these new technologies and encourage research and innovation, greatly increasing the potential of gene editing to contribute globally to sustainable agriculture, food security and climate resilience,” Beetham added. “This merger positions the combined companies to be a leader in this important new industry and to accelerate our progress.” „

arts organizations “will help vitalize and energize our already evolving downtown.”

“MCASD’s focus on programmatic partnerships will further enhance downtown San Diego as a destination for arts and culture in our binational region,” Brennan said. “We can’t wait to see what the combination of MCASD’s deep knowledge and expertise in the arts and the innovation of our community will create in our urban neighborhoods.” „

Mark Willis CEO Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Alan X. Reay President Atlas Hospitality Group

Doug Manchester Chairman Manchester Financial Group

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This year, OFC will reconvene in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual components on March 5 through March 9 at the San Diego Convention Center

Through three special sessions, three symposia, 11 workshops and 10 panel discussions on topics ranging from quantum networking to machine learning and AI, OFC’s global perspective covers groundbreaking news driving the optical networking and data center optics niche.

Organizers report technical paper submissions for this year’s conference increased significantly, returning to “pre-pandemic levels.”

“We’re delighted to see the technical paper submissions on an upward trajectory, with numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels,” said OFC chairs Chris Cole, Coherent Corp., Ramon Casellas, Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya, and Ming-Jun Li, Corning Incorporated in a joint statement issued along with a preview of this year’s conference lineup.

“This increase [in technical papers] is a great indicator of the importance of OFC to the technical community driving the research and development to move the industry forward,” the chairs’ joint statement also said. “And in addition to attendee favorites including, the Rump Session, Demo Zone and Lab Automation Hackathon, we are excited to offer several new events,

including Mentor Match, Journal Reviewing Workshop and International Women’s Day Breakfast.”

As the premier conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals, OFC’s plenary session will feature Patricia Obo-Nai , CEO at Vodafone Ghana; Jayshree V. Ullal, president and CEO at Arista; and Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and CEO of Corning Incorporated.

OFC’s comprehensive technical programming – from research to marketplace, from components to systems and networks and from technical sessions to the exhibition—draws global attendees to meet and greet, teach and learn, make connections and move the industry forward. “There is no other global

of ImmunoCARE and a program director at the Scripps Research Translational Institute.

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reducing hospitalizations from the disease, scientists at the Scripps Research Translational Institute have teamed up with San Diego-based healthcare technology company Cue Health to launch ImmunoCARE - a remote trial program that provides study participants with a combination of fast and accurate molecular athome tests to diagnose infection, on-demand telemedicine consultations, and same-day delivery of antivirals (if medically indicated) to treat COVID-19.

The study seeks to determine if early detection of infection and treatment can reduce hospitalizations and adverse outcomes in vulnerable populations.

“It’s taking too long to get help to the people who need it the most,” said Eric Topol, MD, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and co-principal investigator of the study. “The continued evolution of the virus and its ability to escape our immune response has rendered monoclonal antibodies ineffective, making it all the more important for us to continue to innovate and develop tools to protect the immunocompromised and elderly.”    Immunocompromised individuals include people with autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Other immunocompromised people suffer from conditions like HIV and AIDS that destroy immune cells. Additionally, medications such as immunosuppressive therapies taken by transplant recipients to keep their bodies from rejecting their new organs, can reduce immune function.

“In many ways, the immunocompromised community is more at risk now than they were earlier in the pandemic,” said Julia Moore Vogel, Ph.D., co-principal investigator

“We’re no longer seeing non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent transmission, such as masking and isolating when exposed to COVID-19, being employed by a large proportion of the public, leaving immunocompromised people to fend for themselves. This study is our attempt to help this vulnerable group of people avoid severe outcomes.”

Leveraging Cue Platform

The ImmunoCARE study will provide half of the participants a Cue Reader and up to 10 COVID-19 cartridges every month for home testing of themselves and members of their households.

Cue’s nucleic acid amplification tests detect the genomic RNA of SARSCoV-2 and are much more sensitive than the more common over-the-counter rapid antigen tests for COVID-19.

optical communications and networking event that provides the breadth of content combined with exposure, thought leadership and the opportunity for our exhibitors and attendees to connect with qualified buyers and establish relationships,” the event co-chairs said.

This year’s OFC features 11 workshops and ten panel discussions:

• The OFC workshops provide opportunities to discuss and debate the latest technologies, including smart pluggable coherent optics, fiber capacity, optical access, future quantum computing architectures, optics in space exploration, data center discussions on green options and killer applications, among other topics.

• The OFC panel discussions feature executives, technical experts, academia,

company officially launched in August of last year. Just like anyone who utilizes the Cue Care service, patients in the clinical study will have the same access to telehealth, e-prescription and prescription delivery services when medically necessary.

media and analysts as they tackle the latest in 5G connectivity, virtualization in optical networks, LiDAR systems and technologies with integrated photonics, photonic AI accelerators, data center technologies and more.

OFC’s business-focused show floor programming will take place March 7-9 and provide participants with an understanding of current market trends, new technologies and insight into the future of the industry.

Encompassing three theaters, these programs – Market Watch, the Network Operator Summit, and the Data Center Summit –will address the state of the industry, the latest application topics, the inside perspective from service providers and network operators and emerging technologies for intra and/or inter data center connectivity. „

To obtain the results of the ImmunoCARE study, scientists will compare infection rates, emergency department visits, ICU admissions, deaths and cost of care between the control and intervention groups by reviewing insurance claims data at the program’s conclusion.

In addition to utilizing Cue’s testing platform, the study will also leverage the MyDataHelps mobile app-based research platform developed by CareEvolution, a Michigan-based health technology company that enables secure and reliable sharing of clinical health information.

The ImmunoCARE study plans to enroll 10,000 immunocompromised participants nationwide. „

Scripps Research

David Tsay, MD, Ph.D. Chief Medical Officer Cue Health

The study seeks to determine whether early detection can reduce transmission within the household and enable early treatment when immunocompromised individuals test positive.

Director Scripps Research Translational Institute

“This study, led by world-class researchers at Scripps Research, will provide pivotal data on whether access to highly accurate molecular at-home tests such as Cue’s COVID-19 test will facilitate earlier detection among high-risk individuals and lead to better health outcomes,” says David Tsay, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Cue Health.

The ImmunoCARE program is based on Cue’s commercial platform, Cue Care, that the

“We look forward to bringing our technology to some of the patients who are the most vulnerable to respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19. Particularly with the new XBB variants, certain treatment options are no longer effective for vulnerable populations like those who are immunocompromised, so there is a great clinical need to expand the treatment toolset for these patients,” Tsay said. “We’re excited to see how the Cue platform, which brings fast and accurate at-home testing, can enable early detection and subsequent treatment of COVID-19 for the immunocompromised, ultimately reducing adverse outcomes such as hospitalization.”

Tsay added that Cue is excited to work with Scripps because of the institute’s leadership in clinical research and decentralized virtual trials, “particularly the Scripps Digital Research Center has led the charge in previous COVID-19 research at scale, such as the DETECT study, which enrolled over 40,000 participants.”

“We want to participate in more clinical research like this,” he continued. “We strongly believe that diagnostic-led healthcare and fast and accurate molecular testing at home can empower patients to make healthier choices. Cue brings an advantage to this study by providing participants with the ability to diagnose themselves at home in a safe environment.”

FOUNDED: 1924

CEO: Peter Shultz

BUSINESS: Medical and scientific research institute

HEADQUARTERS: La Jolla

EMPLOYEES: Over 2,400

REVENUE: Over $500 million (2021)

WEBSITE: scripps.edu

NOTABLE: According to the 2017  Nature  Innovation Index, Scripps Research is the No. 1 most influential research institution in the world.

Cue Health

FOUNDED: 2010

CEO: Ayub Khattak

HEADQUARTERS: Sorrento Valley

BUSINESS: Health technology company that makes digital point-of-care testing solutions

STOCK: NASDAQ: HLTH

REVENUE: $600-625 million FY2021; $69.6 million

Q32022

EMPLOYEES: 1,500

WEBSITE: cuehealth.com

NOTABLE: Cue Health was founded in 2010 during another respiratory viral outbreak – the swine flu.

Ramon Casellas Senior Researcher Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya

Ming-Jun Li Corporate Fellow Corning Incorporated

OFC's plenary session will feature Patricia Obo-Nai of Vodafone Ghana (left), Jayshree V. Ullal of Aristra and Wendell Weeks of Corning Incorporated. Photos courtesy of OFC

Julia Moore Vogel, Ph.D. Program

Department Chair of Management and Professor of Business Ethics

University of San Diego Knauss School of Business

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Supporting Sponsors

Debra Baker Tara Ceranic Salinas, PhD

Managing Director GrowthPlay

DANA ALLIGOOD West Market Executive, Global Commercial Banking Bank of America

Dana Alligood has worked in accounting and finance for three decades. She is the manager of BofA’s global commercial banking business in the Western U.S., focusing on healthcare, education and not-for-profit clients, generating more than $50 million annually. She leads a team of 15 bankers in six offices: San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Newport Beach and Phoenix. Alligood grew portfolio size by over 8% in 2022 representing billions of dollars in loans and deposits by these clients. She generated a record number of new clients in 2022 and earned double-digit growth in client satisfaction and employee satisfaction across her team. Alligood has served as board chair for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Diego, is currently on the board for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and is board treasurer for San Diego Food Bank. She can be reached at dana.s.alligood@bofa. com or 619-515-5630.

ESTHER AMANO Controller Capstone

Advisors

A20-year veteran in accounting and finance, Esther Amano has had a monumental impact on Capstone Advisors where she is controller. She brings strong technical skills and a genuine care for the company’s accounting staff to her job, as well as a focus on treating investors and tenants with care. During her tenure with a large commercial development firm, her analyses were relied upon by equity partners and lenders. She oversaw a portfolio exceeding 1 million square feet. Her experience spans all facets of commercial real estate including Big 4 CPA firm, private commercial real estate development and commercial loan underwriting. With a dynamic approach, dedicated to high-quality, end-user deliverables, she oversees the firm’s treasury management, financial reporting, investor administration, compliance and lender draws. She was a committee member for Boy Scouts of America, treasurer for the Kensington Preschool Parent Auxiliary and is an accountant for the San Diego Canoe Kayak team.

BARNES

Jennifer Barnes is the CEO of Optima Office and has worked in the finance and accounting fields for 20 years. She has led Optima Office, an outsourced accounting and human resources firm, from its launch in October 2018 to a profitable, rapidly growing company with 80 employees. She had Optima Office designated as a Certified Women-Owned Business and expanded it from headquarters in San Diego to throughout California, opening a second office in the San Francisco Bay Area. Barnes has a reputation for holding herself to the highest standards, from creating clear and concise financial reports to maintaining client satisfaction. Barnes volunteers for programs that encourage younger generations to develop entrepreneurial skills and prepare for careers. She is on the board for Junior Achievement of San Diego County and is a mentor for the Lavin Program at SDSU. She also volunteers with the San Diego Leadership Council of the San Diego Food Bank.

LIVIA BENJAMIN Partner

Duffy Kruspodin, LLP

Livia Benjamin, who has 18 years in finance and public accounting, is a tax partner at Duffy Kruspodin, LLP. Benjamin’s level of detail and care has successfully transitioned clients and staff during challenging and unsettling times. She is a leading member of the Taxation and Finance committees within the firm and strives to ensure that the firm is operating at the highest levels of technicality and professionalism. Among her accomplishments, she has guided the implementation of a successful intern program and firm tour event; developed a supportive and successful mentor program; directed the firm’s conversion to new software; co-led the firm’s paperless initiative; and participated in leading multiple firm acquisitions and mergers. She lends her time and efforts to The International 22q11.2 Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the needs of families and individuals affected by chromosome 22q11.2 differences. She can be reached at livia@ dk.cpa or 858-642-5050

ISABEL BERNAL

VP and Controller Maravai LifeSciences

Isabel Bernal has more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience and 20 years in accounting and finance. She joined Maravai LifeSciences in 2020 and is VP and controller. An influential, dynamic and expert accounting leader, Bernal brings a unique balance of being objective, professional and technically proficient to her accounting practices. She champions fostering a stable and connected team environment and has expertly applied her knowledge of best practices to increase the company’s core accounting processes’ efficiency while significantly improving its control environment. Bernal is a trusted partner at the executive level and is respected by the Maravai LifeSciences board. She is well known for her effective communication across all levels of the organization. Maravai has been able to reorganize its accounting function under her leadership, greatly accelerating its days to close while meeting the business demands of a high-growth, highly dynamic, public life sciences company.

BLAZEVICH

Tasia Blazevich has been in the accounting and finance field for 18 years and is San Diego leader and managing director at Deloitte in the Accounting and Reporting Advisory Services practice. Blazevich is an experienced account professional and leader with expertise in the life science industry, technical accounting, transaction advisory support services, SEC reporting, financial statement reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley implementation and compliance. She leads various initiatives/go-to-market strategies within the firm. Active in the San Diego business community, she is part of the Corporate Directors Forum Committee, and is in the process of being on the membership committee of the Life Science Cares Board as an adviser. An emotionally intelligent leader passionate about mentoring, coaching, people development and fostering a collaborative team environment, she is a market leader and driven to produce results, with a proven track record of new business development and brand/market awareness. She can be reached at tblazevich@deloitte.com or 858-723-1240.

BRENDA BOCK

Audit and Assurance Partner Baker Tilly US, LLP

Brenda Bock, an audit and assurance partner at Baker Tilly, has more than 15 years of experience in public accounting and private industry specialization. She manages all aspects of audit engagements including planning, assessment of internal controls, analytical reviews, budget preparations and audit execution. She specializes in performing audits of charter schools, school districts, local governments, Native American tribal governments and casinos, and not-forprofit organizations. Bock serves on Baker Tilly’s Not-for-Profit Technical committee and serves as a peer reviewer and internal inspector for the firm. Bock serves on the Friends of Hope School board and volunteers for beach cleanups in the community. Every week, she rallies a group of volunteers to pick up trash on the streets of Carlsbad. Bock is deeply invested in the missions of the organizations she audits and helps to enhance their programs and financial stability through her work. She can be reached at brenda.bock@bakertilly.com or 858-320-8969.

JILL BROADFOOT

Chief Financial Officer aTyr Pharma

Jill Broadfoot is Chief Financial Officer of aTyr Pharma (Nasdaq: LIFE), a publicly traded clinical stage biotechnology company. Broadfoot has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance. She raised $86.3 million via public offering in September 2021 and implemented flexible equity vehicles to support the company’s financing, including a $20 million common stock purchase agreement in 2020. Prior to joining aTyr in 2018, she was CFO of Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Emerald Health Bioceuticals Inc., where she was responsible for establishing operations, corporate governance, finance and accounting and investor relations functions. She previously was VP, U.S. Corporate Controller at GW Pharmaceuticals, was CFO of Vical Inc., and held various positions at DJO Global, Inc. She was an audit manager at Ernst & Young LLP and division controller for the Medical Imaging Centers of America. She serves on the board of directors for Otonomy, Inc. and AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ACRX).

Lisa Bruner has been with Jewish Family Service of San Diego for four years and has more than three decades of experience in finance and accounting. As controller for JFS, Bruner helped the organization’s budget move from $20 million to $86 million, helping JFS fulfill its critical mission to serve vulnerable populations including the unhoused, immigrants, seniors and families. Bruner provided steadfast leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic while overseeing fiscal day-to-day operations. With the agency operating budget doubling over the last fiscal year, she has improved internal systems to meet growing demand, reorganized and expanded the accounting team and strengthened support provided to program teams. She has served on the Emergency Food and Shelter local board and has been part of San Diego Rotary Club 33, Rotary Club of Coronado, San Diego Senior Alliance, International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment and Coronado Junior Woman’s Club.

TANASUE CARPENTER

Chief Financial Officer Annex Brands, Inc.

TanaSue Carpenter is CFO at Annex Brands and has more than two decades of experience in accounting and finance. The first woman in Annex Brands’ history to hold the position of CFO, she is also only the second CFO in company history. Carpenter joined Annex Brands as its director of accounting in 2012, and in 2018, was promoted to executive director of finance & controller. She was promoted again in 2020 to vice president of finance, before being elevated to the position of CFO in December 2022. While not a board member, Carpenter is a member in good standing of the International Franchise Association. Carpenter is a San Diego native who was raised in Santee. She earned a B.S. degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix in 2003 and earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2006.

JENNIFER

CEO Optima Office

TASIA

Managing Director Deloitte

LISA BRUNER Controller Jewish Family Service of San Diego

JANE CHAU

Managing Director

Deloitte

Jane Chau has worked in accounting and finance for nearly 15 years. Chau leads Deloitte San Diego’s efforts to increase diversity in the accounting/professional services career pathway through Deloitte’s Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable Academy program. In 2021, Deloitte committed $75 million to fuel greater racial and ethnic diversity in tax and accounting. Her vision to provide Black professionals a platform to connect with their peers and cohorts led to her establishing the inaugural San Diego chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. She serves as an executive adviser to the chapter’s board. Chau leads Asian American and Pacific Islander diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for her office and in that role, she organizes cross-functional events to promote cultural awareness, education and appreciation; and creates opportunities for the company’s professionals to connect outside of client service responsibilities. She sponsors and mentors several ethnically and racially diverse professionals.

JENNIFER

COOK Tax Senior Manager EisnerAmper

Jennifer Cook is Tax Senior Manager at EisnerAmper. Over the past decade, she has made a significant impact on the company’s clients and the firm’s culture. In addition to her technical expertise, she is a trusted mentor and advocate for various programs. Specifically, Cook takes an active role in the EisnerAmper Cares committee which is a firm-wide initiative that encourages and supports volunteer efforts of the firm’s employees in their communities. Her dedication to collaboration and client service make her a joy to work with. Cook was previously staff accountant and senior accountant at EY in San Francisco. She attended USC where she earned a bachelor of science in business administration – accounting and was on the ski and snowboard team. She has a CPA certification from the California Board of Accountancy that was issued in 2015 with no expiration date. She can be reached at 858-558-9200.

QUYEN DAO-HADDOCK Controller

IQHQ

As Controller at IQHQ, Quyen Dao-Haddock has been responsible for scaling the accounting department from eight to 14 team members and establishing and implementing comprehensive accounting policies. She has worked closely with investors to meet significant milestones for the company. Dao-Haddock has a friendly and approachable attitude, as reflected in her close-knit team. She consistently puts effort into keeping team members connected through department outings and activities. Dao-Haddock is a CPA with more than 20 years of financial and accounting experience and has been responsible for accounting operations of more than $20 billion in assets throughout her career. She was chief accounting officer at Presidio Property Trust, and an audit manager at KPMG LLP. She received a BS in business administration, accounting from San Diego State University. Dao-Haddock is an Audit & Compliance Committee Member of Sharp HealthCare and a member of the board of directors for Biocept, Inc.

ANNA E. DIAZ

Partner and Wealth Advisor

CI - Dowling & Yahnke Private Wealth

Anna E. Diaz, Partner and Wealth Advisor at CI-Dowling & Yahnke

Private Wealth, has been in the financial services industry for more than 26 years, with 22 years in wealth management. She is a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Private Wealth Advisor and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. She leads her firm’s Growth Committee. Her clients often have multi-generational objectives. To help address that, Diaz co-created a Legacy & Philanthropy offering within her firm. She also provides specialized planning around clients’ private business interests, business exit planning and charitable needs. Passionate about supporting women and younger advisors in the field, Diaz is a board member of Stella Foundation, an incubator and advisory group for women-led small businesses. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the Nonprofit Institute and the Executive Committee for the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation Estates & Trusts Council. She can be reached at 858-509-9500.

SHAWN DUFFY Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Viasat,

As CFO of Viasat, Shawn Duffy has been instrumental in helping the company grow into a multinational organization with $2.8 billion in annual revenue. Since Duffy joined Viasat, the company’s valuation has skyrocketed to over $5 billion. Through capital market prowess, strategic acquisitions and strong organic growth strategies, Duffy has helped position Viasat as a global communications provider nested in the most powerful satellites ever developed bringing high-quality, affordable, fast connections to impact people’s lives anywhere. She helped the company grow from 1,200 employees to more than 7,000 employees, with more than 2,000 in San Diego County. Duffy has served on the California State University-San Marcos Business School Advisory Board since 2014, influencing the next-generation workforce. She is an advocate for STEM/STEAM education, and supports Promises2Kids, a San Diego County nonprofit that helps more than 3,000 current and former foster youth.

Inc.

SARAH EBERHARDT

As chief audit executive at ResMed, Sarah Eberhardt is a positive influence on her profession and an innovative leader. She has been recognized for her exceptional leadership, business knowledge, skills and achievements. Her responsibilities include internal audit, risk management and climate/sustainability reporting. She leads her team to find innovative approaches to work smarter and efficiently while covering more risk areas. Eberhardt has the highest level of ethics and integrity, leading by example. She drives her team members to be trusted risk advisers. Her team delivers ResMed’s ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) report and has raised the bar with climate reporting targets and goals. Eberhardt is a board member of the Institute of Internal Audit San Diego Chapter, co-chair of Medical Device and Diagnostic CAE leadership Council, a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and an Audit Committee member of the Girl Scouts San Diego.

Emma Epes is a partner with EY’s real estate, hospitality and construction practice. She has more than 15 years of experience in accounting, auditing and advisory services to real estate clients, including SEC registrants, real estate funds, operating companies, REITs and partnerships. She has extensive experience with real estate fair value reporting, valuation of real estate joint ventures and projects, purchase price allocations, construction contract accounting, complex carried interest models and other advanced real estate accounting. Epes has a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in applied mathematics from Villanova University. She is a licensed CPA and a member of the AICPA, an executive board member of the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego and a member of EY’s Professional Women’s network. She is a past board chair of Kitchens for Good and a member of the finance committee. She can be reached at 619-929-5142.

MICHELE FARMER Chief Accounting Officer PacBio

Michele Farmer, Chief Accounting Officer of PacBio, joined PacBio in 2021 to build its accounting organization and support the company’s planned growth. She applies a threepronged approach in her executive leadership, which includes partnering with colleagues to build scalable processes and internal controls to address risk and inefficiencies, implementing automation solutions that reduce manual intervention, and providing strong coaching and mentorship for team members. She led the team through the integration of two entities, the first in the company’s history. This included purchase accounting, integration of payroll and accounting operations, internal controls and tax compliance. Farmer also led the team through implementation of a new stock administration platform. She added employees to expand capabilities in tax compliance, technical accounting, revenue recognition and SEC reporting. Farmer is a CPA and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University.

STASIA M. FORREST Tax Manager Wastvedt

& Company

Stasia Forrest is Tax Manager with Wastvedt & Company. She has worked in the accounting field since 1995 and is a CPA in California. In addition to her MBA in Finance and Accounting, Forrest carries the highly respected CFF (Certified Financial Forensics) certification and has helped identify fraud within two clients’ businesses. She has an exceptional track record of accurately handling financial reporting. Her work as a highly organized and detail-focused accountant has led her to specialize in efficiency and productivity, helping improve efficiency of account processing by 50% within the firm.

Forrest has helped guide the firm’s growth in size and revenue by nearly 20% within the last two years, and has taken on the role of mentor to fellow CPAs and accountants. She organizes and runs the weekly Tax Meeting, tracking firm performance, client projects and building positive client relationships. She can be reached at sforrest@wastvedtco.com.

Kathy Greci is the Vice President of Finance for C3 Risk & Insurance Services. She has been with the company for a little over a year and a half. Greci has been in accounting and finance for 16 years and prides herself on staying updated on new codes and policies sent out by the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board). Greci is an exceptional leader for the company as she treats everyone with respect; she maintains positive relationships with fellow executives and co-workers.

In five years, she was diagnosed with breast cancer two times. She worked her way through diagnoses and treatment cycles. During that time, she was promoted from a senior accountant to controller for a $50 million insurance claims company. She never quits. Greci enjoys being in the office while also being at home living her best life. She can be reached at kathy.greci@c3insurance.com or 619-385-4973.

VP, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Mgmt and Corporate Sustainability Reporting ResMed

EMMA EPES Partner

KATHY GRECI VP of Finance C3 Risk & Insurance

JESSICA GROAT-HOWE Chief Financial Officer Bill Howe Family of Companies

Jessica Groat-Howe serves as CFO for the Bill Howe Family of Companies where she combines her passion for accounting and finance with leadership and employee development. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University in economics and international finance, and a Certified Public Accountant.

Her accomplishments in the last year are many. They include sourcing and purchasing a building to allow business scaling and employee growth; outsourcing accounts payable operations, reducing department cost and allowing in-house accounting to concentrate on higher level tasks; and migrating the company accounting system to a cloud-based platform ensuring data continuity and giving additional flexibility to the department.

A San Diego native, Groat-Howe enjoys spending time with her family among the county’s numerous natural phenomena. She is a loving mother, wife and daughter, and she can swing a golf club, too. She can be reached at jessicah@mailbillhowe.com or 619-794-4837.

ALEYNA GROVES COO

Aleyna Groves is COO of Groves Capital Inc., a hybrid mortgage broker and banker based out of San Diego. Having well over a decade of experience in the mortgage business, Groves formed Groves Capital in 2016 with her husband Christoffer, a successful Realtor with experience dating back to the early 2000s. Together, they’ve built a company that puts clients’ needs first while also providing a superior platform to its loan officers.

Groves Capital’s mission is to provide a one-stop-shop for all clients’ needs while extending the lowest rates in the market and the best experience possible. The company has many relationships with investors including banks, credit unions and independent funds. This diversity allows it to find the right solution for a client’s individual needs.

Aleyna Groves has worked in the field of accounting and finance for 15 years. She can be reached at loans@grovescapital.com or 619-212-1127.

NICOLE HENDERSON

Nicole Henderson is Controller at MyPoint Credit Union, the organization formerly known as Point Loma Credit Union. She brings 17 years of accounting experience—with credit unions, banks, nonprofits and for-profit businesses—to her job. Henderson has been controller with MyPoint for five of the six years she has been employed there. She has experience in financial statement analysis, budgeting and forecasting, cost accounting, cash management, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. Her job includes working with both federal and state regulatory agencies. During her time at MyPoint, she has improved and sped up several processes, making the credit union into a better and stronger financial institution. Henderson is constantly improving her qualifications and skills. Outside of work, she volunteers in the community. She can be reached at nhenderson@mypointcu.com, 858-2687270 or 858-430-7106.

HEATHER HERNANDEZ Director CBIZ

& MHM

Heather Hernandez is a Director at CBIZ MHM, LLC. She is also a Shareholder of MHM. Hernandez has more than 15 years of public accounting experience. She has completed both financial and internal control audits in a variety of industries, including not-for-profit, manufacturing, distribution and professional service firms. She co-leads the San Diego Not-For-Profit Practice Group and has expertise in the not-for-profit industry, working strategically with her clients to strengthen internal controls and procedures. Her experience also includes auditing in accordance with Uniform Grant Guidance for not-forprofit organizations, as well as commercial companies that receive federal funding that require program specific audits under government auditing standards. Hernandez is a CPA in California and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy from San Diego State University. She can also draw on the resources of CBIZ, which has more than 100 offices and 6,000 team members throughout the United States.

DAISY HOM Partner

Duffy Kruspodin, LLP

Daisy Hom is a Partner at Duffy Kruspodin, LLP where she leads the accounting and auditing practice. In her nine years working out of the firm’s La Jolla office, she has expanded the firm’s audit practice by over 300% and established and expanded the firm’s niche areas of consumer finance, construction, manufacturing and distributions, not-for profits, employee benefit plans, and the apparel industry.

Hom currently chairs Duffy Kruspodin’’s Audit Committee and is senior member of the Executive Committee, which guides the firm’s strategic growth and objectives. She also managed and led the firm’s Marketing Committee.

Hom is known to provide mentorship to the Duffy Kruspodin staff. Recently, she developed technical training programs for the audit team. She also helped implement a remote work policy, resulting in increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and a decrease in PTO usage.

Hom can be reached at daisy@dk.cpa or (858) 642-5050.

Kayla Schultz, CPA Partner

Controller MyPoint Credit Union

Groves Capital Inc.

MEGHANA JAGDISH Director, Risk Consulting RSM US LLP

Meghana Jagdish is Director of Risk Consulting for RSM US LLP, the largest accounting and consulting firm focused on the middle market.

Jagdish has a background in finance and technology and has spent over 15 years helping tech and life science companies build out their risk management program. Over the last year, she has helped client executives develop their company’s risk management approaches; develop their internal audit departments; plan and execute on Sarbanes-Oxley Act 404 (SOX) compliance efforts; and identify process improvement opportunities.

Jagdish empowers RSM’s upcoming women leaders by mentoring them through the firm’s Risk Consulting Women Advisory Committee. She is also a board member of the firm’s employee network group STAR (Stewardship. Teamwork. Advancement. Retention) for the San Diego office and leads monthly sessions on topics that help with the advancement and retention of women in the workplace.

She can be reached at meghana.jagdish@rsmus.com or (619) 641-7361.

JEN KEYES CFO/COO San Diego Hunger Coalition

Jen Keyes is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer for the San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC). Her duties include assisting the CEO and board of directors in increasing revenue and strengthening financial operations to be able to manage larger grants and contracts; and increasing the efficiencies of the Coalition to ensure its sustainability to continue its vital work over the coming decades.

For 20 years, Keyes has worked in leadership roles throughout the nonprofit sector, including 15 years in public accounting with a focus on nonprofits and providing grant-making and educational activities assistance to philanthropists.

In addition to her duel roles at SDHC, Keyes is a current board member of First Republic Bank’s Financial Executives Alliance; an advisory board member of Kim Center for Social Balance; and Finance Committee member of the San Diego Police Foundation.

Keyes can be reached at jen@sdhunger.org or (619) 501-7917.

SUZAN R. KORTH

Suzie Korth is a Partner at Duffy Kruspodin, LLP. She has over 30 years’ experience in the public accounting field and her expertise includes working with private real estate investors, professional practices, and small business owners with various needs such as providing outsourced accounting and finance services, income tax preparation and tax planning.

Korth founded the firm’s CAS practice where she oversees a group that provides a range of services such as basic bookkeeping to advanced management reporting, advisory and guidance services which significantly contributed to the firm’s profits. Korth also increased the Business Management department’s productivity by over 10% by streamlining processes, She also has mentored new team members, teaching company policies and best work practices to maximize productivity

Korth also donates her time to nonprofit organizations such as San Digo Senior Games Association and Christie’s Place.

She can be reached at suzie@dk.cpa or (619) 295-2637.

JEAN LIN VP, Finance Tandem Diabetes Care

Jean Lin is Vice President of Finance for Tandem Diabetes Care. She is a highly motivated finance professional with a passion for strategy, commercial execution and operational excellence.

Lin has a proven record of implementing initiatives to improve operating profits and working capital efficiency in high growth sector companies.

Last year, she built a world-class FP&A function and elevated the role of finance business partnership with department leaders across the company; enhanced financial acumen of business leaders and executives by leveraging data analytics to support thoughtful and sustainable decision-making; and drove the five-year strategic planning process to define corporate priorities.

Before taking the taking the Vice President of Finance role at Tandem, Lin held the same position at NuVasive where she participated in that company’s diversity and Inclusion initiative as well as their Women in Spine employee resource group.

She can be reached at lin.jean68@yahoo.com or (760) 576-9785.

President Momentum CFO

Rosemary Linden is President and Founder of Momentum CFO, a Del Mar-based provider of fractional CFO services. Previously Linden led the Financial Planning & Analysis divisions of large public corporations such as Quest Diagnostics and WD-40 Company. She founded her fractional CFO business in 2016, seeing a natural client base (San Diego is home to numerous small and mid-size businesses) as well as an excellent opportunity (such business owners can greatly benefit from a CFO’s expertise but often don’t need—or can’t afford—full-time support). Momentum CFO helps business owners make optimal financial decisions, plan, increase profit and improve cash flow. Linden also mentors undergraduate students majoring in accounting and finance at Cal State San Marcos and is passionate about helping women achieve professional success. She is serving her second term as Chair of San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and was Treasurer for three years. She can be reached at 858-284-0314.

Partner Duffy Kruspodin, LLP

ROSEMARY LINDEN

congratulates our own Jennifer Cook and all of the 2023 Women of Influence in Accounting & Finance Honorees.

Jennifer Cook Tax Senior Manager

JEANNE MANN President Mann & Associates APC

Jeanne Mann, President of Mann & Associates APC, is a California

Certified Public Accountant with 33 years of experience in the field. Through her dedication to the accounting profession, she received the California Society of CPAs 2001 Public Service Award and was the second woman president of the CalCPA San Diego Chapter. Her firm offers a range of professional accounting, audit, tax and consulting services. It specializes in construction accounting, nonprofit audits, franchise audits, biotech, healthcare and estate planning. Mann is pleased to report her firm increased its revenue by 30% in 2022. A graduate of Arizona State University, Mann is involved in several community organizations. She is treasurer of the Jindo Love Rescue nonprofit organization, whose mission is to save the lives of dogs in South Korea by finding loving families in the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at 619-222-5900.

LISA PECORA Vice President, Global Finance NuVasive

Lisa Pecora, Vice President of Global Commercial and Product Finance at NuVasive, leads a team of 40+ people representing the global financial organization that drives optimal decision-making across three business units and 50+ countries. As a global finance executive, she has a proven track record of driving profitable revenue growth while cleaning up inefficiencies and designing integrated planning and processes to maximize shareholder returns. For over 20 years, Pecora has held senior leadership roles at multibillion-dollar, global med-tech organizations such as Cardinal Health, CareFusion and NuVasive, as well as privately owned companies in the entertainment and services sectors. Outside of her finance responsibilities, Pecora is an active board member for NuVasive’s international trading entity and all 21 international subsidiaries since 2018. She is also an executive advisory board member for the NuVasive employee resource group, Women In NuVasive, since 2019.

JAMIE A. PLEMONS Owner Advanced Estate Planning

Jamie A. Plemons, Owner of Advanced Estate Planning, began in this industry in high school. Her father, a renowned financial planner, brought her into the office at 14 years old to start learning the basics. Starting with data entry and office management, she quickly graduated to doing paralegal work for the estate planning attorney. By the time she was 18 years old, she obtained her Life and Health Insurance license adding long-term care, health insurance, Medicare, life insurance and annuities to her experience. By the time she was 24 she had passed the FINRA series 7 and 66 exams to become a Registered Investment Advisor. After a break to care for family, she has continued her education with the designations of LDA (Legal Document Assistant), CMP (Certified Medicaid Planner) and CEP (Certified Estate Planner). She continues to advance her education. She can be reached at jamie@advancedestateplanning.com or 619-581-9591.

SANDIE PORTILLA Financial Administrator RJS LAW

Sandie Portilla serves as Financial Administrator at RJS LAW. Additionally, she assists the executive team with firm operations. Prior to joining the firm, Portilla served as staff accountant/office manager for a medical software company where she managed all accounting functions of the business and directly assisted the CEO. Additionally, she brings over 10 years of supervisory and customer service experience and is fluent in Spanish. Her community work includes assisting the CEO and COO in allocating funds for billboard campaigns run through the firm for Girl Scouts San Diego and other charitable organizations.

Portilla completed an associate’s degree in business management from Cuyamaca College and a bachelor’s in business management from San Diego State University. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family doing fun activities around San Diego and traveling to see new places. Portilla is currently pursuing her accounting certification from UCSD Extension.

NATALIE L. QUIRARTE

Natalie L. Quirarte, CFP, is Vice President, Financial Planning for Hall Private Wealth Advisors. She develops relationships with people, especially women, not their assets. Through intelligent planning, she assists families, business owners and executives in positioning their financial assets to support their most important priorities: quality of life and loved ones. She takes the time to understand what is truly important in people’s lives, coordinating with other trusted advisers to determine the best use of assets and keeping clients on track with their goals. Quirarte’s passion is to provide new perspectives that illuminate possibilities in her clients’ lives. Her community involvement includes working to provide financial literacy and résumé preparation for survivors of human trafficking. She proudly touts the title of One of 50 Best Moms of San Diego County awarded by Time Warner Cable, as nominated by her son. She can be reached at 760-212-8621.

aTyr Pharma celebrates CFO Jill Broadfoot on being named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting and Finance in San Diego!

We appreciate your diligent leadership of our financial strategy and effective oversight of our finance and accounting department. Your dedication and contributions are an integral part of supporting our mission to translate findings from our tRNA synthetase platform into new therapeutics for fibrosis, inflammation and cancer.

V.P. Financial Planning, CFP® Hall Private Wealth Advisors

On behalf of Annex Brands and PostalAnnex, we’re proud to continue to build the franchise network with you, so we can provide more services to more people in more places.

MARI RODISH CFO EVOTEK

Mari Rodish joined EVOTEK in 2018. Under her hands-on leadership as CFO and board member, the business got the No. 1 spot on SDBJ’s 2022 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in the large category. She was SDBJ’s CFO of the Year in 2021 and made CRN’s Women of the Channel Power 40 and Power 60 lists. With more than 20 years’ experience in management and consulting leadership, Rodish has directed all aspects of service delivery, project management, client relations and global operations. Living in Belgium for two years, she led process integration across seven countries. Prior to joining EVOTEK, Rodish was the managing partner and vice president of professional services for 3RP. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles at Ports America, Troon Golf, Metier, Disney Parks and MSC Software. Rodish carries a bachelor’s degree in business management from University of La Verne.

FRANCES ROSAL

General Accounting Branch Head

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)

Frances Rosal is General Accounting Branch Head at Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). Rosal earned her bachelor of science degree in accountancy from the California State University, Northridge, and her executive master of business administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Prior to government service, Rosal was a Senior Auditor and Consultant at Ernst & Young, LLP. She was also a Director of the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society in Sigonella, Italy. She became a government civilian in 2007, when she became the Regional Business Financial Manager for the Fleet Logistics Center in Sigonella. In 2015, she joined the NAVWAR Accounting Team. She became the General Accounting Branch Head in 2021. Rosal is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Defense Financial Manager and holds a Financial Management Certification Level 3. She can be reached at charo.rosal@yahoo.com or 619-846-1761.

KELLY SCARBEL Director of Corporate Accounting Cibus

Kelly Scarbel, CPA, is Director of Corporate Accounting at Cibus in San Diego. She is a results-oriented accounting and finance professional with both hands-on and management experiences in global accounting functions, financial reporting and FP&A. Her supervisor describes her as the consummate professional who consistently leads her peers across organizations by setting a positive example. She is able to create productive work atmospheres in dynamically changing environments. While she manages a team of six individuals very effectively, Scarbel is a hands-on workhorse. While allowing teammates opportunities to take responsibility, when there is a priority job to be done for the F&A team and the company, Scarbel always prioritizes appropriately, rolls up her sleeves, contributes and gets the job done. Outside of work, she is an absolutely wonderful and graceful parent and maintains very high quality volunteer commitments. She can be reached at kscarbel@cibus.com or 201-400-7535.

KAYLA SCHULTZ Partner CohnReznick LLP

Kayla Schultz is a CohnReznick assurance partner serving public and private companies across a variety of industries, notably renewable energy and technology. She serves as a national assurance instructor for CohnReznick and has led numerous internal and external trainings including renewable energy accounting seminars as well as soft skills trainings. Her strong technical skills help her identify and resolve complex technical accounting issues including business combinations, investment accounting and consolidation, financial accounting modeling, revenue recognition, multifaceted equity and debt financing transactions, and leasing arrangements. She serves on the board of directors and executive committee of Cleantech San Diego. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. She received her B.S. in business administration, option in accountancy from California State University San Marcos. She can be reached at kayla.schultz@ cohnreznick.com or 858-300-3451.

TEAGAN SEMAN Chief Financial Officer Context Capital Management, LLC

Teagan G. Seman, CPA is CFO of Context Capital Management, LLC, an alternative asset management firm based in La Jolla and Greenwich, Connecticut. The firm manages capital on behalf of some of world’s most sophisticated single and multi-family offices as well as other institutions. As CFO, Seman oversees all cross-functional infrastructure and financial reporting for the firm including management of the firm’s relationship with its independent administrator as well as outside audit and tax firms. During Seman’s tenure at Context, she has institutionalized all aspects of the firm’s operations, finance and compliance efforts. Seman began her career at the Big Four public accounting firm Deloitte & Touche LP, where she worked in the financial institutions audit practice before transitioning to the tax practice. In 2017, she joined Headspace Inc. to help grow the accounting and finance department during the Series B fundraise, a time of exponential revenue growth.

Isabel Bernal VP and Corporate Controller Maravai LifeSciences

REBECCA SPANE CFO INDUS Technology

Rebecca Spane, CFO of INDUS, has over 21 years of accounting experience. She has been with INDUS, a government services provider, for over 11 years. She manages contracts, accounting and project control staff. Spane oversees the cost accumulation and allocation, A/P, A/R, payroll, labor distribution, revenue recognition, account reconciliations, ESOP and joint venture accounting. She is responsible for banking, cash management and investments. She is responsible for the development of the annual budget, interim financial and indirect rate forecasts. She provides monthly financial reports, monitors indirect rates, analyzes budget variances, coordinates DCAA and external audits ensuring a compliant accounting system with documented policies and procedures. She ensures compliance with FAR and government regulations and supports stock valuations. Spane holds a BA in economics from UCLA and an MA in accountancy from San Diego State University.

TAMMY STRAYHORN

Deputy Program Executive Officer, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I) for Management and Budget

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)

Tammy Strayhorn currently serves in the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) as the Deputy Program Executive Officer for Management and Budget for PEO C4I, where she is responsible for the efficient and effective use of approximately $4 billion per year of Department of Defense funding. She started her civilian service career in as a student aide supporting the Naval Ship Weapon Systems Engineering Station in Port Hueneme. She moved to San Diego to attend San Diego State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration. Strayhorn then joined the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest (NAVFAC SW). In 2006, she joined NAVWAR (then SPAWAR) as a business financial manager (BFM). In 2012, she transitioned to the NAVWAR headquarters BFM branch head position. Strayhorn is a Certified Defense Financial Manager and is fully certified in Business Financial Management. She can be reached at tammy.r.strayhorn. civ@us.navy.mil or 858-537-8709.

MICHELLE TALARICO Chief Financial Officer Biosero

As Chief Financial Officer, Michelle Talarico is responsible for all aspects of Biosero’s global finances. Since joining Biosero in April 2022, she has built out an entirely new finance department. She led the finance team as Biosero made the transition of being privately held to publicly held. She established processes for developing budgets, created clarity for the team and worked diligently to aid in the growth of the organization. Part of her work brought the former private company into compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (IFRS and GAAP). Talarico has more than 18 years of experience in finance roles. Previously she served as vice president of finance at eMolecules and as controller and finance manager at MeLLmo. Outside of the office, Talarico is involved with youth sports. She holds a bachelor of arts in accounting from Point Loma Nazarene University.

JOY TIMPLE Assurance Senior Manager Moss Adams LLP

Joy Timple, Assurance Senior Manager at Moss Adams, has practiced public accounting since 2009. She specializes in providing assurance services to middle-market clients in the technology, life science and manufacturing industries. Her experience includes financial statement audit engagements, private company and SEC reporting, audits and compliance, and managing all phases of the audit process. Timple leads teams during fieldwork, supervising staff and seniors and coordinating with audit teams in foreign locations and subsidiaries. Timple’s expertise also includes providing services for employee benefit plans, including numerous 401(k) plans, multiemployer health and welfare plans, employee stock ownership plans and pension plans. As a member of the Moss Adams Forum-W business resource group, Timple is willing to speak to groups about choices and options. She is also always willing to personally coach one-on-one as she is clear everyone’s journey is personal. She can be reached at joy. timple@mossadams.com.

CHIKAKO TYLER

Chief Financial Officer

California Bank & Trust

Chikako Tyler is Chief Financial Officer of California Bank & Trust (CB&T), responsible for development and execution of the bank’s financial and strategic plan. She was twice selected as one of the Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker. In 2016, she founded the Banking on Women Business Resource Group, the women’s diversity and inclusion initiative at CB&T. The program pairs seasoned executives with more junior CB&T employees to help them gain insights and confidence. So far, more than 60 women have received mentoring – and a career boost – from their more accomplished colleagues. She was selected from among 14,000 employees of Zions Bancorporation (of which CB&T is a subsidiary) to attend the International Women’s Forum Executive Leadership Fellows Program at Harvard University. Tyler holds an International MBA from the Amsterdam Business School and a B.S. in mathematics from UC Irvine.

ANGIE VANNATTA

Angie Vannatta has practiced public accounting since 2010. She provides tax compliance and planning services to closely held businesses and high net worth individuals, strongly focusing on family-owned real estate. Vannatta’s experience includes compliance tax filings at the federal, state and local levels for businesses and their owners; research and consultations on various tax matters for corporations, partnerships and LLCs; and IRS representation during examination and appeals. Her expertise also includes consulting with clients on transactional issues, entity structure and tax planning. Vannatta has been a leader on the front line of growing Moss Adams’ real estate and private client practices in San Diego and maintaining a motivated, productive and cohesive office workforce during a period of significant disruption. She also recently organized and hosted a virtual seminar geared toward inspiring and advising women on how to grow their professional careers. She can be reached at angie.vannatta@mossadams.com.

Martha Vasquez is Director of Finance and Accounting for R3. She has worked in the accounting and finance space for more than 30 years. She oversees operational and financial accounting for an approximately 200-person company with operations across 26 states and three countries primarily supporting the Department of Defense. In 2022, she led R3’s transition from an S to a C corporation, establishing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), including obtaining the financing, and led the company through its first formal corporate valuation process. In addition to being a proven financial leader, Vasquez has an exceptionally strong background in government accounting including Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) requirements, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and other regulations. She holds a B.S. in accountancy from the University of San Diego and a Certified Public Accountant certificate (inactive) from the State Board of Accountancy.

ALISON WEBER Chief Financial Officer San Diego Habitat for Humanity

Alison Weber has served as Chief Financial Officer of San Diego Habitat for Humanity since May 2019. She has more than 25 years of financial leadership experience. She maintained financial stability through COVID-19, working closely with banking partners to ensure that the organization was able to capture all available relief funding and maintain progress with its homebuilding efforts. Weber was previously CFO of the Dental Specialties Group of Henry Schein Inc., based in Carlsbad, for 10 years. Prior to that, Weber was with Cadbury Schweppes for 11 years, where she held several key finance positions in the United Kingdom, Mexico and the United States, until ultimately serving as CFO and vice president of finance for the Snapple Distribution Business. Weber is a U.K. Chartered Accountant and has an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at alison.weber@sandiegohabitat.org or 619-283-4663.

TARA WEISINGER

Principal, Director of Tax Services

Rowling & Associates LLC

Tara Weisinger, CPA is Principal and Director of Tax Services at Rowling & Associates LLC. She joined R&A in 2012. Alongside two other team members, she took ownership of the firm in 2020. As Director of Tax Services, her primary responsibilities include organizing tax return preparation and leading her team in providing personalized tax planning for clients. She hired and trained two team members in 2022 and has kept the firm and clients up to date on tax changes throughout the year. She has taken an active role in the CPA industry by working with the PFS Credential Committee and the CPA evolution. She leads R&A’s charitable committee, which is responsible for everything from client events to firm-wide charitable initiatives. These recently included a backpack drive and a holiday toy drive through STEP (Support the Enlisted Project). She can be reached at tara@ rowling.com or 619-295-0200.

Sylvia Wu is a partner with Baker Tilly’s tax practice. She has over 15 years of experience providing tax compliance, consulting and reporting services to closely held businesses and public multinationals and their owners. She works in a variety of industries including real estate, technology, manufacturing, energy and healthcare. She assists with specialists related to mergers and acquisition transactions, bankruptcy tax matters and international taxes. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, she had experience in performing services for private to public traded companies and high net worth individuals. For Sylvia Wu, 2023 is a banner year. Last June, she became a partner, one of two in the San Diego office. After exploring work with local, national and Big Four employers, she has landed at a firm where she is ready to thrive as a young leader. She can be reached at sylvia.wu@bakertilly.com or 619-516-8587.

This event recognizes our local chief financial officers’ great achievements within their companies and in the community.

4:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Hyatt Regency La Jolla At Aventine, 3777 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego

SPONSORS

Tax Senior Manager Moss Adams LLP

MARTHA VASQUEZ Director, Accounting and Finance R3

SYLVIA WU CPA, Partner Baker Tilly US, LLP

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

HIRINGS, PROMOTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS IN SAN DIEGO

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

BANKING

Gensler, global design, architecture, and planning firm would like to recognize the appointment of Elif Tinney to Principal in San Diego. Elif has over 22 years of experience focusing on workplace projects in technology, corporate, and financial markets. As a highly regarded design leader not only for the firm, but for her clients, team members, and the community, we look forward to the impact Elif will continue to make on a global level. Congratulations on your appointment! Elif can be reached at elif_tinney@gensler.com

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Former Calaveras County Counsel Megan Stedtfeld joins Singleton Schreiber Sacramento office as Of Counsel, bringing her wealth of experience in litigation involving public entities with her. Megan has dedicated her legal career to representing public agencies and is a seasoned public servant. Over the years, Megan has advised both public agencies through multiple states of emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency response for housing, localized flooding and debris flow occurrences, as well as being the lead in-house counsel in the litigation against PG&E related to the 2015 Butte Fire, resulting in a $25.4M settlement for Calaveras County.

ACCOUNTING/FINANCE Promotion

ACCOUNTING/FINANCE Promotion

Anthony Benintend

BANKING New Hire Anthony Benintend

Anthony Benintend has joined Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager with the San Diego Middle Market Commercial Banking team. Anthony has over 25 years of experience in finance, accounting, treasury, and investments. Prior to Joining Fifth Third, he was a Commercial Banker at Bank of America covering companies in greater San Diego.

ARCHITECTURE

PROMOTION

Daphne Magdaleno

JGD & Associates LLP, a leading CPA accounting firm in San Diego, is proud to announce its newest partner Daphne Magdaleno. A public accounting veteran, Magdaleno has almost 20 years of experience working with both private and publicly held companies in a variety of industries including technology, not-for-profit, hospitality, and manufacturing and distribution. Since joining JGD in 2022, Magdaleno has been instrumental in generating key new clients and developing a strong team of associates within JGD’s Assurance practice. In addition to her duties at JGD, Magdaleno has served on a number of boards, including her current role on the board at Kids Included Together, Inc, a nonprofit organization focused on teaching disability inclusive practices to people and organizations that serve kids.

JGD & Associates LLP, a leading CPA accounting firm in San Diego, is proud to announce its newest partner Daphne Magdaleno. A public accounting veteran, Magdaleno has almost 20 years of experience working with both private and publicly held companies in a variety of industries including technology, not-forprofit, hospitality, and manufacturing and distribution. Since joining JGD in 2022, Magdaleno has been instrumental in generating key new clients and developing a strong team of associates within JGD’s Assurance practice. In addition to her duties at JGD, Magdaleno has served on a number of boards, including her current role on the board at Kids Included Together, Inc, a nonprofit organization focused on teaching disability inclusive practices to people and organizations that serve kids.

JGD & Associates LLP, a leading CPA accounting firm in San Diego, is proud to announce its newest partner Daphne Magdaleno. A public accounting veteran, Magdaleno has almost 20 years of experience working with both private and publicly held companies in a variety of industries including technology, not-for-profit, hospitality, and manufacturing and distribution. Since joining JGD in 2022, Magdaleno has been instrumental in generating key new clients and developing a strong team of associates within JGD’s Assurance practice. In addition to her duties at JGD, Magdaleno has served on a number of boards, including her current role on the board at Kids Included Together, Inc, a nonprofit organization focused on teaching disability inclusive practices to people and organizations that serve kids.

David Irelan , LEED AP, a Senior Associate since 2019, joined the firm in 2013. He is the architectural project manager for Healthpeak Sorrento Gateway, a five-story life science building, set for completion this year. Irelan also spearheads the Pechanga Development Corporation tenant improvements to the Great Oak Steakhouse and Paisano’s restaurants at Pechanga Resort & Casino. He has been integral to a variety of Delawie projects including the Pechanga Resort & Casino Expansion, encompassing the 700,000-square foot high-rise hotel tower, and the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-irelan-leedap-84227213/

David Irelan, LEED AP

Alison N. Morita, LEED AP

Alison N. Morita, LEED AP was promoted to Associate in 2016 and has been with Delawie since 2005. She is the project manager of a variety of hospitality projects, including the Eldorado County Club Spa and Fitness Center in Indian Wells, Calif. and the Rancho La Quinta Sports & Fitness Center in La Quinta, Calif. Morita also lends her project manager expertise to the Helen Woodward Animal Center Education Building in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. During her Delawie tenure, Morita saw to the successful execution of the Montage Healdsburg, a five-star resort in Healdsburg, Calif., the Residence Inn Maui Wailea in Maui, Hawaii and the 8-acre BioLegend campus, including the 135,000-square foot main campus building.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-morita5865a4106/

Michael McGuire , an Associate since 2012, supports several science and technology projects at the firm, including a 44,000-square foot laboratory tenant improvement for BioLegend and an 80,000-square foot research and development lab conversion. In his decade with Delawie, McGuire’s design experience spans corporate, education and hospitality having been instrumental to several Qualcomm projects, the Andaz Scottsdale (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and a 2,000-seat performance venue – “The Show” – at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mcguire5444b148/

We know the advancements of these valuable members of Delawie leadership to Principal will continue our success as one of San Diego’s premiere architecture and interior design firms.

Elif Tinney

HIRINGS, PROMOTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS IN SAN DIEGO

HIRINGS, PROMOTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS IN SAN DIEGO

Daphne Magdaleno

Michael McGuire

Megan Stedtfeld

HIRINGS, PROMOTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS IN SAN DIEGO

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal repre-

sentative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

Decedent died on September 13, 2022, at San Diego, California. A resident of the county named above, San Diego.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 04/25/2023 at 10:30 am. in Dept. 504 at the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, 1100 Union Street, 5TH Floor, San Diego, CA 92101, Central Courthouse.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent

Balance

¨ from page 8

one in San Diego?’” he said. “I visited their centers in Orange County and Angeles and saw it was legit. I saw reviews from all over the country, with the vast majority saying great things about it.”

The Brain Balance program integrates key elements necessary to drive development and brain connectivity, taking a comprehensive, whole-person, integrative approach to getting to the root causes of challenges. This includes sensory engagement, core muscle strength and coordination, eye tracking, auditory processing, academic

Influence

¨ from page 3

based in East Village, a more conventional video and photo production company that works with a variety of commercial clients.

“We shoot a lot of digital ads,” Hensler said.

For Influence Studios, Hensler signed a 10-year lease on a 3,800-square-foot Miramar building at 7630 Miramar Road that had been Crossfit 858

Spending about $400,000 on renovations, he took the former fitness studio down to the bare bones and filled it with a series of

Tourism

¨ from page 3

re-chartered nine times. Past boards have provided advice on a wide range of policies and issues, including travel facilitation, visa policy, infrastructure, aviation security, tourism research, climate and economic sustainability.

“We were pleased to select Julie Coker to serve on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory board, and we look forward to working with her as the travel and tourism industry continues to recover from the pandemic,” said Mark Keam, deputy assistant secretary for Travel and Tourism,

BIOTONE

¨ from page 12

people and have less than $50 million in annual revenues. The company uses a special badge to identify brands like BIOTONE.

Jen Rhodes, BIOTONE’s sales manager for 12 years, said the Amazon partnership is a major step for the company that has just 25 employees. “Even though we’re self-sufficient and we have the ability to market our products and ship them, when Amazon tells you they want to put it through their fulfillment process, it’s a big deal,” Rhodes said.

exercises and nutritional guidance. When combined, the program’s research-based components focus on strengthening weaker areas of the brain. Pak says the balanced brain allows for the development of skills and tools necessary to function at a higher level.

Brain Balance offers personalized in-center sessions, at-home activities and nutrition program that work together to bolster development.

Pak opened the first Brain Balance in 2019 in Carmel Mountain Ranch, and with many of the clients coming from the South Bay, he added a second site in Chula Vista in 2021. Pak said the demographics showed that many other

sets including a bathroom, bedroom, dining room, living room, bedroom, bathroom, coffee shop, a white brick wall and a Zen space.

“The kitchen is a big hit,” Hensler said. “People also shoot in the bathroom a lot because it’s hard to fit all the gear you need in a typical bathroom.”

Each set has special lighting for video. The lights can be controlled with a smart phone or traditional remote. Additional lighting features such as sun flares and slashes can be added to each set for an additional cost.

Rental rates for the studio are $200 for the first four hours and $150 an hour for each additional hour.

International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Attracting Visitors to the U.S.

“As citizen members of this board, Julie and her colleagues from the private sector will provide our agency with on-the-ground insights and expert recommendations to help us better execute the new National Travel and Tourism Strategy, which will attract more visitors to the United States and enhance their experiences of the many great destinations in our country.”

The San Diego Tourism Authority’s mission is to drive visitor demand to economically benefit the San Diego region.

The SDTA is comprised of more than 900

But Shea and Rhodes both say they are most excited about the company’s evolving presence through the decades, continually looking for opportunities for BIOTONE to expand.

That eye for growth most recently involved the company branching out with a new line of products under a different label – EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Lotion and Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream. Both were crafted specifically to help relieve and protect the dry, cracked skin often associated with diabetes.

The products use zinc acetate to offer enhanced relief, repair cracking, restore

Memorable

Beach¨ from page 8

turns into a piece of public art.” Positioned about halfway down the pier, the shade structure also is a place where walkers can take a break. “We’re going to add some furniture under the shade structure as well,” Malcolm said.

The initial enhancement work on the pier included painting the buildings on the pier in bright colors and adding murals along the pier paying homage to the fishing history of the pier and the nearby surfing.

“It’s just a really cool thing,” Malcom said. “If you walk down the pier, you’re going to see a number of murals to

clients lived in North County, and so earlier this month, Brain Balance added a third spot in Encinitas. The three sites have about 60 students altogether.

Pak said that Brain Balance and its instructors work on all aspects of sensory development; gross and fine motor skills; core strengthening and primitive reflexes; and visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile processing. He said he has seen life changing work at the center by providing kids the tools they need to succeed.

The business also regularly collaborates with schools and community partners to promote healthy habits, brain exercises and best practices for healthy development. Pak and his team have

Planning More

Hensler said he had a “soft opening” for Influence Studios in May 2022 and is formally opening the studio this year.

“We’ve already started getting a bunch of repeat bookings,” Hensler said.

Bookings so far have been “a good mix between independent photographers shooting for their clients for two to three hours and bigger agencies renting the studio to shoot bigger campaigns,” Hensler said. “We’ve done a fair amount of collaboration with influencers as well.”

Clients have included Colgate, Manscaped, Dockatot, and The Good Patch Hensler said that Influence Studios is

member organizations, businesses, local governments and individuals.

Tourism is the second largest segment of San Diego’s economy and employs about 200,000 people across more than 12,000 businesses.

“I am excited to talk with travel professionals across the country about where we are as an industry and how we move forward,” Coker said.

Coker said that the advisory board meetings will be hybrid, with some in person, and some through electronic means. She said she was looking forward to going to meetings in Washington, D.C. because a lot of convention customers are in that area.

She also said that San Diego’s concerns,

moisture and soothe itching. They also contain shea butter to trap moisture, and lecithin, which is an active penetration enhancer. The foot cream is being sold in the diabetic department inside 6,400 Walgreens drug stores, the lotion in 2,200 stores, and all are available online at Walgreens.com

“What we’re finding is that the number of people with diabetes is growing and there is an increasing need for products that are formulated to help their very dry skin,” Rhodes said.

Diabetes is one of the country’s leading health issues, affecting more than 37 million Americans, or about 1 in 10,

also hosted more than 30 free webinars in areas of ADHD, learning challenges, sensory processing, behavior and anxiety.

“I love what I do, I love my team,” he said. “Life is incredibly short. I am not motivated by driving the best car or living in the best house. I want to go to bed every night knowing i did my best today. If I die tomorrow, I want to know I did the best I could. I know my mission is to help others, people, the environment and animals, without greed, without being money motivated. When parents tell me stories about their kids’ success, all these wins we celebrate. That feeds us. When you do things right, it all comes together.” „

“the first turnkey production rental space that comes with pre-styled and pre-lit sets.”

“While many people are rushing to catch up to the future of content creation, we built something really high quality that is significantly far beyond what else is out there,” Hensler said. “ It reduces production costs, increases quality and adds variety.”

Hensler said his goal is to open three studios in San Diego County in the immediate future, then expand.

“We’re looking at other cities in California and we’re also looking at other cities throughout the country,” Hensler said. „

including travel facilitation, aviation security and visa policy impact travel across the country, but are especially key issues locally. “The confidence that travelers have in travel, especially air travel, really is important to San Diego,” Coker said. “Having the opportunity to work on opportunities and challenges like that really are important. In some countries, the wait time to get a visa approved has really skyrocketed.

“And some of those countries are key countries for us here in San Diego. So being able to work with travel leaders on those types of issues and policies that the Secretary may be considering is really important for us.” „

according to the Centers for Disease Control. High blood glucose levels may cause greater loss of fluid from the body leading to dry skin on the legs, elbows, feet, and other areas, making these areas more susceptible to infection.

“Diabetes is not only increasing in the United States but in other countries as well,” Shea said. “It’s an unbelievable problem for people. And some people don’t know they are diabetic or pre-diabetic. Looking into the future, we will continue our quest to develop products for the professional as well as products specifically addressing the needs of the diabetic.” „

reflect the city’s history and heritage.”

Newly elected Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre said that the pier improvements “reflect our town’s character and vibe” with its marine-life themes and references to surfing.

The new look will give anyone who walks the pier “an incredibly memorable experience,” Aguirre said.

Still to come are additional pier

extensions with cable railings and a second shade canopy near the foot of the pier.

Paying homage to the city’s surfing culture, the second shade canopy will be designed to simulate the surface of the water with people beneath the structure will have a sense of being submerged looking up at the bottom of a surfboard. „

These indexes list the people, businesses, associations, organizations, etc.,that are named in this week’s issue. The numbers refer to the page on which the name is found.

4909

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

BARB CHODOS | bchodos@sdbj.com

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

ARMON MILLS | armon.mills@gmail.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

GEORGE LURIE | glurie@sdbj.com

VICE PRESIDENT, ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATION

LUIS MARTINEZ | martinez@sdbj.com

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

DARIN ESSA | dessa@sdbj.com

MANAGING EDITORS

BRAD GRAVES | bradg@sdbj.com

JEFF CLEMETSON | jclemetson@sdbj.com

REPORTERS

JEFF CLEMETSON | jclemetson@sdbj.com

BRAD GRAVES | bradg@sdbj.com

RAY HUARD | rhuard@sdbj.com

KAREN PEARLMAN | kpearlman@sdbj.com

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

DONALD BLOODWORTH | dbloodworth@sdbj.com

SALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

MATTHEW BECKER | mbecker@sdbj.com

DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS & LOCAL BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

JIM BARKER | jbarker@sdbj.com

DIRECTOR OF EVENT SALES & PHILANTHROPY

ANNMARIE GABALDON | amgabaldon@sdbj.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

JIM BARKER | jbarker@sdbj.com

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Rick Bregman President, Bank of America San Diego