CARLSBAD: Phoenix Footwear CEO Resigns; 17 Jobs Cut
Amid discussions of dropping some operations, Phoenix Footwear Group CEO Cathy Taylor and Chief Financial Officer Doug Ford stepped down from their positions.
They were among 17 job cuts that the shoemaker said will save $2.5 million annually. The staff reductions became effective Feb. 16, the day they were announced.
Russell Hall is the new CEO and Dennis Nelson the CFO. Hall has been with Phoenix Footwear since 2000. Nelson had been the controller since June.
Its stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange as PXG. On Feb. 13, the last day of trading before the announcement, shares closed at 31 cents, up 2 cents from the previous day’s closing price. The stock’s 52-week range was 22 cents to $2.10.
, Connie Lewis
CHULA VISTA: Council OKs Settlement With Ex-City Manager
The City Council approved paying $170,000 to former City Manager David Garcia on Feb. 9 in a settlement regarding his firing.
The council fired Garcia on Sept. 16 following allegations of his misuse of a city computer, but refused to pay him any severance. Garcia was paid $225,000 annually.
The city hired Jim Sandoval, its former planning director, in December to succeed Garcia.
, Mike Allen
VISTA: Cal-a-Vie Completes Olympic-Size Project
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa says it built an Olympic-size, 250,000-gallon pool with four lanes as part of its improvement program.
The heated pool allows the resort to provide guests with aquatic classes, lap swimming and swimming lessons. Cal-a-Vie declined to reveal the cost of the project.
, Mike Allen
EL CAJON: Taylor Guitars Taking Its Show on the Road
Taylor Guitars says it will kick off its annual road show at dealerships nationwide next month.
Now in its third year, the in-store event highlights Taylor’s guitar making process with insights from employees who work in its local factory. In 2008, Taylor brought its road show to 150 locations in England, Germany and the U.S. This year, it begins with stops in California and Oklahoma, and then travels to Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The manufacturer will showcase electric guitars at select locations.
With a production record of 80,000 guitars, including the introduction of the SolidBody electric and Liberty Tree T5 guitars, new product innovations and expanded international distribution, Taylor says 2008 was a record year of growth with sales exceeding $60 million.
, Heather Chambers
LA MESA: District Making Healthy Upgrades to Hospital
The Grossmont Healthcare District, which oversees voter-approved bonds for capital improvements at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, said Feb. 16 that it awarded design contracts to two architectural firms.
The agency’s board voted unanimously to approve a $3.5 million agreement with Syska Hennessy Group of New York for design on a central energy plant to be located near the hospital’s women’s center. The plant is scheduled for completion in November.
It also unanimously approved a $445,000 contract to Alberta, Canada-based Stantec to design medical, electrical and plumbing upgrades to the nursing unit in the hospital’s east tower.
In June 2006, voters approved a $247 million bond measure intended to fund improvements to the hospital, which was built in 1952. The bonds are projected to fund capital infrastructure improvements through 2013.
, Heather Chambers
SAN MARCOS: School’s Doors Blow Open at Windy Point
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences has opened a graduate physical therapy school in Windy Point Corporate Center.
The university, which also has a campus in Florida, offers graduate degrees in occupational and physical therapy. Administrators say the lease allows the university to grow in phases as enrollment increases.
Sawtooth Development Group built Windy Point. Phase I consists of 40,000 square feet in two buildings. The university will eventually lease 75,000 square feet in all, with an option to buy.
An additional 25,000-square-foot building will be ready for the school to occupy in fall 2010, with an additional 4 acres available for expansion, according to the broker on the deal, Grubb & Ellis|BRE Commercial.
, Ned Randolph
ESCONDIDO: Chamber Gets Down to Business Before 9
The Chamber of Commerce is holding a networking breakfast Feb. 27.
The event, billed as “Business Before 9,” starts at 7:30 a.m. at Romano’s Macaroni Grill, 202 E. Via Rancho Parkway. For more information, call the chamber at 760-745-2125.
, Ned Randolph
NATIONAL CITY: Cafe Looks to Heat Up Casual Dining Scene
Dallas-based CBC Restaurant has opened Corner Bakery Cafe in Westfield Plaza Bonita Shopping Center. The casual dining eatery has an outdoor patio and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering items such as desserts, salads, sandwiches and soups.
There are 100 Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants nationwide, including a Mission Valley location.
CBC says it serves 25 million guests annually, with average sales of $2.3 million per restaurant.
, Michelle Mowad
OCEANSIDE: Institute to Say ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ Soon
The MediaTech Institute is opening a recording arts and digital filmmaking school this spring.
The school leased a 5,000-square-foot facility on Oceanside Boulevard late last year and tenant improvements are ongoing. Tenant improvements and the investment in technologies are $1 million, according to the school.
The school will offer one-year programs in audio engineering and studio techniques, producing, songwriting, and film direction and production.
MediaTech Institute has locations in Austin, Texas, Dallas and Houston.
, Michelle Mowad
IMPERIAL BEACH: Chamber Members Get Their Marching Orders
The nation’s most southwesterly chamber has laid out its March schedule.
The Chamber of Commerce board meets at 5 p.m. March 11 at APS Marine Services and Equipment, 706A Seacoast Drive.
The chamber holds a catered networking breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. March 26 at Dempsey Holder Center, 950 Ocean Lane.
The chamber requests RSVPs to 619-424-3151.
, Brad Graves
POWAY: Seeking Exposure for Your Biz? Sign Up Now
The Chamber of Commerce business expo is still a few weeks away, but the deadline for exhibitor applications is drawing near. Applications are due Feb. 27.
The expo itself, which includes food tastings, runs from 3 to 7 p.m. March 19 in the storefront at 12369 Poway Road, next to the Michael’s store.
Call 858-748-0016 for information.
, Brad Graves
SAN DIEGO: TV Stations Tuning Into the Digital Age
Four local TV stations planned to switch from analog to digital broadcasting Feb. 17. Channels 6, 8, 10 and 69 were scheduled to start offering digital TV, which enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality, according to the federal government’s Web site about the transition.
Channel 15 is set to make the change in early April, while Channels 39 and 51 say they will switch June 12.
, Connie Lewis
