SDBJ WEEKLY EDITION
Castillo Named CEO at San Diego Food Bank
NONPROFITS: Longtime CFO Takes Helm at Key Support Agency
Casey Castillo has been named the new CEO at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Castillo, 45, the organization’s longtime chief financial officer, had been serving as interim CEO at the Food Bank since Jim Floros stepped down in July 2021.
Training for Body and Mind
Martial Arts Academy Helps Students with Coordination, Focus and Self-Esteem
Driving along Miramar Road after he was laid off from his job of nearly three years at Qualcomm a little more than 25 years ago, Tom Thai wasn’t sure what the future would hold. But as he headed home from Sorrento Valley on that day in March 1996, Thai had to pass the martial arts studio.
California Cuisine and Much More at InsideOUT
Catering to Hillcrest’s ‘In’ and ‘Out’ Crowd
Native San Diegan Paris Quion, who started her career in the Hillcrest LGBTQ community as an entertainer and volunteer, is now general manager of one of the area’s top restaurants.
Comic Book Store Stays ‘Super’ Busy with Loyal Customer Base
Comickaze’s Sells Hot Commodities
When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the livelihood of myriad businesses throughout San Diego County in early 2020, locals came to the rescue of one of San Diego’s iconic comic book stores.
Black Tie Gala Nets $1M for Father Joe’s
SDBJ Insider
Father Joe’s Villages’ signature black-tie event raised more than $1 million last week, a first for the annual gala, which benefits critical programs and services for children and families experiencing homelessness in San Diego.
Tea for More Than Just Two
PARU Tea Brews Up Special Blends in Point Loma as Well as La Jolla
If you’re a fan of beverages that go beyond merely offering hydration, and you like the idea of sustainable practices, local business owners Amy Truong and Lani Gobaleza just may be – and have – your cup of tea.
Q&A: Ric Militi Keeps Growing His ‘Anti-Agency’
MEDIA: InnoVision Rolls Out New Hispanic Division; Notches 110% Growth
As he celebrates a decade in business and rolls out a new Hispanic division, InnoVision Founder and CEO Ric Militi is the calm in the eye of the creative storm. Or at least he tries to be.
The San Diego Foundation Rallies to Support Working Parents
NONPROFITS: Taking A Closer Look at San Diego’s Childcare Needs
Two reports commissioned by local nonprofit The San Diego Foundation and shared in April shed light on a continuing challenge for working parents: How to best navigate in an era in which the affordability and availability of childcare in San Diego County is a growing challenge.
Business Travel, Conventions Revving Back Up
TOURISM: Nearly 4M Passengers Fly into San Diego in Q1
While leisure travel has rebounded strongly in 2022, local tourism officials say business travel and convention business is also starting to perk up. But a full recovery may still be two to three years away.
American Soju’s Sojourn Hits Restart Button
A Spirited Comeback for Local Korean Vodka
For those who enjoy vodka, but not the lasting effects it sometimes brings, North County resident Marc Song has some good news for you: After a couple of years on COVID-19 hiatus, Song’s 2016 creation American Soju is finding its way back into markets across Southern California.
Fleet Evolves, Ship Repair in Flux
Association Tracks Arrivals, Departures, Decommissionings
As U.S. Navy officials continue to deliberate the size and makeup of their fleet, the Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association watches for clues about what its future workload will look like.
Raytheon Supports DDG 1000 Ships
Approximately $106 Million of Work to Be Performed in San Diego
The U.S. Navy awarded the Raytheon Missiles & Defense segment of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX) a one-year, $482.7 million contract for work on its Zumwalt-class destroyers. Some 22% of the work, estimated at $106.2 million, will be performed in San Diego, where the ships are based.
Deuce Aiming for No. 1
RETAIL: Athletic Gear Firm Calling Some Shots in NBA
While they may have come up short in fulfilling their gridiron dreams, best friends and business partners Gary Hughes and Tom Malloy have made impressive strides in the world of sports fashion.
New NIL Program Debuts at SDSU
SPORTS: Local Businesses Encouraged to Partner with Student-Athletes
If you think you may have seen San Diego State men’s soccer captain and defender Kyle Colonna in advertisements for a sports nutrition company or SDSU softball first baseman/catcher Alexis Otero promoting a line of athletic clothing, you aren’t mistaken.
French-Vietnamese Taste Combo Hooks Patrons at Kingfisher
RESTAURANTS: Phan Sisters Create Food Fusion
At first glance, it might seem odd that Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Eatery, a restaurant that opened in January in Golden Hill, marries the culinary styles of two quite diverse countries, partnering ingredients favored by chefs from France and those from Vietnam.
Choice Superfood Bar and Juicery Keeps Growing
RESTAURANTS: Founder Publishes New Cookbook
The idea of eating food that is good for the body, good for the mind and good for the planet is not lost on local restaurateur Nastasha McKeon.
Padres Unveil Sweet New Suites at Petco Park
SPORTS: Upgrade a Hit with Baseball Fans
The executive leaders with the San Diego Padres have upgraded the team’s luxury suites at Petco Park and continue to support San Diego County-based food and beverage partners, clearly demonstrating that the only professional sports team in town is in touch with the local business community.
‘Smart’ Businesses Progressing Toward Inclusivity
REPORT: Employers Must Focus on ‘Inclusive’ Economic Development
To stay competitive in the global marketplace, San Diego County businesses, educators and other stakeholders in the region need to step up and look at ways to stay on top of hiring needs of the future - and that means a push toward more inclusive development.
San Diego Zoo Names New Executive Director
TOURISM: Erika Kohler, Former Interim ED, Gets Nod
As a child growing up in Macomb in west central Illinois, Erika Kohler was moved by the compassionate actions of a local man who was part of a second family to her.
Global Student Entrepreneurs Awarded by EO San Diego
NONPROFITS: Winner of Pitch Competition is USD Student from Africa
Lucien Eloundou put the “global” in this year’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards – a competition for students who own and operate a business while attending college put on by the San Diego chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO).
Professionals Lauded at Int’l Gold Key Awards
HOSPITALITY: Mayor Gloria Praises Industry’s Key Civic Contributions
With San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria heaping praise on the city’s entire hotel and hospitality industry, eight local professionals in particular were honored at the San Diego County Lodging Association and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Gold Key Awards event held earlier this month.
Conscious Capitalism Sponsoring Premiere of New Documentary
EVENTS: Film Focuses on High-Stakes Company Turnaround
The San Diego chapter of the global Conscious Capitalism movement is hosting a screening of the new documentary film ‘Beyond Zero’ on May 25 at the Cohn Restaurant Group’s Coasterra on Harbor Island Drive.
Rx for Plastics Pollution
ESG: Dr. Bronner’s Prescribes Climate Action
“The earth is in crisis right now, and with climate change and our plastic problem, we all have to start doing more.” So says Michael Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s.
Organizations Team Up to Help Military Spouse Entrepreneurs
An entrepreneurship program for military spouses, leveraging the talents of three organizations, has kicked off its third cohort.
9am.health Closes $16M Series A
HEALTHCARE: Round to Fuel Fast-Growing Virtual Diabetes Clinic
San Diego-based 9am.health, a fast-growing virtual diabetes clinic that delivers personalized care directly to consumers, has closed a $16 million Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to date to nearly $20 million.
JPMorgan Economist Glassman Shares Outlook on Economy
Despite an escalating war in Ukraine, high inflation, soaring gas prices, an economy still emerging from a pandemic and an anticipated rate hike by the Federal Reserve Bank, there are still reasons to remain optimistic about the strength of the economy in 2022.
Loving San Diego Easy at Cleanup Event
NONPROFITS: I Love A Clean SD ‘Getting People Mobilized’ Again
It’s been two years since environmental champion I Love A Clean San Diego was able to host sites throughout San Diego County for its biggest litter removal event of the year – the annual Creek to Bay Cleanup.
Super Dentist Pens ‘If Your Mouth Could Talk’
HEALTHCARE: Dr. Kami Hoss Wants to Revolutionize Dentistry
Local orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist Dr. Kami Hoss wants to reinvent the dental patient care paradigm – especially as it pertains to the youngest patients.
SD Foundation Earmarks $10M for Affordable Housing
NONPROFITS: Project a Partnership with San Diego County
The San Diego Foundation has given a $10 million grant to the County of San Diego to build 10,000 units of affordable housing throughout the region.
Cooking Sustainably at The Honest Kitchen
MANUFACTURING: Pet Food Firm Closes $150M Funding Round
San Diego’s The Honest Kitchen is adding more of the ingredients a company needs to continue to grow in the pet food industry.
