Biz News: New-home neighborhood at Great Park has grand opening this weekend
Home shoppers can tour new models Saturday and Sunday during the grand opening of CalAtlantic Homes’ Legend at Beacon Park, the last of 15 new-home collections in the Beacon Park neighborhood of Irvine’s Great Park master-planned community.
The neighborhood offers three home designs priced from the upper $1 millions and ranging up to 4,764 square feet.
*
Irvine chamber picks new chairman
The Irvine Chamber of Commerce recently named Isaiah Leslie to be its board chairman for 2015-16.
Leslie, 38, has been a board member since 2008. He owns two businesses, Regal Court Reporting and Regality Media, both based in Santa Ana.
He succeeds Robert Braithwaite, chief executive of Hoag Hospital, as chamber chairman.
“Isaiah Leslie was chosen by a group of experienced leaders for his tenacity, political knowledge, commitment and passion for the business community,” Tallia Hart, chamber president and CEO, said in a statement. “As an entrepreneur, he understands the challenges that face our community. Isaiah is relatable and has a demeanor and voice that has the ability to impact change.”
In a news release, Leslie said he will work to expand the chamber’s international presence.
*
Hoag Hospital recognized for safety, neurosurgery and spine programs
Hoag Hospital facilities in Newport Beach and Irvine recently got an “A” rating for safety from the Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes health-care safety, quality and affordability.
The selection was based on the results of Leapfrog’s annual measure of hospitals’ performance on patient safety and quality, according to a news release.
“Hoag is honored to be recognized as one of the top hospitals in the nation for patient safety and quality,” Robert Braithwaite, Hoag’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “We pride ourselves on providing the highest-quality health-care services to the communities we serve, and it is a privilege to be acknowledged for that nationally by Leapfrog.”
Hoag also received distinction for the second year in a row from Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Neurosurgery and Spine Programs,” according to a news release.
*
Planet Beauty event raises $8,000 for CHOC
About 250 people turned out for the 10th annual Planet Beauty charity gala in Newport Beach, helping to raise $8,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
During the three-hour event Dec. 3, guests could visit beauty vendors, a braid bar and hairstyling demonstrations.
*
Company considers moving base from Irvine from Texas
Illinois-based Velocity Holding Co. Inc. is considering relocating its Motorsport Aftermarket Group and MAG Retail headquarters from Irvine to Texas.
The holding company is asking the city of Irving for an estimated $83,000 in economic incentives for a 10-year lease to move the headquarters to a new 38,000-square-foot building, according to a Dallas Business Journal report.
To get the incentives, the Motorsport Aftermarket Group and MAG Retail division would need to, among other things, maintain at least 141 employees with an average wage of $70,000 per year and occupy the building by Dec. 31, 2017, the report said.
*
Surveillance business acquires Irvine-based company
UTC Aerospace Systems has announced it has acquired N2 Imaging Systems LLC of Irvine.
The acquisition will complement UTC Aerospace Systems’ intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance business and add new technology to the company’s capabilities supporting the U.S. military in global strategic, operational and tactical operations, according to a news release.
UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp.
“Adding our experience in designing, developing and fielding sophisticated technology to the innovation of N2 will further support on-time execution of the Army’s enhanced night vision goggle program,” John Trezza, vice president and general manager of UTC Aerospace Systems’ Force Protection business, said in a statement.
The N2 Imaging Systems business will continue to be based in Irvine.
*
Pelican Hill names director of sales, marketing
The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach announced the appointment of Virgil Napier as director of sales and marketing.
Napier, who brings more than 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality to the role, will oversee leisure sales, weddings, group meetings and catering and conference services.
*
Costa Mesa attorney receives award
Lei Lei Wang Ekvall, a partner and co-founder of Smiley Wang-Ekvall, was selected by the Orange County Bankruptcy Forum as its 2015 recipient of the Hon. Peter M. Elliott Award.
The award is given to someone “who demonstrates substantial knowledge of bankruptcy law, serves as a mentor or educator within the community, possesses the highest level of honesty, and works to enhance and improve access to justice,” according to a news release from the Costa Mesa-based law firm.
Wang Ekvall serves on the bankruptcy forum’s board of directors.
*
OticPharma names board chairman
OticPharma Ltd., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company with offices in Irvine and Israel, has announced the appointment of Keith Katkin as chairman of the company’s board of directors.
The company focuses on acquiring and developing therapies for ear, nose and throat disorders.
Katkin is the president and chief executive officer of Avanir Pharmaceuticals in Aliso Viejo.
*
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp names replacement for retiring CEO
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp in Costa Mesa said commercial banking president Thomas Vertin will replace Chief Executive Steven Buster effective Jan. 1, after Buster retires, according to an Orange County Business Journal report.
Vertin, 62, has been with Pacific Mercantile since 2012. He previously worked at Silicon Valley Bank and Irvine-based Carpenter & Co., Pacific Mercantile’s majority owner, the report said.
*
Bank hires new managing director in Newport
Ziegler, a specialty investment bank and full-service brokerage firm, has hired John Solarczyk as a managing director in its Newport Beach office.
Solarczyk brings more than 20 years of banking experience to Ziegler. He previously served as a public finance banker and underwriter, spending most of his career as a banker at De La Rosa & Co.
“I’m excited to join a firm with the 100-year history and well-earned reputation of Ziegler, especially as the public finance landscape is constantly growing more challenging,” Solarczyk said in a statement.
*
Sares-Regis fund acquires Covina apartment complex
A 216-unit apartment development in Covina is the first acquisition by the Sares-Regis Value-Add Multifamily Fund II, sponsored by Irvine-based Sares-Regis Group, a privately held firm that acquires, develops and manages residential and business space..
The 11-acre Vista Pointe Apartment Homes community, which the fund purchased from TIAA-CREF, was developed in 1985. It has tennis courts, pools, spas and two dog parks.
*
Union leaders join statewide board
Two Orange County labor leaders have joined the California Labor Federation’s executive board.
Jennifer Muir, general manager of the Orange County Employees Assn., and Julio Perez, executive director of the Orange County Labor Federation, received the appointments.
The California Labor Federation is composed of more than 1,200 unions from a variety of fields, including the public sector, health care and construction.