Biz News: Costa Mesa chamber names new CEO and president
The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce announced Friday that Eileen Clifton-Benjamin is the chamber’s new chief executive, replacing Kyle Woosley, who left the organization in May for reasons that were not made public.
The chamber also named Tom Johnson, former publisher of the Daily Pilot, as its new president.
Clifton-Benjamin and Johnson officially will start Aug. 1. Both will be formally introduced at the chamber’s golf tournament July 25 at the Mesa Verde Country Club.
ASICS HQ designers to speak at Pacific Club
Commercial Real Estate Women, Orange County will have an event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. The invited speakers designed the ASICS North American headquarters in Irvine.
The cost is $60 for members and $80 for guests. For more information, visit crew-oc.org.
Pizza Press expands with new Costa Mesa restaurant
The Pizza Press, a build-your-own pizza place themed like a 1920s newspaper, has opened a new location at Metro Pointe at South Coast in Costa Mesa.
The restaurant near the Edwards movie theater is open from 11 a.m. to midnight daily. Pizza Press replaces Finbars Italian Kitchen, which closed this past spring.
Pizza Press also has locations in Orange, Fullerton and Anaheim.
Irvine company launches Yummi social network about food
An Irvine-based company recently launched Yummi, a free social network devoted to food. It’s available for the iPhone.
Promoters say the network takes its cues from others, such as Instagram, Yelp and Tinder.
“Yummi offers a social journal that will transform how we remember, share and discover food within a personal trusted network,” the free app’s description says. “The app makes it incredibly easy and convenient to find yummy places where your friends have been to eat.”
Bascom, Village Partners form new venture
The Bascom Group, a private equity firm in Irvine, and Village Partners, a real estate development company in Newport Beach, have formed a new joint venture called Village Partners Ventures LLC.
The group will focus on transit-oriented and mixed-use multifamily development opportunities in Southern California, with plans to invest $200 million in the next four years.
Indiana company acquires Irvine electronics firm
Royal Adhesives and Sealants LLC of South Bend, Ind., has acquired Irvine-based Bacon Adhesives.
Bacon develops and manufactures electrical and thermally conductive adhesives for aerospace and defense communications, avionics, satellite and other applications, according to a news release.
Newport teens appear on ‘All-American Makers’ show
Two Newport Beach teenagers — Deja and Canyon Viau — were featured earlier this year on the Discovery Science Channel’s “All-American Makers” show for Backpal, an insert on student backpacks that helps manage weight.
The siblings also started Freshman Inventors, which they describe as an “incubator” for student entrepreneurs.
Recovery company gets commission nod
Cedar Creek Recovery, a subsidiary of Costa Mesa-based Solid Landings Behavioral Health, received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval.
Cedar Creek, based in Texas, was credited for its compliance with behavioral healthcare standards.
Ad agency secures Newport Beach office space
Brandtailers, an advertising and marketing agency, recently signed a five-year lease for space at Avalon, an office building at 1501 Quail St. in Newport Beach.
The company plans to move from its Irvine office later this year.
Avalon was developed by Bixby Land Co., based in Newport Beach.
Nekter Juice Bar wins industry award
Nekter Juice Bar, which started in Costa Mesa on East 17th Street in 2010, has been selected to receive the 2016 Hot Concepts Award from Nation’s Restaurant News.
The chain, which has since expanded to other states, was credited for its fresh fruit and vegetable juices and other menu offerings. The company will receive the award in October at a conference in Dallas.
“Without a doubt, the 2016 Hot Concepts Award from Nation’s Restaurant News is one of the most significant honors that Nekter Juice Bar has received,” Chief Executive Steve Schulze, who co-founded Nekter with his wife, Alexis, said in a statement.
Lindora announces rebranding as Lean for Life
The Costa Mesa-based Lindora Clinic, a medical weight-loss provider since 1971, is celebrating its 45th anniversary and rebranding itself as Lean for Life by Lindora Clinic.
In a news release, Lindora said it is introducing a diabetes prevention program “with a key focus on helping patients learn healthy habits to manage risk factors of developing Type 2 diabetes.”
Managing director joins Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate service company, has named architect Jon Zimmerman as a managing director based in the company’s Irvine office.
He will be responsible for activities in Southern California and Phoenix.