Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach, CUPS owner, and actor Ian Ziering Photo courtesy of CUPS
CUPS goes to Sundance
CUPS organic cupcakery attracted Hollywood stars, serving thousands of organic treats at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
During the late January international movie event, CUPS was the exclusive "sweets" provider in the Luxury Lounge, providing all-day treats to a "who's who" of invitees, including A-list film stars, celebrities, socialites, industry executives, musicians and prominent media representatives.
"We loved being a part of Sundance and having the opportunity to try our products out in a new venue," said Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach, chief executive officer and founder of CUPS. "You try to act professional, but you still can't help but squeal with delight when someone famous likes what you do."
CUPS provided organic sweets for more than 15 events, including the UNICEF Haiti Fundraiser and a private party for Oscar winner Adrian Brody.
CONNECT shifts positions
CONNECT has announced several promotions and staff additions.
- Research lead Steve Hoey has been promoted to senior program manager.
He publishes the CONNECT Innovation Report, which tracks the health of the San Diego innovation economy and is a program manager for Springboard, a business creation and development program.
- Tech Coast Angels lead Linda Wells was promoted to program manager.
Tech Coast Angels is a group of private investors who invest in and assist Southern Californian companies. As part of her new role, Wells will also take on management of CONNECT's Frameworks Workshops.
- Garrett Hale has joined the organization as staff to basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton, the new executive chairman of CONNECT's Sport & Entertainment Innovators. He will work with Walton to build and spin-out SEI into a new independent trade organization.
- Madelaine Holden, a new program assistant, will provide event logistics support for the 330 events CONNECT holds each year, along with membership support for the San Diego MIT Enterprise Forum.
- Ashely Strange, a program administrator and editor of CONNECT's e-newsletter, will coordinate CONNECT with CONNECT and Deal Network and provide event logistics support for Venture Roundtable and SEI.
La Jollan opens office
La Jolla resident Kelly Schriber recently opened an office of Plan Ahead Events, a full-service event management company with home-based franchises.
Before becoming a Plan Ahead Events franchisee, Schriber was a partner in Professional Employer Network (PEN) and a partner in Target Financial & Insurance Services. Schriber is currently pursuing an event planning professional certificate at the QC School of Event Planning. She is a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Coon named vice president
Rod Coon has been named vice president of Ladeki Restaurant Group's Mosaic Catering.
Coon brings more than 20 years of experience in special event, business and personal catering in San Diego. In 1999, Coon founded Contemporary Catering in La Jolla, where he handled daily operations of the business as well as creating menus and concepts.
Before that, Coon founded and served as president of Cafe Design Catering at Qualcomm's headquarters.
Intellikine taps Rohn
Intellikine Inc., a Torrey Pines Mesa company developing drugs to treat cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases, announced that William R. Rohn has joined the company's board of directors.
Rohn has more than 30 years of management experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, including more than 10 years in executive management positions at IDEC Pharmaceuticals and Biogen Idec, where he served as chief operating officer until his retirement in 2005.
Credit union honored
San Diego County Credit Union, with two branches in La Jolla, has been honored by Fannie Mae as a Prime Alliance Lender of the Year.
Officials said SDCCU's selection was based on success in overcoming mortgage market challenges and changes, loan origination performance and efficiencies, growth in mortgage business and helping borrowers to stay in their homes.
Shopzilla adds space
Shopzilla Inc., an online price comparison site, is expanding its lease at 1025 Prospect St., where it has added 2,233 square feet and renewed a lease for 2,470 square feet.
The lease with Picoa Inc. is valued at $835,608. Michael Slattery and Bob Kuzman of Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial represented the lessor in the transaction. David Marino of Irving Hughes represented the lessee.
Bloom earns stars
Todd Bloom of Prudential California Realty's La Jolla office has earned San Diego Magazine's "FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agents" award for the third consecutive year.
Fewer than 3 percent of San Diego's 12,000 real estate agents were selected as award winners. Agents were rated on their performance in client service, communication, integrity, negotiation, market knowledge, closing preparation and overall satisfaction.
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