Restaurateurs Sharpe, Semler Part Ways; DeFranco Kicks Back
Restaurateur John Sharpe is out at West Coast Productions, the Newport Beach operator of upscale OC eateries Topaz, Diva and Bistro 201, as well as Sharpe’s own 1998 creation, the waterfront Aysia 101. Sharpe was WCP’s publicized partner, but the big-money partner is Malibu investor Ron Semler. Running the show for now in OC is Randy Teffeteller, sources say Joe DeFranco has packed a lot of pleasure,international travel, golf, cigars, fine wine, gourmet meals, hobnobbing with celebrities,into his 77 years. Now the Big Canyon resident will be able to pack in a little more, since he’s decided to finally give up the corporate routine. DeFranco will retire April 1 as president and CEO of Separation and Recovery Systems, the Irvine-based maker of oil filtration equipment that he has run since 1972. DeFranco, an ex-Studebaker exec, was recruited to SRS by one of its founders, his good buddy John Wayne. Since 1996 DeFranco has run SRS as a subsidiary of publicly traded American Eco Corp. of Houston. SRS will now be folded in with another unit, United Ecosystems, and be overseen from afar by American Eco exec John Hoyle. But DeFranco said the Irvine workforce of 37 is likely to expand, since it will take on more of the corporate accounting work. DeFranco will remain a consultant for three years, at least. He has seen his American Eco stock take a hammering (nearly 14 in ’97, now at 1), but DeFranco says business and cash flow are improving. “I see a turnaround this year.” He’s putting off wife Barbara’s request that they take a cruise: “That’s for old people” They’ve sold the first 275 homes at Talega, the sprawling development in San Clemente, and now the project’s golf course is back on track, too. Twelve of the holes are just about ready, but development of the other six was held up while Talega LLC negotiated with the Army Corps of Engineers over a creek that ran through the layout. The solution was to redesign the holes away from the creek. “It actually makes the course better,” asserts spokesman Mike Hoy, who will get no argument from water-hazard-averse Editor RR. Opening of the course, originally set for early summer, has been reset for October. Course co-designer Fred Couples was due to make a site inspection this week, enroute to the Buick Open at Torrey Pines Happiness is a full park: GM Jack Falfas told Sandi Cain that Knott’s Berry Farm was “deluged” with calls the day after cartoonist Charles Schulz retired and has continued to see strong interest from “Peanuts” lovers. Knott’s is designated as an official park for the comic strip’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration this year Is Jim Doti running out of material? His upcoming guest on KOCE is yours truly, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 and at 12:30 p.m. Feb 14 For Kevin Reeder, of Flowers by Kevin in Fullerton, this Valentine’s Day is extra special: He’ll be giving a bouquet to his new bride, OCBJ receptionist Selene Macias. More OCBJ romance: Reporter David Orloff is engaged to decorative painter Esther Shubin.
