Compiled by Mike Mason
Santa Ana-based Ingram Micro Inc. closed its $530 million acquisition of Australia’s Tech Pacific from private equity firm CVC Asia Pacific Ltd., Dutch computer distributor Hagemeyer NV and management … Hoshi Printer, chief financial officer of Irvine-based auto marketer Autobytel Inc., stepped down after the company said it would restate earnings for part of 2003 and 2004 because of accounting errors. Autobytel said it would delay filing its third-quarter results. Printer will remain with the company as a consultant … Irvine-based Connexion by Boeing signed a pact with China Airlines to provide high-speed Internet gear and services on its 747-400 carriers … Vodafone Group PLC said it will buy wireless networking gear from Santa Ana-based Powerwave Technologies Inc.
University of California Board of Regents approved UCI Medical Center’s $371 million plan to build a 221-bed, seven story hospital. Construction is set to begin early next year and finish in 2009. Meanwhile, regents OK’d an 8% increase in fees for UC schools … Shareholders of Lake Forest-based Cooper Cos. OK’d its $1.2 billion buy of Concord-based Ocular Sciences Inc. The deal, which still needs regulatory approval, is expected to close by the end of January … Irvine-based Sun Healthcare Group Inc. said Chief Financial Officer Kevin Pendergest will leave by the end of the year to “pursue other interests.” The nursing home operator and services provider expects to hire a new chief financial officer soon.
Shares of Newport Beach-based William Lyon Homes Inc. rose 22% to $80 after the homebuilder said that it bought back 1.3 million shares and upped the amount of stock it can buy by 50% to 3 million … A last-minute anonymous donor pledged $1 million toward the $3.5 million needed by the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation to buy downtown’s Fox Fullerton Theatre. Restoration of the theatre, which has been closed since 1987, is expected to cost at least $9.4 million.
Costa Mesa-based Commerce Energy Group Inc. put Chief Executive Ian B. Carter on administrative leave and installed President Peter Weigand to run the company on an interim basis. The move comes after Commerce Energy’s audit committee found that a consulting contract with an investment advisory firm founded by David Barnes didn’t reflect the services provided to the company. Barnes later became Commerce Energy’s vice president of finance and investor relations. He resigned last week.
The University of California, Irvine said it’s considering setting up an institute for human embryonic stem cell research. UCI biologist Sue Bryant was named to the state’s Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, which will dole out some $3 billion in government funds earmarked for stem cell research following the passage of Proposition 71 (see story, page 8).
Anaheim officials said they’re looking at whether the Anaheim Angels’ removal of the city name from tickets and uniforms is a breach of the team’s lease. Meanwhile, Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution against a name change by Angels’ owner Arte Moreno to Los Angeles Angels … Santa Ana-based Corinthian Colleges Inc. named Jack D. Massimino as the for-profit school operator’s chief executive. Massimino replaces David G. Moore, who will remain chairman. Meanwhile, Corinthian Chief Financial Officer Dennis N. Beal said he’s retiring, but will remain a consultant with the company. Shares of Corinthian fell more than 11% to $16.5 on the news … Huntington Beach-based surf apparel maker Quiksilver Inc. said its sales for the fourth quarter ended Oct. 31 would be stronger than expected. Quiksilver shares rose 5% to $29.6.
