Apparel
Foothill Ranch-based Oakley Inc. filed a patent application for an eyeglasses concept that would project images onto an insert display lens similar to Google Glass, the Orange County Register reported. The glasses would work in concert with a wearable device and charge by way of a docking station, according to an application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Education
The William and Sue Gross Family Foundation committed $40 million to the University of California-Irvine to establish a nursing school and construct a building needed to enlarge the program. UCI said the contribution is the largest single gift in its history and will allow it to hire new faculty and attract almost double the enrollment it has for its existing nursing courses. What’s been named the Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing is the UC system’s fourth nursing school.
California State University-Fullerton’s online master’s degree programs in business, education and engineering were among the best in their fields, according to a U.S. News & World Report list released last week. Its online graduate business program was No. 11 among 91 ranked schools; the engineering program was No. 16 of 62; and its education program was No. 34 out of 188 nationally ranked programs. This year’s rankings include evaluations of more than 1,200 U.S. online programs.
Finance
Irvine-based Opus Bank plans to cut 10% of its workforce. The bank holding company has about 585 employees, about 55% of those at nine OC branches and its headquarters. Opus didn’t specify locations but said cuts would come from its “retail banking distribution system [and] support and administration roles through the company.” It said the reductions, plus cutting “redundant systems and services contracted with third party providers” would save $7 million a year.
Healthcare
Newport Beach-based Strathspey Crown Holdings LLC bought the portfolio companies of Incline Village, Nevada-based Novus Via LP on undisclosed terms. The assets center on advanced electromagnetic and electrochemical technologies that span healthcare, clean energy and coherent acoustics.
San Clemente-based VertiFlex Inc. raised $26.8 million out of a proposed $45.7 million in funding, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. VertiFlex makes minimally invasive devices to treat spinal disorders. It has raised $93 million—about $69 million in equity and $24 million in debt—in nine funding rounds since 2007.
Kenneth McFarland, chief executive of Mission Hospital, said he’s leaving the job Feb. 5 to pursue other opportunities. He’s an 18-year Mission veteran and has served as CEO since 2011. Mission has two campuses with 509 beds between them in Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach. The hospital didn’t indicate whether it or its parent company, Irvine-based St. Joseph Health, would start a search for McFarland’s successor.
Hospitality
The Anaheim Planning Commission approved a JW Marriott Anaheim hotel, the first luxury hotel in the city outside Disneyland Resort, according to the Orange County Register. The 12-story property will be the first JW Mariott in the county. Construction is scheduled to start by year-end.
Media
Freedom Communications Inc. in Santa Ana asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Central District of California to approve its plans to hold an asset auction March 16. The publisher of the Orange County Register in Santa Ana and the Press-Enterprise in Riverside also asked the court to grant “stalking horse protection to potential stalking horse bidders.” Freedom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 1.
Restaurants
Taco Bell Corp. promoted Marisa Thalberg to chief marketing officer. She served as chief brand engagement officer since joining the Irvine-based restaurant chain in May, and replaces Chris Brandt, who recently resigned to pursue other prospects.
Retail
Irvine-based Auction.com changed its name to Ten-X and started two new transactions platforms, according to the Orange County Register. It said the changes are its most recent move toward traditional sales as opposed to foreclosures.
Other
A former girlfriend of Broadcom Inc. co-founder Henry Nicholas sued him, accusing him of physically and emotionally abusing her and reneging on a promise to financially support her for the rest of her life, reported the Orange County Register, which said Nicholas couldn’t be reached for comment. Melissa Montero is seeking $70 million in the suit.
