Apparel
Vans Inc. in Cypress promoted Doug Palladini to global brand president, effective immediately. He’s taking over some duties from Vans President Kevin Bailey, who in March picked up additional responsibilities for Greensboro, N.C.-based parent, VF Corp., and now oversees its operations in Central and South America, as well as outdoor and action sports businesses in Canada and Mexico. Palladini will manage global strategy.
Education
Josephine Herbert Gleis pledged another $5 million to the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at University of California-Irvine, bringing her total support of its efforts since 2007 to $19 million. She is the 103-year-old mother of Allergan Inc. founder Gavin Herbert. The pair gave $10 million in 2007 as part of the $39 million philanthropic effort at UCI to help build the institute, which opened in 2013 and has processed more than 137,000 outpatient visits and more than 9,100 surgeries.
The University of California-Irvine appointed Marios Papaefthymiou dean of the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, effective Jan. 1. He replaces Hal Stern, who will remain at the university as a statistics professor. Papaefthymiou has been chairperson of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan since 2011.
Lisa Kirtman takes over as dean of Cal State University-Fullerton’s College of Education on Aug. 16. She’s been associate dean since 2014 and succeeds Claire Cavallaro, the college’s first dean, who was appointed in 2006 and is entering CSUF’s early retirement program for faculty. Kirtman is a professor of elementary and bilingual education at CSUF.
Healthcare
Pacific Medical LLC in San Juan Capistrano was bought by Jordan Health Products in Chicago on undisclosed terms. Pacific Medical sells new and used patient monitoring equipment to hospitals and surgery centers. Jordan Health Products is an investment fund that buys medical equipment companies and is part of Chicago private equity firm Jordan Industries International LLC.
Manufacturing
Compass Diversified Holdings LLC in Westport, Conn. acquired 5.11 Tactical in Irvine for $400 million in a deal expected to close in mid-September. Chief Executive Tom Davin and President Francisco Morales will continue to serve in their roles at the military gear and clothing manufacturer, which has $293 million in sales. 5.11 Tactical has 509 employees companywide, including 111 in Irvine, home to its headquarters and design division, among other operations. It makes accessories and apparel for the military, firefighters and police officers.
Incipio LLC upped its offer to buy Skullcandy Inc. from $5.75 per share to $6.10 per share, or approximately $188.6 million, according to the Irvine-based maker of cellphone cases and other mobile device accessories. Its initial bid for Skullcandy was rejected by the audio equipment manufacturer’s board of directors in favor of a “superior proposal” from Mill Road Capital Management, which put up a $6.05-per-share offer that valued the company at about $174 million. The board reversed its recommendation and now urges Skullcandy stockholders to accept Incipio’s offer, which is scheduled to expire on Aug. 17. Meanwhile, Incipio acquired on undisclosed terms Nashville-based competitor Griffin Technology, which will continue as a stand-alone brand and keep its staff of about 200 in Nashville.
Technology
Irvine will become the latest U.S. city to feature Google Inc.’s new super-speedy Internet service for businesses and residents, starting at select Irvine Company properties. Google Fiber, which promises connection speeds as much as 40 times faster than basic broadband, will be available there later this year, followed by a planned expansion to other properties beyond the Irvine Co.’s extensive holdings in the city.
Transportation
The city of Long Beach named Jesus “Jess” Romo airport director, effective Sept. 6, to replace Bryant Francis, who was director for about 13 months before he took the top job at Oakland International Airport in February. Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport serve Orange County. Romo had been an interim deputy director at Los Angeles World Airports for about two months.
