AEROSPACE
The local units of Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Rockwell Collins Inc. could be in line for another shakeup following its planned $30 billion sale to Conn.-based United Technologies Corp. Under the stock and debt deal, the combined company would generate annual revenue of about $68 billion. The transaction, projected to close this month, needs the approval of Rockwell shareholders and various regulators.
— Chris Casacchia
EDUCATION
Saddleback College named Gregory Anderson its president, effective Oct. 16. He’s been a faculty member, director, dean, and vice president in the California community college system for 12 years, most recently as vice president of planning, research, and institutional effectiveness for the San Mateo County Community College District. Anderson replaces Tod Burnett, who’s retiring.
— Deirdre Newman
Irvine-based Collegewise said Singapore-based ChangedEdu invested in the company. Collegewise plans to expand its services to Asia. It says it’s the largest privately run college counseling organization in the U.S. and that it’s helped more than 10,000 students with college admissions since its 1999 founding.
— Deirdre Newman
HEALTHCARE
Renton, Wash.-based Providence St. Joseph Health named Erik Wexler, chief executive of Providence Health & Services’ Los Angeles region, the head of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, effective immediately. He replaces Richard Afable, president and chief executive officer of St. Joseph Hoag Health and executive vice president and regional senior executive of Providence St. Joseph Health in Southern California. Afable is scheduled to retire in December. Wexler said the combined Providence St. Joseph will be the second largest provider in the region, trailing only Kaiser Permanente.
— Sherry Hsieh
Santa Ana-based Johnson & Johnson Vision completed its acquisition of TearScience Inc. in Morrisville, N.C. on undisclosed terms. Products by the maker of devices designed to identify, diagnose and treat the leading cause of dry eye have received Food and Drug Administration clearance. New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson’s vision-care platform includes its surgical platform in Santa Ana, which TearScience will join.
— Sherry Hsieh
INSURANCE
Confie, a Huntington Beach-based national insurance distribution company with $500 million in annual sales, named Cesar Soriano chief executive officer, effective immediately. He replaces Valeria Rica, who was chief executive for two years before leaving in November to take the same role at GGA Investments in Los Angeles. Confie hired Soriano a year ago as chief operating officer.
— Peter Brennan
MARKETING
Irvine-based Advantage Solutions acquired Data Council in Jacksonville, Fla., on undisclosed terms. The startup gathers and manages product data that’s available to its members, mostly retailers, brokers and distributors of “organic, natural and specialty products.” It will keep its name and leadership.
— Mediha DiMartino
OBITUARIES
L.A.-based architect Gin D. Wong, who designed the Automobile Club of Southern California’s main campus in Costa Mesa, died Sept. 1 in Beverly Hills at age 94, according to the University of Southern California, where he’d served as a trustee since 1983. He designed other landmarks in the region, including a two-level road system at Los Angeles International Airport, whose original design he directed in the 1950s.
— Hannah Mitchell
PHILANTHROPY
The Los Angeles Chargers and owners the Spanos family announced a $500,000 donation for Hurricane Harvey victims. It’s one of a growing list of OC businesses to give relief money. The funds will be sent to several groups including the American Red Cross. Several Chargers players and coaches have family and friends directly affected by the storm. The team maintains its practice facility and corporate headquarters in Costa Mesa.
— Pete Weitzner
RESTAURANTS
An Irvine seller of Vietnamese-style coffee changed its name and plans three additional locations in the next 12 months. The former BLK Coffee is now BLKdot Coffee. The three locations are planned for Laguna Beach’s Boat Canyon center in October, Irvine Marketplace mall in the spring, and the Irvine Spectrum mall next summer. It doesn’t yet franchise.
— Paul Hughes
