Biz News: Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce names new executive director

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce has named a past board president of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach as its new executive director.

Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold also oversaw 15 Boys & Girls Clubs as president of the Orange County Area Council for the past two years, leading meetings, organizing events and getting to know county clubs.

She spent two of her 10 years on the Laguna Boys & Girls Club board as president, coordinating several of the club’s annual Girls Night Out events and chairing the Christmas gift-giving and auxiliary committees. In May, she will chair her last fundraising gala for the organization.

Hornbuckle-Arnold also owns a personal investment company, Sweet P.

She said the chamber position will be her first full-time job in 28 years. “I am new to chamber business!” she said with a laugh.

Her first official day on the job is Monday.

Stefanee Freedman has been serving as interim director since Meredith Dowling resigned in November.

New boutique opens at VUE Newport

Legend Coastal, a boutique that carries coastal lifestyle clothing and accessories, has opened its first location in Newport Beach.

The boutique is in the VUE Newport complex at 2240 Newport Blvd. It carries an assortment of brands, including Patagonia, Pendleton, Vuori and Stance.

Mother’s Market store in H.B. to aid Surfrider

Costa Mesa-based Mother’s Market & Kitchen will host an event at its Huntington Beach store to benefit a local Surfrider Foundation chapter.

The store, at 19770 Beach Blvd., will donate 5% of its sales Wednesday.

Investment advisory firm adds Newport’s Palo Capital

Miracle Mile Advisors, an independent investment advisory firm, recently expanded by adding the principals of Newport Beach-based Palo Capital Inc.

Palo Capital, founded in 2005 by Kevin O’Grady, manages $300 million in assets for about 150 clients, according to a news release.

With the addition of the Newport office, Miracle Mile Advisors now manages about $1.5 billion in assets.

“We are confident our clients will benefit from Miracle Mile’s more extensive capabilities and operational efficiencies while preserving the attributes that have made Palo Capital special,” O’Grady said in a statement.

Media buyer expands with Costa Mesa office

CMI/Compas, a media buyer and planner for healthcare companies, has expanded by opening an office in Costa Mesa.

The office is in Pacific Arts Plaza at 3200 Park Center Drive. It is the company’s eighth office nationwide, with most of the others on the East Coast.

H.B. resident named to Pasadena hospital post

Huntington Beach resident Steven Mohr has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer of Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. He begins the role Feb. 11.

Mohr has more than 20 years’ experience in leadership for large integrated healthcare delivery systems, including his most recent job as chief financial officer for Providence St. Joseph Health Los Angeles, according to a news release.

Mohr is a graduate of USC and Loma Linda University.

Hoag Orthopedic partners with Costa Mesa company

Hoag Orthopedic Institute, one of the nation’s largest providers of orthopedic care, has entered a partnership with Costa Mesa-based ProSport Physical Therapy & Performance, according to a news release.

ProSport operates three physical therapy and performance centers in Orange County.

Hoag Orthopedic’s offices include an ambulatory care surgery center in Newport Beach.

Epsilon gets award for parental support

Epsilon, a Costa Mesa-based global marketing company, was recently given the Champion for Babies and Families Award by a Santa Ana-based nonprofit.

MOMS Orange County, which helps low-income pregnant women and young families, credited Epsilon for creating a working environment that is “exceptionally supportive of expectant employees and new families,” according to a news release.

The company offers 12 weeks of leave for new parents, whether they have a child, adopt or have a foster child placed with them. It also has increased its medical insurance coverage to include fertility treatments and provides financial support to families wishing to adopt.