Biz News: Medical research and training facility opens in Irvine
Axis Research & Technologies announced the opening of a new medical research and educational facility at its campus on Hale Avenue in Irvine.
The 10,100-square-foot stand-alone training ground for medical device manufacturers, surgeons and hospitals features two private lab suites that simulate an operating room, as well as a 2,200-square-foot multistation bio-skills lab that can accommodate up to 12 stations.
The facility also offers venues and services for seminars, including a 100-seat stadium-style amphitheater.
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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit coming to Irvine
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, a Dallas-based chain, is opening a new restaurant in Irvine.
The restaurant, in the Westpark Plaza Shopping Center on Alton Parkway, is slated to open in February. It replaces Gaüfreé, a waffle sandwich shop.
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Newport company invests in Temecula center
Citivest Commercial Investments LLC recently acquired a major portion of Temecula Town Center for $60 million, according to a news release.
The Newport Beach-based real estate company has 241,980 square feet of the center, including spaces occupied by CVS Pharmacy, HomeGoods, 24 Hour Fitness, Chase Bank and Starbucks.
“This is the only center of its type in the area, and is already filled with customers at all times of day,” Larry Weese, president of Citivest, said in a statement. “Because the center is currently 85% occupied, we are looking forward to the opportunity to attract additional restaurants and other tenants that our visitors will enjoy patronizing.”
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Robert Half Legal starts Irvine operation
Robert Half, the world’s largest specialized staffing firm, has opened Robert Half Legal operations at 18200 Von Karman Ave. in Irvine. Robert Half Legal provides temporary and full-time legal professionals for law firms and corporate legal departments.
“We see tremendous opportunity in the Orange County market,” SunMi Kim, metro market manager for Robert Half Legal, said in a statement. “Orange County is a dynamic and economic hub for many corporations and law firms. This means businesses are expanding and need to add staff. We are eager to help companies and law firms augment their teams and assist legal professionals in finding positions tailored to their skills and expertise.”
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N.Y. engineering, architecture firm opens Costa Mesa office
APD Engineering and Architecture, a Victor, N.Y.-based firm celebrating its 20th year, has opened a new office in Costa Mesa, according to a news release.
The office in the South Coast Metro district is at 575 Anton Blvd.
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Artisan Outdoor names new chief executive
Artisan Outdoor LLC, an Irvine-based firm specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of outdoor living spaces for luxury homes, has hired Roger Bruce as chief executive.
Roger has more than 20 years of operational and project management experience, having held various positions in the financial, supply chain, manufacturing and high-tech industries.
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Newport credit-tech company hires vice president
NEFT, a Newport Beach-based financial technology company that develops online credit tools and solutions, announced the appointment of William Harvey as vice president and head of product.
The company said Harvey will focus on developing and marketing NEFT’s mPowerCredit online platform that is designed to enable consumers to enhance their credit scores in real time.
Before joining NEFT, Harvey was with eBay Enterprise as head of marketing operations.
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New VP will lead Irvine firm’s commercial banking services
First Foundation Inc., an Irvine-based financial services company, has appointed Michael Berry as senior vice president to lead the company’s enhanced commercial banking services.
Berry, an 18-year veteran of the banking industry, previously was a vice president of First Community Bank and vice president of Argent Bank, formerly Sonoma Bank.
He will be joined at First Foundation by Dean Smith, who will serve as vice president, and Nicole Hernandez, who will assist clients in private banking.
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Bank names new executive for online division
Luther Burbank Savings announced that Robert Armstrong has been named senior vice president of its online banking division, splitting his time between the Santa Rosa-based bank’s Irvine and Solana Beach locations.
Armstrong also has held senior positions with Bank of America, U.S. Bank, San Diego Private Bank and Bank of Internet.
—From staff reports