Cal Lutheran regents support embattled university president
By Mike Harris / Friday, January 19th, 2024 / Higher Education, Latest news, Top Stories, Top Story / Comments Off on Cal Lutheran regents support embattled university president

The Board of Regents of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks said Jan. 17 they continue to support embattled school President Lori Varlotta, who has received a sweeping no-confidence vote from faculty. “She continues to thoughtfully address the many challenges facing the university, she demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the success of our students now Read More →
Women-founded companies are breaking the mold on the Central Coast
By Jorge Mercado / Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 / Central Coast, Economy, Latest news, Regions, Small Business, Top Stories, Top Story, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Women-founded companies are breaking the mold on the Central Coast

Growing up, Blanca Hoffmeir loved aviation. As an adult, she became an engineer and worked her way up from a small company to a larger one. The larger company used drones for surveying purposes and, because she had her private pilot license, Hoffmeir was asked to be onboarded as a drone pilot to provide services Read More →
Transphorm bought out in $339M deal
By Jorge Mercado / Thursday, January 11th, 2024 / Energy, Latest news, Technology, Top Stories, Top Story / Comments Off on Transphorm bought out in $339M deal

Goleta-based Transphorm, a spinout from UC Santa Barbara, was purchased by Renesas Electronics Corporation on Jan. 10 in a deal worth approximately $339 million. Tokyo-based Renesas is a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions while Transphorm is a leader in gallium nitride power semiconductors. According to details of the purchase, Renesas will acquire Transphorm for $5.10 Read More →
Geri LaChance, SESLOC CEO, retiring in June
By Mike Harris / Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, left, Nonprofits, Regions, San Luis Obispo County, Top Stories, Top Story / Comments Off on Geri LaChance, SESLOC CEO, retiring in June

Geri LaChance, president and CEO of the SESLOC Federal Credit Union for 12 years, is retiring effective June 2024, the San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit announced Jan. 10. She will be succeeded by Mike Quamma, the organization’s executive vice president and CFO. SESLOC Board Chair Tom Lebens praised LaChance’s tenure. “It’s hard to aptly summarize the Read More →

Optimism is high for tri-county travel sector in ‘24
By Mike Harris / Monday, January 8th, 2024 / Central Coast, Economy, Latest news, Subscriber content, Top Stories, Top Story, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Optimism is high for tri-county travel sector in ‘24

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Generative AI will take off in 2024, area experts say
By Mike Harris / Thursday, January 4th, 2024 / Latest news, Technology, Top Stories, Top Story, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Generative AI will take off in 2024, area experts say

2024 will be the year of the new wave of artificial intelligence — generative AI — Tri-County experts in the field say. Most, if not all, AI companies and other businesses that use AI will be dialing into the cutting-edge technology more and more, the specialists say. They include those in the Central Coast region Read More →
MannKind inks royalty purchase agreement for up to $200M
By Jorge Mercado / Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 / Central Coast, Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, Top Stories, Top Story / Comments Off on MannKind inks royalty purchase agreement for up to $200M

Westlake Village-based MannKind Corporation saw shares climb 8% on Jan. 2 after the company announced entering into a royalty purchase agreement of up to $200 million. MannKind, a biotechnology company that develops treatments for diabetes and pulmonary arterial hypertension, sold a 1% royalty in net sales of Tyvaso DPI to Sagard Healthcare on Dec. 27. Read More →