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Feed50 People to Watch
By Thomas K. Arnold, Julia Beeson, Ron Donoho and Margie Farnsworth
(page 1 of 5)
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Mike AguirreHow can you not watch our combustible city attorney? Aguirre stormed into local political office last year and hasn’t stopped for a breath. His opinionated style is offputting to political colleagues. That may be, in part, because he’s threatened to sue or investigate nearly every elected official who crosses his path. Still, he polls well with the electorate, a majority of whom see his earth-scorching tactics as a necessary evil in our political system. Astoundingly, Aguirre recently kicked a caffeine habit—though you’d never know. |
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John BrannellyAn East Coast transplant, Brannelly has become a fixture on the region’s nonprofit scene in just a few years. Heading up the American Cancer Society’s regional corporate relations, Brannelly implements cancer-prevention programs in large Southern California companies. In the coming year, he will help position the American Cancer Society as the go-to agency for all cancerrelated advocacy, education, research and service. He will also continue advising area nonprofits on developing effective public relations campaigns. |
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Samuel BorgeseIn the three years since Borgese was named president of Carlsbad- based Catalina Restaurant Group, its 220-plus Carrows and Coco’s restaurants have seen a resurgence in sales and a boost in employee morale. Under his charge, the company predicts a 25 percent increase in profits in the coming year (the two chains pocketed $270 million in 2005). Borgese, who had no prior industry experience before joining Catalina, was first hired to manage real estate operations, but he was soon tapped for the chief role when owners recognized his management strengths. |
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Tracy BorkumThis restaurateur’s most recent acquisition, Laurel, was the only restaurant in the county (and one of only 21 in the state) to be awarded four stars by the 2006 Mobil Travel Guide. An innovator in the local restaurant scene for her inventive cuisine and daring décor, Borkum has won acclaim for her Chive and Kensington Grill eateries, which offer some of the best dining— and swankiest ambience—in town. Borkum also recently debuted her Urban Kitchen Catering business. |
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James BrennanHe’s the 32-year-old entrepreneur who owns Side Bar —a downtown haunt of choice for people willing to pay $250 for bottle service. Brennan also owns the neighboring Ciro’s pizza joint, and in his spare time oversees $37 million in condo conversions and office buildings in San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas. But Brennan’s big shebang opened in December to widespread buzz: Stingaree. This 22,000-square-foot, threefloor bar/restaurant/spectacle aims to put the V in VIP. A members-only Sting card: $2,000. |
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Carl CohnHow long will the honeymoon last for the San Diego city schools superintendent who replaced the embattled Alan Bersin? Since he came aboard in October, Cohn has received good grades from teachers, who find him more willing to compromise than his confrontational predecessor, and from oftsplintered school board members, who are attending team-building workshops organized by Cohn. Looming challenges include contract negotiations with teachers, who haven’t had a raise in three years, and enrollment declines that translate to less state revenue in this cash-strapped time. |
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Constance CarrollChancellor of the San Diego Community College District, the nation’s sixth largest (with 100,000-plus students), Carroll is applauded for her negotiating skills, sound business acumen and accessibility. She’s cochair of the statewide organization for community college “equalization” —getting more money for low-revenue districts, such as San Diego—and will be active politically this year, she says, “so that students can be assured of the same advantages and support no matter what college they choose to attend.” |
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But Frye’s stock has risen, and we’ll watch to see how Murphy, as our new “strong mayor,” delegates authority and/or responsibility to our “write-in mayor.” |
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Joan BurrittAs chief nursing executive of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Burritt is credited with earning the facility a Merit Designation, the highest honor of the American Nurses Association. Only 2 percent of the nation’s hospitals hold the award, given for excellence in patient care. With a continuing shortage of nurses and state-mandated nurse-topatient ratios, Burritt shares her drive for professional excellence by closely working with local nursing schools and advisory boards. |
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Jorge CruiseThe runaway success of his 2005 bestseller, The 3-Hour Diet, secured Cruise’s reputation as the country’s leading weight-loss expert. A TV regular on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Dateline, CNN, Extra and The View, he also coaches more than 3 million clients through his Web site, 3hourdiet.com. “We’re about on-line empowerment,” says Point Loma’s Cruise, who is also the weight-loss coach for America Online. “I want to help America get thinner and healthier in a way that’s not strict or faddish. |
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