Jorge Mercado
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Executive editor @Pacbiztimes; proud former nexite @dailynexus; clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose ❤️
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Articles by Jorge Mercado
Kate Farms expands national footprint
Goleta-based Kate Farms, the top doctor-recommended plant-based brand, announced the continued national retail expansion of its High Protein Nutrition Shake, including expanded distribution at Walmart and a new launch into CVS. The foundational nutrition brand also unveiled Vanilla, the newest flavor in its growing HPNS lineup, according to the July 28 press release.
Taking stock: AeroVironment details latest contract as shares see volatility
By Jorge Mercado Monday, July 27th, 2026 It has been an up-and-down month for shareholders of AeroVironment, but after the company's latest contract announcement, things might be on the rise again. AeroVironment, which is based in Virginia but houses major operations in Simi Valley and San Luis Obispo, was awarded a $117.3 million contract by the U.S. Army for its P550 unmanned…
MannKind wins FDA approval for Furoscix ReadyFlow
By Jorge Mercado Monday, July 27th, 2026 Westlake Village-based MannKind received some good news from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the agency approved Furoscix ReadyFlow, an auto-injector designed to deliver an 80-milligram dose of subcutaneous furosemide in five to 10 seconds for the management of fluid overload. Announced July 24, MannKind CEO Michael Castagna said that this was the company’s…
Executive coach brings psychology to founders meeting
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, July 26th, 2026 Khewna Dawar. (courtesy photo) As the corporate world begins to fully incorporate artificial intelligence into multiple facets of its business model, Khewna Dawar is trying to show the importance of the human touch to early-stage founders and entrepreneurs. Dawar has served as an executive coach to many different corporations all across the world over the…
Business Times wins 5 awards at annual California Journalism Awards
The Pacific Coast Business Times took home a bit of hardware at the annual California Journalism Awards. Hosted by the California News Publishers Association, the Business Times won five awards across five different editorial categories for reporting done in 2025. The Business Times competes statewide against other weekly newspapers with a circulation of under 4,300.
Unemployment rate back on the rise on the Central Coast
After months of a descending tri-county unemployment rate, the Central Coast’s jobless rate was back on the rise in the latest report, rising to 4.3%, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released July 17. All three counties saw their unemployment rate increase in June. Ventura County’s rate was 4.4%, up from 3.9% in May. Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.2%, up from 3.7% in May. San Luis Obispo County’s rate was 4.3%, up from 3.6% in May.
Energy Vault names new CFO
Loading... You are here: Home > Energy > Current Article Energy Vault names new CFO Westlake Village-based Energy Vault Holdings announced the appointment of Nitin Dahiya as its next CFO. Dahiya, who begins in his new role on July 27, succeeds Michael Beer, who will be transitioning from his role to pursue other opportunities. Dahiya joins Energy Vault from BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with over $15 trillion in assets under management.
Banking roundup | Pacific Coast Business Times
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The next generation: Christina Zins takes the helm at Summit Wealth
By Jorge Mercado Friday, July 17th, 2026 Christina Zins with her father, Jerry Zins. Christina has been promoted to CEO of Summit Wealth Management Group. (courtesy photo) While attending classes at the University of San Diego, Christina Zins imagined a career in psychology. But around halfway through her collegiate career, her father, Jerry Zins, asked her if she had put any thought…
CRE: Sotheby’s Montecito office gains Kogevinas Group expertise
By Staff Report Friday, July 17th, 2026 Sotheby's International Realty, a global real estate brokerage network, announced that the Kogevinas Group has joined its Montecito brokerage team. The move was announced July 13. The Kogevinas Group, which is led by Nancy Kogevinas, was recognized as the top small team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices nationally in the 2026 RealTrends rankings. The team closed $265.5 million in…
Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County announces new CEO
By Jorge Mercado Thursday, July 16th, 2026 Habitat for Humanity SLO County CEO Dawn Smith. (courtesy photo) Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County has announced longtime nonprofit executive Dawn Smith as the nonprofit's next CEO. The appointment was announced July 13. Smith succeeds Anthony Overton, who has transitioned to a new leadership role overseeing dual-enrollment initiatives at Cuesta College. Overton had been…
Big Brand Tire & Services acquires Midwest tire service provider
Moorpark-based Big Brand Tire & Service, a full-service auto repair facility, announced that it will be acquiring Belle Tire, the Midwest’s premier tire and automotive service provider, for an undisclosed amount. Announced July 16, the acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
The Trade Desk keeps C-suite hires coming
After months of stock selloffs and C-suite changes, The Trade Desk is looking for more stability and has initiated another executive hire in hopes of getting there. The Trade Desk, an advertising tech firm based in Ventura, announced the appointment of Kristi Argyilan as chief commercial officer and executive vice president. Argyilan is the third new C-level hire in the past two months.
Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation taps Ouellette as CEO
By Jorge Mercado Thursday, July 16th, 2026 Calen Ouellette will be the next CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is embracing a new era after the nonprofit announced it ended its search for a new CEO. Announced July 14, the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara appointed Calen Ouellette, an award-winning nonprofit executive with more…
Santa Barbara-Santa Maria worker wages beat national average
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, July 12th, 2026 Workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara region had a higher average hourly wage in May 2025 compared to the nationwide average, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Announced July 9, the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara region had an average hourly wage of $34.45 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide…
State allocates $5M for CenCal Health to pilot program
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, July 12th, 2026 The Central Coast is at the forefront of a lot of technological advancements, but now the region will also be poised to be an innovator in behavioral health. Following the approval of California’s 2026-27 state budget, $5 million has been earmarked for investment in CenCal Health and the behavioral health departments of both Santa Barbara…
Amgen issues voluntary recall on chronic heart failure drug
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, July 12th, 2026 Thousand Oaks-based Amgen issued a voluntary recall of its chronic heart failure drug, Corlanor, due to contamination concerns. Announced late June, Amgen recalled almost 1 million bottles of Corlanor after the company detected the presence of a foreign substance in batches of the medicine made in Italy, according to a filing Amgen made with the…
Carpinteria-based retirement planner makes tech buy
Carpinteria-based PlanMember Financial Corporation announced it has acquired Retirement Motivation Technologies. Announced July 7, Remotiv delivers innovative technology that provides conflict-free financial wellness and employee engagement solutions for employers. The goal of its platform is to combine education, planning tools and social engagement to drive participant action and measurable results.
Santa Barbara quantum computing startup raises $54.2M
Quantum computing will continue to make leaps in Santa Barbara after startup Qolab announced it had raised $54.2 million in Series B financing on July 2. Qolab is a leader in quantum computing hardware and was co-founded by Alan Ho, Robert McDermott, Britton Plourde and John Martinis. Martinis is a professor at UC Santa Barbara who, in 2025, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his role in laying the foundation for superconducting quantum computing.
AeroVironment shares pop 20% after-hours on strong earnings
By Jorge Mercado Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 A soldier launches a test flight of an AeroVironment Puma drone. (courtesy photo) A week after AeroVironment shares plummeted because of an accounting error, shares are back on the rise after the company’s fourth-quarter and full-year earnings announcement not only beat expectations but also left room for optimism in the new fiscal year. AeroVironment, which is based…
UCSB nabs $1.15M grant for 3D printing equipment
By Jorge Mercado Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 UC Santa Barbara’s professors and researchers have played a major role in breakthroughs in quantum science and artificial intelligence, but now they might also be responsible for ushering in a new age of 3D printing. Galan Moody, a UCSB professor of electrical and computer engineering, helped lead the university’s effort to receive a $1.15 million grant from the National Science Foundation…
Sonos trims 3% of all jobs, cuts hit Santa Barbara HQ
Sonos, a maker of audio products, is trimming its workforce by 3% after the company confirmed it would be laying people off, including some positions at its headquarters in Santa Barbara. First reported by Bloomberg on June 25, the job cuts would affect the company’s user experience, product, and design teams to save on costs. In Sonos latest earnings report, the company announced total operating expenses of $156.4 million, as well as a net loss of $28.8 million.
Santa Barbara nonprofit to host founder workshops
By Jorge Mercado Friday, June 26th, 2026 In an effort to bring more education to startups this summer, Kezi Chang and the Sustainable Change Alliance will be hosting a four-part interactive workshop series designed for pre-seed to Series A founders in Santa Barbara. Chang, a board member for Sustainable Change Alliance, is spearheading the organization’s summer program, something that is a first…
Vital Signs: U.S. Bank’s CFO survey reveals business sentiments
By Staff Report Friday, June 26th, 2026 U.S. Bank recently released its latest CFO Survey research, noting that despite inflation and other economic headwinds, financial leaders are focused on growth and deals. The report surveyed 1,000 senior finance leaders at U.S. businesses and are from companies with at least $100 million in annual revenue, including 30% from firms with more than $2…
Small businesses navigate margin pressures in backhalf of 2026
By Jorge Mercado Friday, June 26th, 2026 Despite some positive hiring trends, many small businesses are keeping an eye on their wallet in 2026, including those on the Central Coast, according to Bank of America’s Small Business Checkpoint research. Released in June, one of the key takeaways from the report is that small businesses continue to contribute to job growth, supported by…
$89M error crashes drone firm’s shares
By Jorge Mercado Wednesday, June 24th, 2026 Drone manufacturer AeroVironment shifted its headquarters from Simi Valley in 2021. Shares of AeroVironment, a drone maker with major operations in Simi Valley and San Luis Obispo, have been in free fall after the company announced it had made an $89 million accounting error. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, AeroVironment…
California files intent to sue over DOI’s offshore wind buybacks
By Jorge Mercado Wednesday, June 24th, 2026 California claims it has invested more than $100 million to ready its ports, transmission systems, and industries to support offshore wind generation. (courtesy photo) California leaders are not letting the offshore wind projects off the coast of Morro Bay go down without a fight. State Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside California Energy Commission Chair David…
Sonos’ latest evolution involves an in-car listening experience
Santa Barbara-based Sonos is continuing to expand into new opportunities as the speaker company announced it is partnering with Škoda, serving as the audio partner for the brand’s new flagship electric vehicle, Škoda Peaq. As part of the collaboration, Sonos has architected the in-cabin listening experience from the ground up, shaping how music, voice, and entertainment are experienced throughout the vehicle, according to the press release.
Cottage taps Varner to lead Women’s Health Center
By Jorge Mercado Monday, June 22nd, 2026 In an effort to better coordinate women’s health in the Santa Barbara region, Cottage Health has announced the Cottage Center for Women’s Health as well as its new medical director, Dr. Jane Varner. The Cottage Center for Women’s Health will offer a new model for the women’s health care experience by putting women at the forefront of…
Procore CEO leads highest-executives paid on Central Coast
By Jorge Mercado Monday, June 22nd, 2026 One of the newest CEOs in the tri-county region was also the highest-paid executive of any publicly traded company on the Central Coast. Ajei Gopal, the CEO of Carpinteria-based Procore Technologies, raked in the most of any executive on the Central Coast in 2025, generating a total compensation package worth $77.4 million, according to a…
Farm Supply Company merges with Grange Cooperative
By Jorge Mercado Monday, June 22nd, 2026 Farm Supply Company in San Luis Obispo. (courtesy photo) It has only been about a year and a half since Michael Mendes became CEO of Farm Supply Company, but in that short time, the organization has been focused on growth, something that will scale more quickly after its latest announcement. On June 11, Farm Supply…
Thousand Oaks biotech secures $300M in financing
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, June 21st, 2026 A few weeks after Beren Therapeutics received word from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that it would delay a decision on its rare-disease drug candidate, the company announced it has been working to secure funding in the meantime. Based in Thousand Oaks, Beren Therapeutics announced on June 10 that it has secured $300 million…
Offshore wind takes another hit as Invenergy exits Morro Bay lease
By Jorge Mercado Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 Another offshore wind project off the coast of Morro Bay bit the dust on June 17 after Chicago-based Invenergy announced it had reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior to cancel its current plans. Invenergy, which is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner and operator of independent power infrastructure, had…
Mission Bank opens newest banking center in Westlake
Mission Bank, the only business bank based in Bakersfield with $2 billion in assets, has opened its newest business banking center in Westlake Village. Located at 4165 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., the location is a full-service business banking center and will be managed by Regional President Jason Ritchey.
The Trade Desk hires chief marketing officer
Ventura-based adtech firm The Trade Desk has appointed Sarah Gavin as its new executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Announced June 11, Gavin will lead TTD’s marketing organization, overseeing global brand, communications, customer marketing, and demand generation efforts, playing a key role in deepening engagement with customers and partners, and advancing its vision for the open internet.
Mission Wealth grows national footprint with two mergers
By Jorge Mercado Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 Mission Wealth, a Santa Barbara financial planning firm founded in 2000, announced that it has closed on two strategic mergers with independent wealth advisory firms to grow its national footprint. Announced June 9, Mission Wealth’s two acquisitions represented the company’s third and fourth partnerships completed so far through 2026. The mergers were finalized in May…
Mission Produce reports Q2 earnings
A few days after announcing it had closed its acquisition of Calavo Growers, Mission Produce released its results for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting declining revenue amid “historically low” avocado pricing. Based in Oxnard, Mission Produce is a leading source, producer and distributor of fresh Hass avocados. For the quarter ended April 30, the company announced that revenue decreased 24% compared with a year earlier, falling to $290.9 million.
Tackling the child care crisis: United Way group offers help to nonprofits
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, June 7th, 2026 Housing and cost of living are some of the more prevalent issues facing Central Coast residents, but another big burden for many is childcare, which has become a massive financial crisis for U.S. families, with costs sometimes exceeding rent. One nonprofit leading the way on providing support has been United Way of Santa Barbara County,…
Bear Cave Comedy embraces inclusivity
By Jorge Mercado Sunday, June 7th, 2026 Samantha Bearman, third from left, alongside friends and performers at one of Bear Cave Comedy's events. (courtesy photo) A lot of people lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic, including Santa Barbara resident Samantha Bearman.¬† On the day she found out, she admitted she was crying all night about it. But what came after was…
Santa Barbara City Council supports plan for Paseo Nuevo
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Nonprofits voice biggest concerns at Santa Barbara Foundation event
By Jorge Mercado Thursday, June 4th, 2026 Federal funding cuts, a decrease in volunteers and rising costs were among the main concerns of nonprofits in the foreseeable future, at least according to experts at the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Inaugural State of Nonprofits in Santa Barbara County Event. Held on June 2 at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort, the event highlighted the…
The Trade Desk, Sonos, Velocity Financial announces C-suite moves
By Jorge Mercado Thursday, June 4th, 2026 Local publicly traded companies are buffing up their C-suite rooms and analysts are taking note. In an effort to find some stability in its executive chairs, The Trade Desk has appointed Nate Olmstead as its CFO, effective July 9. Olmstead is tasked with sustaining accelerated growth and scale for the company, the company announced June…
LegalTime AI impresses at UCSB’s New Venture Finals
By Jorge Mercado Monday, June 1st, 2026 The 2026 New Venture Competition winners from Team LegalTime AI, Quinn Godfredsen and Joaquin Del Pego, holding their prize check after the New Venture Finals on May 20. (courtesy photo) Lawyers face a variety of challenges in their industry, and one of the major issues many of them agree on is billable hours. One UC…
SLO Courtyard completes $6M renovations
As the tourism season begins to hit its full stride for the Central Coast in the coming weeks, one San Luis Obispo County hotel is ready to handle all the visitors it can.
Mission Produce completes acquisition of Calavo Growers
Two Ventura County agribusinesses have officially merged after Oxnard-based Mission Produce announced it has completed its acquisition of Calavo Growers on May 28. Mission Produce announced it would be purchasing Santa Paula-based Calavo Growers in a cash-and-stock transaction worth $430 million on Jan. 14. Mission said in January that they expect the deal to add $25 million of annualized cost synergies within 18 months post-close, with meaningful upside potential.
Vina Robles gets world-class ownership
By Jorge Mercado Monday, June 1st, 2026 The 3,300-capacity Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles. (courtesy photo) The Central Coast is home to some of the most beautiful musical venues in the state, and Nederlander Concerts didn’t want to miss its chance to own one of the newer ones in the region. Nederlander Concerts, an independent entertainment company and division of Nederlander…
AI, housing dominate discussion at Santa Barbara County Economic Summit
Artificial Intelligence was the main talking point at UC Santa Barbara’s Economic Forecast Project’s annual Santa Barbara County Economic Summit held at the Granada Theatre on May 21.
Hoka sales continue fueling Deckers growth, strong earnings
By Jorge Mercado Monday, May 25th, 2026 Deckers Brands in Goleta. (courtesy photo) Shares of Goleta-based Deckers finished the week strong after the popular footwear company released strong results for its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings on May 21. Announced after the markets closed on May 21, Deckers' shares closed at $106.67 on May 22, a 4% gain and its highest close price…
Kamran & Co. taps Tim Welsh as CEO
Santa Barbara-based Kamran & Company, a provider of custom foodservice equipment and integrated fabrication solutions, announced the appointment of Tim Welsh as CEO. He succeeds Founder Kamran Amiri, who will continue to serve as President and Chairman. “Tim brings a unique combination of operational leadership, development expertise, and strategic vision,” said Amiri.
Central Coast jobless rate continues declining in April
The tri-county unemployment rate in April was 4.1%, down from 4.4% in March and 4.8% in February, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released May 1. This was the third consecutive month that the unemployment rate has fallen in the tri-counties. Ventura County’s rate was 4.2% in April compared to 4.4% in March, while Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.1%, down from 4.7% in March.
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