The Fermanian School of Business and Business Center of Point Loma Nazarene University and title sponsor Nielsen Construction will reveal the winners of the 2009 “Dealmakers of the Year” on Friday, Sept. 25 at The Dana on Mission Bay. The Dealmaker awards annually honor San Diego individuals and firms that create significant long-term value for the region. Nominations were solicited from the general public and a formal nominating committee. About 35 total nominations were received and reviewed by the committee, with three finalists in each category:   Individual dealmakers • Neal Schmale, president and COO for Sempra Energy, for leadership in numerous strategic initiatives for the San Diego-based Fortune 500 company, which led to a No. 1 ranking in customer satisfaction for all U.S. utilities. Sempra was recently named the “Smartest Utility in the U.S.” • Dr. Harry Gruber, CEO and president of Tocagen, a local biopharmaceutical company pursuing the discovery, development and commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer. An initial focus is on treatments for terminally ill cancer patients for whom no adequate treatment currently exists. • Allan Camaisa, founder and CEO of Anakem Inc., for forging a vision of identity security through technological innovation that is user-friendly, secure and affordable, leading to industry breakthroughs for healthcare, national defense and other fields, as well as for leading numerous other entrepreneurial ventures in San Diego. Firm dealmakers  • Poseidon Resources/Carlsbad Desalination Project for tenacity and leadership in addressing regional water shortages. After 10 years of planning and five years in a state permitting process, the project has now received final approval and is expected to be operational in 2011. • NAVFAC Southwest and its 3,000 employees for providing local construction employment to offset the slowdown in construction through solar-power projects at various military bases, communications buildings and other locations. NAVFAC Southwest has been a significant employer of new college graduates. • The San Diego Zoo for a wide variety of regional and global efforts, including activities as diverse as protection and expansion of endangered species, animal habitat and health and direct leadership in biodiversity and biomimicry (the emerging field of innovation inspired by nature). Collaboration         • The San Diego Center for Algae-Based Biofuels for the collaboration of nine San Diego-area companies seeking to replace petroleum-based products in 5 to 10 years. Its technological efforts are expected to be a major source of new jobs in the coming years. • The U.S. & Mexico Philanthropic Partnership for promoting greater investments in the region by harnessing and directing the attention and power of philanthropic organizations toward economic development to improve the quality of life for communities throughout the border region. • The Campo Indian Tribe for its collaborative $300 million wind-power project in the mountains east of San Diego. The project, which involves the Campo Indian Reservation, SDG&E and Invenergy Co., will be California’s second-largest wind-power project and will provide 160 megawatts of renewable electricity. University officials said surprises always await the event’s participants. “At the breakfast presentation, all people in attendance will learn of the final selection, including the nominating committee members,” said Randy Ataide, director of the Fermanian Business Center and professor of entrepreneurship at PLNU. “This really helps create suspense and surprise at the breakfast,” he said. Tickets may still be available. For information or tickets, call (619) 849-2564, visit www.pointloma.edu/Fermanian or e-mail [email protected].