Business Bits is a new section in San Diego Downtown News where we will highlight news in the commercial business and nonprofit sector as it applies to the organizations themselves or the business community at large. Please send your “bits” to [email protected]. – Ed.

Dress For Success adds new Board Members: The nonprofit organization Dress for Success, whose mission is to “promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing career development tools to help women thrive in work and life,” recently expanded their board of directors with two new appointments. Anna Keeve, program manager at Stalwart Communications, and Vanessa Cortez, assistant Vice President-Priority Relationship Advisor at Union Bank have both accepted the positions. Dress for Success serves over 8000 low income clients in the region, offering them business attire, career coaching, soft skill training, job readiness and retention programs. The two new board members will operate in specialized functions that will include expanding their sponsorships, social media, promotion, community and referral agency development. “Anna and Vanessa each bring valuable, professional expertise that is well matched to important roles in our Board development model,” said Executive Director Sylvia McKinney, in a press release. “We look forward to working together for the benefit of disadvantaged women across San Diego County who are committed to gaining employment and improving the quality of life for their families.”  More information: visit dressforsuccess.org/sandiego.

New Executive Chef joins Leroy’s:  Leroy’s Kitchen and Lounge has announced the hiring of Executive Chef JC Colón. Colón spent time at both Kensington Grill and CUCINA urbana before accepting the position at the Coronado restaurant, where he will design and execute a new menu. Leroy’s is known for its eclectic, seasonal cuisine. “We are pleased to have JC Colón join Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge,” said David Spatafore, owner of Blue Bridge Hospitality in a press release. “JC’s hands-on approach, passion and eclectic background match what we do here. He gets Leroy’s; he is Leroy’s.” Before coming to San Diego, Colón began his career in New York City. Colón will first revamp the dinner menu before changing up the brunch menu, which is a popular scene for the restaurant. Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge is located at 1015 Orange Ave. For more information, visit leroyskitchenandlounge.com or call 619-437-6087.

New social network for photographers prepares to launch:  After nearly three years in development, a new San Diego based company is ready to launch a social media network for the use of amateur and professional photographers, where they can interact and build a community. Binteo.com, currently in the beta testing phase, promises to offer a variety of platforms and allow like-minded individuals the opportunity to share insights, skills, and collaborate. Similar to other social media platforms, it will be free and offer news feeds, instant messaging and video conferencing. To attract users during the beta launch, the site is offering a photography contest, called, “Binteo’s Best Photographer,” where new members can submit photos in four different categories.  For more information on the contest, visit binteo.com/photography/binteos-best-photographer. You can also follow @CathieBinteo on Twitter.

Prudential California Realty news: The Downtown office of Prudential California Realty has welcomed new team members. Stephanie Perone, a native San Diegan who graduated from both Point Loma High School and San Diego State University, joined the team after working as a mortgage processor and lender elsewhere for a number of years. “Stephanie is an educated professional with a broad array of skills pertaining to real estate,” said Nelson White, manager of the Downtown office in a press release. “Working directly with the public is something I really enjoy,” Perone said. “I love helping people understand the real estate transaction process, which can be so beneficial if done properly.” Stephanie Perone may be contacted through Prudential California Realty’s Downtown San Diego office, at 619-757-4758, or via email at [email protected].

Another San Diego native, Realtor Evan Campbell, also joined the Downtown team. “Evan brings a vast array of skills pertaining to real estate,” White said. “His experience in the sales arena and commitment to continuously advance his knowledge of real estate will make him a success.” Campbell has a background in sales and is a licensed gemologist and feels the skills his previous career and the integrity it demanded will assist with his transition into the real estate field. “The family business is real estate and I’ve always been fascinated with it,” adds Campbell. “The chance to help someone secure their vision for the future must be incredible and I am looking forward to working on behalf of my clients.” Evan Campbell can be contacted through Prudential California Realty’s Downtown San Diego office, at 858-229-4079, or via email at [email protected].

Olive PR celebrates four years: Olive PR Solutions recently celebrated four years in business and an April move into a new office in Little Italy at 434 W. Cedar St. The May 16 celebration featured fine art, live music, and a fundraiser for Indigenous Education Foundation of Tanzania (IEFT). “We are thrilled to celebrate four years at our new office space that accommodates our growing team. Last year at this time, there were three of us and now there are nine,” said Jennifer Borba Von Stauffenberg, Olive PR Solutions’ president and owner in a press release. “In Olive fashion, we are celebrating the occasion with what we love:  art, music, and making a difference. Funds raised at the event through a suggested donation went to 14-year old Edna Kilusu, a young student from Tanzania that they sponsored through IEFT. “She dreams of one day becoming a doctor or a teacher and is committed to finishing secondary school. With the donations raised at the anniversary event, Olive PR Solutions hopes to fully fund Kilusu’s year of education and help her achieve her graduation dream,” organizers said in the release.  Named after the olive tree as a universal symbol of peace and victory, Olive PR has grown to nine staff members since launching in 2009 and now have both regional and international clients. For more information on Olive PR Solutions, visit OlivePRSolutions.com or call 619-955-5285.

New leadership training for executives: San Diego Corporate Training has launched a new training initiative for corporate executives. Called “The World Class Leadership Program,” the two-and-a-half day seminar will offer professional developmental training that applies to real-time activities and responsibilities in the corporate world. “Rather than the self-awareness and theoretical learning common in so many leadership development programs, The World Class Leadership Program tasks participants to map their current sphere of influence, perform an analysis of the competition and identify the most critical product and service delivery shortfalls to improve — and then to make a plan to get busy improving upon return to work,” organizers said in the release. Open enrollment is offered, as well as private sessions for individual companies. Fore more information, visit sandiegocorporatetraining.com/wcl.html.