Salk institutes new board
The Salk Institute, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, recently selected Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Richard Freeman and Ted Waitt as vice chairs of its board of trustees.
On April 28, Jacobs was named the board’s chairman-elect. He will become chairman in November, following the retirement of current chairman Jerry Kohlberg.
Jacobs co-founded Qualcomm, and both he and his wife Joan are known for their philanthropic efforts, including support of the San Diego Symphony, Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla Playhouse and the University of California, San Diego. Freeman, president and chief operating officer of the San Diego Padres, was formerly the national chairman of the board of trustees of the March of Dimes, as well as serving the Salk Institute’s board of trustees for 10 years.
After retiring from his role as co-founder of Gateway Inc., Waitt presently serves as a full-time philanthropist and entrepreneur for both the Waitt Family Foundation and the Avalon Capital Group.
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies remains a nonprofit organization dedicated to discoveries in the life sciences. For information, see www.salkinstitute.org.

UC company gains new client
Sexton Communications, 8910 University Center Lane, Ste. 615, was recently chosen as the public relations counsel for John Flannery, a licensed affiliate of CustomerCentric Systems.
“We jointly set the goals of raising awareness of my name and my specialization, and we set a goal of increasing business to a certain level that would launch us into promoting my services with advertising and other marketing channels such as seminars and workshops,” Flannery said. “It’s an exciting time to be able to take these steps up.”
CustomerCentric Systems is the customer-oriented sales process and technique based on the best-selling business book “Customer-Centric Selling” by John and Mike Bosworth.
“We are not merely a public relations firm receiving a monthly retainer to publicize John’s business,” said Bob Sexton, president of Sexton Communications. “We are involved as strategic partners who will grow by helping John Flannery grow.” For information, see sextoncommunications.com.

University broadens international reach
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, recently celebrated the launching of a new office and full-time staff member in Mexico City as part of its new “UCSD Partnership with Mexico.”
“The inauguration of the UCSD office in Mexico City was a festive and successful event featuring talks by Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Dean of the UCSD graduate School of International Relations Peter Cowhey,” said Barry Jagoda, UCSD spokesman. “It was a big success and well received both there and here at the campus.”
Improving air quality in both countries, building a technology corridor on both sides of the border and improving prospects for all members of Mexican society through economic policies are among the issues the new office will explore.
“Opening it is part of Chancellor Fox’s international goal, which includes a partnership with Mexico featuring four main initiatives geared toward deepening relationships south of the border,” Jagoda said. For information, see www.ucsd.edu.

Society gives lucrative nod
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society recently awarded a $6.25 million, five-year grant to Thomas Kipps, M.D., Ph.D., deputy director of research at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Kipps will spearhead an effort to develop new blood-cancer therapies.
As a world-renowned authority on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (LCC), Kipps was only one of four new Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) grant recipients named this year.
The SCOR grants are the largest given out by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The program brings scientists of different disciplines together to try to create novel treatments.
Kipps will lead a team of specialists from UCSD who will try to identify new targeted therapies for CLL, including Dennis Carson, M.D.; Paul Insel, M.D.; and Michael Karin, Ph.D.; as well as John Reed, M.D., Ph.D., from the Burnham Institute.
For information, see www.ucsd.edu.

Playhouse tries a change of wardrobe
La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, recently received rave reviews when it announced new members for its board of trustees, including financial strategist and theater aficionado Ralph T. Bryan, who takes over as board president.
“I’m extremely proud to serve in this capacity,” Bryan said. “Our current board of trustees is motivated by the tremendous impact that La Jolla Playhouse has on American theater. Our dedication to creative artists, both established and new, and innovative stagings has made La Jolla Playhouse one of America’s preeminent theaters. I’m glad that I can have an impact on such a wonderful institution as both a trustee and a donor.”
Bryan has served as a trustee for the Playhouse for six years. He has played a significant role in the Playhouse’s $44 million capital campaign, as well as major fund-raising. Creating a long-term strategic plan, increasing the working cash flow and increasing the endowment are among the goals he has set out to accomplish as president.
“La Jolla Playhouse can touch San Diegans in a number of ways,” he said. “We have an extraordinary education outreach program, called the POP Tour, which takes an original production out to the schools. We’ve developed a great corporate giving program that benefits the whole community, and we continue to work on programs that get young professionals involved in the organization.” For information, see www.lajollaplayhouse.com.