San Diego’s Navy Mayor Rear Adm. Leendert “Len” Hering joined the San Diego Renewable Energy Society and Kilroy Realty Corporation as recent winners of Point Loma Nazarene University’s (PLNU) 2008 Dealmaker of the Year awards. The awards, hosted by PLNU’s Fermanian School of Business, are designed to honor San Diego individuals and firms who create significant, long-term value for the region. Of note, many of this year’s finalists represent companies focused on sustainability. Each year, nominations are solicited in three categories: individual, firm and deal of the year. From among the dozens of nominations received and reviewed by the nominating committee, three finalists were chosen in each category. The winners were announced Friday, Sept. 19 at the Kona Kai Resort on Shelter Island. In the individual category, Hering was honored for leadership and collaboration between public and private groups in a variety of development, managerial, executive and command roles. Other same-category finalists included Robert Noble, chairman and CEO of Envision Solar, for innovative solutions including “solar trees” that transform parking lots into energy producers; and Jay Rains of DLA Piper for providing the early energy, drive and initiative that ultimately led to the 2008 U.S. Open being held at Torrey Pines. In the firm category, San Diego Renewable Energy Society was honored for its dedication to increasing the intelligent use of renewable and sustainable energy technologies in San Diego. Other same-category finalists included Networkcar, Inc. for an innovative control system that combines a global positioning system with automobile engine diagnostic systems to maximize fuel efficiency, saving millions of dollars for users; and Borrego Solar Systems for its pioneering role in bringing affordable solar energy systems to San Diego businesses and homes while significantly growing the firm and expanding nationally. In the deal of the year category, Kilroy Realty Corporation was honored for its development of a $100 million, high-tech Scripps Clinic that specializes in elderly care in Rancho Bernardo. Other same-category finalists were DPR Construction for its massive, 360-bed Palomar Medical Center West project with over 740,000 square feet of development in a $530 million project; and the San Diego County YWCA for its innovative proposal to the city of San Diego to permanently house and lead the San Diego Family Justice Center at considerable savings to taxpayers and for bringing together a wide group of diverse constituencies to create a new solution for a serious community problem.