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50 People to Watch |
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By Thomas K. Arnold, Julia Beeson, Ron Donoho and Margie Farnsworth
(page 4 of 5)
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Dr. Susan LittleAt the University of California, San Diego’s acclaimed Anti-Viral Research Center, Little focuses on identifying people newly infected with HIV who are resistant to drug therapy, a group she conservatively estimates grows by 250 per year in San Diego. Most, she says, “don’t know they’re infected and don’t seek medical care. Unaware of their status, they’re the source of much of the onward spread of the epidemic.” Her goal in 2006: “A better public appreciation of how frequently people with drug-resistant HIV transmit it.” |
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Joan MaloneyShe won’t be receiving a golden boy at the 2006 Oscars, but Maloney garnered another thrilling distinction in her field. She is the first woman—and San Diegan—to be chosen to develop the Academy Awards design theme. The El Cajon native and single mom started her company, Studio 318, in 1997, and has crafted award-winning campaigns for clients around the world. Studio 318’s concept for the 78th Academy Awards was selected from among several hundred entries. “I’ve been a fan of classic films since I was a little girl,” says Maloney. “So it’s a dream come true to create the theme and look of the 2006 Oscars campaign. |
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David PerezLast September, Carmel Valley businessman Perez chartered a Boeing 737 and flew 82 Hurricane Katrina evacuees from Baton Rouge to San Diego. And he didn’t stop there. Frustrated with the slow federal aid to hurricane victims, Perez spent in excess of $389,000 of his own money for relief efforts and coordinated the shipment of 507 tons of donated food, water and medical supplies to shelters and rescue teams in hurricanetorn Mississippi and Louisiana. Perez’s helping hand has no doubt made a lasting impact on the lives of the 126 evacuees who now call San Diego home. |
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Mitch MitchellA year ago, when state regulators voted to approve a rate hike for SDG&E business customers, Mitchell railed against the increase. As vice president of public policy for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, he called it “a disgrace,” telling The San Diego Union-Tribune, “I’m completely outraged.” Now that he’s jumped over to the utility as its regional vice president for external affairs, Mitchell says one of his biggest challenges will be to promote harmony. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for me to be on the inside and talk about things that always confused us on the outside,” he says. |
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Ruben Navarrette Jr.He’s one of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s rising stars, a Latino editorial writer and columnist whose intelligent and thought-provoking prose —on matters local and national —can’t be categorized as liberal or conservative. Even his critics concede that, more often than not, Navarrette’s opinions make common sense, though they straddle ideological lines. And the national media is taking note: The 38-yearold Harvard grad—and self-described “recovering radio talk show host”—offers commentary on National Public Radio and writes a twiceweekly column that’s syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group to 200 newspapers. |
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Steve PadillaChula Vista’s mayor found himself in the spotlight last year when he publically announced he’s gay, and subsequently hired a police bodyguard (at a city expense of $10,000 a month). But this year, eyes will be on Padilla as he continues to oversee one of the county’s fastestgrowing cities while doubling as a member of the state Coastal Commission. “After decades of rhetoric and false starts, there is now a viable plan in place that will turn our underutilized coastline into a world-class bayfront, with parks, hotels, a convention center, shops, restaurants and a limited number of housing units,” Padilla says. “I’m focusing my efforts on moving it through the California Coastal Commission.” |
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Dan NovakThe driving force behind Channel 4 San Diego on Cox cable television, Novak recently left his post as Cox Communications vice president of programming and public affairs for a VP position at telecommunications giant Qualcomm. He will oversee programming and advertising for Qualcomm/MediaFLOW, working to get TV shows into cell phones. In the fourth quarter of 2006, look for his push to get 20 video and 20 audio channels into as many of the country’s 180 million mobile phones as possible. |
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Anne RiceWe profiled Rice just two months ago (“Interview with a Novelist,” November), but our high-profile new citizen is worth watching into 2006. The prolific author moved here from New Orleans, missing Hurricane Katrina by a matter of months. In a far cry from her erotic, supernatural Interview with a Vampire oeuvre, Rice—who recently returned to religion in her life—just wrote and published Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. CNN called it the most controversial fiction release last fall. |
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Janis SammartinoThe number of litigants who represent themselves in court is rising dramatically—especially in family law and probate matters —and Sammartino, the new presiding judge of Superior Court, knows the system must be more user-friendly. “Access to the courts isn’t meaningful unless it’s understandable,” she says, adding she’ll push for more facilitator programs to guide so-called “pro pers” through the legal maze. She’ll also oversee the San Diego introduction of a statewide case-management system intended to make the courts more efficient. |
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Judith PetersMarie Claire magazine declared La Jolla designer Judith Peters’ handbags the “It Bag,” and her fashionable, functional designs also bagged rave reviews in Elle magazine. Her latest creation, the beach- and resort-inspired Jellyfish line, is flying off shelves, and Peters will be expanding into skin care in 2006 with her sea-inspired line of the same name. “My designs cater to women who want to look great, yet are realistic about their budgets and the demands of day-to-day life,” says Peters, whose bags can be found in boutiques around town or through her Web site, judithpeters.com. |
Seen
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Beach BallLoose linens and sundresses are a welcome alternative to the traditional black-tie-optional garb every year at the Beach Ball fund-raiser for the American Heart Association, presented by Pure Financial Advisors. |
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2010 Best of San Diego Party PicturesSan Diego Magazine's Best-Of Party pictures are in! Survey the hottest scene this summer and all the city's best restaurants, wineries, breweries and more. |
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Clean Air Circle CelebrationThe American Lung Association celebrated three new honorees in its Clean Air Circle with a fete aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum. |
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Red BallOrganizers promised “a touch of madness” at SUSHI’s annual Red Ball, where patrons of performance art donned their fiercest red attire for an evening of food, music and fund-raising. |
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