This is Presidential Limousine's first month in Morris Slayen's property at the southeast corner of Laurel and State streets, for which John Thill gets the honor of paying (initially) $12,000 a month on a 25-year lease. The operation just moved from Mission Valley. Thill bought Presidential out of bankruptcy late last year, cleaned up its party image, restored the fleet, added new cars and now offers 80 vehicles primarily to the straight-laced corporate market, but also available to wedding and leisure clients. The fleet includes 12 Lincoln Towncars, five 14-passenger vans, two limousine buses, five vintage "wedding cars" (including 1930, '39 and '40 Packards, a '54 Austin Princess and '56 Bentley), and the balance in stretch limousines from Lincoln, Cadillac and Mercedes.
    A 30-year developer who's built more than 2,000 houses throughout California and a marketer who's sold more than 36,000 houses, Thill, 51, is the proprietor of Developers Marketing Associates. An Anaheim native (somebody has to be), and longtime Mammoth resident, he's split his time in recent years between San Diego and the ski resort.

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    Having just about conquered the gym fitness world, Jazzercise is now after computer users. Judy Missett's company will soon release CyberStretch, a screensaver that provides ergonomic and stretching tips.

***

    Joe McInerney, who once ran the sprawling Travelodge empire when the hotel company was headquartered in El Cajon, has resurfaced as CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. His tenure began right before Asia's market nosedived. Featured on the March 9 cover of Travel Agent, McInerney tells the magazine he's redirecting PATA's focus to "how (to) market yourself back into prosperity." He's also planning to move by year’s end PATA's headquarters from San Francisco to an Asian city. Competing to be PATA's new home are Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lampur, Macau, Manila and Singapore. Not Kearny Mesa?

***

    The world is getting smaller. When San Diego Metropolitan contributing editor and "Warren Buffett Speaks" author Janet Lowe returned to her office from a live CNBC interview about her book, an e-mail from her brother in Guam popped up on her computer saying he'd just seen her on TV.

    Chalk up Scott Hermes as another talented executive seduced by the San Diego lifestyle. Late last month Hermes, 40, gave up a dozen-year career with Hyatt Hotels, an occupation that had seen him advance to one of Hyatt's choicest positions: director of sales and marketing for the Hyatt Regency San Diego. But in the hotel world, moving on is a fact of life, one Hermes, who came here in 1991 to open the bayfront hyatt, chose to reject. After taking a weekend off, he started March 30 as v.p. of sales for Sunstone Hotels, a real estate investment trust that has grown from owning 23 hotels a year ago to 57 today, include about a half dozen in San Diego. Hermes will commute to his new job in San Clemente from his family's home in Scripps Ranch. "Hyatt is an awesome company," Hermes says. "They have been exceptionally good to me and my family. But it was time for me to do something else, personally and professionally. And I did not have an interest in leaving Southern California." Other hotel execs, and their former employers, who became similarly fond of San Diego include Reint Reinders (Marriott), Steve Pelzer (Hyatt), Martin Astengo (Pan Pacific) and Luis Barrios (Omni).

***

    In a similar vein, Lynn Mohrfeld, the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's long-time researcher who so adroitly brought ConVis to a leading-edge position in publicizing San Diego on the Internet, has gone to work for World Res in San Matteo as business development manager. World Res is an on-line booking company that ConVis has teamed with to offer reservations-by-Internet to local hotels. Part of the attraction was that Mohrfeld will trek north to San Mateo one week each month, otherwise working from San Diego.

***

    Roel Construction Co. and Soltek of San Diego picked up "Build America" awards from he Associated General Contractors at its national convention in New Orleans. Roel won in the new buildings category for the Sea World Wild Arctic exhibit. Soltek won in the building renovation category for the House of Charm in Balboa Park. Previously, only once had a San Diego builder won the coveted Build America.

***

    Patti McKelvey, McMillin Cos.' top-selling agent for the past 11 years, was honored for her achievements by the firm's president, Scott McMillin, at the company’s annual awards dinner. In 1997, her 178 sales and 187 listings were worth more than $30 million.

***

    LEAD San Diego is seeking 60 individuals to go through LEAD's nine-month seminar that begins in September. The application period opens April 6 and closes April 24. Call 232-3918 for more.

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    Software developers are scrambling to avoid system crashes that could occur on Jan. 1, 2000, as some programs are unable to recognize date codes for the new millennium. Some estimate $300 billion will be spent to fix the bugs. Helping out with the effort is Bonni Graham's Manual Labour, a technical documentation firm. "Companies seem to be aware that they need to fix their systems to avoid millennium crash," says Graham. "But what very few are addressing is the tremendous potential for 'people crash' that will occur when users aren’t brought up to speed with their equipment."

***

    With 47 percent of San Diego’s uninsured workers employed in small firms, many individuals end up paying cash for doctor visits and other medical services. In response, more than 100 physicians have joined together as Consumer Healthcare with the goal of providing quality health care at a discount for cash.
    The doctors are board-certified physicians with medical staff privileges at San Diego hospitals. An information center refers callers to a doctor nearby. "All of the current participating physicians in Consumer Healthcare also were on the medical staff of Harbor View Medical Center, the only Downtown San Diego hospital, which was closed in 1997," says Dr. Joseph Hartman, president of the physician group. "Many of Harbor View's patients, who were treated by Consumer Healthcare physicians, fell under the employed but uninsured category... Now that the hospital is closed, our physicians wish to treat these patients in their offices, which are close to where Harbor View was located."
A toll-free number, (888) 382-0400, connects callers with the 24-hour call center. In addition, program participants have access to a network of 125 pharmacies that provide cash discounts.

***

    South County middle school students toured Maxwell Technologies and Ligand Pharmaceuticals last month thanks to the efforts of the San Diego Council of the American Electronics Assn., BioCom San Diego and Denise Ducheny. The Tech Tours continue through May 5, with 10 South County middle and junior high schools visiting local high-tech and biotech companies. For more information call Marcelle Miller-Vogel, 455-0300; Erik Bruvold, 452-9288; or Sue Dunlap, 685-1478.

***

    In its first list of America's "Top 10 Affluent Communities," the Robb Report ranks La Jolla No. 10. Newport, R.I., was No. 9; Aspen, Co., No. 1.

***

    Downtown San Diego’s Orion Enterprise Development says it’s been hired by the Business Technology Center of Los Angeles to plan and develop a network of business incubators there.

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    Alan Ziegaus, president of Stoorza, Ziegaus & Metzger Inc. has won an All star Award in public affairs from Inside PR. Nominated by Gov. Wilson, Ziegaus was one of 20 public relations professionals honored by the magazine.

***

    Ziegaus succeeds partner Gail stoorza-Gill on the steering committee of Charles Nathanson's San Diego Dialogue. Other new members are Carolina Aubanel de Bustamante, Alan Bersin, Ruth Covell, Paul Drake, Anne Evans, James Langley, Hector Lutteroth, Jack McGrory, Tom Page, Julie Meier Wright and Serafin Zasueta.

***

    SDSU's College of Extended Studies has signed an agreement with the Chinese government to provide English language training and testing for all secretarial workers in China. Last year the college got a similar contract to train hotel workers in China.

***

    Scott Silverman has organized a noon April 17 meeting at San Diego National Bank to trot out Jack Flanagan and Lorenzo Harrison, the national leaders of Strive, that tough-love employment training and placement program featured on "60 Minutes" last May and August. Silverman, who runs Second Chance, is organizing a Strive San Diego division. Joining him are Ron Bird, Phil Blair, Howard Carey, John Johnson, Ira Katz and Mary Walshok.

***

    Like many others, Ron Muhammad discovered San Diego when sent here by the Navy. And like others the Little Rock, Ark., native eventually made his way back and started earning a living in real estate. Unlike many others, however, Muhammad and his wife moved Downtown seven years ago. And joining even a smaller group, Muhammad eight months ago secured a radio talk show. "The Talk Connection" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on KCBQ AM 1170. He honed his on-air skills by calling talk show hosts such as Stacy Taylor and Roger Hedgecock. His African-American oriented program covers lots of issues, from "Reparations for Black People," to "How to get the IRS and other government agencies out of your wallet and off your back." So where's he fit politically? "I am probably more conservative than liberal, but I am not right wing. I am very pro-business. I think business is one of the key ingredients for uplifting the inner city areas."

***

    Often for good reason, environmental regulations can put the fear of failure into even the hardiest business owner. Yet no one wants to drink contaminated water, breathe polluted air or feed their children chemical-laden foods. To help government agencies manage and reduce the use of toxins, the Environmental Health Coalition in San Diego has produced "Toxic Turnaround," a step-by-step guide that shows how pollution prevention is common sense along with being cheap and easy to accomplish. The guide is being marketed this month to public agencies nationwide. Copies are $28. Call 235-0281 for more.

***

    Construction starts in July on the first phase of Kelly Corporate Center, a 225,000-square-foot office park on 22 acres in Carlsbad. Leasing is being spearheaded by Rick Reeder and Kent Moore of BRE. Incidentally, BRE President Ted Phoenix and wife Sandi leave the first week of April for a 180-mile walk to Yuma. The trek is designed to raise funds for the Home of Guiding Hands.

***

    The local chapter of the Assn. for Women in Science is hosting a spring gala April 4, 6-10 p.m., at the Stephen Birch Aquarium. Proceeds go directly to the 1998 scholarship program. The keynote speaker is Mark Abrahams, editor of The Annals of Improbable Research, a humorous scientific journal and father of the Ig Nobel Awards. The cost is $35 for AWIS members and guests, $45 for others. Ready to discuss corporate sponsorships is Tina Kuus-Reichel, at 621-3242. For reservations, call the AWIS hotline at 687-5580.

***

    Harry Mathis and wife Mary will be presented with the Bishop's Cross award at Episcopal Community Services annual Angel Ball on June 27 at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Jan and Scott Rieger are co-chairing the event, formerly known as the ECS Dinner Dance

***

Cokie Roberts, co-anchor of the ABC News program "This Week," will speak May 13, noon, at the U.S. Grant about her new book, "We Are Our Mother’s Daughters." Her appearance is part of the YWCA's Distinguished Speaker Series. Tickets are $40 for lunch; $75 for lunch and an earlier reception with Roberts. Call 699-8669 for reservations. ***     Now entering its fifth year, the 160-member strong San Diego Digital Multimedia Association has launched CyberSuds, a networking social at the Café Design Center. While most gatherings will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month, the inaugural CyberSuds was moved to April 20 due to the Easter holiday. The cost is $7 for members, $10 for others. For more, call Karla Bumann, 685-2068. ***

Cokie Roberts

    Dyson & Dyson Real Estate Associates marked its 10th anniversary by opening a seventh office, this one in Carlsbad at 7020 Avenida Encinas.

***

    Troy Hemmingway's Camping Pros, which earned ink here last June for offering catered visits to local camping spots, has teamed with Conniry's Wilderness School to provide team-building, back-to-nature experiences geared toward businesses and their employees. Call 455-0565 for more.

***

    Due to an editing error, A Fair Way Mediation Center was not included in a list of mediators that appeared in the March issue. Following is what should have appeared:
Name: Richard M. Gordon; Company: A Fair Way Mediation Center; Address: 501 West Broadway; San Diego, CA 92101; Phone: 702-9174; Areas of specialty: General business and commercial; community association/homeowner disputes; family law and personal injury claims; Years in ADR: 6.

***

    Busy Ninteman Construction Co. has started work on the $6 million renovation and expansion of Balboa Park's historic Federal Building. The finished project will house the San Diego Hall of Champions. The effort involves gutting an existing 29,000-square-foot, single-story building and adding 39,000 square feet to create a three story building. Elsewhere, Ninteman has broken ground on a $7-million, 65,000-square-foot, three-story office building called Champions of the West Plaza that’s located in the San Diego Corporate Center on El Camino Real. Next month, Ninteman breaks ground on the second phase of Cornerstone Corporate Centre in Carlsbad. The $5 million effort involves two buildings, one 48,000 square feet and the other 34,000. The $10-million, 52,000-square-foot first-phase effort should open in July. It already is fully leased by TriTeal Corp.

***

    San Diego-based California Edison Utilities has been bought by German-owned Raab Karcher Energy Service. The purchase is part of Rabb Karcher's efforts to sell its water submetering systems to multi-family housing projects in the U.S. The idea, of course, is to let the tenants, instead of landlords, pay for water used. RKES manages submetering systems for more than 6 million apartments throughout Europe.

***

    Pacific Coast Foam, San Diego’s largest supplier of architectural expanded polystyrene foam shapes, has opened a North County office at 285 Venture St., Suite B, in San Marcos.

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    More than 200 Websites were competing at the 1997 WebAwards Competition sponsored by the Web Marketing Assn. Three San Diego sites came away winners: Eastlake, CCS/PR Inc. and Merchant Accounts.

***

    When Bank of America pulled out of Alpine, Grossmont Bank, which already had a 20-year presence in the community, acquired the accounts and moved into BofA's old branch at 2250 Alpine Blvd.

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    The largest competition in the nation for new home sales and marketing is "The Nationals." Coming away with honors as "Detached Community of the Year" is Greystone Home's Old Coach Collection in Poway.

***

    GTE Wireless honored S.D. police detectives Dave Hendron and Jim Ackley, Chula Vista police detective Dale Borgeois and U.S. Secret Service special agents Richard Smith and Tim Fidel for their efforts to combat cellular fraud in San Diego. In December 1996, GTE Wireless teamed with local law enforcement to target the crime. The program, complete with a surveillance van operated by GTE's security department, has decreased cellular fraud 95 percent in the San Diego market.

***

    Harbor Club sales manager Kit Schindler reports a rash of buyers lately from Wisconsin — at least five to date. Says Schindler: "We have never seen this kind of a surge from the Midwest. Until recently, our out-of-town residents have traditionally been from the desert areas — they like to come here to escape the heat." Could it be that Cheeseheads, watching their favorite team in San Diego during the Super Bowl, have realized the superiority of California and are making the move?

***

    Nominees and sponsors are being sought for the eighth annual BIG Awards produced by the Home Builders Council of the Building Industry Assn. of San Diego County. The awards presentation is set for June 18 in SDSU's Cox Arena. The nomination deadline is May 1. Call Sheryl Schane at the BIA at 450-1221.

***

    The 19th annual Downtown YMCA Breakers Beach Run is set for May 30 at Mission Beach. Funds raised by the 10-mile and 5k jaunts support the Downtown YM's community outreach efforts, including a youth literacy program, basketball and football leagues and gang and drug-prevention programs. The literacy program, which involves matching trained volunteers with students, has helped more than 1,000 children since its 1996 launch. Jed Galatro, the program's director, wants to double the size of the program, which now provides one-on-one tutoring for about 100 kids at a time.
    New to the Breakers run this year is the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine Corporate Relay, featuring teams of five employees from area businesses. Each team member will run two miles of the course. The entry fee is $250; the winner gets special recognition on these pages. For additional information, call the Downtown YMCA at 232-7451.

***

    Point Loma Nazarene College trustees have voted unanimously to change to university status. The change becomes official at the close of the 1998 commencement ceremonies on May 17.

***

    "The Magic Is You," an introductory program designed to encourage students to believe in themselves, will be performed by the San Diego Opera Ensemble in Center Court at Carlsbad Company Stores at noon April 11.

***

    Rolling up 91 listings and 78 sales in 1997 earned Dan Driscoll acceptance into the Coldwell Banker's President's Elite Club. Driscoll, a North Park specialist, also was named Coldwell's top listing agent in San Diego.

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    All four Colliers offices in San Diego County have consolidated their marketing operations and changed their names to Colliers International, says CEO John McLernon. The commercial sales and leasing operation employs 82 people.

***

    Bycor General Contractors is under construction with the 127,000-square-foot Goldentip Technology Center within the 4S Ranch Business Park in Rancho Bernardo. The two-story building should be completed July 1.

The Saturn Cycling Tour rolled out of town as a big success, having attracted more than 2,000 cyclists and 1,500 spectators to Mission Bay on March 22. Funds raised benefit the American Cancer Society.

***

    A series of activities April 24 to 26 will celebrate the unveiling of University Towne Center after a 10-month, $12 million renovation. Three fountains will be dedicated at 11 a.m. April 24 to three noteworthy San Diego women: Kate Sessions, Ellen Browning Scripps and Helen Woodward. A walking tour of the center will follow. Also planned that day is a 10 a.m. private reception at which artist Judith Jarcho will unveil a painting of Helen Woodward and her dogs. Activities April 25 include the first of monthly adopt-a-pet events sponsored by the Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoption Outreach, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    The center will present an array of new merchants in a park-like setting with trees and plants indigenous to San Diego. In addition to the three fountains, the former food pavilion, now called The Marketplace, is the heart of the mall and features a 57-foot clock tower.

***

    The San Diego Park and Recreation Internet site — www.sannet.gov/park-and-recreation — has been judged the best Web page in the state for cities of 100,000 or more in population. The award comes from the California Parks and Recreation Society.

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    Fieldstone Communities Inc. has won the 1998 "Customer Service Program of the Year" award presented by Conaway & Turner, a San Diego consulting firm that reviews customer service among more than 300 home builders nationwide.

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    The law offices of Vakili and Associates, a full-service firm formerly located in La Jolla, moves to Downtown this month.