Valley Briefs Interim Dean Named Cal State Northridge has named Fred Evans as the interim dean of its College of Business and Economics. He replaces Michael Fronmueller who will join the faculty at the university’s Department of Management beginning with the fall 2003 term. Fronmueller stepped down from his post as Dean of the College of Business and Economics in July. He will continue to serve as co-director of the college’s District 3 Regional Lead Center for the Business Development Network in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Evans is the dean of Cal State Fresno’s Craig School of Business and Economics. He has held that post since 1994. Evans will remain as interim dean through August 2006. A search for a permanent dean will be conducted during the 2005-2006 school year, the university said. Marfred Acquires Firm Sun Valley-based corrugated box-maker Marfred Industries has acquired RICO Packaging Materials for an undisclosed amount. El Cajon-based RICO will become the San Diego division for the company and will continue to operate with its existing staff, said Marvin Fenster, Marfred president and CEO. “The acquisition of RICO, coupled with our existing manufacturing, design skills and enhanced product line will establish Marfred’s RICO division as a major competitive force in San Diego,” Fenster said. RICO manufactures corrugated boxes along with packaging and shipping supplies for mostly the San Diego market. The company’s move marks the first time it has acquired another box maker. Marfred operates primarily out of its Sun Valley headquarters where it makes packaging and corrugated boxes for a variety of products including computers, home appliances, consumer electronics and auto parts. The firm also operates distribution facilities in Las Vegas, Lakeview Terrace, Pacoima and North Hollywood, which serve customers throughout the West Coast and the Midwest. Nevada Courts Businesses Perhaps taking advantage of California’s economic woes, Nevada state officials have begun an advertising campaign aimed at luring businesses to move to their state. “We’re not tip-toeing around anymore,” said Somer Hollingsworth, president and CEO of the Nevada Development Authority, in a statement. “Businesses need to know they are not trapped into the current California economy. Nevada offers a luring escape route we want everyone to hear about.” The “You’re Out of Business” advertising campaign will feature advertisements in seven major California publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Business Times, Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, the San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County business journals (owned by California Business Journals, the parent company of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal), and the San Diego Union Tribune. The $600,000 effort will run from August until June 2004 with weekly ads in the seven publications that will feature a toll-free number for business owners to call about relocation information. Last year the ad campaign proponent, the Nevada Development Authority, attracted 21 companies to southern Nevada, creating 1,157 jobs and producing $109.3 million in combined revenues.
