Staff Report | Pacific Coast Business Times

Staff Report | Monday, March 17th, 2014

Michael and Anne Towbes give $5M to Granada Theatre group

Developer and banker Michael Towbes and his wife, Anne, have made a $5 million gift to the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts. The gift is irrevocable, the organization said in a March 17 announcement, and is in addition to the $15 million the couple has previously given to SBCPA.

Staff Report | Friday, March 14th, 2014

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea founder to keynote Top Women awards

QAD profits slip despite record revenue

Banking & Finance, South Coast, Technology, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies

Summerland-based QAD’s profits in its most recent fiscal year dipped 3.8 percent to $6.4 million, or 41 cents per Class A share and 34 cents per Class B share.

Staff Report | Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Sonos discloses $535M in revenue

Technology, Top Stories

In a rare financial disclosure, Santa Barbara audio firm Sonos has disclosed that its 2013 revenue was $535 million and that total sales doubled during the past year.

Staff Report | Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Heritage Oaks names new CFO

Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Tri-County Public Companies

Lonny Robinson has been named chief financial officer at Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bancorp. Robinson, previously with Banc of California, will join Heritage Oaks as CFO and executive vice president on March 19.

Staff Report | Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

Santa Maria chamber CEO Bob Hatch to retire

Central Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy

Bob Hatch is retiring after 20 years as president and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the largest business group in North Santa Barbara County.

Staff Report | Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

Clean Diesel shares soar on Acura contract

Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County

Clean Diesel said it has begun production of a new series of catalytic-emissions reduction products for the 2015 version of Honda’s gasoline-powered Acura TLX models. The announcement sent the Ventura-based firm’s shares soaring 74 percent higher in trading on March 11.