North Bay Business Journal

SANTA ROSA — Kaiser Permanente’s recent announcement that it will launch a family residency program for Sonoma County reflects both local and national health care issues, as providers seek to attract and retain physicians in lieu of a heightened emphasis on expanding primary care capabilities to best serve the community.

NAPA — After 18 months of construction — and after weathering one of the toughest economic recessions in memory — The Meritage Resort and Spa officially opened a newly built, $40 million expansion that essentially doubles this size of the existing hotel, which it hopes will help boost tourism spending not just at the hotel but throughout the surrounding area.

ROHNERT PARK — Entrepreneurs and all that support them take note. The iHub and Sonoma State University are putting on a new event to showcase startups, both existing and potential.

NORTH COAST — State water-quality regulators are developing new rules that would require North Coast agricultural property owners or operators to develop, follow and update ongoing, multiyear plans for controlling and reversing erosion into ecologically sensitive waterways.

NAPA — Wine industry economics in California have changed dramatically in the last year — even since the beginning of this year — as more wine producers realize the marketplace for grapes and wine in bulk won’t be large enough to keep pace with sales of finished wine. And the outlook for adding significant supply of major varietals in the state, particularly in the North Coast, will be challenging for the foreseeable future, according to experts at a major industry seminar in Napa.

NAPA — Backed with new funding, VinPerfect is moving into larger-scale production of its design for a screw cap and liner combination that allows winemakers to control oxygen transfer to the wine after the bottle is sealed.

SONOMA — Increasing sales of wine plus greater demand for direct shipments has fulfillment services provider Wineshipping packing for a major expansion to Napa Valley.

At a time when investors face widely swinging markets and an uncertain legislative outlook, several North Bay wealth advisers maintain that a long-term approach remains the core of a sound wealth management strategy. North Bay Business Journal asked advisers to comment on the current investment climate, the top concerns of clients, current pitfalls and how upcoming economic and legislative events might affect the world of wealth management.

 ”God grant that men of principle shall be out principal men.” – Thomas Jefferson Some of you may be familiar with the famed but controversial West Point Cadet Honor Code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.” Few of us would doubt the wisdom of “will not lie, cheat [...]

Bank of the West is one of the leading bank lenders to U.S. agriculture, according to an American Bankers Association online ranking, Top 100 Farm Lenders. … Travis Credit Union began what it calls an industry-first cultural immersion training exercise meant to increase employees’ level of service for Hispanic customers. … The California State Board of Equalization offers a free mobile software application, BOE ePay. … Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced that it paid franchise fees and property taxes of almost $286 million to 49 counties and 243 cities in which it operates. … Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) announced American Samoa Telecommunications Authority selected the Calix Unified Access Portfolio and Calix Professional Services to support and implement the authority’s Broadband Linking the American Samoa Territory (BLAST) project. … HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc., focused on water-management solutions, is releasing three new WeatherTRAK products, extending the line of “smart” irrigation and central control products this year. … California executive and entrepreneur John Kalb started EV Charging Pros. …

Business-related events in the north San Francisco Bay Area

Commercial real estate leases and sales in the north San Francisco Bay Area

John Meislahn has joined the business development team at Exchange Bank as vice president and SBA business development officer. … Mary Celestre and Judy Reynolds have each been promoted to vice president. … Minh Tran, who has been assistant county counsel for Napa County since July 2009, was named by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to the top attorney position. … KGO radio anchor and reporter Jeffrey Schaub moved to KCBS All News AM 740/FM 106.9. … Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage announced two additions to its Marin County management team: Joanne Zavlaris as assistant manager and Kevin Kearney as assistant manager. … VML Winery‘s Virginia Lambrix hired Alex Kanzler to direct quality control for the company’s wines made at the Russian River Valley winery in Healdsburg. … Mike Meneghelli joined Napa-based wine bottle supplier Global Package as sales representative. … Seghesio Family Vineyards has appointed Ned Neumiller as the winery’s head of grower relations.

March 23-24, 2012: Chef Charlie Palmer’s seventh annual ‘Pigs and Pinot’ weekend was held at the Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg.

The North Bay Business Journal has announced 15 recipients of its 2012 Women In Business Awards.