That's one way to do it, yes. The Pectel (as you said) is the other recommended method. There are other ways that are either frowned upon or laughed at.
For sake of discussion here your best bet is to stick with the mainstream solutions.
I don't really know of anybody on the West Coast, let alone anybody on the South-West coast, that can tune a chip. You may want to check with Tom, though. It certainly sounds like he's gotten reasonably well with doing mail-order tunes (re-cal'd MAF, higher flow Injectors, custom chip as a package from him if you're doing a home made turbo). You'd still need a trip or two to the dyno to verify that it's all working right (A/F primarily).
Also, there's at least one group of former (or present?) Ford-educated guys that travel around and re-program computers for people. A search should turn up their name and web site. They may be coming to the LA area sometime soon (or sometime around whenever you'd need their services)
Alternately, you could find a good shop with a dyno that can competently tune something like the Uni-Chip (in place of a chip) on a Ford (Focus in particular) and then combine it with larger injectors and a re-calibrated MAF. You'd have to mess with the timing quite a bit as well as the fuel curves. Some will argue that the Ford computer will learn around the Uni-Chip, but it (or something very similar) is what Tom started with on the Focus I believe. So make of that what you will.
Me, if I ever do my own turbo setup, I'll probably take a bit of what Jackson did on the SVT SC, a hint of what Aerocharger did with their SFMS, stir in some J&S and a few other bits, and see what happens*.
Won't be cheap but will probably be cheaper than the Pectel, and easier to tune (though not nearly as flexible/powerful).
Good luck with whatever route you go!
*Note that spefic brands and/or products will be substiuted in some cases.
