meet Our Life. Changing. Honorees
Dear EDC investors and partners,
As summer begins to draw near, our team at San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is eager to kick off many of our signature programs and events just around the corner. None bigger than our Annual Dinner, underwritten by Point Loma Nazarene University.
Held again at Petco Park as a celebration to the community of investors, partners, and leaders who make our work possible, EDC’s Annual Dinner has become a yearly moment of reflection for me—not just to take stock of the work behind us or ahead us, but to think of how much our mission continues to evolve and adapt to the economy and community we serve.
We give out two honors, dubbed our “Life. Changing.” Awards: Two words that capture the essence of San Diego in so many ways, and two words that have become a bit of a mantra for our work and the way we see and promote the region.
But before they took on their current title, the Awards were named in memory of two San Diegans who embodied the leadership that defined a rapidly growing region and economy. One, Duane Roth the indomitable promoter of San Diego innovation, science, technology, and entrepreneurship. The other, Herb Klein revered for bringing people together for the greater good and going above and beyond professional roles and responsibilities to move San Diego forward.
I have always been proud of the individuals we choose to recognize at our Annual Dinner, as with each passing year, the awards have become a more powerful reflection of the organization we strive to be, and the people and institutions that inspire us the most.
This year, we recognize the continued investment, growth, and innovation of ASML—an international technology giant with great history in San Diego, and one of the most important global players in the semiconductor industry fulfilling chipmakers’ needs from manufacturing to software.
We also honor Robert Gleason—local executive, community leader, civic treasure, and President and CEO of Evans Hotels, one of our region’s most important tourism companies, and an individual who has truly changed the San Diego economy and community through his advocacy, service, engagement, and activism.
Continuing to celebrate all that makes San Diego creative and innovative—while also celebrating what makes it welcoming, inclusive, and good—has become a highlight of our work and a gift to the community that surrounds us. It is at the core of what makes our work so special. It is the very foundation of what makes our region so Life. Changing.
I hope you’ll join us on June 4 at Petco Park for our 2026 Annual Dinner—another fun, meaningful, and beautiful night of camaraderie, friendship, and recognizing and appreciating the very best of who San Diego is.
With gratitude and respect,
Mark Cafferty
President & CEO
More from EDC
- See our impact in our Monthly Report
- Apply by June 15—EDC and JPMorganChase are back for the second annual San Diego Business Impact Awards! Nominate your company and celebrate your local impact
- Save the date to celebrate with us on July 23; registration details to come
- Learn about Cross Border Xpress’ regional impact and 2030 expansion plan in our latest Investor Spotlight