As San Diego Regional EDC celebrates 60 years since its founding in 1965 and continues to drive an inclusive economic development strategy for the region, outgoing Board Chair Jennie Brooks passes the gavel to Tom Seidler, Executive Vice President, Community & International Impact of the San Diego Padres.
“It was my brother Peter who first asked me to represent the Padres on the EDC board.
I am honored to take on this new role and work even more closely with EDC’s team. Our mission is to drive greater inclusion, innovation, and growth across San Diego in order to better elevate our people, businesses, and identity on the global stage,” said Tom Seidler, Executive Vice President, Community & International Impact of the San Diego Padres. The Padres, which employs more than 1,200 San Diegans, have become a consistent playoff contender and top-three team in attendance over the past several years.
While San Diego faces new pressures at the local, state, and federal level, and while residents and businesses are continually challenged by the affordability crisis, the goalposts outlined in the Inclusive Growth Initiative are more important than ever. It is an economic imperative that the region create more skilled talent, quality jobs, and thriving households, or San Diego’s competitiveness is at risk.
“I am proud to pass the gavel to my colleague and friend Tom Seidler in this milestone year,“ said outgoing Chair Jennie Brooks, Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, who served a three-year term which saw EDC’s largest headcount and budget during a time of post-pandemic economic recovery. “EDC’s employer-led, data-driven approach makes crystal clear the needs of the economy and the onus of the business community in making a difference. I know Tom will continue this important work and set us on the right path for EDC’s next 60 years.”
As Chair, Seidler is supported by five officers: Vice Chair Kevin Pegels, Head of Global Quality & Operations, Illumina; Vice Chair Karen Reinhardt, Head of HR, US, ASML; Vice Chair of Inclusive Growth Lisette Islas, CEO, Lifeline Community Services; Treasurer Manuel Rodriguez, Market President, San Diego Commercial Banking, U.S. Bank; and Secretary Jane Finley, Senior Vice President & Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente.
Along with the election of a new chair, EDC’s board also elected five new directors: Tyler Carter, Park President, SeaWorld San Diego; Brunson Howard, Market Leader & Senior Managing Director, CBRE; Richard Neale, Corporate Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development & Growth Officer, Scripps Health; Jennette Shay, COO, Price Philanthropies Foundation; and Dan Skopec, Senior Vice President & CRO, San Diego Gas & Electric.
EDC is a membership-based nonprofit organization that mobilizes government and civic leaders around an inclusive economic development strategy in order to connect data to decision making, maximize regional prosperity, enhance global competitiveness and position San Diego effectively for investment and talent. The organization’s more than 150 investors (members) range from rising stars like NOVO Brazil Brewing Co., to the region’s largest employers like Qualcomm and Illumina, to leading anchor institutions such as universities, hospitals, and sports franchises, among others.
“As a beloved San Diego leader, Tom is perfectly positioned to lead EDC in this unique moment in time. Notably, he has moved through each EDC officer role, serving as past secretary, treasurer, and vice chair,” said Mark Cafferty, President & CEO, San Diego Regional EDC. “With a national climate as challenging as this, Tom’s humility, leadership, and deep understanding of San Diego’s strengths and opportunities are exactly what the organization needs as we strive to make San Diego a model for the nation and the world.”
EDC officially welcomed Tom Seidler as Board Chair at its Annual Dinner event at Petco Park on Thursday, May 15.