For the next installment in our Board Member Spotlight series, we are pleased to introduce Dennis Doucette, partner at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP. Read the Q&A below and get to know Dennis and how he effects San Diego’s economic development outside of his role as one of EDC’s board members.
What is your “day job”?
I assist in company forming, funding, and selling. As a corporate attorney, I help my clients realize their goals with efficient legal and business solutions. I have been fortunate to have worked on more than 400 transactions representing buyers, sellers, and investors.
Of all the boards in San Diego, why EDC?
I have served on many for-profit and non-profit boards and look forward to assisting EDC in its mission to make San Diego a better place for all companies and their employees.
Favorite quote?
“It often requires more courage to dare to do right than fear to do wrong.”
– Abraham Lincoln
We know San Diego is a life changing place, what was your life changing moment?
Meeting my wife Margot and enjoying every day together.
EDC welcomed 10 new directors to its board, with Janice Brown, founder of Brown Law Group, continuing to serve as chair through May 2020. The board will help guide the programs and initiatives for the privately-funded, nonprofit organization with more than 180 investors.
“I’m thrilled to continue serving as board chair of EDC,” said Janice Brown, founder of Brown Law Group and chair of EDC. “EDC’s board is now stronger than ever. With our pool of dedicated board members, we will be able to set an impactful agenda for all of San Diego’s economy, lifting every community in our region. I truly believe there’s no mountain high enough for us to overcome, San Diego!”
EDC’s board is comprised of elected directors and trustees representing partner organizations in the business community. Directors are vetted by EDC’s governance committee and elected annually by its membership to serve two-year terms. For 2019, 25 directors were re-elected alongside 10 new directors. Two new trustees were also appointed by the organization’s executive committee. The board represents executives from companies, organizations, institutions and the military along with elected officials, who are all working cohesively to advance San Diego’s economy.
“Thanks to the support from our investors, board and the entire San Diego business community, EDC is working to positively shape the region’s future.” said Mark Cafferty, president and CEO, San Diego Regional EDC. “Together, we can make San Diego a better place to live and work for all residents and businesses.”
2019 Officers:
Chair – Janice Brown, Founder at The Brown Law Group
Vice Chair – Rob Douglas, President and COO at ResMed, Inc.
Vice Chair – Julian Parra, Business Banking Executive at Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Treasurer – June Komar, Executive Vice President at Scripps Health
Secretary – Phil Blair, President and CEO at Manpower San Diego
Mark Cafferty, President and CEO at San Diego Regional EDC
Newly elected Directors:
Dennis Doucette, Partner at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
Cheryl Goodman, Head of Corporate Communications at Sony Electronics
Dan Harrington, EVP and Chief Services Officer at Teradata
Don Kearns, President Emeritus at Rady Children’s Hospital
Mark Navarra, Managing Partner at Jerome’s Furniture
Mike Neal, President and CEO at HG Fenton
Tom Pellette, President at Solar Turbines
Greg Richardson, Lead Advisor at Dowling & Yahnke
Manuel Rodriguez, Market President at US Bank
Matt Thoene, CEO at AIS
Newly appointed Trustees:
Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director at San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Jim Madaffer, Board Chair at San Diego County Water Authority
On the horizon for 2019
With and through its investors, EDC will remain focused on sustaining and growing existing initiatives and programs including San Diego: Life. Changing, the Defense Innovation Voucher Program, regional research and Innovate78. World Trade Center San Diego, an affiliate of EDC, will continue to drive an international agenda for San Diego through programs including MetroConnect as well as an upcoming trade mission to Germany in late 2019.
Additionally, EDC will continue to support companies of all sizes with their growth efforts by assisting with regulatory/permitting support, economic incentive consulting, strategic partnerships and more. EDC services are underwritten by its investors that believe in creating a more prosperous San Diego, and are free-of-charge to companies looking to expand, stay or locate in the San Diego region. In 2018 alone, EDC directly assisted more than 170 companies, which represented approximately 7,000 jobs in San Diego.
For our next Board Member Spotlight, we are pleased to introduce David Andrews, president of National University. Read the Q&A below and get to know David, the work he is doing with National University, and why serving on EDC’s board is important to him.
What is your “day job”?
I have the privilege of leading National University, the second largest private, nonprofit university in the state. Having spent all of my career in higher education, it is very rewarding to run an open-access, adult-serving institution that is changing student’s lives and transforming the higher education sector.
Of all the boards in San Diego, why EDC?
Economic conditions in San Diego are central to our ability to attract and retain talented faculty, staff, and students. As an open-access, adult-serving institution in California, we need to be at the table and doing our part to maximize opportunities for our students.
Favorite quote?
“No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it.” –Albert Einstein
We know San Diego is a life changing place, what was your life changing moment?
My life-changing moment was when I found my wife, Marti, nearly four decades ago. All who knew me before meeting her regularly attest to the positive transformation she made in my life.
For our next Board Member Spotlight, we are pleased to introduce Dan Broderick, who is Regional Managing Principal for the Southwest region at Cushman & Wakefield. Read the Q&A below and get to know Dan, the work he does for Cushman & Wakefield, and why he’s proud to serve on EDC’s board.
What is your “day job”?
At Cushman & Wakefield, I lead all of our commercial real estate services lines for the Southwest region – Brokerage (Occupier and Investor), Capital Markets, Asset Services, Construction Management, and Valuation & Advisory. In San Diego, we are the market leader in the full spectrum of real estate services throughout the county, operating out of five offices with approximately 250 people in the region.
Of all the boards in San Diego, why EDC?
EDC exemplifies what is great about San Diego: our demographics, our talent, our resources, our community, and our culture. EDC is the intersection where information, politics, business, trade, and technology converge for the betterment of our region. It is the gold standard for collaboration and creating a cohesive vision for the future of our great home, San Diego.
Favorite quote?
“The choice isn’t between success and failure; it’s between choosing risk and striving for greatness, or risking nothing and being certain of mediocrity.” – Keith Ferrazi
We know San Diego is a life changing place, what was your life changing moment?
In 2010, I was asked to be the CEO of BRE Commercial, a 25 year-old San Diego firm. I will forever cherish the experiences and relationships I developed. Nine years later, we have achieved what we set out to do. We have become a premier global firm and a leader in the region. We work with amazing people, who are talented, dedicated, driven, and leaders in the industry. I am proud to work with all of them, and to be on this great journey together.
