2024 Board Of Director Candidates V2.pptx

La Jolla Village Merchants Association Board of Direct Candidates and Statements

1. Board of Director Candidates 2024-2026

2. By Laws review and election procedure Board Structure and Candidates LJMVA is a 15 Person Board Board members serve two-year terms allowing approximately ½ of the board to rotate each year. Term Limits: three consecutive two-year terms Board members can reapply after a one-year hiatus Board members must be BID members/delegates Current State of Board 15 of 15 Seats are currently filled 10 Board Members will be elected this cycle There are 13 Candidates Election Process Each BID member business gets one vote. (There are 1268 merchants in the BID. Let’s get out the vote!) Tuesday, October 1 - Wednesday, October 2  – Secret ballots must be cast in-person at the office of La Jolla Village Merchants Association, 7734 Herschel Avenue, Suite C, La Jolla, CA 92037 between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM One vote per eligible business/business management delegate. Ballots will be sealed with Business Tax ID OR Business Name. Eligibility will be verified against City of San Diego September BID List. No absentee, proxy, mail, text or email ballots are accepted. Wednesday, October 19  - Ballots will be publicly opened and counted beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the LJVMA Annual Meeting/Board Meeting at the La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Avenue, La Jolla. C Wednesday, November 13 – Board members will be sworn in.

3. 2024 Board Member candidates

4. Scott blaul Current Board Member la jolla cove inn and suites Hotel and Tourism Thank you for the opportunity to self-nominate to become a Board member of the La Jolla village Merchants Association. I bring 30 plus years of hotel and hospitality experience to the association including 10 years in San Diego and five specifically in la Jolla. While working with Marriott years ago, I was honored to be the Chairman of the Desert Communities Business Council. We were focused on for pillars – community service, government affairs, marketing and business development. My vision is that we are hyper focused on what makes La Jolla thrive in the eyes of our community, businesses, residents and visitors. I hope you will consider me to become a board members with the LJVMA. Sincerely, Scott W. Blaul Note: Scott filled a mid year vacancy and is seeking his first full term on the Board.

5. Jamie Mae Cheng Current Board Member   Urban Kitchen group restaurant My name is Jamie Mae Cheng, and I am excited to offer my continued candidacy for the La Jolla Village Merchant Association Board. With over 20 years of experience in integrated marketing, specializing in hospitality and tourism, I bring a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective to the table. As a proud UCSD alumnus, I currently lead marketing efforts for The Kitchen @MCASD and Urban Kitchen Group, including CUCINA enoteca in Del Mar and CUCINA urbana , Urban Kitchen at the Rady Shell in Jacobs Park, among other prominent concepts across Southern California. In my role, I have successfully garnered nationwide recognition for our properties through innovative digital media strategies, impactful public relations campaigns, and compelling storytelling. Collaborating closely with esteemed owners Tracy Borkum and Chef Partner Tim Kolanko , I have helped to seamlessly blend art with culinary excellence, enhancing the overall guest experience. Elected to the LJVMA board as a mid-year replacement this past spring, I have increased the working partnership with MCASD and played an active role on the selection committee for our digital marketing firm. I believe my background in hospitality and tourism, and my commitment to fostering community engagement will continue to be valuable to this diverse and dynamic board. Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to running for my full term and representing the growing hospitality community in the La Jolla village.

6. Joline mann   Current Board Member Purposer / Secret vein clinic Health/wellness As a resident and business owner in La Jolla for the past 10 years, I’ve come to love every facet of our seaside community from the beach to our many family-run businesses. It’s my intention to stay in this community for many more years and support not only my own business initiatives but also that of other local businesses because I firmly believe that we grow by helping each other. I’ll bring my skills and experience in social media, paid advertising, SEO, website development and e-commerce sales to the board. We can leverage these marketing strategies among others to help all small businesses expand their network of loyal shoppers and develop a strong brand awareness. As the owner of our La Jolla Village Urgent Care Clinic and Vascular Clinic, I also intend to bring a unique health & wellness perspective to the board. Caring for the health of our La Jolla residents should always be a priority and it’s my vision to one day make La Jolla a blue zone too - a community initiative to make our geographical area a place where residents thrive, grow in fellowship and live extraordinarily long healthy lives. Note: Joline filled a mid year vacancy and is seeking his first full term on the Board.

7. Mark McDonald current board member realtor pacific sotheby’s International real estate real estate/ professional services I am very active in the promotion of the La Jolla Village via hosting a variety of charity and art events at our gallery setting and open veranda in front of our office. I will be co-hosting several other events in and around La Jolla with my partner (Brigitte Adams) via regularly scheduled pop-up events to promote La Jolla, other local La Jolla businesses, charities, and the La Jolla real estate and lifestyles. I have volunteered whenever the need arises for LJVMA. I was voted in mid-year and am currently serving on the LJVMA Board of Directors. I welcome the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board to have a greater impact on the well-being and preservation of La Jolla Village. We have a great team with great ideas that we are implementing currently . I look forward to playing an important role to help bring about exciting changes for the merchants of the La Jolla Village as well as those whom consider La Jolla to be their home. Thank you for your consideration to allow me to continue to be of service. Note: Mark filled a mid year vacancy and is seeking his first full term Board.

8. Bill Podway Current Board treasurer Hi Sweetheart retail have been involved with the LJVMA for the past three years as a volunteer and have served for over two years as a board member and Board Treasurer. I am proud to have supported efforts to bring in substantial grant funds to LJVMA and am an active volunteer. I am currently representing the LJVMA on the PDO (Planned District Ordinance), Traffic and Transportation and Coastal Access and Parking Committees. As a retired retails executive, I can contribute many ideas to help LJVMA become a more vibrant force in the village. I look forward to being involved in all of these committees in any way possible to help make La Jolla the best place in San Diego to live, work and play. Thank you for your consideration. Note: Bill Podway is seeking his seeking his second full term on the board. He serves on three joint committees of La jolla.

9. Chad taggart current board member   lobster west restaurant As a small business owner in several cities throughout San Diego over the last eleven years, I’ve been privileged enough to learn about the trials and triumphs that each specific town faces with the ever-changing landscapes that come over time. Overwhelmingly, a strong sense of community seems to be what helps guide each one and allow it to thrive and grow, and I hope to become an advocate for building relationships between the many wonderful merchants Note: Chad is seeing his second term on the board.

10. Dr. maddie wallace current board member   Owner, awaken chiropractic health/wellness My name is Dr Maddie Wallace and I would like to serve on the La Jolla Village Merchants Association Board for another term because of the rewarding experience I have had so far. I enjoy being an active member of the La Jolla community and staying up to date with all of the current events. One of my favorite aspects of being on the board is being able to share my insight with fellow La Jolla business owners and encourage them to be involved as well. Note: Dr. is seeking her second term on the board.

11. Generoso Padigos, Jr. subterranean coffee restaurant Opening my first cafe in 2012, and progressing to 2 more, one in South Park and now in La Jolla, I would love to bring my entrepreneur savviness to the LJVMA. With the first year of opening up my cafe in La Jolla, I am in awe of the community support in La Jolla, I would love to be apart of it! N ote: Gene is a first-time candidate to the LJVMA Board.

12. Ernesto carolla Attorney, Estelle & Kennedy legal professional services As a first-generation college and law school graduate, I bring a strategic mindset and a commitment to driving economic growth in La Jolla Village. My diverse legal background, encompassing immigration, family, and civil litigation, equips me with the skills to navigate complex business challenges and advocate effectively for our community's interests. I am passionate about the La Jolla Village Merchants Association's mission to unify businesses and enhance our competitive edge in the regional market. My vision is to bolster local marketing initiatives, mitigate retail sales leakage, and attract new businesses to the area. By leveraging my legal expertise, I aim to create a robust framework for commercial recruitment and retention, ensuring that La Jolla Village remains a vibrant hub for commerce. I am committed to fostering a strong, unified voice to represent business interests to local government agencies, advocating for policies that support economic revitalization. Additionally, I will work to secure public and private resources to fund projects that enhance our business district's appeal, from clean-up programs to special events. With a proven track record in both legal and community spheres, I am eager to contribute my skills and vision to the LJVMA Board. Together, we can drive sustainable growth and ensure that La Jolla Village thrives as a premier destination for business and leisure. Ernesto is seeking his first term on the Board. .

13. Edgard Jacome   Hammitt retail With almost 2 decades in high-end retail and managing experience I have developed a reputation based on trust. I have worked for fashion housed such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany’s and a couple other high-end names. I’m currently the store manager of Hammitt on Girard Blvd, and I’m submitting my request to join this committee because I feel that with my strong background I can contribute to this organization. I am from San Diego, and I know what it means to support our communities, it’s important for our local and small business to continue to thrive. They are what make La Jolla a must destination, the shops, restaurants, hotels, and the beach. Note: Edgard is seeing his first term with the Board

14. Carrington kelso   museum of contemporary art san diego arts and culture/Tourism As a recent transplant to San Diego, I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people that have gone above and beyond to make my partner and me feel welcomed. I wish to serve on the board to do the same for those who do not feel seen or welcomed in La Jolla. Working at MCASD has given me a unique insight into La Jolla. Although it is not a small business, it is a true cultural hub that welcomes thousands into its doors. My goal is to bring as many diverse faces to the museum, and La Jolla, as possible because I know that we will be better for it. I want our visitors to see themselves reflected in all avenues and to know that they belong. Furthermore, as a small business owner, it is my goal to bring my business to La Jolla. I would be honored to represent MCASD on the board, but I would love to sit at the table as the founder of ClaraRose Candle Co. La Jolla has a unique opportunity to lead San Diego into the future. A future of investing in small businesses, local artist, and marginalized groups. Though innovation and taking risk, I believe we can foster a community that is looking ahead at what La Jolla could be and not at what La Jolla has been. I would like to be apart of that change; a voice for true equity and inclusion in and around La Jolla. Note: Carrington is seeking his first term on the Board of Directors.

15. Vahid moradi   Cj Charles jewelers retail   No candidate statement submitted. Note: Vahid is seeking his first term on the Board.

16. Dr.Charles WArter Protected Roots integrative treatment center   health/Wellness   I am honored to submit my nomination to the Board of Directors for the La Jolla Village Merchants Association. As the co-founder and CEO of Protected Roots Integrative Treatment Center, I have built a welcoming and positive environment for our patients to heal mentally and emotionally with the support of our incredible clinicians.  My experiences working at USC's Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, and community clinics in rural Argentina and Paraguay have led me to the integrative approach to behavior and wellness that we apply at Protected Roots Integrative.    I envision La Jolla as a thriving and collaborative hub where local organizations can work together to improve community mental health. I aim to enhance the visibility and accessibility of mental health practices, while fostering collaborative relationships with local businesses that benefit the community.    With my leadership, La Jolla will continue to thrive through connecting the community with mental health support and local businesses that promote wellness.   

17. Don’t forget to Vote! October 1 – 2 LJVMA Offices 7734 Herschel ave Suite C 10 AM to 4 PM Golf cart rides will be provided upon request text/call 858-230-2725