By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner
In response to requests I received for the names of people I alluded to in last week’s commentary Too Many Years of Inbreeding Make for a Rotten City San Diego, I’m providing a list of Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s recent appointees, plus a brief description of who they are.
Many names will be familiar to those of you who have been following city affairs over the years. For others, the people on this list may not ring a bell; like the city’s water and sewer pipes they tend to operate beneath the surface. But their organizational interconnectedness and crossovers are readily identifiable by one and all.
(As for interconnectedness, those of you interested in the city hall game of Chinese Checkers will find a good description in this 2009 Reader story. Be assured, the game is still being played.)
Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s leadership team
Stephen Puetz – Chief of Staff
VP at Revolvis/a full-service Republican consulting firm. Campaign manager for Kevin Faulconer. Political consultant for Mark Kersey, Scott Sherman, Carl DeMaio. Staffed Faulconer in Council District 2
Jaymie Bradford — Chief of Policy
Staffed Carl DeMaio, Jerry Sanders, Todd Gloria. Legislative advocate on SANDAG. Internal communications for Building Industry Association. SD Chamber of Commerce public policy committee
Felipe Monroig — Chief of Community Engagement
Attorney. CEO for SD Taxpayers Assn. Carl DeMaio’s chief of staff. Worked for DeMaio’s Performance Institute
Matt Awbrey — Chief of Communications
Formerly staffed Fauconer D2. SD Chamber of Commerce public policy committee
Craig Gustafson — Press Secretary
Former politics reporter at U-T San Diego
Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s transition team
Tony Young
Former SD council president. Former CEO at SD Red Cross. Presumed new chief at Civic San Diego
Businessman. Chair, SD Chamber of Commerce. Chair, SD Convention Center. Board of Downtown SD Partnership. Chair at SD Port Commission. SD Red Cross. Special assistant to former mayor Jerry Sanders
Former general manager Cox Communications. Past chair SD Regional Chamber Commerce. SD Regional Economic Development Corp. Organized efforts for choosing Faulconer as Republican Party candidate
CEO Downtown SD Partnership. Former chief of staff to mayors Golding and Sanders. Considered Sanders’ link to the downtown establishment. SD Regional Chamber of Commerce public policy committee. Balboa Park Centennial board. VP govt relations for SD Padres
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Norma, what a great list – a wikipedia of who’s who in local GOP & establishment politics – thanks so much.
I was surprised to find so many of Carl DeMaio’s people ensconced in mayor Kevin Faulconer’s inner circle. Makes me wonder if Doug Manchester got his way after all — DeMaio may have been his first choice but Faulconer could turn out to be a more personable, pliable minion.
What a tremendous list, Norma. I wonder how many people will try to refute these people?
I liked the article about how city staff keeps getting recirculated at city hall. It would be interesting to do an article on who are the city hall “insiders” and who are the “outsiders” seeking the district 2 appointment. One Council Member has a former Chief of Staff and current Chief of Staff in the mix and other candidates for the position have connections as well. Isn’t it time to stop the incestuous back room deals and insider trading that the article speaks about?
Nothing in politics is ever black or white. There are certainly advantages to having old-time staffers /repeat performers in council offices. It takes a long time to master city and state regulations and understand how the city runs — knowledge that few newly-elected council members have when they step into office. Good intentions, good heart, good work habits aren’t necessarily good enough to run a good office.
On the other hand, the advantages of having an outside, heavy-duty, private fraternity with members who continually recirculate are considerable fewer. At least where the public is concerned.
Sharp teeth make a perfect smile.
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