San Diego EDC marks 60 years as Padres’ Tom Seidler becomes chair

Cal State San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt presents an award to Linden Blue of General Atomics during the annual EDC dinner at Petco Park Photo by Chris Jennewien Times of San Diego The San Diego Regional Economic Maturation Corp celebrated it s th anniversary and the Padres Tom Siedler became chair at a Thursday night ceremony attended by hundreds of business political and district leaders at Petco Park The nonprofit organization with more than investors also honored General Atomics and Dr Constance Carroll former chancellor of the San Diego Society College District with special Life Changing Awards for their contributions to the San Diego financial market Linden Blue co-owner and vice chairman accepted the award for General Atomics Outgoing Board Chair Jennie Brooks executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton passed the gavel to Seidler who is executive vice president for district and international impact at the Padres It was my brother Peter who first required me to represent the Padres on the EDC board reported Seidler referring to his late brother I am honored to take on this new role and work even more closely with EDC s band Our mission is to drive greater inclusion innovation and enhancement across San Diego in order to better elevate our people businesses and identity on the global stage he informed the crowd in the stands Brooks who served three years as chair noted I know Tom will continue this essential work and set us on the right path for EDC s next years Along with Seidler s vote as chair the EDC s board also elected five new directors Tyler Carter park president at SeaWorld San Diego Brunson Howard arena leader and senior managing director at CBRE Richard Neale corporate executive vice president and chief business rise and progress officer at Scripps Fitness Jennette Shay chief operating officer at Price Philanthropies Foundation and Dan Skopec senior vice president and chief revenue officer at San Diego Gas Electric The EDC stated that amid new economic pressures at the local state and federal level the organization s goals outlined in its Inclusive Rise Initiative are more essential than ever