Board Members

Guillermo (“Gil”) Cabrera, Board Chair | Appointed by Mayor, City of San Diego
Email - 619.400.2408

Gil Cabrera has been an attorney in San Diego for over twenty years, starting his legal career in San Diego right out of law school. He met his wife, Krista, here in San Diego and they have two daughters.

Mr. Cabrera has been an engaged member of the San Diego community serving as a wish granter and on the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego and ultimately on the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America National Board of Directors. He began his public service in the late 1990s when he co-chaired Chief David Bejarano’s San Diego Police Department Use of Force Task Force, which reviewed the department’s use of force procedures and made one hundred recommendations to improve police interaction with the public. In 2005, Mr. Cabrera was appointed to the San Diego Ethics Commission where he served for five years, two as its Chair. During his chairmanship, the Commission ushered in the largest overhaul of the City’s lobbying laws increasing transparency of lobbyist activity. Between 2013 and 2020, he served on the San Diego Convention Center board of directors, serving as Chair in 2017 and 2018. Between 2013-2018, he served on the San Diego LGBT Community Center Board of Directors. Since 2017, Mr. Cabrera has served on the Alliance for Hope International Board of Directors. Since 2018, he has served on the Sharp Healthcare Board of Directors, currently serving as its Chair.

Mr. Cabrera started practicing at Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP - one of the then oldest law firms in the City. From Luce Forward, he was recruited to Cooley Godward, one of the top law firms in the country. At Cooley Godward, he specialized in securities litigation and complex business litigation. Since 2007, he has run his own law firm, The Cabrera Firm. Presently, Mr. Cabrera specializes in business and employment litigation and serves as general outside counsel to a number of local and regional businesses. He has been named one of the top attorneys in San Diego since 2012 by the San Diego Daily Transcript, San Diego Business Journal and Super Lawyers.

The Mayor of San Diego appointed Chair Cabrera to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2024.

Mary Casillas Salas, Vice Chair | Appointed by South County Cities Mayors
Email - 619.400.2408

Ms. Mary Casillas Salas was elected to Mayor of Chula Vista in 2014 becoming the first elected Latina mayor in Chula Vista and the County of San Diego.

Ms. Casillas Salas is committed to public safety, effective stewardship of public funds and careful planning that leads to superior sustainability of community resources. Serving her hometown has always been Mayor Casillas Salas' passion. Her effective leadership and consensus-building skills are her strength. She led efforts to secure funding for new urban parks, formed strategic partnerships with various government agencies to ensure completion of Olympic Parkway and other major traffic thoroughfares, played a key role in the planning of the award-winning communities of Eastlake, Otay Ranch, and San Miguel.

In 1991, she began her public service on the Chula Vista Civil Service Commission. She was appointed to the City’s Planning Commission in 1993 where she served until elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1996. In 2000, she was re-elected with 66 percent of the vote. After leaving the Council in 2004, she served as a Director of the Sweetwater Authority/South Bay Irrigation District. In 2006, she was elected to the California State Assembly where she chaired the Committee on Veteran's Affairs. She also served on the Jobs, Economic Development and Economy Committee, the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Health Committee. Beginning in 2012, she served as City Councilmember before her election as Mayor of Chula Vista.

During her tenure as Mayor, Chula Vista has received national and international recognition for its greenhouse gas reduction efforts, smart cities initiatives, and actions to ensure sustainable development.  Mayor Casillas Salas led the campaign to adopt Measure P to rebuild the city’s aging infrastructure and advanced the development of the Bayfront in partnership with Port of San Diego with a signed "Letter of Intent" with RIDA Development.  She continues to guide major projects, including the development of a four-year university and the revitalization of western Chula Vista.

Born and raised in Chula Vista, Mary Casillas Salas' South Bay roots run five generations deep. She has dedicated her career and life's work to family and to the community she loves. Mayor Casillas Salas has two daughters Michele and Sara and is the proud grandmother to Michael, Adriana, and Marissa. Mayor Casillas Salas is a product of local schools, graduating with honors from San Diego State University.

The South County cities mayor's appointed Ms. Casillas Salas for a term ending on January 31, 2024.

Lidia S. Martinez | Appointed by Mayor, City of San Diego
Email - 619.400.2408

As Manager of Community Outreach for Southwest Airlines, Lidia was responsible for the local and regional community outreach across the country.

Lidia established and maintained a portfolio of highly respected strategic partnerships with civic, business, and philanthropic organizations, as well as major universities, to achieve mutual strategic objectives. For almost 20 years, she worked with stakeholders across the country to ensure that Southwest Airlines maintained a visible leadership position within key communities.Lidia set the standard for Southwest’s outreach and corporate social responsibility.

In 2020, Lidia retired after 30 years of service to Southwest Airlines.She served in the Marketing and Communications departments in Dallas, Chicago and San Diego.In recognition of her service to the State of California and the San Diego region, Lidia has received various proclamations from the California Assembly, the City of San Diego, and her member of Congress.Lidia’s impact in the San Diego region was recently celebrated by being honored with the San Diego Business Journal’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award; the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Herb Klein Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021; and the Latino Leaders Network Inaugural Champion Award in 2021.In 2022, The California State University Board of Trustees and San Diego State University (SDSU) President Adela de la Torre bestowed the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) degree upon Lidia for her passion and commitment to the San Diego region as well as the State of California.

Lidia continues to mentor leaders across the country, especially women in the nonprofit world and emerging leaders.She continues to pay it forward by being involved with a variety of organizations dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities.San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria recently appointed Lidia to a three-year term on the San Diego Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of For All of Us, SDSU’s The Campanile Foundation and Latino Leaders Network, a national organization based in DC.Lidia is on the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board, the San Diego Center for Children CEO Advisory Council, and The San Diego Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund Leadership Council Executive Committee.Lidia chairs the San Diego Unified School District’s Schools Naming Committee.

Lidia takes great pride in serving as Special Advisor to the CEO of Promises2Kids (a foster youth organization) and as Executive Leadership Advisor to MAAC (an anti-poverty agency).

Born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and raised in El Paso, Texas, Lidia studied at the University of Texas in Arlington where she received a Business Administration degree with a focus in Marketing. She and her husband Ted have two adult children, Melyna (36), Teddy (32) and grand-puppies Marley (14) and Rho (2). They currently reside in San Diego, CA.

The Mayor of San Diego appointed Ms. Martinez to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2026.

Esther Sanchez  | Appointed by North County Coastal Area Mayors
Email - 619.400.2408

Esther Sanchez is the first woman, first Latinx Mayor of Oceanside and first Latinx Mayor in North San Diego County. Daughter of an immigrant, Esther is also part of a 5 generation Oceanside family.

Esther is an attorney and past President of San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association. She earned her BA in Urban Studies from Brown University and JD from UC College of the Law, San Francisco. 

Esther served as Deputy Public Defender, San Diego County, for 20 years. In 2000, she ran for city council in her hometown of Oceanside, where she was born and raised. Esther grew up in the Eastside barrio community, the same neighborhood as her dad, and her first language was Spanish.

Esther won her first race and has consistently won re-election, supported by neighborhoods, environmentalists, labor, business and community leaders. Esther served 20 years as a city council member before winning her position as mayor. 

Esther has been successful in creating systemic change. She led in transitioning her city into a community policing model reflective of the diversity of her city, created over a thousand affordable housing units, led on a Climate Action Plan, and worked to increase and protect open space and public parkland. She successfully led on a referendum to protect rent control for mobile home park residents, protected senior housing, and helped create after school programs for at-risk youth.

Esther has a lifelong commitment to addressing social, racial, economic and environmental justice and equity/equality issues and creating livable cities/neighborhoods for all.

The North County Coastal area mayors appointed Mayor Sanchez to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2026.

James Sly | Appointed by East County Area Mayors
Email - 619.400.2408

James Sly is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the East County Economic Development Council (EDC). Sly is responsible for defining and implementing the East County EDC’s ambitious project portfolio, which cuts across education, industry, workforce, and government. Additionally, Sly leads many of the organization’s strategic partnership and business development efforts, working to make the EDC a locus of economic activity in San Diego.

Sly joined the East County EDC in 2012, initially as a Program Manager tasked with helping the Department of Defense (DoD) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) fine-tune their procurement systems to make government solicitations more attractive to American manufacturers. After leading the development of a new supply chain software solution, he expanded his attention to include the EDC’s other flagship projects: the East County Small Business Development Center, the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Pipeline, and the “Connectory” SAAS platform.

Prior to joining the East County EDC, Sly worked as a management consultant, servicing startup and mid-size businesses throughout San Diego’s private sector, and as a sought-after workforce expert for the One-Stop Career Center Network and San Diego’s CalWORKS Welfare-to-Work and Refugee Resettlement programs. He has been able to leverage this multifaceted skillset to the EDC’s benefit, coordinating resources from across the spectrum to drive the organization’s mission and support stakeholders throughout East County and the larger San Diego region.

Sly was born and raised in San Diego, California. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from San Diego State University, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the University of California, San Diego, and leadership certifications from the San Diego Public Leadership Institute and Harvard Business School.

The East County area mayors appointed Mr. Sly to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2025.

Paul "Mac" McNamara | Appointed by North County Inland Mayors
Email - 619.400.2408

Paul "Mac" NcNamara is the former Mayor of the City of Escondido and currently serves as the Executive Director of the MCRD Museum Foundation. Previously, he was the General Manager for a SDVOSB for profit LLC that specialized in Analysis, and Technical and Engineering services. Prior to this position, he held corporate leadership roles that related to Information Systems. He was the Chief Operating Officer for Shee Atika Technologies, an Engineering, and Technical Services Native Alaskan owned LLC. Of note in this role he led strategic analysis teams in a variety of projects for Marine Corps System Command in Information Architecture design, and hardware and software procurement. Previously, he was the VP and COO of Technology Intelligence International, an Information Architecture Design and Development company. While there he authored the Marine Corps' initial overarching Command and Control vision as well as transformational IT efforts for the United States Navy. Prior to serving in this position, Paul was a Program Manager for JAYCOR Defense Systems Division, Titan Corporation. In this responsibility, he served as the Chief Technical Advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and was responsible for assisting the Marine Corps in its technology transition, and in developing its Information Technology strategy and implementation. Additionally, he served as an advisor to the Program Manager for the development of the Deployable Joint Command and Control (DJC2) effort.

Prior to his industry career, Mayor McNamara transitioned to the private sector as a Colonel after almost 28 years in the United States Marine Corps. During his Marine Corps service, Mayor McNamara served as an infantry officer in the 2^nd and 3^rd Marine Divisions as a platoon and company commander as well as a Battalion Staff Officer. After serving on recruiting duty in Boston, he attended flight school and served in the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Marine Aircraft Wings. He was a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) and in addition to squadron staff tours, he commanded both a Marine Helicopter Squadron and Marine Aircraft Group. He also served on diplomatic duty in Mexico City, Mexico, and on the G-3 staff at MARFORPAC. He served as the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Chief of Staff, and the Chief of Staff for the First Marine Expeditionary Force. In that role he led the staff in the planning and execution of immediate post 9/11 Marine Corps operational activities in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for these efforts.

Mr. McNamara is a member and volunteer of numerous community organizations which include the Executive Boards of the Escondido Rotary Club (Pres FY 18-19.) He also served on the Executive Board of the Escondido Charitable Foundation, and the Executive Board of Girls Incorporated of San Diego. He is a lifetime member of several organizations to include the Marine Corps Association, the Marine Corps Aviation Association, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the MCRD Museum Foundation. Also, he is currently serving as an elected trustee of the Palomar Community College Governing Board and is currently the Board president. He has four daughters - three grown and a seven-year-old at home. He is married to Dr. Bo Peng of Shenyang, China.

The North County Inland area mayors appointed Mr. McNamara to the Board for a term ending January 31, 2024.

Rafael Perez | Appointed by the Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Email - 619.400.2408

Rafael Perez is a Realtor and Adjunct Faculty Member with broad community experience and service on several boards and commissions.

As a Real Estate Professional, Rafael has over 18 years of experience working with homeowners and home buyers in most corners of San Diego County. Rafael has experience in both finance and as a Realtor. Rafael is also an instructor in the Real Estate Department at Cuyamaca College, where he teaches Real Estate courses in Principles, Practice, Finance and Internship.

Rafael has been named two time Realtor of the Year recipient at the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (2017, 2020) where he currently serves on the board of Directors. Rafael was also recognized as a 2022 Fair Housing Champion by the National Association of Realtors where he serves on the Fair Housing Policy Committee. Rafael is an active member in the real estate community and has presented around the country as an expert in fair housing and small housing.

Mr. Perez has served in board leadership roles for several nonprofits, working on issues ranging from hyper-local to National in scope. Rafael serves as Board Chair of the Sherman Heights Community Center, which services thousands of people in the surrounding communities each year providing programing for youth, Seniors and other populations in need. Rafael has Chaired the facilities committee for two years and has overseen major publicly and privately funded Capital Improvement Projects in this capacity.

In 2013-2014, Mr. Perez served as President of the San Diego Chapter of NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, a trade association with the mission to “advance sustainable homeownership.” Under his leadership, NAHREP San Diego emerged as a civic leader in the housing space and partnered with other similar organizations. Rafael has also served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors since 2015, as the organization advocated for private property rights and maneuvered providing access to the critical need of housing through the Pandemic. Rafael is also a Board Member at the Casita Coalition where he has advocated for Federal Finance reform and worked with stakeholders to continue to tackle California’s housing shortage.

Mr. Perez was appointed by San Diego’s Mayor to an at-large position on the City’s Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission, which addresses the cities Equal Opportunity program. Through the Commissions advocacy, the City funded the first disparity study in decades and the commission has overseen the implantation of several of the recommendations that were identified as a result of the study. He has served in that role since 2013 with his term concluding at the end of 2022. Mr. Perez is a 2004 graduate of San Diego State University.

The Chair of the San Diego County County of Supervisors appointed Mr. Perez for a term ending on January 31, 2026.

Marni von Wilpert | Appointed by Mayor, City of San Diego
Email - 619.400.2408

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert represents District 5 on the San Diego City Council and was previously a San Diego Deputy City Attorney. She is proud to serve as Chair of the Committee on Active Transportation and Infrastructure, Vice Chair of the Committee on Environment, member of the Committee on Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods, and member of the Committee on Rules. Councilmember von Wilpert was also appointed to the San Diego Regional Airport Authority Board, the San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space JPA, and the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. 

Councilmember von Wilpert now lives in Scripps Ranch, just miles from her childhood home. She received a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley and served in the Peace Corps in Botswana, Africa where she helped improve access to healthcare and worked on treatment, prevention, and care for children and adults living with HIV/AIDS. 

After returning from Botswana, she obtained her law degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2011 and was awarded the Skadden Fellowship for Public Interest law, where she worked with the Mississippi Center for Justice to create the first HIV/AIDS civil rights law practice in the state. She provided free legal services to people facing discrimination based on race, HIV-status, and LGBTQ identity. 

Councilmember von Wilpert served as a Law Clerk from 2013 to 2014 for Hon. James E. Graves, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, and worked as an adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law teaching legal writing, research and analysis. From 2014 to 2017, she was a litigator in the National Labor Relations Board’s Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Branch, where she represented the federal agency in the United States Courts of Appeals. During 2016, she served as an attorney in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Robert C. Scott, drafting national legislation to promote workers’ rights on the job. Councilmember von Wilpert then served as an Associate Labor Counsel for the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., drafting state legislation and regulations affecting workers’ rights, wages and working conditions. 

After she was admitted to the California Bar, Councilmember von Wilpert became a Deputy City Attorney in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the San Diego City Attorney's Office. She represented the City and people of the State of California in court, enforcing laws that protect consumers, employees, and the environment. She initiated legal action to protect public health and safety, restore environmental quality, and sustain economic vitality in San Diego. 

Councilmember von Wilpert will continue serving on the boards of several community organizations, including San Diego Youth Services, Teen Health Mississippi, and the National Women’s Political caucus.

The Mayor of San Diego appointed Councilmember von Wilpert to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2025.

Col. Thomas M. Bedell, Ex-Officio Member

Colonel Thomas M. Bedell graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1993 with degrees in English Literature and Sociology, and from the University of Manchester, UK in 1994 with a Master’s in Economic and Social Studies. He then spent two years fighting forest fires with the US Forest Service.

Colonel Bedell completed The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in 1997, primary flight training in 1998, jet training in 1999, and AV8B training in 2001. From 2002 to 2005 Colonel Bedell served with VMA-214 “The World Famous Blacksheep” as Logistics Officer, Powerline Officer, and Airframes Officer. He deployed to Al Jaber, Kuwait in 2003 in support of Iraqi Freedom, and to Al Asad, Iraq in 2004 as part of the 11th MEU. After attending the Expeditionary Warfare School he joined VMA-211 “The Wake Island Avengers” from 2006 to 2009 where he served as Quality Assurance Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and Maintenance Officer. He deployed with the Avengers to Iraq in 2006, and to Japan in 2009 as part of the 31st MEU.

From 2009 to 2011 Colonel Bedell served as Aide de Camp to the Deputy Commandant for Aviation and as Harrier Requirements Officer. He then attended the Naval War College earning an M.A. in National Strategic Studies. He then completed a Joint tour serving as the Operations Officer for the United States Special Operations Command Wargame Center from 2012-2014.

Colonel Bedell commanded VMR-1, “The Roadrunners”, from 2014 to 2016 followed by a year as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Current Operations Officer. He attended the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies as a CMC Fellow, earning a Master’s of International Public Policy. He was then assigned to Marine Forces Korea where he served as the Liaison to the 7th Air Force at Osan Air Base, South Korea. He previously served as the Director of the CMC Safety Division before taking command of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Colonel Bedell has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 14, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

Gustavo Dallarda, Ex-Officio Member

Gustavo Dallarda was appointed Caltrans District 11 Director, in June 2020 overseeing the daily operations of over 1,200 employees and 4,200 lane-miles throughout San Diego and Imperial counties.

Mr. Dillarda has a civil service career that spans nearly three decades, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and delivered multi-modal projects for District 11.

Mr. Dillarda served as Chief Deputy District Director for two years with executive-level responsibility for the Operations and Maintenance programs, and a portion of the Capital program. Since September 2019, he acted as the District 11 Director.

For over ten years, Mr. Dillarda served as Corridor Director for both the I-15 and I-805 corridors in San Diego. As Corridor Director, he worked closely with transportation partners and local communities to deliver the innovative $1.4 billion I-15 Express Lanes Project, the I-805 HOV Lanes Project, three new bus rapid transit lines, and active transportation facilities by using traditional delivery methods, design-sequencing, and design-build.

Early in his career, Mr. Dillarda was the Project Manager assigned to Imperial Valley and delivered goods movement projects like the SR-111 Expressway Project and the environmental document for the Brawley Bypass project.

Mr. Dillarda earned a Master’s in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from George Washington University.

Gayle Miller, Ex-Officio Member

Gayle Miller serves as the chief deputy of policy at the California Department of Finance. Ms. Miller has been senior policy advisor for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration since 2018. She was deputy controller, and director of policy in the Office of the State Controller from 2017 to 2018. She served as a principal consultant in the Office of the California State Senate President pro Tempore from 2016 to 2018. She held several positions in the California State Senate, including consultant in the Office of Research from 2014 to 2016, staff director for the Governance and Finance Committee from 2006 to 2014 and principal consultant at the Revenue and Taxation Committee from 2001 to 2005. She was director of government affairs at Anthem Blue Cross from 2005 to 2006, legislative director in the Office of Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal from 1999 to 2001 and legislative aid and Assembly fellow in the Office of Assemblymember Tom Torlakson from 1997 to 1999.

Ms. Miller earned a Master of Business Administration degree in strategy and communications from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Business Administration degree in economics and finance from Columbia University.

Kimberly J. Becker | President/CEO
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Kimberly J. Becker is President and CEO of San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the owner and operator of San Diego International Airport (SAN). Ms. Becker is responsible for fiscal management and operational oversight of the San Diego International Airport.

Ms. Becker has been in the role since 2017, overseeing several capital improvement projects including the $3 billion New T1 program that will replace Terminal 1 with a larger, more efficient facility and other improvements that enhance the airport experience.

During Ms. Becker’s tenure, the airport has experienced record-high passenger growth and expanded the airport’s nonstop network to more than 70 destinations worldwide. Under her leadership, SAN has been recognized for its environmental and sustainability efforts, including being named the second-ever carbon neutral airport in North America. Ms. Becker has been named “Woman of the Year” by the San Diego Chapter of Advancing Women in Transportation and “CEO of the Year, Government” by the San Diego Business Journal.

Before joining the Airport Authority, Ms. Becker was the Director of Aviation for Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) and held operations and environmental positions at Lockheed Air Terminal, now Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California, and Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey.

Ms. Becker is dedicated to being an active partner in the community. She currently serves as a board member for the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the Kyoto Symposium Organization.She is an executive committee member for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and Chair of the San Diego Tourism Authority.

Ms. Becker is actively engaged with Airports Council International-North America, for which she serves on the Board of Directors and as a U.S. Policy Council member. Additionally, Ms. Becker serves on that Board’s Large Hub, Commercial Management, Nominating, and Audit committees. Also, within the aviation and travel industry, Ms. Becker is the Policy Committee Chair of Gateway Airports Council, a Policy Review committee member of the American Association of Airport Executives, and serves on the Board of Directors of California Airports Council.

Ms. Becker holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in business administration/aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.