OUR MISSION:
To build a stronger North County economy through regional collaboration and leadership.
We value public and private sectors working together as community partners to sustain and strategically grow the economic base of North San Diego County.
EVENTS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OUR STAFF
INVESTORS
WHY INVEST?
2023 Goals + Progress:
1. MARKET THE REGION
SDNEDC will market economic development opportunities and amplify positive news about the North County economy.
In 2023, we will:
- Directly assist at least 6 companies interested in establishing a new presence in North County
- Grow social media
- Facilitate at least 10 positive news articles about the North County Economy in regional news publications or outlets
- Promote positive business news in weekly e-newsletters
- Publish 18 North County Stewards Articles about business leaders making an impact in North County
%
Social Media impressions
of 1,000,000 annual goal
2. RETAIN EMPLOYMENT
SDNEDC will help existing North County employers grow by helping them solve specific business challenges.
In 2023, we will:
- Meet with at least 24 existing employers
- Host quarterly Chairman’s CEO Dinners
- Support Innovate78 efforts across the SR-78 corridor
%
meetings with existing employers
of 24 annual goal
3. CONNECTING EMPLOYERS & EDUCATORS
SDNEDC will connect K-16 educators and employers through events and individual meetings to strengthen workforce programs throughout North County.
In 2023, we will:
- Support Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) efforts and continue to expand library of occupations
- Develop at least 6 research reports on in-demand occupations in North County.
%
new videos added to the SOCAL Workforce site
of 24 annual goal
4. RESEARCH & REPORTS
SDNEDC will conduct research and collect data on the North County industries and clusters that are driving economic prosperity. SDNEDC will also carry out economic forecasts, undertake economic impact reports, and conduct specialized research services for clients and investors.
In 2023, we will:
- Produce at least 10 research reports and briefs
- Release the 2022 North County Indicators Report
- Carry out at least 2 economic impact reports
- Launch an Educational Webinar Series focusing on core North County Economic Development topics
%
web traffic to SDNEDC Research Page
of 100 annual goal
Upcoming Events
Awards Luncheon Nominations
What are these awards and criteria for selection? On December 15th SDNEDC and more than 300 North County leaders will convene at The Seabird Resort in Oceanside to celebrate economic development achievements from throughout North County. These awards will be an...
2022 North County Economic Summit
SDNEDC is proud to host the premier economic forecasting event in North County where we highlight national and local trends presented by Wells Fargo and BW Research. The 2022 Summit incorporated new outlooks including San Diego philanthropy and giving trends.
Manufacturing & Engineering Career EXPO
The SDNEDC is hosting the 2020 Manufacturing & Engineering Career EXPO virtually! To make a fun and interactive experience, with the help of Classical Academies, we designed a BOARD GAME! This online learning tool will introduce students to North County companies:...
Past Events
2022 North County Post Election Recap with John Nienstedt
Pollster John Nienstedt shared the election predictions, the results, and the results' implications for California's 49th Congressional District (which includes North County San Diego and South Orange County) with SDNEDC's Lunch & Learn attendees last Wednesday....
Startup Funding: Innovate 78 Spot Series Panel Shares Knowledge
At the Innovate 78 Spot Series: Startup Funding event last week, a panel of four presenters discussed raising funds from the perspective of the founder and investor. Al Bsharah, managing partner of Interlock Capital and panel moderator, opened by demonstrating how...
Credits and Incentives for San Diego Businesses
June 15th from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM via Zoom Join SDNEDC to discuss the benefits that Employee Retention Credit can have for your business and why all business owners not claiming it needs to seriously reconsider. The latest COVID-19 relief package has greatly expanded...
The Board of Directors
Aaron Byzak- Chairman
Tri-City Medical Center
Jim Callaghan, Jr.- Vice Chair
TURN Behavioral Health
Tory Walker- Past Chairman
Tory R Walker Engineering
Chris Weissmann- Treasurer
HomeStreet Bank
Sara Katz- Secretary
Katz & Associates
Mark Kalpakgian
The Classical Academies
Ryan Stichler
C.W. Driver
Julie Wright
(W)right on Communications
Warren Gorowitz
Hunter Industries
Michael Hadland
Cox Communications
Kristin Huyck
MiraCosta College
Mark Delin
City of Encinitas
Claudia Rempel
AMR
Oscar Franco
Lift Development Corporation
Graciela Sevilla
SD County Water Authority
Joseph Randal
Olivenhain MWD
Joe Gabaldon
SDG&E
Jill Barrett
Harrah’s Southern California
Kim Folsom
LIFT Enterprises
Nicole Roe
Palomar Community College
Priscilla Zuniga
Equus Workforce Solutions
Vince Vasquez
National University System
Andy Tenn
Seabreeze Properties
Amber Ter-Vrugt
Scripps Health
Ray Major
SANDAG
Eq Quinlan
Dale Ganzow
EX OFFICIO:
Larry Vaupel
City of Vista
Tess Sangster
City of San Marcos
Matt Sanford
City of Carlsbad
Michelle Geller
City of Oceanside
Jennifer Schoeneck
City of Escondido
Sam Jammal
US Marine Corp Base,
Camp Pendleton
Krystal Jabara
County of San Diego,
District 5
Our Staff
W. Erik Bruvold
Chief Executive Officer
Erik is the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego North Economic Development Council. As CEO, Erik has responsibility for all council operations, including programming, economic development services, and regional economic research and analysis.
Before accepting this position, he was the Chief Economist with the National University System and the President of the National University System Institute for Policy Research. He had responsibility for examining how academic programs throughout the system aligned with workforce needs in the communities the system services. While at National he also was head of a university-affiliated public policy and economic think tank where he oversaw the authorship of more than 100 economic and policy studies focusing on regional economic competitiveness. Topics the institute studied ranged from an examination of the impact of the supply chain of San Diego shipbuilding industry to the economic impact of QUALCOMM to an estimation of the size and economic impact of San Diego’s short-term rental industry.
Before joining the National University System, Erik was Vice President for Public Policy & Research for the San Diego Regional EDC. While at EDC he headed up the organization’s research division while also leading several specific responses to such challenges as the last round of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure process and campaign to pass a ½ cent sales tax to fund vital infrastructure improvements.
He has taught at college level courses in political science, urban economic development, urban planning and international relations. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Denver and a Masters from the University of California, San Diego. When he isn’t pouring over economic forecasts, he is enjoying biking with his two children and wife in beautiful San Diego.
Sofia Ayad
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Sofia is a US-Based Digital Marketing Specialist & Graphic Designer, with experience managing various teams at a time and up to $20k campaigns. Her background in telecommunications, travel, and eCommerce brings together a strong understanding and approach to the operations in different industries.
Over the years she has proven herself more than capable with her professional and personal accomplishments. Sofia managed the launch of an advertising magazine, stood as Lead Designer in several businesses’ Web Redesign projects, and led her team to win Best of Show in a 48-Hour Film Festival.
Beyond her studies and experience, she utilizes her downtime to continue staying up to date on current marketing strategies and add upon her design skills via online courses, podcasts, and blogs. Sofia recently finished an Intro to Web Development Course writing in HTML, CSS, and Java. With an interest in thrill-seeking hobbies like skydiving, rock-climbing, and backpacking, Sofia is constantly reinvigorated with inspiration for her work.
Although she may be a bit of a wild card, Sofia believes mindfulness in the workspace is key to success and finds a time of stillness in her practice of yoga and meditation. She is currently working on some Freelance Design Projects and is always interested in a new challenge!
Caitlyn Canby
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Caitlyn is one of the Marketing and Events Coordinators for the San Diego North Economic Development Council. Her responsibilities include managing social media and email marketing, coordinating events, compiling research reports, and overseeing the design of marketing collateral.
Caitlyn graduated from Hope International University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a Print Journalism emphasis.
Prior to employment with the SDNEDC, Caitlyn was the Marketing Director for Kelly Nelson Brown Real Estate, assisting with 46+ COE over 4 years. She also volunteered as the Fundraising Chairperson for Preschool Learning for Avalon Youth, planning events and raising $22,000+ for the school.
Caitlyn grew up in Escondido and recently moved back to North County to the town of Fallbrook with her husband and two children. In her free time, she loves to travel, explore new places, and experience different cultures.
SDNEDC Investors:
BENEFITS OF INVESTING
When you invest in the SDNEDC, you are investing in your own economic future.
We use your resources to market the region, work directly with employers to meet their needs and connect the region’s education leaders with private sector innovators to strengthen our talent pipeline.
Access to regional leadership:
Several times through the year, SDNEDC hosts events with North County’s elected officials and key leaders in the non-profit and private sector. They are convening places for those interested in issues that transcend individual cities and impact the broader North County. Several of these events are limited solely to investors, providing an opportunity to connect in small group settings with the people that make the key decisions about North County.
"Red Team" membership:
To assist businesses either locating to San Diego North County or expanding in our region, SDNEDC will assemble “Red Teams” compromised of public and private sector partners. While we put the interests of these “clients” first, we always first consider the expertise of our current investors when thinking about the resources that will add value.
Community spotlight:
SDNEDC’s Newsletters reach over 4,000 North County readers each week and our social media posts are seen by tens of thousands of readers each month. We promote key events that investors want to promote, amplify their news and help increase their marketing reach. We have specialized services for different industries, such as our featured commercial property messages for the commercial real estate community.
Business-friendly initiatives:
For more than 25 years SDNEDC, has been a leading voice for public policy in North County. Investors are able to bring issues to the attention of our Board of Directors. Since 2018, SDNEDC has successfully advocated for changes to state law concerning tax treatment of manufacturing expenses, several new commercial and residential projects and successfully fought off several actions which would have negatively impacted the cost of doing business in North County.