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?
2024 Goals + Progress:
1. MARKET THE REGION
SDNEDC will market economic development opportunities and amplify positive news about the North County economy.
In 2024, we will:
- Directly assist at least 6 companies interested in establishing a new presence in North County
- Re-launch “Why North County” LinkedIn attraction campaign with updated landing page
- Increase social media engagement on all platforms
- Facilitate at least 12 positive news articles about the North County Economy in regional news publications or outlets
- Promote positive business news in weekly e-newsletters and quarterly small business resource newsletters
- Publish at least 12 original articles (including North County Stewards) about businesses, leaders, and initiatives making an impact in North County
%
Social Media impressions
of 55,000 annual goal
2. RETAIN EMPLOYMENT
SDNEDC will help existing North County employers grow by helping them solve specific business challenges.
In 2024, we will:
- Meet with at least 40 existing employers
- Host tri-annual Chairman’s Dinners, bringing together the region’s largest employers
- Share economic development resources with businesses through educational webinars
- Support Innovate78 efforts across the SR-78 corridor
%
meetings with existing employers
of 40 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 2024, we will:
- Assume more leadership for Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) efforts
- Increase use and utility of SOCAL website
- Add 12+ new videos from 3+ new industries to expand the library of occupations
- Attend career fairs to engage students with the resource
- Amplify workforce opportunities from our higher education partners
%
YoutTube views of SOCAL occupations
of 22,000 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 2024, we will:
- Produce at least 40 research reports and briefs
- 9 City Dashboard Fact Sheets (Bi-annually)
- 8 Industry Cluster Fact Sheets (Bi-annually)
- Real Time Labor Data Reports (Quarterly)
- Release the 2024 North County Indicators Report (MAY)
- Acquire IMPLAN and carry out at least 2 economic impact reports
%
research reports or briefs released
of 40 annual goal
5. EVENTS & ENGAGEMENT
SDNEDC will gain referrals for economic development services and assets and connect North County business leadership with one another through curated events.
In 2024, we will:
- Host the North County Economic Summit, sharing economic trends and how they will impact North County (May 7)
- Host the Excellence in North County Economic Development Awards, celebrating North County economic development achievements (Dec 14)
- Host the North County Spotlight, highlighting successful local entrepreneurs (September)
- Host 3+ Chairman’s Dinners, connecting the region’s largest employers
- Develop “Economic Development 101” series for newly elected officials
- Develop “Multi-Day Study Tour” to learn how another region is addressing some of North County’s biggest issues and opportunities
%
guests registered for SDNEDC events
of 900 annual goal
Upcoming & Featured Events
11th Annual North County Economic Summit
For 11 years, SDNEDC has hosted the premier San Diego North County economic forecasting event, convening over 400 leaders from around the region. Economic forecasting experts highlight national and international economic trends and reveal how they will affect North...
Multi-Day Study Tour (Proposed)
Join three North County Chambers and the San Diego North Economic Development Council on a trip to explore economic growth strategies and address challenges faced by other suburban regions. Why study other regions? Learn how another region is addressing...
2024 Tax Webinar with Magnus Blue (Recording)
If you missed SDNEDC's annual FREE webinar on tax changes, you can view it on YouTube HERE. With experts from Magnus Blue, this hour-long webinar addresses key topics including: changes to the research and development expenses, bonus depreciation, new ownership...
Past Events
2024 Tax Webinar with Magnus Blue (Recording)
If you missed SDNEDC's annual FREE webinar on tax changes, you can view it on YouTube HERE. With experts from Magnus Blue, this hour-long webinar addresses key topics including: changes to the research and development expenses, bonus depreciation, new ownership...
SDNEDC Chairman’s Dinner Features Congressman Scott Peters, Mayor Rebecca Jones, Unites North County Business Leaders
On Thursday, February 22, the San Diego North Economic Development Council held its first Chairman’s Dinner for 2024 at the TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos. The event – hosted by SDNEDC’s 2023-2024 Chairman, Jim Callaghan Jr. – brought together 35 C-Suite leaders...
Founder’s Feedback provides startup companies with advice and expertise – speed dating style
This month, Innovate78 partnered with CONNECT San Diego to bring a “Founder’s Feedback” event to North County. Held in the Innovation Hub at Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM), eight startups from the San Diego region went through three 20-minute feedback sessions – speed...
The Board of Directors
Jim Callaghan, Jr. – Chairman
TURN Behavioral Health
Ryan Stichler – Vice Chair
C.W. Driver
Chris Weissmann – Treasurer
Sara Katz – Secretary
Katz & Associates
Aaron Byzak – Past Chair
Galvanized Strategies
Tory Walker
Tory R Walker Engineering
Rachel McKinney
McKinney Capital
Claudia Rempel
AMR
Seth Dorros
JPI
Warren Gorrowitz
Hunter Industries
Leon Wyden Jr.
CSUSM
Julie Wright
(W)right on Communications
Michael Hadland
Charter Communications
Kristen Hyuck
MiraCosta College
Ben Gamboa
MiraCosta College
Mark Kalpagian
The Classical Academies
Tory See
Viasat
Oscar Franco
Lift Development Corporation
Melissa Corrigan
Harrah’s SoCal
Vince Vasquez
National University System
Ed Quinlan
Nichol Roe
Palomar College
Joey Randall
Olivenhain MWD
Andy Tenn
Sea Breeze Properties
Amber Ter-Vrugt
Scripps Health
Priscilla Zuniga
Equus Workforce Solutions
Dale Ganzow
Corrine Busta
Cox Communications
Ninia Hammond
Integral Communications
Miguel de Jesus
CSUSM
Christine Lee
Cal Coast Credit Union
Brishen McGuire
Republic Services
Ray Major
SANDAG
Carol Grippo
Homestreet Bank
Ben Price
Citizen Business Bank
Claudia Huerta
San Diego Workforce Partnership
Maria Hampton
MyPoint Credit Union
Vince Mudd
Steinberg Hart
Sarah McSpadden
Elizabeth Hospice
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
Roy Sapau
City of Encinitas
Kristal Jabara
County of San Diego District 5
Rachel Beld
Vista Chamber of Commerce
Scott Ashton
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Bret Schazenbach
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
Rick Rungaitis
San Marcos Chamber of Commerce
Sherry Yardley
Encinitas Chamber of Commerce
Jen Grove
Del Mar Village Association
Josh Williams (Special Advisor)
BW Research
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
External Marketing Manager
Sofia is the External Marketing Manager at the San Diego North Economic Development Council, bringing over 6 years of experience in events and marketing. As a seasoned professional, she excels in project management, social advertising, and community engagement.
Prior to this role, she offered consulting services full-time at Something in Action, her small business marketing firm established during the uncertain times at the beginning of the pandemic. Sofia worked with other small businesses nationwide through strategic planning, branding initiatives, and large-scale attraction campaigns. Her services are still available for contract, although she no longer offers any projects at more than part-time. During this time, she uncovered her passion for event production after organizing a 700+ attended sports event in Utah.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sofia is committed to practicing the lifelong learner mindset. She recently decided to return to school and obtain her undergraduate degree at California State University San Marcos. After returning to her hometown in North County, she sought out a role where she could further develop her event experience full-time finding her new career with SDNEDC. She began as a Marketing & Event Coordinator and quickly demonstrated her ability to reach new markets after launching the ‘Why North County’ campaign within her first year.
Now recently promoted, her role has become specialized in attracting new businesses and investments from outside the immediate area in other counties and other parts of the San Diego region. As the External Marketing Manager, she serves as a vessel for growth and opportunity in North County and is currently developing a program connecting interns with local employers to begin in Summer 2024.
Caitlyn Canby
Communications Manager
Caitlyn is one of the Marketing and Events Coordinators for the San Diego North Economic Development Council. She is the editor of the weekly PULSE of North County Newsletter and the author of the “Meet North County Stewards” series. She coordinates events that strengthen the economic prosperity of the region, conducts economic research that assists local companies to make strategic business decisions, and designs marketing collateral to attract inward investment in North County.
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 that raised $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.
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.