the region. She truly believes in the immense potential
that resides in the region and encourages others to do
the same.
Since its formation in 1989, the non-profit
organization South County Economic
Development Council (SCEDC) has made
it its mission to promote and encourage
economic development in the South San
Diego County Region. As the organization
approaches its 30th anniversary, it is
important to recognize of those involved in
the many milestones and accomplishments
of the past three decades.
South County EDC aims to generate a
positive impact in the communities of
the Southern San Diego region and is
fortunate to have a leader that embodies
this philosophy and works day-to-day
to make a difference. Cindy Gompper-
Graves was appointed in December 2003
as the first full-time Executive Director and
has since invested her time and hard work
in a project she is passionate about – the
overall amelioration and development of
South County. Gompper-Graves and the
SCEDC team works with local businesses
and community members by offering
incentives and assistance to empower
and support their growth. The organization
has visited thousands of businesses and
helped companies retain and/or create
more than 8,000 jobs.
Gompper-Graves has always admired
the spirit and potential of South County
businesses and its residents and is
optimistic about what the future holds for
Along with Cindy’s leadership, the South County EDC’s
team plays a crucial role in the day-to-day activities
that make up the overall success of the organization.
The core members of SCEDC include Efrain Ibarra,
Brooke Anderson, Mitzi Ayala and Rose Bruchu. The
SCEDC Board Officers include Chair Doug Kerner,
Higgs Fletcher & Mack; Vice Chair Chris Holder,
Colliers; Vice Chair Bob Penner, HomeFed; 2nd Vice
Chair Norma Hernandez, Education Liaison; 2nd Vice
2018 SCEDC
Economic Summit
Chair John Moot, Schwartz Semerdijian Cualey & Moot
LLP; Secretary Tom Starr, Southwest Airlines Co.; and
Treasurer Sally Preston, Mission Federal Credit Union.
Cindy Gomper-Graves and the South County Economic Development Council want
to thank Southwest Airlines and Tom Starr, Southwest Airlines Ground Operations
Manager, for their intricate help and valuable contributions to South County EDC
throughout the years. Southwest Airlines generously donated gift cards as well as
tote bags made from recycled leather of their plane seats for SCEDC’s Open House
this past February and have donated round-trip tickets to encourage community
businesses to become members of the organization. Tom Starr has volunteered to
lead the organization’s 30-year celebration, where SCEDC will gather their members
to recognize their many accomplishments and turn their eye toward the next era.
“I am immensely proud of the relationships that we’ve built throughout the years at
South County EDC and it has been my great pleasure to work with this organization,”
said Gompper-Graves. “At the end of the day, SCEDC and the community have given
much more to me than I have given to it, and I look forward to continuing my work to
create a positive change.”
www.southcountyedc.com
Tom Starr and Cindy Gompper-Graves
greet guests at SCEDC’s Open House
APRIL 2019 | GBSAN.COM 51