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| PRESS RELEASES |
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| SAN diego food bank appoints new board of directors for 2007-2009 |
| New Leadership Team Brings Business Expertise
and Personal Commitment to Enable Stability, Empowerment and Growth to Feed San Diego’s Hungry |
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San Diego, Calif. – June 27, 2007 – The San Diego Food Bank (SDFB), a critical resource for alleviating hunger throughout the San Diego County, today announced its 2007-2009 Board of Directors.
Led by Chairman Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell of San Diego Gas & Electric, the new Board is working as a hands-on resource to set aggressive goals, adopt a budget and focus on rebuilding the organization into a regional asset that will serve San Diego for many years. Through its partnerships with more than 260 charities and non-profit organizations, SDFB serves as a central repository and distribution point to feed the hungry in San Diego County.
The SDFB’s new board members bring an array of expertise in various fields, from governmental relations and public affairs, to corporate finance and community outreach. The following members of the interim 2006-2007 board will be continuing on the new board’s 2007-2009 roster:
- Mitch Mitchell, SDFB Board Chairman, and
Regional Vice President of External Affairs, San Diego Gas & Electric
- Mitchell Berner, President, Public Solutions
- Larry Cleary, Vice President and General Manager, Construction Equipment for Qualcomm Incorporated
- Kathy Davis, Senior Director, Internal Business, San Diego County Office of Education
- Marc Farrar, Vice President of Public Affairs, Time Warner Cable
- Richard Friedlen, President and CEO, SYSCO Food Services
- Carl E Rustin, Private Client Services, Wells Fargo
- John Vingas, Vice President, Catering for Centerplate
- Ex-officio, Randy K. Jones, Esq., Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice and Chairman of Neighborhood House Association Board of Directors
At the board meeting held on June 20, the following individuals were elected to the SDFB board for the 2007-2009 term:
- Maira A. Arzate, Youth Market Manager, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of San Diego
- Nancy M. Chase, Founder and Principal, The Chase Group
- Stephen P. Cushman, President, Cush Enterprises
- Marlyn Denter, Director of Public Affairs, VONS
- Hon. William C. Pate (Ret.), JAMS
- Jennifer L. Perkins, Director of Marketing, Eat Drink Sleep
- Michele Predko, Regional Marketing Director, Westfield, LLC
“I’m grateful for the esteemed group of leaders that have collectively and also individually committed to building an organization that will feed San Diego,” said Mitch Mitchell, SDFB Chairman. “We are determined to ensure that this critical institution thrives and continues to provide support for deserving families and individuals, as well as the future generations in San Diego County. I am honored to work with this new team to increase community support and raise the necessary funds to guarantee we are always able serve San Diego’s needs.”
According to one UCLA Study, Touched by Hunger: A County by County Report on Hunger and Food Insecurity (2005), more than 813,000 individuals in San Diego will experience some form of food insecurity each year. San Diego’s hunger crisis extends to the young, the old and the working poor. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that nearly 50 percent of recipients include households with at least one employed adult (American Community Survey, 2005).
Timothy Ewing, interim general manager of SDFB, noted significant changes as a result of the new leadership in place. “We all know it’s a critical time for this organization. The entire team is working diligently hard to make sure every single action we take is efficient and effective so that we can do our job to feed San Diego,” said Ewing. “Take one step through our doors and you can feel the change that this new leadership team is setting forth.”
“I must say, I’m especially inspired when I get to see the staff’s dedication to the Food Bank,” said Mitchell. “Since January, we’ve already surpassed our expectations in food distribution (nearing 4.4 million pounds) and we are excited about what we should be able to accomplish by the end of the year. Our efforts as board members and community leaders are essential to the success of this organization.”
The SDFB board is now developing a new strategic plan and fresh brand identity to highlight the organization’s critical role in San Diego County. They are also reviewing potential relationships and strategic partnerships that will help the organization meet the growing needs of the San Diego community.
“We’re here for the long haul,” said Mitchell Berner, president of Public Solutions. “I feel privileged to be a part of such a dedicated and passionate group that is so keenly aware of our united mission in serving the families in San Diego that rely on the Food Bank for crucial nourishment.”
About San Diego Food Bank
Established in 1977, the San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. Through a combination of government programs and partnerships with more than 260 San Diego County non-profit charities, SDFB acts as a central repository and distribution point for government and donated food. Funded by foundations, grants, USDA, corporations, sponsors and individual donors, SDFB distributes more than 10 million pounds of food annually to individuals, families and a network of non-profit organizations that work to alleviate hunger throughout the county. For more information, please visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org. |
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