La Jolla Village Merchants Association, the nonprofit group that creates economic development policies and programs to enhance business in La Jolla, will hold its board of directors elections Wednesday, Oct. 8, with 16 candidates contending for ten positions. Voting is open to all merchants in the Village business improvement district possessing a current business tax certificate. About 1,400 businesses are members of the association.
Voting is set for 8:30 a.m. at the Cuvier Club, 7776 Eads Ave. Results will be made public directly after the meeting.
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the association will host a Meet the Candidates gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. at We Olive, 1158 Prospect St. Light appetizers and tea will be offered, with a cash bar for beer and wine. Each candidate’s name, business affiliation and statement appear below. Elsie Arredondo – Art Gallery
Monarch Fine Art, 1205 Prospect St., suite A I am seeking a position on the board of directors for the La Jolla Village Merchants Association because I believe we can make the Village the center of attraction not just for tourists but also for our locals that live in La Jolla and for our neighbors throughout San Diego County. The only way to maintain our image as the cultural destination in San Diego County is through strong community support. For the past year and half, I have owned a business in the Village and have been a resident of La Jolla. Every day, I enjoy walking to our gallery and seeing the beauty all around the Village but acknowledge its delicate balance, especially with so many empty storefronts. My family and I love this town and want to see businesses continue to thrive, and the best way I know how is to volunteer my time and efforts to be part of new ideas and solutions. My graduate degree is in regulatory affairs, and before I became an entrepreneur, my career was in healthcare administration, with over 15 years of experience in managing staff, budgets and change. As an owner of an art gallery, I also understand event planning, fundraising and the challenges of local small business. I believe I am qualified and can make a difference on the board. Krista Heron Baroudi – Hotel/Motel
La Jolla Cove Suites, 1155 Coast Blvd. I am Krista Baroudi, and La Jolla has been my home since 1976. I have been CEO and managing partner of La Jolla Cove Suites and my family’s properties here in La Jolla since 2001. Making a contribution to this wonderful community has not only been important to me as a merchant in the Village but also on a personal level as a resident raising two sons. It has been a pleasure serving on the board of directors for the La Jolla Village Merchants Association for the last two years in the capacity of secretary. I believe we have made progress in building a stronger business community, but I feel that the work has only just begun, with so much more to be accomplished. I look forward to retaining my seat with the association through re-election for another two year term, and I thank you for your support. Claudette Berwin – Professional Services
Gallery Properties, 7861 Herschel Ave. I have had the great privilege of serving on the board for the LJVMA since the inception of the newly formed BID and would consider it an honor to be re-elected to serve one more year. I am the owner/broker of Gallery Properties on Herschel, a full-service real estate firm with 25 agents, and have been at this location since 2002. Prior to moving to La Jolla, I served as director of the Newport Beach Association of Realtors, liaison to the city council and chairman of the government and political affairs committee. I am passionate about our village, cultural diversification and keeping businesses here. I originally served on the branding, web site development, promotions and marketing committees for LJVMA. I support our community events and am the acting block captain for Herschel. This has provided me with the opportunity to meet many of our local merchants. I also serve as the liaison for REBA and am on the Pillage the Village and Concours D’Elegance committees. During my tenure, our board aggressively and successfully negotiated the opening of the gate as a remedy to alleviate the odor on Coast Boulevard. We also opened the La Jolla Visitors Center on Prospect to better serve our merchants, community and tourism. Our mission statement is to bring business to La Jolla through our numerous events, website, visitors center and social media. Your vote will allow me to continue my involvement and contributions. Trenton Bonner – Professional Services
Trenton Bonner Coastal Real Estate, 7816 Ivanhoe Ave., no. 4 The vision that I see for the La Jolla Village Merchants Association should be to continue to improve, bring together, maintain the integrity and historical view and values of the Village of La Jolla. If I am fortunate to be selected to the board, I will strive help maintain those values. Past and present affiliations and activities: La Jolla Town Council, 7 years; Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, 7 years; president, national campaign manager for Oscar Knight; La Jolla Half Marathon; La Jolla Christmas Parade; trustee, Mt. Soledad; member associate, La Jolla Presbyterian Church. Paul Burke – Professional Services
PSB, 1299 Prospect St. I seek a seat on the LJVMA board to offer my time, commitment and business acumen to ensure La Jolla Village continues to draw global and local visitors, is a desirable venue for businesses and events and has the resources and infrastructure to grow with the times. My business and experience promises to assist the board in structuring and implementing a successful, elastic model that will see it through the changing economy and times. My business development experience spans growing one coffee kiosk into more than a dozen locations, which I sold to a burgeoning franchise, to founding and growing a globally recognized company in the semiconductor industry and taking it public. I continue to consult a number of the leading chip manufacturing companies worldwide in capital equipment and implementation models. My experience with the Malibu Business Committee may also be of use to the La Jolla Merchants Association. During my time in Malibu, we improved Old Town from a fledging local stop into a flourishing tourist and local destination, creating a desirable venue for new business which continues to prosper in “Malibu Country Mart.” After a lifetime of living around the world and never losing my love of the Southern California ocean, I have settled in beautiful La Jolla. I will raise my twin 4-year-old girls here and do what’s in my power to ensure they have a place to work in the Village. Their family overseas are excited to visit and stay in the Village. Christophe Cevasco – Restaurant
Eddie V’s, 1270 Prospect St. I have now been in the Village as a merchant since our opening three years ago, and I have seen quite a few things that make La Jolla unique and attractive, and I have seen other things that I think could further give the Jewel a better outreach to the visitors and residents alike. I feel that by participating and not just vocalizing my opinion, I can better help our Village to flourish and work as a network of equals collaborating to bring a mutual benefit to the business district. Leon Chow – Retail
D/B/A C&H Photo, 7720 Fay Ave. As an original member of LJVMA, I cherish the opportunity to continue volunteering on behalf of the merchants and aid in the future successes of the Village. G. Michael Dorvillier, Principal – Professional Services
Symbio Financial Partners, 7777 Fay Ave., suite 210 Michael Dorvillier has lived, worked and raised his family in La Jolla for the past 24 years. As a future board member of the La Jolla Village Merchants Association, he will bring fresh perspectives, ideas and energy to enrich the business community. Over the last three years, he has served as chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance and has been able to elevate what once was a small car show to one of the most sought-after concourses in the United States. As both a business owner and homeowner in La Jolla, Michael is invested in his community. Michael is forward thinking, innovative and creative, as demonstrated by his success as chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. Michael understands that the relationship between the Village businesses, merchants and the community has been instrumental in the growth of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. When elected, Michael will bring that same ideology of partnership between the community, businesses and events to help raise much-needed revenue for the betterment and awareness of the Village of La Jolla. Michael’s other civic involvement included the San Diego International Sports Council, La Jolla Youth Baseball and Las Patronas. He is excited about the opportunity to take part in an organization that is so heavily committed to the improvement and prosperity of the Village of La Jolla. Mark A. Krasner, Esq. – Professional Services
Blanchard, Krasner & French, 800 Silverado St., 2nd Floor I am committed to San Diego in general and La Jolla in particular. As a second-generation native San Diegan, I have enjoyed La Jolla my entire life. As a CPA and founding partner of La Jolla law firm Blanchard, Krasner & French, I understand what needs to happen and what needs to be done by La Jolla business to improve and enhance its own prospects and the sterling reputation of the community it serves. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a board member and officer of the LJVMA. I look forward to continuing to do so. Rita Moore – Hotel/Motel
La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St. It is with pleasure and humility that I ask to be seated on the LJVMA board of directors, representing La Valencia. As director of sales and marketing for an iconic property, I recognize the key role that healthy commerce and a vibrant Village play in the success of us all. A member of the leadership team of La Valencia, I bring the La V reputation and stature to the table – linking arms cohesively with all of the merchants. My career experience of being a past business owner, a leader in the hospitality field, as well as a deep understanding of marketing, are uniquely appropriate to assume a role as part of the association board. As an energetic business leader, my vision is to support the association in building more Village engagement in local programs and initiatives that further the reputation of La Jolla as a world-class destination. My close relationship with SDTA, their PR engine plus the La Valencia PR team will enable me to communicate the Village features to a wide audience. You have my commitment that I will apply all of my skills with integrity and passion to forward the cause of the La Jolla merchants, driving more awareness, more business and more success to us all. Please feel free to contact me should you require any additional information, and thank you for your consideration – and hopefully – this opportunity. Vahid Moradi – Retail
CJ Charles Jewelers & Panerai Boutique La Jolla, 1133-37 Prospect St. La Jolla is an incredible community that I am proud to call my home. As a Prospect Street merchant for 30 years, I have experience grappling with the unique challenges faced by La Jolla business owners. Keeping La Jolla beautiful and welcoming is a matter of solving parking issues, keeping streets and sidewalks well-kempt and free of debris and promoting events which both attract visitors and are a point of pride for community members. As a business owner, I have balanced the needs of local residents and visitors and know that it takes both for a thriving merchant community. We all know that consumers want a more authentic relationship with companies. Every day, we have new customers who purposefully seek out small businesses for genuine interactions with people and not faceless corporations. While customers crave these relationships, they are also much more sophisticated and demand levels of personalized service once only offered to the highest caliber of clientele. As a jeweler for 30 years, I understand this need and am able to deliver these high levels of service. My own establishments, The La Jolla Panerai Boutique and CJ Charles Jewelers, are characterized by my personal mission to emphasize honesty, loyalty and beauty. As a result, I have successfully grown CJ Charles into one of the premier Southern California jewelers and La Jolla Panerai into one of the highest performing boutiques worldwide. Most importantly, I am results driven and want to improve the bottom line for every La Jolla business. James A. Niebling – Interior Design/Professional Services
Esteban Interiors—7605 Girard Ave. I have been on the LJVMA board of directors and have served as chair of the design division for the three years of my term. I and the design division team have led the following initiatives: kandscape enhancements, holiday décor vision, sidewalk furniture repair and beautification. Our key goals for the community remain as follows: Raise the aesthetics of La Jolla to attract and retain shoppers, promote public awareness with enhanced design and beautification of the community and create a new and exciting community for businesses looking to locate in La Jolla. As a business owner and partner of a flourishing interior design business for over seven years now, I am incredibly excited about the growth potential for La Jolla and understand and support the Main Street Four-Point Approach (economic restructuring, promotionis, organization and design) as an optimum way to elevate the community: I was a founding member of the Little Italy Art and Design District and accomplished many key initiatives: The “Kettner Nights” events, streetlamp banners, sponsor tags and extensive public relations activities, including TV and print coverage. I bring to the board of directors over 25 years of senior-level retail management with well-established retailers, such as Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, Express, Macy’s and Pacific Sunwear. Glen Rasmussen—Professional Services
Glen McFadden Rasmussen, Attorney, 7855 Ivanhoe Ave., suite 455 I have served on numerous boards in La Jolla, including Coastal Access & Parking; La Jolla Town Council (president); La Jolla Community Planning Association (vice president); Planned District Ordinance; Promote La Jolla (interim entity); La Jolla Community Center (chairman of the board); and Kiwanis Club (president). I believe in building consensus and majority decision-making. It is my belief that La Jolla is now in position to achieve a successful vision for business owners and land/building owners in order to serve its residents’ needs. I believe in the use of logic and expression rather than coercion and accusation. Marshall Ravden – Restaurant
Finch’s Wine Bar and Bistro, 7644 Girard Ave. As a long-term resident and small business owner in the Village of La Jolla, I would be honored to serve on the LJVMA board of directors. I am strongly aligned with the asssociation’s mission to promote and enhance the business environment in our community. As a semi-retired surgeon, I bring over 40 years of experience working in the medical field as well as being an active partner in our small business, Finch’s Bistro & Wine Bar, located in La Jolla Village. I am a person of integrity and am highly responsible, with a strong work ethic. I believe I could make a solid and useful contribution to the goals of the LJVMA. Thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to serve in this important role. Terrence Underwood – Hotel/Motel
Grande Colonial, 910 Prospect St. I would welcome the opportunity to participate in the business improvement district board. Having directed operations of the Grande Colonial for nearly 15 years and operations at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for six years prior to that, I am very familiar with the business climate in La Jolla and the Village. I have prior experience as board member of the La Jolla Business Improvement District. While doing so, I participated as a member of the Planned District Ordinance Subcommittee. I have prior experience as a board member for the San Diego Hotel/Motel Association, California Hotel Lodging Association and San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau. Given the opportunity to participate on the board, I would work to help improve the awareness and business climate in the La Jolla Village through the resources available to the business improvement district. Additionally, I would work toward improving the cooperation within the business community to maximize the benefit of our individual resources. Richard Walker – Restaurant
Richard Walker’s Pancake House, 909 Prospect St., suite 190 Before opening Richard Walker’s Pancake House (RWPH) in the heart of the Village of La Jolla, Richard Walker graduated with honors in business from the University of Iowa. He was hired directly out of college and worked for 12 years as process improvement advisory consultant for Ernst & Young, LLP (EY). While at EY, Richard served over 10 global clients in sectors ranging from high-tech to automotive to consumer products. Richard also served on several committees at EY, mostly focused on large social events. Richard has also traveled to over 60 countries and has a great respect for diversity and different perspectives. In transitioning from the corporate world to the entrepreneurial world, Richard successfully managed a 12-week construction schedule, turning the once-defunct Forever Fondue space into the anchor tenant at 909 Prospect St. Richard also funded the endeavor entirely on his own. Richard will bring energy and intelligence to the La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA) board. Only three months into operations, RWPH has donated hundreds of dollars to local charities. RWPH has also become a pillar of the local community, serving large carry-out orders to local businesses and hosting larger events such as birthday parties and wedding breakfasts. By contributing to the LJVMA board, Richard hopes to attack what some view as problems as opportunities. Richard is an extremely positive person and in keeping so has led many successful endeavors ranging from successful Christmas party events to the widely successful opening and operation or RWPH.