NTC Foundation adds new board leaders, members
Pam Hamilton Lester has been named president and chief executive officer of the NTC Foundation. The post is a newly created board of directors position, according to foundation officials.
In addition, Kurt Chilcott and Richard S. Ledford have been elected to serve on the board.
“The addition of two new board members, along with instituting the president and CEO position, underscores the forward momentum generated from opening the first phase of the NTC Promenade,” said Gordon Swanson, chairman of the NTC Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Pam, Kurt and Richard will add valuable leadership and fund-raising talent to our board as we move toward the next phase of the project.”
The NTC Foundation, a 501 (c3) nonprofit corporation, and its flagship project, the NTC Promenade, recently completed a $26 million renovation of 6 of its 26 historic buildings and is rapidly becoming a 28-acre cultural district of innovation, collaboration and celebration in a historic setting “” the new mixed-use community of Liberty Station.
The San Diego City Council recently approved a $6 million rehabilitation grant agreement to begin planning and implementation of the next renovation phase for the remaining 20 buildings. It is the second such grant approved by the council for the project. The first was granted in 2003.
Hamilton is former senior vice president of the Centre City Development Corporation, the City of San Diego’s downtown redevelopment agency. She has more than 40 years of urban land use and redevelopment experience on national and local levels. In her new position, Hamilton will have general supervision, direction and control of the foundation and will work with its executive director, Alan Ziter, and senior staff. She will guide strategic planning and development of the project.
Chilcott, president and CEO of CDC Small Business Finance, is a nationally recognized leader in economic and community development. With 25 years of experience, Chilcott has a history of association leadership in the economic development field, including International Economic Development Council, Council for Urban Economic Development, National Association of Development Companies and California Association for Local Economic Development. He has also served on the boards of numerous local and state nonprofit organizations.
Ledford, president of Ledford Enterprises, is a privately held company specializing in public affairs, advocacy, and strategic imaging. Versed in policy development, politics and advocacy, Ledford has extensive experience in government, community relations, and public policy. Ledford is a former vice president of public policy of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and chief of staff to the mayor of San Diego.
Other members of the NTC Foundation’s board of directors include: Gordon Swanson, chair, CEO; Judy McDonald, vice chair; Hank Killmar, treasurer; Mitchell Woodbury, secretary; RAdm Fran Holian, USN (Ret.); Steven Jay Mueller; Eliot Alport, ex-officio; Victoria Hamilton, ex-officio and William Anderson, ex-officio.
For more information, call (619) 573-9304, or visit www.ntcpromenade.org.
New law firm opens doors in Point Loma
Christopher C. Happ, a local resident, officially opened the doors of Happ Law Group, P.C. on Nov. 26 in Point Loma Village. Happ Law Group will now provide residents of the greater San Diego area with legal assistance in matters regarding estate planning, family law, landlord-tenant disputes and business law.
Before forming Happ Law Group, Happ worked as a law clerk with the chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Securities Commission and Dugan & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based workers compensation law firm. Happ previously worked for the New York State Budget Division, analyzing legislative budget bills and drafting budget legislation on behalf of the governor.
Happ’s educational achievements are extensive. While working toward his bachelor’s degree in social science, he competed as a student-athlete in the Big East Conference for the Pittsburgh Panthers baseball team. Happ earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
Throughout graduate school, he worked for the 21st Century Task Force, a group of community leaders attempting to solve the city of Pittsburgh’s financial problems. Happ graduated at the top of his class and was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, a national honor society for public affairs and administration. Happ subsequently earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Happ said he is thrilled with his new surroundings in San Diego and said he is excited to be able to help California residents with their legal issues for years to come. When he is not practicing law, Happ’s hobbies include golfing, surfing and catching a show at the Civic Theatre.
Happ is licensed to practice law in both California state court and in federal court.
For more information, call (619) 906-5800.
Pritchett earns degree from Jefferson law school
David Pritchett, an Ocean Beach resident, earned a juris doctor degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law recently. He is one of 80 students who received the degree at the school’s 35th annual commencement held at Balboa Park in December.
Pritchett received his bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2003. He made the honor roll and the national dean’s list during his time at Thomas Jefferson.
The Thomas Jefferson School of Law boasts a student body of 750 and more than 5,000 graduates that include San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter.
High Tech High among nation’s honored schools
Some of the nation’s best high schools can be found in San Diego. Nine San Diego Unified School District sites made the U.S. News and World Report list for the top schools in the nation, with Preuss UCSD High School ranking No. 10.
U.S. News and World Report examined 19,000 high schools across the nation and placed 1,591 on its “Top High Schools” list. The top 100 schools were designated as gold schools and the remaining as silver and bronze schools.
La Jolla and University City high schools were named as silver schools and High Tech High in Point Loma was named as a bronze school. This is the second time that San Diego Unified School District campuses have been recognized by a national magazine for stellar academia.
School Evaluation Services, a paid service that forms ratings based on college readiness, student performance on advanced placement tests and the performance of economically disadvantaged students, assessed campus rankings.
The “Top High Schools” list was released on Dec. 1 and is available at www.usnews.com.
Dewey Elementary among Title 1 achievers
A dozen schools in San Diego received Title 1 Academic Achievement Awards from the California Department of Education for 2007.
Included in the list of schools is Dewey Elementary School in Point Loma. Title 1 schools receive federal funding according to the economic level of students. Title 1 is associated with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which was created to improve the academic performance of disadvantaged students.
Schools that receive the award must demonstrate they are consistently improving the academic skills of students.
For further information, visit the California Department of Education at www.cde.ca.gov.
Druck Foundation to host motivational event
The Jenna Druck Foundation will host “The Secret to Having Your Best Year Ever” on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Proceeds from the afternoon-long event ” which will feature eight of the world’s most inspirational speakers, including former Charger turned Rock Church pastor Miles McPherson ” will benefit the foundation’s “Families Helping Families” and “Young Women’s Leadership” programs.
Participants will learn how to achieve their New Year’s resolutions, get and stay healthy, increase income, nurture relationships and create success and happiness in everyday lives, said organizers. Tickets for the event begin at $29 and all proceeds will go the the Jenna Druck Foundation and its programs.
To purchase tickets or for additional information, visit www.yourbestyearever.org.