Dennis Burks – Chairman   » Bio

Brad Barnum – Vice Chairman   » Bio

John Chalker – President   » Bio

Ruben Andrews – Downtown San Diego Partnership

Brad Barnum – AGC

Dennis Burks – Burks Associates

Jerry Butkiewicz – AFL-CIO

Jack Carpenter – Council of Design Professionals

John Chalker – ASAP21 President

John Hawkins – San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

Tom Held – San Diego Highway Association

Bella Heule – San Diego World Trade Center

Tim Hutter – San Diego Regional Aviation Association

Tony McCune – South County EDC

Mike McDowell – Lodging Industry Association

Joe Panetta – BIOCOM

Sal Giametta– San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau

Julie Meier Wright – San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation

Dennis Burks is the principal of Burks & Associates, consulting to the tourism / hospitality industry and the general business community. Burks is a 38-year veteran of the tourism industry. His most recent assignment was Executive Vice President and General Manager of SeaWorld San Diego where he lead a team of 4,200 employees, oversaw an animal collection in excess of 20,000 and was responsible for insuring that the millions of visiting guests received the amazing educational and entertaining experience for which SeaWorld is famous. He holds a bachelor’s degree in General Management from The University of Georgia. He currently sits on the board of directors the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, the San Diego Maritime Museum, Fleet Week and the John Brockington Foundation. He is also on the Holiday Bowl Committee and a member of Rotary Club 33. Burks is married with two children and lives in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of San Diego.

back to top

Brad Barnum is the Vice President Government Relations for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), San Diego Chapter. AGC San Diego represents over 1,100 members who perform over 85% of the region’s commercial, industrial, institutional, general engineering, and heavy highway construction. AGC members are the primary builders of the region’s infrastructure. Mr. Barnum is responsible for AGC’s local government relations and political action activities. He acts as staff liaison with AGC’s lobbying efforts in the State Legislature and in Congress. He also handles candidate endorsements and political fundraising. Prior to AGC, Mr. Barnum worked for the San Diego Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). From 1985 to 1998, he worked in the Governor Deukmejian and Governor Wilson Administrations. As the Director of Advance for Governor Deukmejian, he handled all meeting planning, media arrangements, and public affairs activities for the Governor’s travel. During the Wilson Administration, he worked as staff to the California Public Utilities Commission in the areas of public affairs and government relations. Mr. Barnum is a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, chairs its Transportation Committee, and sits on the Public Policy, Infrastructure, and Legislative Committees. He is a member of the City of San Diego’s Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission, Mentor-Protégé Advisory Board, and Lead Poison Prevention Citizens’ Task Force. He also is a member of the American Public Works Association, and the Lincoln Club of San Diego County.

back to top

John Chalker is a long time San Diego County resident and an active member of the downtown business community. His experience in San Diego's political arena began 10 years ago, and he has worked tirelessly since then as a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, actively seeking out ways to improve San Diego. His financial acumen, sharpened by 20 years as a financial consultant at Merrill Lynch and 15 years as an investment adviser for institutional clients, has given Chalker a firm grasp on San Diego's economy, and the potential economic impact of the air transportation industry on the region as a whole. Currently, Chalker is the co-founder and Managing Director of LM Capital Group, LLC and a member of the firm's Investment Strategy Group. LM Capital is a leading provider of fixed-income investment services to institutional investors and manages approximately $1.1 billion in five fixed income products. He completed a tour of duty as a pilot with the US Navy, receiving an honorable discharge in 1979. Chalker received a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

back to top