February 3 marked my first day as Interim CEO at SPUR, and I am honored to be joining the team. Accepting this role was an easy decision because I so deeply believe in SPUR’s mission and the transformative power of public policy.
I spent decades working as a CEO in the engineering field and am passionate about service on nonprofit boards — including here at SPUR. I’m grateful for the opportunity to leverage my leadership experience and deepen my commitment to this vital work.
In recent years, with the support of our dedicated members, SPUR has helped set the Bay Area on a transformative path. Today, our organization is recognized as a trusted advisor and leading voice in Bay Area policy, and that momentum will carry us forward into an ambitious and impactful year ahead.
I’m pleased to share that our 2025 agenda includes several high-impact initiatives, including:
- Housing: Pass state legislation to streamline housing development in urban areas and near transit; create more housing opportunities for all income levels in San Francisco’s high-wealth neighborhoods
- Planning: Reimagine downtown San Francisco and downtown San José as inclusive, affordable, 24-hour mixed-use hubs
- Transportation: Secure sustainable funding for transit operators across the region, including BART, Muni, and Caltrain
- Sustainability and Resilience: Continue to lead the way on transitioning buildings to zero-emissions energy; make communities across the region resilient to wildfires, flooding, and earthquakes
- Governance: Reform San Francisco government to be more responsive to residents’ needs; improve Oakland’s fiscal management and create clearer lines of decision-making authority; lead an action plan to identify revenue strategies that will grow Oakland's economy
This year, we are poised to continue to drive meaningful change in the region. My focus during the next several months will be on ensuring continuity, supporting the team, and advancing our shared priorities for 2025.
Looking ahead, we have begun the executive search process for SPUR’s next CEO with a goal to have a final candidate selected by this summer.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our work and a belief that the future of the Bay Area is brighter than ever. I look forward to working with you to achieve these powerful goals.