Board of Directors
The Encinitas Board of Directors has been selected by the board committee and each member serves 2-year terms. If you’re interested in joining the board or would like to get involved in the chamber committees, please contact Sherry Yardley.
RICHARD D. MARKS
chairman of the board
Richard is the Owner of RDM Management Group. Established in 2014, RDM Management Group is a veteran owned training company which focuses on leadership professional development training, performance coaching, sales training, conflict mediation and assessments.
Richard is a US Army Veteran and has more than 30 plus years of corporate experience, which ranges from an individual contributor to mid-level manager, to senior leadership. These experienced exposed him to the basic understanding of strategic thinking and tactical execution which has translated to the ability to be relatable and authentic to audiences around the world.
RDM MANAGEMENT GROUP
https://rdmmanagementgroup.com/
GABRIEL REBELO
vice chair
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Gabriel and Marcia Rebelo arrived in the U.S. from Johannesburg, South Africa in 2012. Their American Dream came true when they purchased an established Minuteman Press location with growth potential in Encinitas, California. They launched a ‘Print Locally’ campaign in 2016 that has served them well these last several years. Graciously embraced by the business community as well as their customers, Gabriel always gives back. He has been an active Board Member of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for seven years now. He and his wife have three grown children and four adorable grandchildren.
As for being his own boss, Gabriel says, “The most rewarding thing about owning your own business is that the buck stops with you. What you achieve is the result of what you put into your business. Although your responsibilities are great, and often you work much harder than any of you employees, you time and your schedule are yours.” Gabriel takes great pride in his work ethic and his product to his local Encinitas customers. He lives in an eternal state of gratitude for all that life has given him, and it shows every time you meet him.
SAN DIEGO PREMIER OUTDOOR DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
760-634-5349
Email Gabriel
ANDREW UTT
Treasurer
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
Andrew Utt is the Executive Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego and is a curator, arts administrator, and educator with a bachelor’s degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from Harvard University. For the past 20 years, he has worked in the arts with museums and galleries based in California, Argentina, and Colombia. He has managed and developed art educational programs, exhibitions, fundraisers, marketing initiatives, and digital advances in different languages and cultures throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. Andrew is most excited about uniting arts and culture as a tool for economic impact and development in our region. He brings decades of non-profit experience to the Chamber's board.
THE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO
760-615-0988
Email Andrew
JON KOCHIK
Secretary
Environmental sustainability Committee chair
Jon Kochik has been with San Diego Gas & Electric for 9 years working to advance various initiatives including clean energy, local government partnerships, operational efficiencies, safety culture and leadership development. Prior to that, Jon worked for AMN Healthcare in Del Mar leading sales operations and leadership development programs after earning degrees from Penn State and San Diego State in organizational psychology. Jon’s work life began with delivering newspapers on his bike and working in the warehouse of local department store and serving food at a retirement home. And, Jon had lots of interesting jobs in between. Jon has lived in Cardiff for 15 years, and in the broader SD area for a total of 22 years after growing up Pennsylvania as a kid through college. His first visit to friends in the SD area brought him to Encinitas and he moved out here three weeks later.
He had never felt more at home than he does in this town. Jon and his wife feel so fortunate to have raised both of their kids through the Cardiff Schools, frolicking on these amazing beaches, joining the Cardiff Mustangs, the San Dieguito Swim Team, Junior Guards, and now Oak Crest Middle School. It doesn’t take long to figure out that how much everyone here wants to make a positive contribution to the broader community. Jon learned about the great work the Chamber does and wanted to contribute to those endeavors – to support businesses here in Encinitas, create a community network, and partner with the City and others to grow in ways that maintain what is truly special about this town.
SDG&E
858-243-1534 (work)
Email Jon
DAVID DACOSTA
BOARD MEMBER & Past Chairman of the board
Membership committee
A member of the San Diego real estate community, since 2001 and a Senior Real Estate Specialist, David DaCosta prides himself on being involved in the local community. He was the former owner of Jamroc 101, formerly a Caribbean Encinitas Restaurant. David is currently serving his second term on the board for the Encinitas Chamber and heads up the Nominating committee as well as being an Ambassador for 18 years.
Living and working in San Diego for over 35 years has given him a great network of connections throughout the county, which helps him put his clients in contact with just the right people, no matter what their need. His entire career of business development has been built around his three core concepts: service, connections, and trust. David does his utmost to get his clients results, while remaining service-oriented, ethical, and a person they can trust, over and over again.
“I joined the Chamber originally to promote my family restaurant, now let’s have a chat about you joining us on the Board!”
DACOSTA PROPERTIES
760-846-0557
Email David
JIM BENEDETTI
Board Member & Past Chairman of the Board
Government Relations & Advocacy committee chair
Tourism committee
Jim originally joined the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce to build his company’s client base, but as he has discovered over time, it has become so much more.
Jim has found that being on the Chamber Board of Directors has taught him that his contribution is mainly about giving back to the community that he lives in and helping to develop and increase our local business community’s opportunities to grow and thrive.
JPBLA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
760-479-0644
Email Jim
ROUEIDA HOBEIKA MATIN
Board Member
Business & Economic Development COMMITTEE chair
Health & Wellness committee chair
Roueida has majored in Political and Administrative Sciences but her extensive business past of over 25 years managing at the highest levels the world’s top luxury brands has made her a business guru. She uses her experience as General Manager and CEO for brands such as LVMH (Louis Vuitton), Prada, Miu Miu, Armani & Gucci to teach and mentor young professionals. As such she has volunteered her time to teach at the renowned Istanbul Fashion Institute and is an active coach & mentor for Executive MBA students of one of the top universities in Turkey, Sabanci University.
Nowadays, Roueida has found a renewed way to continue her passion of helping people in her current community of Encinitas. She is a podiatric expert and the proud Owner of Foot Solutions Encinitas, a store that has been proudly serving North San Diego County since 2001. Foot Solutions is the world's largest and #1 Ranked Health & Wellness Franchise focusing on foot care, and Roueida enjoys working one on one with her customers of all ages to alleviate many of their body ailments that emanate from their feet and shoes, as well as guiding them to adapt the footwear to their style and comfort all the while wearing orthopedically well suited footwear.
FOOT SOLUTIONS
760-634-1600 (work)
MICHAEL GLENN
Board Member
TOURISM committee chair
Business & economic development COMMITTEE
Michael set roots in Encinitas in the mid-‘90s and has wanted to strengthen his community ever since. A diverse background in operations, sales, and marketing with companies big and small, led him to establish the 501c3 North County Board Meeting in 2014. With the help of over 100 business professionals (with a passion to surf), the group's aim is to support local businesses, network, and do charitable work through monthly events.
Looking to do more for Encinitas, Michael joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2022 with the goal of making sure local businesses get the support they need to thrive in our unique city. Whether it be through finding the right mix of companies to call Encinitas home, to tourism initiatives, to developing tools business owners can use to succeed, he's always looking at new ways to make our town better.
NORTH COUNTY BOARD MEETING
760-402-5249
LOGAN BETZ
Board Member
Education & Networking Committee chair
Environmental Sustainability Committee
As a Field Representative for EDCO Waste and Recycling, a local family-owned and operated business, Logan is thrilled to bring his North County roots and deep-seated love for the community to his role as a Board Member of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce.
Born and raised in North County, Logan’s journey in this vibrant region has been marked by a diverse array of work experiences. From public works and construction to banking and customer service, Logan has viewed our community from various perspectives. Currently working with local businesses in the waste management sector and collaborating with community-driven initiatives, his professional journey mirrors the dynamic and multifaceted nature of North County itself.
Logan’s career is now dedicated to waste management and sustainable practices, where he has assisted businesses in optimizing their recycling efforts. This hands-on experience has provided him with valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by local enterprises in our community.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Logan’s connection to North County goes beyond the workplace. Engaging with the community through outdoor activities, he has cultivated a deep appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us.
EDCO WASTE & RECYCLING SERVICES, INC.
760-744-5615 (work)
ANDY SOLER
Board Member
TOURISM COMMITTEE
EDUCATION & NETWORKING COMMITTEE
Andy, a native of the outskirts of London near Hampton Court, brings a lifetime of travel expertise to the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Raised in a family immersed in the travel industry, Andy honed his skills as a travel coordinator, eventually establishing and managing travel companies on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1990, Andy made San Diego his home, merging his passion for travel with his love for sports. He pioneered travel packages for enthusiasts attending prestigious sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, and the Olympics.
With over three decades of global travel experience under his belt, Andy now channels his talents towards promoting local businesses and fostering growth within the Encinitas community. He leads Renewww Marketing, a thriving digital marketing firm specializing in elevating the presence of local brands on a global scale.
Andy's dedication to the community extends beyond the Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the board of the British American Business Council of San Diego and is actively involved with the AFX Charitable Foundation, Inc. In keeping with his tour and travel roots Andy also sits on the Chamber’s Tourism Committee.
RENEWWW LOCAL SEO & MARKETING
