› Alumni

Meet the SBA Alumni Council

Executive Team


Dave Salisbury

David Salisbury - Chair
BBA 1995

David Salisbury is the Director of Business Development for the West Coast Region at Mintz Levin, where he is responsible for managing the firm’s California branding and business development efforts. David is also active in the CONNECT, BIOCOM, and CommNexus community organizations, as well as participates in fundraising for local charities, such as the San Diego Bar Foundation and SHARP HospiceCare- Homes for Hospice Program. Additionally, he serves as chair of the Resources Development Committee of the Center for Community Solutions, Director of the Center for Community Solutions Board, and Director of the Corporate Directors Forum Board. David received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration in 1995, and has mentored students for the past six years.


Alex Barnes

Alex Barnes - Vice Chair
BA 2007

Alex Barnes was most recently a Special Projects Analyst in Sempra Energy’s Risk Analysis & Management group, where he was responsible for evaluating litigation brought against Sempra and its subsidiaries.  Prior to joining Sempra, Alex worked as an Investment Banking Associate at Strategic Advisory Services International and in post-press operations management at the San Diego Union Tribune.  Alex earned Bachelor degrees in Economics and Business Administration, with a concentration in Supply Chain Management, in 2007.


Hope Mago - Secretary of Finance
IMBA 2012

Hope Mago works at Huntington Capital, a lower middle market private equity fund located in La Jolla, California. He participates in the analysis of new investment opportunities, investment due diligence, deal underwriting and investment monitoring. Prior to joining Huntington Capital, Hope worked as an Analyst at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, where he was involved in economic policy formulation, lending due diligence for export ventures receiving funding through the Exchange Control Division. Hope is currently a board observer or actively involved in Huntington portfolio investments Crescent House Publishing, Primetrica, Residential Design Services and RJE International. Hope earned an International MBA in 2011.


Mike Cole

Michael Cole - Secretary of Records
BBA 1992

Michael Cole is the Vice President and General Manager of Home Care Extraordinaire, where he focuses his passion on helping others. Michael spent over 15 years pursuing a career in advertising, sales, and marketing, gaining experience in the automotive, technology, consumer electronics, entertainment, and wireless industries with companies ranging from Suzuki Motor Corporation, Mazda, to DIRECTV and Verizon Wireless. Michael earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration in 1992.


Committee Chairs


Lynn Hijar

Lynn Hijar - Education Committee
BBA 1998, MSGL 2006

Lynn Hijar has over 13 years of community and diplomatic relations experience in the San Diego region where she has held leadership roles in the government, education, non-profit, military, and social fields. Her experience includes serving as Chief of Protocol, International and Diplomatic Relations at the City of San Diego, Director of Community Relations and Protocol for the U.S. Commander of Naval Air Forces, and heading the Trade Research Department at the World Trade Center San Diego. Lynn is founder of the Museum of Mexico in San Diego, owns an event management company, and most recently started a short video production and editing company. Lynn has served on over 30 trustee and director boards locally and internationally. She is a two-time graduate of the University of San Diego, earning a Business Administration degree in 1998, and a Master of Science degree in Global Leadership in 2006.


Ben Wood - Social Committee
BA 1999

Ben Wood is the owner of B Wood Insurance. With over 10 years of group insurance benefits experience, he has developed a strong reputation within the employee benefit industry and the San Diego business community, building an effective insurance agency that is designed to compete with the biggest and best in the industry. Ben is committed to many charity projects throughout the year that allow him to give back to the community that gave him so much. He loves to travel, spearfish, surf, and spend time with his family. Ben earned his degree in Business Administration in 1999.


Victoria Crown - Giving Back Committee
BBA 2006, MSRE 2008, MBA 2009

Bio coming soon.


Council Members


Cathie Deal

Cathie Deal
IMBA 1997

Cathie Deal is the Director of Supply Chain at ViaSat, Inc., where she is responsible for procurement, sourcing, materials management and planning. Prior to ViaSat, Cathie was the Senior Global Sourcing Manager for OEM Procurement at IBM, where she managed Outsourced Server development, manufacturing, and fulfillment Suppliers in Hungary, Mexico and Brazil. While at IBM, Cathie held several global leadership roles, including in the areas of travel, procurement and sourcing in the global regions of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Cathie received her International MBA in 1997.


Missy Hart

Missy Hart
MS-SCM 2011

Missy Hart is a Sourcing Specialist for Solar Turbines Incorporated where her duties include global sourcing, risk mitigation and strategic planning. With more than ten years of Supply Chain experience, Missy has overcome supply chain challenges in a myriad of industries such as nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, gaming and energy. She holds the APICS Certificate in Production and Inventory Management and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Missy earned her Master of Science degree in Supply Chain Management in 2011.


Jason Sweeney
JD/MBA 2002

Jason Sweeney is a corporate attorney with a background in corporate finance, start-up/emerging company development, mergers & acquisitions and cyberspace & e-commerce transactions. Jason is also a certified Cisco network engineer with expertise in telepresence and video conferencing deployment. A serial entrepreneur, Jason has founded several successful companies. He is currently the co-vice chair of the Cyberspace Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California. Jason received his JD/MBA in 2001.

Burt Brigida - Immediate Past Chair
BBA 1985

Burt Brigida is the Senior Vice President and Golden Triangle Commercial Banking Manager for Torrey Pines Bank, and serves as a Loan Committee Member for California Southern Small Business Development Corporation. Burt is a Board Member for YMCA Youth and Family Services, a member of the Finance Committee for Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, and is President of the Miss Mission Beach Pageant, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 benefitting the adaptive sports community in San Diego. He is a past Chair of the SBA Alumni Council, and is a member in good standing of the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club. Burt received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration in 1985.

Sean Ferrel
BBA 2000

Sean Ferrel has been in the technology field since 2000. Using his majors in both Business and Philosophy, he created a high-tech consulting firm, Managed Solution, which is recognized as one of the fastest growing services companies in the Southwest U.S. with over 50,000+ assets being managed. His company focuses in the areas of cloud computing, social CRM, unified communications, messaging, systems management and managed services. Sean received his degrees in 2000.

Kyle Fitzgerald
BBA 2004

Kyle Fitzgerald is an Account Executive with Matrix Direct Insurance Services, a subsidiary of the global entity AIG. He is a licensed insurance professional in 48 states and specializes in life insurance planning and sales. Kyle has additional sales experience including the mortgage, transportation, and entertainment industries, and is also a stand-up comedian. Kyle earned his Business Administration undergraduate degree in 2004.

Tim Lyons
IMBA 2012

Timothy Lyons is a Contracting Agent in the Supply Management department of San Diego Gas & Electric, the local power utility.  In his current role, Tim is responsible for managing the acquisition of major electric transmission-related infrastructure products.  He is actively involved in all stages of the supply management process, including major sourcing efforts, negotiations, contract writing, and supplier relationship management. Tim earned his International MBA in 2011.      



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