USD Business Professors Appointed to City’s Economic Commission
The San Diego City Council confirmed the appointment of seven out of nine nominees to the new Citizens’ Revenue Review and Economic Competitiveness Commission (CR&EC) on Oct. 27. Two approved members were University of San Diego School of Business Administration professors, Alan Gin and Steve Standifird.
The formation of the commission was part of the FY 2010 Fiscal Reform measures adopted by the city council in June 2009. In September, the city’s Budget and Finance Committee approved establishing the commission, with its membership outlined in a memorandum by Councilmember Tony Young.
The purpose of the CE&RC Commission is to “engage the public and private sectors in reviewing best practices and strategies designed to retain businesses in San Diego and make recommendations towards providing efficient, effective and quality city services.”
The commission also researches strategies to maximize city revenues spent for the city’s core function of services including neighborhood infrastructure improvements, libraries, park and recreation, and public safety, and make recommendations to Mayor Jerry Sanders and the city council for their review and consideration.
Councilmember Donna Frye, who represents the communities encompassing USD, nominated Standifird (pictured, top), associate dean of professional programs and an associate professor of strategic management. In making her appointment, Frye stated, “I feel Dr. Standifird is a well-qualified and experienced candidate who would be a valuable asset to the commission in attaining its goals.” She also cited Standifird’s current research interests that are focused on reputation and its impact on strategic competitiveness.
Alan Gin, an associate professor of economics, is widely known for his monthly reports on the region’s leading economic indicators and what these trends reveal about the general health of the local economy. His reports and insights have earned Gin a spot on the San Diego Business Journal’s exclusive “Who’s Who” list. In nominating Gin, Councilmember Marti Emerald felt he would be “a tremendous asset to San Diego’s new commission.”