A dozen new and familiar faces are joining the City of San Diego’s Boards and Commissions following City Council approval. Mayor Todd Gloria recently announced these new appointments and reappointments to serve in key roles. Check the Boards and Commissions webpage to learn about vacancies and apply for a position.

Stefanie Benvenuto was appointed to the Homelessness Revenue Account Citizens Oversight Committee. Benvenuto serves as vice president at Pacific Public Affairs, where she supports clients in the San Diego region on public policy and government relations matters. Prior to this role, she served as vice president of public affairs at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, where she led policy development and coalition-building efforts on behalf of a membership of approximately 2,500 businesses. Her prior experience includes service in the California State Assembly for two State Assemblymembers and advocacy work for a child welfare nonprofit, with a focus on housing, childcare and public finance policy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton and resides in Clairemont. She is being appointed to a four-year term ending Feb. 28, 2030, in the Member Seat.

John Ford was appointed to the Homelessness Revenue Account Citizens Oversight Committee. Ford is a hospitality executive with more than 30 years of experience in hotel operations and leadership across the United States and Canada. He currently serves as general manager of The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. In this role, he has led major initiatives, including a $17 million renovation, post-pandemic operational restructuring, and measurable improvements in guest and employee satisfaction, as well as market share growth. Ford has served on industry advisory bodies, including The Westin General Manager Advisory Council and the San Diego County Lodging Association Board. He holds a designation in hospitality management from Concordia University and an associate degree from Champlain College. He is being appointed to a four-year term ending Feb. 28, 2030, in the Member Seat.

Tyler Martin was appointed to the Homelessness Revenue Account Citizens Oversight Committee. Martin is a San Diego-based real estate developer and owner’s representative with experience delivering residential projects across the region. Since relocating to San Diego in 2015, he has contributed to the development of more than 1,500 housing units and has worked across all phases of the development process, including entitlements and permitting through project completion. Martin holds a pre-law degree from the University of Illinois and is a credentialed city planner and project management professional, with expertise in navigating California’s regulatory environment. He has also participated in his local planning group, supporting housing development efforts within his community and is recognized for his experience in securing permit approvals. He is being appointed to a four-year term ending Feb. 28, 2030, in the Member Seat.

Tiffany McDaniel was appointed to the Homelessness Revenue Account Citizens Oversight Committee. McDaniel is the general manager for the M2i Homeowners Association through FirstService Residential, where she provides strategic leadership and fiscal oversight for a high-rise residential property in the East Village. In this role, she manages multimillion-dollar capital improvement projects, including building renovations, and oversees budget development and audit coordination to ensure financial accountability. McDaniel studied computer programming at San Diego City College and is currently pursuing the certified manager of community associations designation. Her background includes personal experience with housing instability, which informs her interest in public service and community-focused initiatives. She is being appointed to a four-year term ending Feb. 28, 2030, in the Member Seat.

Tom Harmon was appointed to the Board of Building Appeals and Advisors. Harmon serves as the principal and owner of H+W Engineering, Inc., a mechanical and plumbing engineering firm specializing in cost-effective, efficient design solutions. Prior to his current role, he founded Harmon & Associates in 2009 after establishing a design-build department at Greater San Diego Air Conditioning Company in 2007. Harmon began his engineering career in 1999 with TKG Consulting Engineers, where he worked for five years. He is being appointed to a two-year term, and completing the seat’s current term ending March 1, 2027, to the Mechanical Industry/Profession Representative Seat.

Antoinette Alioto was reappointed to the Senior Affairs Advisory Board. Alioto serves as the director of aging connections at Jewish Family Service and volunteers as the Senior Assemblyperson for the California Senior Legislature. She has an Associate of Arts in behavioral sciences from San Diego City College and a Bachelor of Arts in gerontology from San Diego State University (SDSU). She is being reappointed to a two-year term ending March 31, 2028, as a Senior Service Delivery Professional/Expert Seat.

Gwenmarie Hilleary was reappointed to the Senior Affairs Advisory Board. Hilleary has extensive healthcare operational start-up and administrative management experience with hands-on delivery system and financial function responsibility. Her experience includes establishing a 501c3, $1 million organization, governing board and administrative operations, the creation of eight post-acute care and hospital community forums and administering operations of a Medicare five-star, 192-bed, distinct-part long-term care hospital with 350 unionized employees and an operating budget of $36 million. She is being reappointed to a two-year term, ending May 31, 2028.

Jacqueline Jackson was reappointed to the Senior Affairs Advisory Board. Jackson has over 30 years of professional work experience in the nonprofit/social services sector. For several years, she worked as the director of employment services for San Diego's Independent Living Center, Community Service Center for the Disabled. She is a proud member of the Webster Community Council and was unanimously elected as the first consumer chairperson for the San Diego County In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee. Jackson has served as an appointee to the Governor's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities and served on the State Superintendent's Ethnic Advisory Committee. She received her bachelor's degree from SDSU and her master's degree in education leadership with a specialization in nonprofit business management from the University of San Diego. She is being reappointed to a two-year term ending May 31, 2028, in the At-Large Senior Seat.

William Peetoom was reappointed to the Senior Affairs Advisory Board. Peetoom is the founder and president of Kaizen Group International, where he provides innovative financial solutions that reduce tax burdens, increase cash flow and secure brighter futures for businesses. His strategic partnerships with local ancillary services allowed him to support Filipino American business owners and their senior residents by providing vital resources and creating community opportunities that enhance seniors’ quality of life. His leadership extends to his tenure as president emeritus of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce San Diego County and his role as cofounder of the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce. He is being reappointed to a two-year term ending May 31, 2028, in the Senior Service Delivery Professional/Expert Seat.

Kaye Hobson was appointed to the Consolidated Plan Advisory Board. Hobson retired from the County of San Diego, where she served as director of finance and provided budgetary oversight for Housing and Community Development, General Services, Purchasing and Contracting, the Redevelopment Agency, the Library and the Registrar of Voters. She previously served as assistant vice president of investments at San Diego National Bank and currently serves on the Arts District Liberty Station Board of Directors. Hobson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a professional certificate in accounting from UC San Diego. She is being appointed to a two-year term ending July 1, 2028, in the District 2 Representative Seat.

Nick Gulino was reappointed to the Consolidated Plan Advisory Board. Gulino is the founder and CEO of Recover, a technology company focused on expanding access to substance use treatment and mental health services for low-income, unhoused and underserved Californians. He brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the Board, having personally experienced publicly funded transitional and halfway housing. His experience provides a valuable perspective on the City's housing and community development programs, including the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Community Development Block Grant Program, Emergency Solutions Grant Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program. Gulino earned a Bachelor of Arts with highest distinction in general scholarship from UC Berkeley and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he served on the Yale Law School Executive Committee. He is being reappointed to a two-year term ending July 1, 2028, in the District 7 Representative Seat.

Michelle Eastman was appointed to the Accessibility Advisory Board. Eastman serves as director of marketing and accessibility at the nonprofit Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies. Her professional experience includes accessibility strategy, communications and program development across housing, healthcare and education sectors. She has led efforts to advance compliance with accessibility standards, supported individuals with disabilities in community-based settings, and developed educational content focused on disability access and inclusion. Eastman holds a certified professional in accessibility core competencies credential and a Master of Divinity from Boston University. She is being appointed to a two-year term, and completing the seat’s current term ending June 30, 2027, in the ADA Expert Seat.