April 11, 2017
Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer Appoints Two Professionals with Public and Private Sector Experience to Serve on the SDHC Board of Commissioners
The San Diego City Council unanimously confirmed the appointments today
SAN DIEGO, CA — Tim Walsh, Chief of Staff for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Stefanie Benvenuto, the Public Policy Manager for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, have been appointed to the San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) Board of Commissioners (Board).
The SDHC Board reviews proposed housing policy, property acquisitions, operating budget and other agency financial commitments. The SDHC Board offers policy guidance to SDHC staff through its communications with President & Chief Executive Officer Richard C. Gentry.
Walsh and Benvenuto were appointed to the Board by Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, and the San Diego City Council unanimously confirmed their appointments today. Walsh fills the seat previously held by Roberta “Bobbie” Spoon, and Benvenuto fills the seat that was previously held by Gary Gramling.
“Our new Commissioners’ breadth of experience in the public and private sectors will be valuable to the Board as we work together to improve the lives of low-income and homeless San Diegans,” said SDHC Chairman of the Board Frank Urtasun.
As Chief of Staff to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, Walsh manages the Member’s daily, political, media and legislative affairs. He also leads congressional staff offices in Washington, D.C., Chula Vista, and El Centro.
Before joining the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives, Walsh worked as a campaign manager and consultant on federal, state and local campaigns and as an adjunct instructor of political science at Palomar College.
He also co-founded two private sector businesses – a consulting firm and a renewable energy finance company – and previously worked for the cities of Temecula and Palmdale.
Walsh resides in Kensington in San Diego City Council District 9. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and
Development, as well as a master’s degree in peace and justice studies and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of San Diego.
Benvenuto has served as the Public Policy Manager with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2015, managing the Chamber’s Infrastructure, Housing & Land Use Committee, where she has led efforts on housing affordability and availability.
She is also a member of the Executive Committee of Housing You Matters, a broad-based coalition that convenes, advocates, and educates around solutions for increasing housing supply and lowering the cost of building new homes. SDHC is a member of Housing You Matters.
Before joining the Chamber, she served as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for Crittendon Services for Children & Families, a nonprofit organization that specializes in foster youth. She also worked as a District Director, Communications Director, and Field Representative for a former California State Assembly member.
Benvenuto lives in Pacific Beach in San Diego City Council District 2. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton.
Benvenuto’s and Walsh’s terms on the Board expire on January 2, 2021.
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall
Interim Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
(619) 578-7138
scottm@sdhc.org
