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Photog Sam Hodgson gets up close
The life of a photographer for SD Mag! We sent photographer Sam Hodgson to spend the evening at Viejas Arena with the San Diego Sockers, our city’s most under appreciated (and winningest) professional sports team. The photoshoot itself was a challenge with the arena’s low light. Sam pushed his cameras to its limits and got us great images that we showed off in a photo essay in our April issue. It worked out perfectly that the star of our article, Kraig Chiles, was also the star of the game. See his photos of him scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. Sam even got a real nice celebration image in there from that moment. Take a look at the extra photos we couldn’t fit in the magazine!
From San Diego’s coastline to Los Angeles stadium and fan zones across the region, here’s how to experience soccer’s biggest event
When three nations and 16 cities come together to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the scale stops feeling like a tournament and starts feeling like geography. A continent becomes the stage as borders soften into corridors. And Southern California—shaped by migration, sport, entertainment, and constant movement—sits inside that landscape with all eyes on it.
San Diego and Los Angeles have always felt connected. Hop on the Pacific Surfliner, and the trip unfolds in one continuous stretch of coastline, passing beach towns, neighborhoods, and city centers.
Traveling from San Diego, everything still feels slightly suspended as the Pacific Surfliner follows the coast north with ocean on one side and a slow suburban blur on the other. San Diego stays in exhale. Los Angeles is already building toward something louder.
This summer, Los Angeles will host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, including the US Men’s National Team opener on June 11, while the region stretches into 39 days of programming across stadiums, parks, transit hubs, beaches, and neighborhoods. Instead of one massive fan hub, Los Angeles is embracing a citywide celebration, with fan zones spread across its entirety.
But this pattern has been rehearsed here for decades. In 1994, Southern California became one of the defining stages of the World Cup, when matches at the Rose Bowl placed global attention on the region and turned local stadiums into international landmarks, confirming its ability to hold the world at scale.
What distinguishes Southern California is not just infrastructure, but cultural permeability. Fashion, music, film, art, and sport constantly overlap here, creating an environment where identity is flexible and always in motion. From the Venice boardwalk, where skate culture shaped modern street style, to global soccer stars rubbing shoulders with Hollywood celebs, to authentic Spanish cuisine moving up and down the I-5 corridor, everything circulates.
The World Cup is not introducing anything new here, it’s showing up for the summer and showing out, revealing what this city has always known about itself. What follows is a look at the fan zones and how Los Angeles turns itself into a city-wide stage for the tournament, one neighborhood at a time.
As the heart of Los Angeles, Union Station is an official Fan Zone June 25-28 during the World Cup, but in practice it never really stops being one.
It is the city’s circulation point, its meeting ground, its pressure valve. Commuters, travelers, match-day crowds, and everyday Angelenos all move through the same space, and everything mixes, overlaps, and scales in real time. In a way, this is where the World Cup stops arriving in Los Angeles and starts moving through it.
The Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Los Angeles makes that shift feel almost too easy. No stress or gridlock anxiety, just a straight line up the coastline with ocean on one side and everything slowly becoming more built on the other. It’s one of the rare ways into LA that doesn’t feel like arrival as friction. You can sit with a laptop, watch the Pacific drift past, grab coffee from the café car, and let the city come to you in pieces.
That’s the beauty of arriving at Union Station. Instead of feeling like you’re on the edge of the city, you’re immediately surrounded by it. And, inside, the station already reads like a World Cup nerve center: banners, movement, multilingual energy, the sense that something global is about to funnel through this exact point. The Heart of the City Fan Zone only sharpens that feeling, with simultaneous match screens, DJ sets, meet and greets, and immersive activations built around marquee games like USA vs. Türkiye.
From there, the city splits outward.
ROW DTLA feels like the first exhale after arrival. A converted industrial campus turned creative district where restaurants, retail, and open-air courtyards form a self-contained ecosystem. If you’re looking for the perfect first meal in LA, make it lunch at Pizzeria Bianco. The thin-crust pizza is reason enough to go, but the space leaves just as much of an impression.
What I liked most about ROW DTLA is how quickly it resets you after the train. One minute you are stepping off at Union Station, and the next you are in a space that feels like its own version of LA, a city inside a city with some of the most curated shopping I’ve ever seen.
Bodega hides itself behind a convenience-store front, a sneaker and streetwear space disguised as something ordinary, like LA refusing to make anything feel too obvious. The whole campus moves like that, part retail, part gallery, part neighborhood you are only temporarily inside.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
The best sports bars and watch parties in San Diego to catch all the college basketball action
For the first time in history, San Diego has four teams competing in March Madness!
Both the SDSU Aztecs and the UCSD Tritons men’s and women’s basketball teams are headed to the NCAA Tournament. In UCSD’s first year of eligibility as a Division 1 team, the Tritons have done the unthinkable. Let’s get mad, San Diego!
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NCAA tournament, including where to catch all the action in San Diego.
March Madness kicks off on March 16 with Selection Sunday, when the NCAA Selection Committee officially announces the full tournament brackets for the men’s and women’s divisions, deciding on teams, seeds, and matchups.
The first round of the men’s tournament begins March 20–21, while women’s games start March 21–22. The women’s NCAA basketball championship game takes place on Sunday, April 6, and the men’s finale is the following day on Monday, April 7.
Fans can catch all the March Madness action live on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Streaming options include: HBO Max, Paramount+, or any other services with access to the above cable networks, including YouTube TV, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV.
This Carlsbad BBQ joint is a family-friendly destination for basketball fans featuring a multi-level complex, an outdoor patio, and a massive projector screen. Enjoy St. Louis ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and Maine lobster while cheering on the teams in your bracket this year.
3040 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad
A Kansas City Chiefs bar at heart, this Old Town spot is still a top venue for March Madness watch parties, featuring an oversized outdoor screen and a lively atmosphere. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m. daily so don’t fret if the game goes into overtime.
2222 San Diego Avenue, Old Town
Just steps away from Swami’s Beach, Union Kitchen & Tap is a local hotspot pairing cool vibes with game-day camaraderie. The gastropub prides itself on its extensive drink menu along with quality game-day fare that make it the ideal atmosphere for March Madness watch parties.
1108 South Coast Highway, Encinitas
Catch the game at Ballast Point in Miramar, a massive, indoor-outdoor brewery and restaurant well-suited for big groups of fans. Track your bracket picks as you dine on bar bites and down Sculpins. During halftime, challenge your friends to a round of cornhole on the heated patio.
9045 Carroll Way, Miramar
La Jolla’s go-to sports bar offers an excellent weekday happy hour from 3–6 p.m., with half-off select draft beers, well drinks, and house wines, plus discounted appetizers—perfect for catching this year’s afternoon matchups.
6830 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla
This Clairemont bar streams every game of the tournament and serves up brunch, dinner, and boozy slushies. Try the tequila-watermelon Lava Flow for a perfect game-day refreshment and accessory to an Aztec-red jersey.
3010 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont
Visit this Pacific Beach staple for ales, hoops, and impressive ocean views this March. TV screens downstairs run 360 degrees along the perimeter and along the rooftop, so you never miss a moment.
721 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
Located on the Mission Beach boardwalk, Draft offers 70 beers on tap and more than 25 TVs. Pair a 394 AleSmith pale ale with their fan-favorite beer-battered fish and chips for the ultimate game-day experience.
3146 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
Home to some of the best wings in San Diego and featuring five San Diego locations throughout the city, Dirty Birds is a prime spot for catching NCAA basketball. Students can visit the UCSD location to cheer on the Tritons on their home turf.
Various Locations
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
The racquet sport hailing from Mexico is quickly becoming one of America’s newest fitness activities—here’s where to try it out
In the 2010s, pickleball started to emerge as a new way for people to enjoy racquet sports without the physical demands of other such activities like tennis or racquetball. Compared to tennis, it offered a slower pace, smaller courts, and even had simpler rules. During the pandemic, pickleball picked up steam among millennials and Gen Z who, along with adopting a new sport, also took to the courts to find their next love interest.
By 2023, pickleball became a $1.5 billion sport globally, being played by individuals of all fitness levels and ages. But now, a new activity is gaining popularity in the US and across the pond: padel. Originating in Mexico, the sport blends elements of tennis and squash and is played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court.
Padel typically is played in doubles on courts surrounded by glass and wire mesh walls. The ball must bounce on the ground before hitting the walls and can touch the glass but not the metal fence post bounce. It can also only touch the turf once before being returned. Points are scored when the ball bounces twice on the opponent’s side.
With underhand serves and stringless padel racquets, it’s a fun game of strategy more than just skill. Today, there are more than 30 million padel players worldwide and an estimated 90,000 in the US—with California and New York being among the first to adopt the sport.
Thankfully, our city already has seven padel courts to play on if you’re looking to learn more or are already a devoted enthusiast. Check out our list below of where to play padel in San Diego so you can earn some bragging rights about enjoying it when it was still “under-the-radar.”
Already considered one of the best resorts for tennis aficionados, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa recently added three new padel courts to their racquet sports roster in partnership with sporting goods company, Wilson. Designed by Spain-based company Grupo Padel Galis World, guests can find a number of ways to enjoy the courts including drop-in sessions; beginner, intermediate, and advanced clinics; and monthly Americano tourney play. Or, reserve a private instruction with a USPTA certified professional starting at $125 for 60 minutes or $185 for 90 minutes.
5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar recently debuted its new padel court in partnership with Taktika padel, a group aiming to expand the sport throughout the US, starting with San Diego. Taktika will now manage all of the resort’s racquet programming with its certified Paquito Navarro Academy coaching staff. With one main padel court and two shared pickleball courts, players can book group clinics, private lessons, tournaments, join leagues, or participate in other events by calling 858.314.2000 or visiting the hotel’s website.
5300 Grand Del Mar Ct, Del Mar
Home of the official San Diego Padel team, the Stingrays, Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma is equipped with seven padel courts alongside 25 tennis courts. Club memberships start at $350, but non-members can reserve courts for $52 for an hour. The tennis center also hosts pro padel events throughout the year so keep an eye on their schedules.
4490 West Point Loma Blvd, Ocean Beach
Along with a 27-hole championship golf course, a driving range, eight tennis courts, and eight pickleball courts, the members-only La Valle Coastal Club now offers two padel courts for players of all skill levels. The Rancho Santa Fe club hosts a variety of programs including Padel 101 for beginners wanting to master the basics and Challenger Clinic which helps individuals advance their game on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Members can also book private lessons or participate in padel events and tournaments throughout the year.
5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe
Sprawled out across six indoor pickleball and padel courts, King of Padel in Bay Ho offers $15/hr open play Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-9 p.m.; Saturday 11-2 p.m.; and Sundays from 2-5 p.m. Guests can also choose a monthly membership for $59 which includes priority booking six-days-a-week, unlimited open play, and a five percent discount at the pro shop. Players can also participate in seasonal leagues which guarantee a set number of matches on weekends, prizes, and women’s- and men’s-only leagues or mixed groups.
4370 Jutland Dr, Bay Ho
Padel California was founded to bring the sport to cities across the state, starting with San Diego and Los Angeles. The club features two padel courts, coaching, tournaments, social events, and membership packages starting at $180 per person for three months and up to $500 a person for a full year. Memberships include perks such as private coaching lessons, shop merch, 20 percent off retail products and services, guest passes and exclusive tournaments. Non-members can book a 90-minute session for $88 per court.
222 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside
Opening soon, Padeln9ne will be a 100,000-square-foot wellness facility in Sorrento Valley featuring eight padel courts, two tournament courts with stadium seating, a fitness and wellness complex, on-site dining, and more. This massive facility is set to become a hub for serious players.
9955 Barnes Canyon Rd, Sorrento Valley
Hannah Elizabeth Williams Is an editorial intern at San Diego Magazine in her last year as a literary journalism major at University of California Irvine. She is a passionate reader that has a ‘to be read’ pile that extends into the afterlife. Will constantly talk about her dog Daisy.
Nicolle Monico is an award-winning writer and the director of creative projects, digital editor for San Diego Magazine with more than 16 years of experience in media including Outside Run, JustLuxe and The San Francisco Chronicle.
The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region
San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.
Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.
Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.
For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”
EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.
The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.
“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”
Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.
San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.
“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”
Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region.
Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.
Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.
This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.
The biggest local events to watch and attend this month
New year, new San Diego sports. Not only does San Diego FC finally take the pitch this month, but also an innovative and interactive golf league with deep San Diego roots tees off. The changing of the calendar also brings some familiar events. The annual Farmers Insurance Open takes over Torrey Pines Golf Course, and Viejas Arena echoes with the sound of college basketball—but it’s just not the men’s team making waves this season. With so much going on already, it’s not a stretch to say 2025 might be one of the biggest years ever in San Diego sports.
After the new year, a few things go like clockwork. The holiday decorations are put away, the rest of the country gets jealous of our weather, and Grave Digger comes to town. Monster Jam may seem like a minor event, but it sells millions of tickets each year and in San Diego it fills two weekends of events and competitions at Snapdragon Stadium. Tickets start at $44, and festivities kickoff early with a Pit Party, where fans can see the massive trucks up close and meet the drivers and crews.
Two notable San Diegans are connected to TGL, the interactive, 3-on-3 golf league founded by some of golf’s biggest names, which starts play this month. Agustín Pizá’s San Diego-based design studio created eight of the holes for the new league, which plays on a massive indoor simulator in Florida. And world No. 2 golfer and Scripps High alum Xander Schauffele leads the New York Golf Club, one of six teams competing in the made-for-TV competition.
“I think it’ll be a lot of fun. Hopefully, people enjoy the entertainment that comes out of it,” Schauffele told San Diego Magazine. Schauffele and his teammates kickoff TGL on January 7 at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN.
San Diego FC’s first training session won’t be televised and it isn’t open to the public, but it’s an occasion worth celebrating. After nearly two years of press releases, roster moves, and fan events, San Diego’s newest major sports team is at long last hitting the pitch. It’s the first step toward finalizing its inaugural roster and preparing for its Major League Soccer debut on February 23, in Los Angeles against the LA Galaxy.
The field isn’t finalized for the annual Farmers Insurance Open, but last year’s champion and world No. 30 Matthieu Pavon will tee off at Torrey Pines Golf Course to defend his crown. Several top golfers will join Pavon, including Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama, and Justin Rose. So far, the field includes ten players in the top-50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, six major championship winners, and five past winners of the Farmers. But San Diego’s Xander Schauffele will no doubt be the fan favorite if he joins the field. Schauffele has won two majors, an Olympic gold medal, and a Ryder Cup, but one thing missing from his résumé is a victory in his hometown. If he joins the field at this year’s Farmers, then Schauffele will try to become the seventh San Diegan—following Phil Mickelson, Scott Simpson, Craig Stadler, Greg Twiggs, Billy Casper, and Gene Littler—to hoist the trophy.
At 12-2 on the 2024-25 season, the San Diego State women’s basketball team has more wins and fewer losses than the celebrated men’s team, and recently opened their Mountain West Conference schedule with a resounding win over Boise State. Adryana Quezada led the team with 19 points on 9-for-12 shooting, a performance that resulted in the senior forward winning the Mountain West Player of the Week. Quazada’s Aztecs wrap up January with a game against another conference foe in UNLV, and great basketball isn’t the only thing they’re offering. The first 1,000 fans get a free replica jersey.
Brendan Dentino is a U.S. Navy veteran, writer, and public servant based in San Diego. He writes weekly about baseball and politics at Out in Left.
Check out the best local matchups to watch and attend this month including a San Diego basketball showdown and the 2024 Holiday Bowl
It’s time for the holidays, and Santa has gifted us a packed sports calendar. The college football season is wrapping up, highlighted in San Diego by the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, and on the basketball court the Aztecs are once again proving they are one of the best, most consistent men’s college basketball programs in the country. And you, too, can get in on the action this month. The 12th annual San Diego Santa Run through Pacific Beach makes for one of the most festive days of the year. Here are our picks for the five best sporting events to watch or attend in San Diego this month.
Watch: YurView
After beating No. 21 Creighton and No. 6 Houston in a span of four days, SDSU has crashed the AP‘s Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll, landing at No. 24 in the latest rankings. It’s a familiar story for coach Brian Dutcher’s team. After an unremarkable start to the 2022-23 season, SDSU won 25 of their last 28 games to reach the national championship game. Last year, they lost seven games in a 15-game stretch before turning it around to make the Sweet Sixteen.
“When we scheduled this season, I knew I had a good team, but could we be good in November?“ Dutcher said after the recent victory over Houston. “It was a daunting four-game stretch with [Gonzaga], Creighton, Oregon, and Houston. But we played good basketball, and we did what we had to do.” The Aztecs will look to climb the rankings against crosstown rivals USD.
Breakout the eyeliner and let your top eight on Myspace know that the Seals are back in action and hosting Emo Night at their game on Friday, December 13. But there’s no reason to be sad about San Diego’s National Lacrosse League franchise. In the five seasons since their inception in 2019, the Seals have compiled a 53-31 record and have never missed the NLL playoffs. (The 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19.) Led by captain and star forward Wes Berg, the Seals look to build on last season’s successful 13-win campaign that ended in the NLL semifinals. Tickets start at $21 and the angsty singalongs are free.
Staged by San Diego Running Company, the San Diego Santa Run sees over 30,000 Santa Clauses descend from the North Pole to race through warm and sunny Pacific Beach. It’s why USA Today has named it the “best fun run” in the country, and it immediately precedes the PB Holiday Parade. There may not be a more festive day in San Diego. Registration for the 5K is $55, and includes a Santa suit and a drink ticket, redeemable at Mavericks Beach Club. Kids and pets don’t have to miss the festivities, either. For $35, they can participate in a one-miler.
The 44th edition of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl has something for everyone. There’s the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, billed as “America’s Largest Balloon Parade,” and the Snapdragon Bowl Bash downtown. For those wanting to relive the glory days, there’s a tailgate party, and for those who want to burn off their holiday feasts there’s a 5K walk/run. And of course, there’s the Holiday Bowl game itself, which is typically one of college football’s best matchups of the year and one of San Diego’s great sports traditions.
“Last year’s game was fantastic with a strong USC performance over the highly ranked Louisville Cardinals,” said Jackie Reed, 2024 president of Sports San Diego. “We can’t wait for this year’s game at our new home at Snapdragon Stadium.” Teams will be announced on December 8, but tickets are available now.
The NBA G League Clippers made their San Diego debut last month, and at 5-3 on the year they’re giving fans at Oceanside’s new Frontwave Arena an exciting brand of team basketball. None of the Clippers are one of the G League’s top-five scorers, yet the Clips are the third highest-scoring team. Led by guard Jordan Miller’s 20 points-per-game, they’re getting contributions from every position on the floor. There are two home games this month to see them in action, but the December 29 game against the Memphis Hustle stands out as First Responders Night. Tickets start at $18.
Brendan Dentino is a U.S. Navy veteran, writer, and public servant based in San Diego. He writes weekly about baseball and politics at Out in Left.
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs San Diego Padres
Sarah Farnsworth
Barney & Barney G.R.O.W. logo
geneenm
How did you make the leap from Washington, D.C., to the Padres in San Diego? Tom Garfinkel, CEO of the Padres, asked me if I would consider working for a baseball team. I thought it was a joke. I didn’t know anything about baseball. After 19 years in D.C. I wanted the opportunity to become a part of a community, and that is what I saw in San Diego. It’s an opportunity for me to give back.
You are engaged to marry a retired Marine, and you have a young daughter. What role did they play in your decision to join the Padres? It was a family decision. We decided together. I was working in a job that really wasn’t a career. With the Padres I have a career where I can be challenged, and I am part of a civic asset. Since my fiancé is retired, he plays a big role in my daughter’s care when I have work demands.
How did you get involved in politics? I was living in New York when the Democratic National Convention was held there; 22 years old and just out of college, I volunteered at the convention. From there I was assigned to do advance for Hillary Clinton during Bill’s first run for president. That was 1992. When Bill won the presidency, I was asked to work on the inauguration in 1993. From there I went to work on the First Lady’s staff in the East Wing. I was responsible for planning all events in the Rose Garden, the South Lawn, and basically anything in the White House. And the Clintons were very active, with many events going on!
Tell me about your time in the White House. I worked seven and a half years and left to marry, but returned for the last six months at the end of the Clinton term. I celebrated my 30th birthday at the second Clinton inauguration.
Where did you work when you left the White House? I was chief of staff at the USO and traveled frequently to Afghanistan and Iraq. I was working in the world headquarters for then-General Jim Jones, who later became President Obama’s national security advisor. President Obama asked me to become senior advisor to the national security advisor, so that put me working in the West Wing of the White House. When General Jones resigned in 2010, I was asked to work in the Pentagon.
You spent so much time working for presidents in both wings of the White House. How did you keep your feet on the ground? I never thought of it as politics, but as being part of an historical institution. There was a plaque on the wall in the White House that I passed by every day. The bottom line was “one day you will be on the other side of the iron gate.” That puts it in perspective.
What challenges have you faced? After being to Iraq and Afghanistan, challenges take on a different meaning. As long as my family is healthy, I don’t have any bad days.
What adjustments did you have to make when you joined the Padres? I have had to earn trust and credibility in a whole new profession, I had to learn baseball, and I have had to earn trust in the community.
What is in your future? I’m here with the San Diego Padres as long as they will keep me.
