Board Members

Cindy Lehman, BID Council President

has been with California Bank and Trust’s Hillcrest Office since January 1984. She started out as a teller and worked her way up to the Vice President, Branch Manager position she holds today. Cindy is a 5 time past chair of City Fest and served a 3 year term as President of the Hillcrest Business Association. Cindy has also served on the Business Improvement District Council for several years, becoming President in 2007. She continues to sit on the Hillcrest Business Association board as a trustee.

Cindy is the current President of Uptown Partnership, the board in charge of improving parking in Uptown. She is also the UPI’s current representative to the Parking Advisory Board.

Carlos Vasquez, First Vice President

 

Joseph Kinard, Second Vice President

 

Jim Schneider, Treasurer

Jim came to San Diego from Pittsburgh PA and began his venture as the Adams Avenue Business Association Executive Director in March of 2006. While in Pittsburgh, Jim has worked as a Bank Branch Manager and Commercial Lender. He went on to own his own small graphic design and printing shop after which he began to do small business consulting. Jim developed and operated the Business Enterprise Consulting Program which operated in some of the CDC’s throughout Pittsburgh. Jim has taken his passion for offering small business assistance to San Diego and has set his sights on continuing the success of creating a vibrant neighborhood business district in the Adams Avenue Business Improvement District.

 

Jimmy Parker, Board Member

 

Jennifer Finnegan, Secretary

Executive Director College Area Economic Development Corporation

  • AA in Performing Arts
  • Graduated from University of Phoenix with BA in Accounting
  • Resident in the College Area since 1999
  • Experience in property management, property redevelopment, accounting, small business management, and is active in community participation.
  • Supporter and volunteer of the BID for the last 5 years.
  • Jennifer and her husband Ryan have two small children, Samantha and Jack.

Nick Keith, Board Member

 

Denny Knox, Board Member

Denny was a founding member of the OB Merchants Association in 1978 and volunteered for the organization for the next 25 years. In 2003, Denny was hired to fill the Executive Director position. She received her BA in English Literature with a minor in Sociology from California Western University. Denny worked as a commercial artist for American Publishers, Inc. and later ran her own commercial art service. After marrying Mike Knox, she joined him in his business, Cabrillo Art Center of Ocean Beach. They operated the business together for 10 years and then Denny ran it for an additional 15 years before closing the retail store in 1998. Denny has two children, AJ and Amy. Her outside interests include singing with Peninsula Singers as well as playing the piano.

 

Jackie O’Connor, Board Member

Jackie is the owner of O’Connor’s Church Goods on El Cajon Boulevard. O’Connor’s Church Goods has been a major presence on the Boulevard since 1964. Jackie has served on the Board for 19 years. Jackie also chairs the Mid-City Transit Interchanges Project (MCTIP) Management Team. She also served as President of the Business Improvement District Council from 1990 - 2001 and remains active on its Board.