SDNEDC - Key Persons
Caitlyn is one of the Marketing and Events Coordinators for the San Diego North Economic Development Council. She is the editor of the weekly PULSE of North County Newsletter and the author of the "Meet North County Stewards" series. She coordinates events that strengthen the economic prosperity of the region, conducts economic research that assists local companies to make strategic business decisions, and designs marketing collateral to attract inward investment in North County.
Caitlyn graduated from Hope International University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Communications with a Print Journalism emphasis.
Prior to employment with the SDNEDC, Caitlyn was the Marketing Director for Kelly Nelson Brown Real Estate, assisting with 46+ COE over 4 years. She also volunteered as the Fundraising Chairperson for Preschool Learning for Avalon Youth, planning events that raised $22,000+ for the school.
Caitlyn grew up in Escondido and recently moved back to North County to the town of Fallbrook with her husband and two children. In her free time, she loves to travel, explore new places, and experience different cultures.
Job Titles:
- Secretary / Katz & Associates
Job Titles:
- External Marketing Manager
Sofia is the External Marketing Manager at the San Diego North Economic Development Council, bringing over 6 years of experience in events and marketing. As a seasoned professional, she excels in project management, social advertising, and community engagement.
Prior to this role, she offered consulting services full-time at Something in Action, her small business marketing firm established during the uncertain times at the beginning of the pandemic. Sofia worked with other small businesses nationwide through strategic planning, branding initiatives, and large-scale attraction campaigns. Her services are still available for contract, although she no longer offers any projects at more than part-time. During this time, she uncovered her passion for event production after organizing a 700+ attended sports event in Utah.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sofia is committed to practicing the lifelong learner mindset. She recently decided to return to school and obtain her undergraduate degree at California State University San Marcos. After returning to her hometown in North County, she sought out a role where she could further develop her event experience full-time finding her new career with SDNEDC. She began as a Marketing & Event Coordinator and quickly demonstrated her ability to reach new markets after launching the ‘Why North County' campaign within her first year.
Now recently promoted, her role has become specialized in attracting new businesses and investments from outside the immediate area in other counties and other parts of the San Diego region. As the External Marketing Manager, she serves as a vessel for growth and opportunity in North County and is currently developing a program connecting interns with local employers to begin in Summer 2024.
Erik is the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego North Economic Development Council. As CEO, Erik has responsibility for all council operations, including programming, economic development services, and regional economic research and analysis.
Before accepting this position, he was the Chief Economist with the National University System and the President of the National University System Institute for Policy Research. He had responsibility for examining how academic programs throughout the system aligned with workforce needs in the communities the system services. While at National he also was head of a university-affiliated public policy and economic think tank where he oversaw the authorship of more than 100 economic and policy studies focusing on regional economic competitiveness. Topics the institute studied ranged from an examination of the impact of the supply chain of San Diego shipbuilding industry to the economic impact of QUALCOMM to an estimation of the size and economic impact of San Diego's short-term rental industry.
Before joining the National University System, Erik was Vice President for Public Policy & Research for the San Diego Regional EDC. While at EDC he headed up the organization's research division while also leading several specific responses to such challenges as the last round of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure process and campaign to pass a ½ cent sales tax to fund vital infrastructure improvements.
He has taught at college level courses in political science, urban economic development, urban planning and international relations. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Denver and a Masters from the University of California, San Diego. When he isn't pouring over economic forecasts, he is enjoying biking with his two children and wife in beautiful San Diego.