January 19, 2017
San Diego Housing Commission Board Elects Sempra Executive Francisco “Frank” J. Urtasun as New Chairman
San Diego, CA – Sempra Energy Services Corporation executive Francisco “Frank” J. Urtasun, who has served for more than four years on the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Board of Commissioners, was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Board for 2017 by SDHC Commissioners.
Chairman Urtasun was first appointed to the SDHC Board of Commissioners on November 13, 2012, by then-Mayor Jerry Sanders and confirmed by the San Diego City Council. He was reappointed on March 25, 2015 by Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
The SDHC Board of Commissioners elected Frank Urtasun as its Chairman at the regular meeting of the Board on January 13, 2017.
“During Chairman Urtasun’s tenure on the Board, he has demonstrated his dedication to building quality affordable housing at a reasonable cost. With this commitment, he recommended that SDHC’s 2014-16 Strategic Plan should be expanded to address the construction costs of affordable housing, specifically by ensuring that cost-efficient business practices were being used,” said SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead the San Diego Housing Commission Board of Commissioners this year. This organization is known nationally for its effectiveness, innovation and positive impacts on our less fortunate friends and neighbors,” said Chairman Urtasun.
Chairman Urtasun also brings experience in the construction industry for single-family homes and multifamily developments.
As the Regional Vice President of External Relations for Sempra Energy Services Corporation, a business unit of Sempra Energy, Chairman Urtasun is responsible for the external affairs activities for Sempra Energy Services.
In addition, Chairman Urtasun has a long record of community involvement, which includes serving as the 2015-16 Chairman of the San Diego Downtown Partnership and Local Initiative Support Corporation, as well as 10 years of service from 1992–2002 as a Port Commissioner for the San Diego Unified Port District, where he was Chairman in 1994 and 2001.
Chairman Urtasun has also served on many boards and commissions throughout his professional career.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce named Chairman Urtasun one of the “Top 10 Lifetime San Diegans” in 2007.
Chairman Urtasun is a graduate of San Diego State University (SDSU), which in 1997 named him as one of SDSU’s “Top 100” Graduates. He also was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni of Southwestern College with the President’s Honorary Degree.
The seven-member SDHC Board of Commissioners oversees SDHC’s operations and makes recommendations to the San Diego City Council, sitting as the Housing Authority of the City of
San Diego. The SDHC Board provides policy guidance to the SDHC staff through its communications with SDHC President & CEO Gentry.
For more information about SDHC, visit www.sdhc.org
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Media Contact:
Maria Velasquez
Chief Communications Officer
San Diego Housing Commission
(619) 578-7560
mariav@sdhc.org
