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February 4, 2020


SDG&E Vice President and SDSU Assistant Director Appointed to San Diego Housing Commission Board



San Diego, CA — The San Diego City Council today confirmed Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer’s appointments of two new members of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Board of Commissioners—Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell, the Vice President of State Governmental Affairs and External Affairs for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company, and Dion Akers, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnership for San Diego State University (SDSU).

Mitchell fills the seat previously held by Commissioner Tim Walsh, and Akers fills the seat previously held by Commissioner Frank Urtasun.

The SDHC Board reviews proposed housing policy, property acquisitions, operating budget and other agency financial commitments. The Board also offers policy guidance to Housing Commission staff through its communications with President & Chief Executive Officer Richard C. Gentry.

“These new Commissioners are outstanding additions to the SDHC Board. I look forward to the insights and perspectives they will provide as we continue to implement innovative solutions to provide federal rental assistance, address homelessness, and create and preserve affordable rental housing in the City of San Diego,” said SDHC Chair of the Board Stefanie Benvenuto.

Mitchell oversees all of SDG&E’s external affairs activities and is responsible for state governmental affairs for both SDG&E and Southern California Gas Company.

Before joining SDG&E and Southern California Gas in 2005, Mitchell served as Vice President of Public Policy and Communications for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he previously represented American Medical Response as its Director of Governmental Relations, and served as former Mayor Susan Golding’s Assistant Director of Government Relations.

He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, San Diego Museum of Art, Voice of San Diego, the Sharp Hospital Board of Directors, the Jacobs & Cushman Food Bank Advisory Board, and the New Children’s Museum Advisory Board.

Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Redlands.

Akers joined SDSU in 2014. In his current position, he develops and manages relationships between university leadership and strategic partners in the areas of alumni relations, out-of-state initiatives, community relations, and governmental affairs.

His prior experience includes serving as Council Representative for then-City Councilmember Todd Gloria from 2008 to 2013 and as a policy and strategy consultant in 2013 for then-Mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher.

Akers holds bachelor’s degrees in public relations and political science from SDSU.

Mitchell’s and Akers’ terms on the SDHC Board will expire on January 2, 2024.

The San Diego Municipal Code allows SDHC Commissioners to receive compensation of $50 per SDHC Board meeting they attend, up to a maximum of $100 in any month. However, Commissioners may waive this compensation.

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Media Contact: 

Scott Marshall

Vice President of Communications

San Diego Housing Commission

619-578-7138

scottm@sdhc.org

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