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About Us
What We Do | Staff | Board of Directors | Advisory Council

The Issue
Southern California neighborhoods built after World War II were designed primarily for cars. People who would like to walk to the store, a transit stop, or for recreation frequently find the walking environment unpleasant or dangerous. The San Diego region ranks third in the nation (behind New York and Miami) in the percentage of traffic fatalities that are pedestrians (22.5% - double the national average of 11.4%). Sidewalks commonly abut a busy street, or there is no sidewalk at all. Intersections are too wide, or make no provision whatsoever for pedestrians. A generation ago, children walked to school; today this is rare, due largely to poor walking conditions. One result is a drastic reduction in physical activity and a burgeoning obesity epidemic and its associated diseases like diabetes and hypertension. See our slide show on how this problem arose and what we can do to fix it.

What We Do
WalkSanDiego is a regional, grassroots organization formed in 1998 and dedicated to making our neighborhoods more walkable. Through our educational events, training, advocacy, and work with local governments and SANDAG, WalkSanDiego is working to reclaim our streets and blocks through improved streetscape designs, accessible walking paths, and traffic calming measures. See our current projects and past accomplishments.

Help Your Own Neighborhood
WalkSanDiego can't be everywhere at once, so we rely on neighborhood leaders and concerned citizens to help diagnose walkability problems and request local government action to change dangerous streets and intersections. We've provided tools to help you. Peruse the publications at the bottom of the Home Page to see what we mean.

Support Our Work
You can help change the world of walking by becoming a WalkSanDiego member, through corporate sponsorship, or by volunteering. All contributions are tax-deductible. See more information


Staff

Ken Grimes, Executive Director
kgrimes@walksandiego.org
Ken GrimesKen Grimes has worked throughout his career in the public and nonprofit sectors to strengthen local communities and improve the quality of life, particularly for low income residents. He has extensive experience helping neighborhood groups work in partnership with local government and increasing community participation in decision making. As Executive Director of one of the largest community based nonprofits in Wiltshire, England he led a team of community development specialists delivering social, economic and environmental programs funded by European, regional and local government agencies. In this capacity he served on the boards of a number of regional and national organizations in the UK, and worked with nonprofits and public sector agencies in Russia, Japan and Brazil. A former housing planner at the San Diego Housing Commission, he played a leading role in developing and implementing the Housing Trust Fund, and the citywide inclusionary housing program. He has co-authored a number of articles on housing and community development which have appeared in the Journal of the American Planning Association and other planning publications. He received his Masters degree in City Planning from San Diego State University and holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Bath.

Kristin Mueller, Program Manager
kmueller@walksandiego.org
Kristin Mueller Kristin Mueller is WalkSanDiego's first full-time Program Manager and runs our Next Steps Initiative in Chula Vista to conduct community outreach and engagement among low-income, predominately Spanish-speaking residents to create a more walkable Chula Vista. Kristin received her Master of Public Health degree from San Diego State University. She worked on various research and community projects with SDSU and UCSD with a focus on the promotion of physical activity and nutrition. Kristin joined WalkSanDiego after completing a year abroad as a Fulbright Scholar where she conducted HIV prevention and research activities in Oaxaca, México, a truly walkable city!

Cynthia Offenhauer, Administrator
coffenhauer@walksandiego.org
Cynthia OffenhauerCynthia has had extensive experience working in organizations in administrative and bookkeeping support roles. She prefers living in urban areas, living in both in Boston and San Diego while raising a family. Most days she walks, cycles or use mass transit for both commuting and pleasure. She and her husband are active in sustainable living pursuits and enjoy the beach and sailing in their spare time. Mayor Jerry Sanders recently recognized them as "Urban Environmentalists" and featured their native plant garden in a press conference he held at their home. She is a graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in Social Work and attended the Advanced Study for Business Program at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, MA.


WalkSanDiego Board of Directors

Tina Zenzola, Chair
Fundraising Committee Chair
tzenzola@walksandiego.org
Tina ZenzolaTina Zenzola is owner and director of Safe & Healthy Communities Consulting (SHCC), a firm dedicated to creating healthy community environments and re-introducing public health as a priority in land use and transportation planning decisions. For over a decade, Tina has helped local governments link with public health partners and bring the health message to their Smart Growth and community design efforts. Tina is a nationally recognized leader in the healthy built environments movement. She authored key national reports on public health and community design and serves as a consultant to national, state and local level planning and public health agencies. On the local front, Tina helped develop the City of San Diego's Pedestrian Master Plan and is a consultant to the LISC "Neighborhoods First" project. Tina served as WalkSanDiego's first Executive Director and has been a board member for over five years. Tina also served on a number of city and regional committees, including the SANDAG Bike/Pedestrian Working Group and Walkable Communities Advisory Committee. Tina has a Master of Public Health degree from the UCLA School of Public Health.

Andy Hamilton, Vice Chair
Communications Committee Chair
ahamilton@walksandiego.org
Andy Hamilton Andy Hamilton has worked on transportation, land use, and air quality issues at the San Diego Air Pollution Control District since 1994. His work includes promoting alternatives to motor vehicles, including walking. From 1986-1993, he did similar work as a staff scientist at the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston. Andy holds a bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Kansas, a masters degree in Ecology from UC Davis, and a masters degree in Urban & Environmental Policy from Tufts University in Boston. Andy is the author of the District's publication, Tools for Reducing Vehicle Trips Through Land Use Design and WalkSanDiego's SlowDown! Taming Neighborhood Traffic.

Chad Spoon, Secretary
cspoon@walksandiego.org
Chad Spoon Chad Spoon is a Research Coordinator for Active Living Research. He received his master of regional planning degree with a specialization in transportation and land use management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining Active Living Research, Chad worked with Active Living by Design in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he assisted with their community partnerships. His interest in active living stems from his pedestrian and bicycle planning background. Chad helps manage the grant review process and offers ongoing technical assistance and training to grantees.

Cindy Musser, CPA, Treasurer
cmusser@walksandiego.org
Cindy MusserAs Treasurer, Cindy Chairs the Finance Committee and holds responsibility for overseeing and monitoring budgets and financial controls. She joined Gatto, Pope & Walwick, a San Diego firm of Certified Public Accountants in 2003. Her financial experience as an Audit Supervisor includes compilations, reviews and audits, general business advisory services and computerized accounting system consulting; her tax experience includes income tax planning and preparation for individuals and corporations. She is a firm believer in active lifestyles and the importance of making walking a safe and viable option for all San Diegans. A native Californian, Cindy grew up in Visalia, CA and is a graduate of CSU, Fresno, Class of 1995. Cindy enjoys traveling, walking, running and reading and also serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees of Coastlands Church.

Amanda Wilson
awilson@walksandiego.org
Amanda WilsonAmanda Wilson is a research coordinator for Active Living Research (ALR). Amanda received her Master of Science degree from the University of Florida. Before moving to San Diego, she was the assistant event director for Bike Florida, an annual, weeklong bicycle and tent camping tour. With an undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Sciences from Gettysburg College, her main interest is in how recreation administrators, health organizations and advocacy groups, like WalkSanDiego, can work together to promote policies that support safe, accessible, places for walking, bicycling and physical activity.

David Hopkins
dhopkins@walksandiego.org
David Hopkins David Hopkins retired after 22 years as an engineering manager for San Diego Gas & Electric Co. Prior to that, he was a marketing manager for General Electric Co. He has been active in disability organizations and is legally blind. Dave was a member of the advisory committee for the City of San Diego Street Design Manual, and several SANDAG transportation committees. Since he cannot drive, he has a great deal of experience using the San Diego transit system and is an enthusiastic supporter of making San Diego a truly walkable city. Dave has headed up WalkSanDiego's efforts to improve street lighting in the City of San Diego, perhaps the nation's darkest major city at night.

David Schumacher
dschumacher@walksandiego.org
Dave Schumacher Dave Schumacher has worked on public transportation and land use planning issues for nearly 25 years, first with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board and now with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) where he oversees the transit planning section. He is a strong believer the role walking and public transit can play in creating a more sustainable transportation system; he practices what he preaches by walking to work twice a week and taking transit the other days. He recently served as chair of committee on High Occupancy Vehicle Systems for the Transportation Research Board. Dave holds a Bachelors degree in Geography from San Diego State University and a Master in City and Regional Planning from the JFK School of Government at Harvard.


WalkSanDiego Advisory Council

Nico Calavita, Ph.D.
Professor - Public Administration, City Planning Graduate Program, San Diego State University
Nico Calavita Nico Calavita has taught at SDSU since 1980, including courses in the History of Urban Planning, Urban Design and Planning Implementation. He is also an adjunct professor in the Urban Studies and Planning Program at UCSD, where he teaches a course in land use planning. He has written extensively about urban growth and affordable housing. His articles on the politics of growth, inclusionary housing, and housing trust funds have appeared in the Journal of the American Planning Association, Housing Policy Debate and the Journal of the Associate Schools of Planning. He writes regular commentaries in the San Diego Union and Los Angeles Times on growth and housing issues. He is Co-chair of SALUD (Scholars for Active Living through Urban Design).

Hon. Mary Sessom
Mayor, City of Lemon Grove
Mary Sessom Mary Sessom resides in Lemon Grove with her husband, Steve, and her two teenage children, Jared and Anna. Prior to being elected to the Lemon Grove City Council in 1994, she was active in her community serving as PTA president and Vice President of the Lemon Grove Education Foundation. Outside of the city, and based on her 20 years as a lawyer, Ms. Sessom served as a Judge Pro Tem of the Superior Court (1990-1991), Past President of the Foothills Bar Association (1995) and was appointed by San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob to the Board of Trustees for the San Diego County Law Library (1995-1996). Ms. Sessom was elected Mayor of Lemon Grove in 1996, and was re-elected in March 2000. Not only is she the city's first directly-elected mayor, but also its first female mayor. When not working at City Hall, she teaches at Cuyamaca Community College. She serves as a director for SANDAG and is a member of the Salvation Army Ad Hoc Committee for the Kroc Community Center. Ms. Sessom has been a Soroptimist since 1993. For recreation, she studies Tai Chi and holds a red belt and an honorary black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Michael J. Stepner, FAIA, FAICP, FIUD
Principal, Stepner Design Group
Michael Stepner has over 30 years of experience in leading, managing, and participating in comprehensive planning programs and the development of public policy. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and a Fellow of the Institute for Urban Design. Currently, Mr. Stepner serves as Director of Land Use and Housing for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. Previously, he was the City Architect for the City of San Diego and has served as an advisor to the cities of Washington, DC; Seattle, Washington; Orlando, Florida; Kingman, Arizona; Coronado, California; National City, California; Liverpool, England; and others. He is internationally recognized for his leadership and innovation in community planning, public participation, visioning and, particularly, for his reliable follow-through to implementation. He served as the Dean of the New School of Architecture & Design and continues that association as an adjunct professor in addition to lecturing at various colleges and universities throughout the country. Mr. Stepner has received numerous awards from community and professional organizations for his accomplishments in the planning field and is listed in Who's Who in America.

James Sallis, Ph.D.
Professor - Psychology, San Diego State University
James Sallis James Sallis is a professor in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University, where he has taught since 1992. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UCSD. He has taught courses on "Physical Activity and Public Health" and "Risk, Risk-Taking, and Lifestyle Change." Dr. Sallis is a member of the International Advisory Board for Physical Activity, Sport and Health Policy Research Centre of the Flemish Government in Belgium; the Board of Advisors for Kalsugan Community Services and Filipino-American Wellness Center in San Diego; and the Scientific Advisory Council of the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, Colorado. He has written extensively on health and physical activity issues for families, children, students and patients. He currently heads the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Active Living Research project aimed at understanding neighborhood design components that promote routine physical activity.

Linda Scott
LKS & Associates
Linda Scott was the 2003 President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Public Works Association, and past recipient of that organization's award for Outstanding Service in the Private Sector. Linda has an avid interest in making communities work better. She is a past chair and current member of the Scripps Ranch Planning Group and a recipient of the Scripps Ranch Civic Association's Community Service Award. She works as a Project Manager for McGill Martin Self, Inc., specializing in the implementation and financing of public infrastructure. She was a member of the SANDAG Walkable Communities Advisory Committee.

Kathleen A. Garcia, ASLA
Director, Wallace Roberts & Todd LLC
Kathleen A. Garcia Kathleen Garcia, a registered Landscape Architect, practices planning, landscape architecture, and urban design throughout the country. She is a Principal in the nationally recognized firm of Wallace Roberts & Todd LLC, where she is the director of the San Diego office. Ms. Garcia holds a mayoral appointment in San Diego as a Planning Commissioner, the sole landscape architect to have served in that capacity. Ms. Garcia was the former chair of the Citizens Committee on Urban Form & Environment for the Strategic Plan 2020 (City of Villages) and has continued with its direction as a Planning Commissioner. In addition to her citywide appointment, Ms. Garcia also serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). A native Californian, Ms. Garcia is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Mark D. Rohrlick
Principal, Westmark Development, Southern California
Mark D. Rohrlick Mark has been involved in real estate in Southern California for more than 20 years. Mark is responsible for managing planning efforts for large community acquisitions for Westmark Development. Previously, Mark managed Lennar Communities' development activities in San Diego County, including The Bressi Ranch, a unique, walkable community in the City of Carlsbad. Mark is a member of the Board of Directors for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, a member of the North County Board of Directors for the Building Industry Association (BIA) of San Diego County, and is also a member of the Presidents Council of the BIA. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (1982), and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Mark also holds a private pilot's license and a California State General Engineering Contractors License.

Monica Zech
Media Chair
Monica Zech Native San Diegan Monica Zech spent 29 years in broadcasting, the last 18 years as an award-winning traffic reporter for radio and television. She now works as the Public Information Officer and Safety Educator for the City of El Cajon Fire Dept. She has spent endless hours as an injury prevention speaker and researcher, delivering weekly safety lectures to schools, local groups and military bases. Monica is professionally and personally aware of pedestrian safety issues in San Diego. The pedestrian safety issue became especially important, and personal, when Monica's own father was killed as a pedestrian on June 5, 1992, in the city of La Mesa. For many years, Monica has been delivering pedestrian safety lectures to senior groups, company safety meetings, and local schools. Those interested in a safety talk can contact Monica through her web site at www.monicazech.com.

Ramona Finnila
Principal, Finnila & Associates
Ramona Finnila Ramona Finnila served as a City of Carlsbad councilperson. She was the Mayor Pro Tem from 1996-98 and 2004. Ms. Finnila provided council leadership for Carlsbad's Livable Streets and Livable Neighborhoods initiatives to increase walking within the city. Ms. Finnila has been involved in the Carlsbad community since the late 1970's. She was a teacher and counselor at the Yamaha Music School in Carlsbad from 1977-81. She took many leadership positions within the Carlsbad school district throughout that time. In the late 1980's she became involved in several regional government committees, and in the 1990's served as Vice Chair of the SANDAG Transportation Subcommittee, along with several other SANDAG committees. Ms. Finnila has served on the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Commission, the Juvenile Justice Panel of the Police Dept., and the Carlsbad Unified School District/City Council Coordinating Committee.
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