Community & Economic Development

San Diego – Mayor Dick Murphy today announced the appointment of Scott Cummins and Judy Preston and the reappointment of Badi Badiozamani, Kurt Chilcott, James Hill and Richard Sims to the Small Business Advisory Board.  The Board serves as an advocate for the small business community.  It also advises the Mayor, City Council and city manager on the formulation of laws, policies and procedures which may affect the management, operation or financial stability of small business owners.

Scott Cummins is an attorney with the law firm of Casey, Gerry, Reed & Schenk.  Cummins is also president and one of the founders of Insurex, a national commercial insurance brokerage.  He has served as director and secretary of the La Jolla Youth Soccer League and general editor of Forum Magazine.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his law degree from Loyola Law School.

Judy Preston is owner of Bankers Hill Properties.  A real estate broker and small business owner, she is very active in the community.  Preston is a member of the Greater San Diego Business Association.  She also serves as treasurer of the Point Loma-Ocean Beach Board of Realtors.  Preston holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from National University.

Badi Badiozamani is a small business owner.  He has served on the board since 1997.  He is executive director of the Center for East-West Understanding and past president of the Iranian-American Republican Council, San Diego Chapter.  Badiozamani received a bachelor’s degree in English literature and modern languages and a master’s in public administration.  He earned a doctorate in political science from Western State University.

Kurt Chilcott is the president & CEO of CDC Small Business Finance.  He is chair of San Diego County's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee and vice-chair of the National Association of Development Companies.  He also is former chair of the board of the International Economic Development Council and past president of the California Association for Local Economic Development.  Chilcott received his bachelor's degree from Harvard in Social Anthropology and his master's in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

James Hill has served on the Board since 1989.  He serves as the representative from the National Federation of Independent Business.  He is owner of the Treasure Trove, an antique, collectibles and decorative arts retail store.