City Council District 5

Scenic Views of Council District 5 Communities


Chief of Staff
	Lance Witmondt lwitmondt@sandiego.gov Lance serves as Chief of Staff to San Diego Councilmember Brian Maienschein, and handles the Councilmember's media relations. Lance brings to his position over six years of business and management experience as the former General Manager for California Building Maintenance. Like Councilmember Maienschein, Lance grew up in North San Diego County, attending local schools including Painted Rock Elementary, Twin Peaks Middle School, Poway High School and San Diego State University. Lance is a member of the Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce and the Los Rancheros Kiwanis Club.

Chief of Policy
	Khoa Nguyen knguyen@sandiego.gov Khoa graduated with a Cum Laude B.A. in Political Science from UC San Diego and earned his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law in Seattle, Washington. Prior to joining Councilmember Maienschein's office, Khoa worked for the law firm of Luce Forward and The Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation, a San Diego based philanthropic organization. Most recently, Khoa worked with New Alternatives, Inc., a non-profit organization that focuses on rehabilitating child victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Khoa will focus on Asian-American issues for the Councilmember, assist in the coordination of the Teen Court program, and serve the community of Mira Mesa.

Communications and Outreach Coordinator
	Communications and Outreach Coordinator brankin@sandiego.gov Brittany Rankin serves as Councilmember Maienschein’s Communications and Outreach Coordinator. Additionally, she advises the Councilmember on all Redevelopment and Housing policy issues and staffs the Land Use and Housing Committee. Brittany is also responsible for the coordination and distribution of the District 5 Community Development Block Grants. She is a graduate of Liberty University. Prior to joining Councilmember Maienschein’s staff she worked for the California State Assembly.

Committee Consultant
	Committee Consultant smithc@sandiego.gov Courtney Smith serves as Councilmember Maienschein’s representative to the Rancho Bernardo community. In addition, Courtney is the Committee Consultant for the Fire Prevention and Recovery Committee, and she staffs the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Courtney graduated from the University of San Diego with a B.A. in Communication Studies.

Council Representatives
	Megan Ekard mekard@sandiego.gov Megan Ekard serves as the Councilmember’s representative for the Scripps Ranch community. She is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University and carries a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Prior to joining Councilmember Maienschein's staff she served as the Scheduler/Volunteer Coordinator for a local Congressional Campaign and served as an intern for the San Diego Downtown Partnership.

	Gabrielle Alves galves@sandiego.gov Gabrielle serves as Councilmember Maienschein’s representative to the Carmel Mt. Ranch and Sabre Springs communities. She graduated from UC Riverside with her Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Law and Society. Prior to joining Councilmember Maienschein’s staff, Gabbie served as an intern for a member of the California State Assembly.

	Jessica Barber jbarber@sandiego.gov Jessica Barber serves as Councilmember Maienschein’s representative for the communities within the district and assists with legislative tasks. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Jessica grew up in the district’s community of Mira Mesa and attended Hickman Elementary, Challenger Middle School and Mira Mesa High School.


Office Manager
	Christine Young cyoung@sandiego.gov Christine received her paralegal certificate from University of California at San Diego and was the Councilmember's assistant when he was practicing law. Christine represents the community of San Pasqual in addition to managing the office and the Councilmember’s schedule.