Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor from a pool of nominees nominated by the Council and City Attorney and confirmed by Council. A Commissioner's four-year term begins July 1 and ends on June 30.

The Commission is composed of seven members. At least two members must have been candidates for elective governmental office or otherwise held high level positions in a campaign for elective governmental office, and at least three of the members must be attorneys in good standing with the California Bar Association. No more than three members may be registered with the same political party.

• Current Commissioners

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Former Commissioners

Bill Baber

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2021 to 2022. Attorney with an emphasis on political law and government ethics. He has served as treasurer for dozens of federal, state, and local candidates and committees. He is a former Analyst for the Federal Election Commission. From 2001 - 2005, he served as the committee consultant to the San Diego City Council Rules Committee. In that role, he worked with Mayor Murphy, the City Attorney, and Councilmembers to create the Ethics Commission. He helped draft the original San Diego Ethics Ordinance. He spent eleven years as a member of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board. In 2014, he was elected to the La Mesa City Council. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and California Western School of Law. Mr. Baber is a registered member of the Common Sense Party. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2015 to 2023.

W. Lee Biddle

Attorney with the law firm of Ferris & Britton practicing in the areas of litigation and regulatory law. Mr. Biddle previously served as the staff attorney for the consumer advocacy group Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN), focusing on telecommunication and energy issues. While at UCAN, he helped secure groundbreaking verdicts and settlements recovering tens of millions of dollars for state consumers. Mr. Biddle also served on the legal staff of the San Diego District Attorney in a special assignment to review past convictions that may warrant renewed DNA testing. Mr. Biddle is a graduate of California Western School of Law in San Diego and obtained his undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Biddle is a registered Democrat. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2005 to 2013.

Guillermo ("Gil") Cabrera

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2007 to 2009. A principal of the Cabrera Firm, Mr. Cabrera is an attorney in private practice specializing in general business litigation with an emphasis in complex business litigation, securities litigation, unfair competition, white collar criminal defense, and political law. Mr. Cabrera was formerly an attorney with the San Diego office of Cooley Godward Kronish LLP and Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP. He is a graduate of Boston College Law School and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Cabrera previously served as the Chair of the San Diego Chief of Police's Use of Force Task Force and is a member of the Chief's Latino Advisory Committee. He is a Wish Granter, Member, and past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. Mr. Cabrera also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Mr. Cabrera is a registered Democrat. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2005 to 2010.

Deborah Cochran

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2017 to 2019. Associate attorney at Wong Fleming, PC. Ms. Cochran graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology in 2004. She later earned her Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, graduating with magna cum laude honors. During law school, she studied abroad in both Tanzania, Africa and Buenos Aires, Argentina; and was the recipient of the Black Women Lawyers of California Annual Scholarship Award, and the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association 33rd Annual Scholarship Award. Ms. Cochran is a registered Democrat. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2011 to 2019.

Faye Detsky-Weil

Instructional Systems Designer with L-3 Communications/D.P. Associates, designing and developing aviation training and providing quality control on instructional materials for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Formerly employed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as a Lead Instructional Designer/Training Development Specialist, developing training for the U.S. Department of Defense on a variety of projects. Has been active in numerous organizations, including 10 years on the Torrey Pines Community Planning Board serving as Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary; a member of the Del Mar Heights Elementary School Site Council and the Torrey Pines High School Foundation Board, and co-chair of Torrey Pines High School Student Success Services. Ms. Detsky-Weil received the SAIC Health Care Technology Group Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the Composite Health Care System (CHCS) project, and received the 2001 City of San Diego Community Service Award. Ms. Detsky-Weil received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northeastern University in Boston, MA, holds a Massachusetts Teaching Certification in Secondary Education, and recently earned a certificate from the Paralegal Program at UC San Diego. Ms. Detsky-Weil is a registered Democrat. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2010 to 2015.

Charles H. Dick, Jr.

Managing Partner of the San Diego office of Baker & McKenzie, where his law practice focuses on civil and securities litigation. Past Chairman of Baker & McKenzie's North American Litigation Practice Group. General Counsel to the San Diego County Bar Association and former director of the San Diego County Bar Foundation. Founding director and active member in the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, for which he served as Southern California State Chair and is Chair of the International Committee. Former director of the Corporate Governance Institute - a joint venture of the Corporate Directors Forum and San Diego State University's College of Business Administration. Past Board Chair of LEAD San Diego, Inc. Active in work of the Rotary International Foundation and past president of the La Jolla Rotary Club. Retired Captain of the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve. Graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law. Dick is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2003 to 2007.

Lisa Foster

Formerly with the law firm of Phillips & Cohen representing whistleblowers under the provisions of the State and Federal False Claims Act. Former attorney at the Center for Law in the Public Interest and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, specializing in complex civil rights, environmental, election and poverty law cases. Former Executive Director of California Common Cause. Former member of the City of San Diego Election, Campaign, and Governmental Ethics Advisory Board. Foster is a registered Democrat. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2003.

Clyde Fuller

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2016 to 2017. Former US Navy officer; also served as a Special Agent in the FBI for 27 years investigating white collar crime; created a joint task force involving the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, Secret Service, SEC, and Goldman Sachs to investigate the three largest bank failures in US history. He helped create and chaired for 5 years Beachfest, an annual alcohol-free, family-friendly community event in Pacific Beach; also chaired the US National Lifeguard Championships in 2000 and 2002. He was named "Citizen of the Year" by the San Diego Lifeguard Association in 2000. He was elected to the boards of governance of local San Diego elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools; worked with the San Diego City Council and San Diego School Board officials to successfully fund and build a joint-use public softball park; served as the Chair of a YMCA group studying building a YMCA in Pacific Beach. He was a candidate for the San Diego Unified School Board in 2000. Mr. Fuller is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2007 to 2017.

Albert Gaynor

Retired attorney. Former Executive Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of the Criminal Division at the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York where he was responsible for reviewing each case recommended for prosecution by law enforcement agencies. Practiced law as a trial attorney in the private sector for more than twenty years before retiring in 1991. Actively participated in the campaigns of various local, county, and state candidates, and served on the board of the Conservative Order for Good Government. Graduate of New York University School of Law. Gaynor is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2003.

Krishna Haney

Associate attorney at Gordon & Rees, where she works in the firm's Insurance Coverage Group, specializing in advice to and litigation on behalf of insurers with regard to their varied business needs. Prior to joining Gordon & Rees, Ms. Haney practiced law at La Bella & McNamara, where her work focused primarily on white collar criminal defense. Born in Decatur, IL, Ms. Haney earned her undergraduate degrees in philosophy and political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At University of Illinois, she was elected to the University Statutes and Senate Procedures Commission of the Student Government Senate and served as co-editor of the Student Government newspaper. Ms. Haney graduated Cum Laude from the University of San Diego School of Law, where she was chosen as a member of the Mock Trial Team. At USD, she successfully competed in national competitions, received Honors for trial advocacy, and was awarded "Best Oral Advocate" for appellate advocacy. Ms. Haney takes an active role in community service for the City of San Diego. In addition to her volunteer work for the San Diego Chapter of the American Red Cross, she is certified as a disaster services worker through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a volunteer organization that trains citizens to act as first responders in emergency situations. Ms. Haney is not registered as a member of any political party. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2007 to 2009.

Tom Hebrank

A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor, and partner in the firm E3 Advisors, which specializes in receivership, trustee, forensic accounting and various other workout projects. He served as Chairman of the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (“SDCERS”) where he assisted in reforming and turning around an organization that had become the symbol of the City’s financial crisis. He also recently completed eight years of service on the City of San Diego’s Audit Committee overseeing the City’s financial reporting and internal audit functions. In addition, his civic involvement has included chairing the Kensington-Talmadge Planning Group and he has served on committees including utilities undergrounding. He graduated with a BSBA in Accounting from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO. Mr. Hebrank is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2019 to 2024.

Hon. William J. Howatt, Jr.

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission in 2013. Retired San Diego Superior Court Judge. Served over 27 years as a Municipal Court and Superior Court Judge. Former Presiding Judge of the San Diego Superior Court and Supervising Judge of the Family Law Courts prior to retirement. Judicial assignments included Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, Criminal Law Trial Division, and Independent Civil Calendar Division. Prior to his judicial career he was a Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Diego serving in the felony trial, appellate and fraud divisions prior to being Supervising Deputy in charge of the El Cajon Office. Native San Diegan and fifth generation Californian. Graduated from Fallbrook High School, University of California at Berkeley and the University of San Diego School of Law. Received the Bernard Witkin Award; Family Law Judge of the Year 2005 of the State Bar of California; Distinguished Jurist Award from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Dedicated Service Award from Certified Family Law Specialists of San Diego. Served three years as a member of the California Judges Association Ethics Committee. Served on the Court Coordination Committee and Presiding Judges Committee of the Judicial Council of the State of California. Judge Howatt is registered as an Independent. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2010 to 2013.

Fred Kosmo

An attorney and partner in the law firm, Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, where he specializes in business litigation. He served for six years as the Chair of the Federal Magistrate Judge Selection Committee for the Southern District of California. Previously, he was President of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (“ABTL”). He also served as a Commissioner on the 2010 San Diego Redistricting Commission. Thereafter, he served as a Commissioner on the City’s Independent Rate Oversight Commission (“IROC”). He is also a Board Member on the Peninsula Community Planning Board (“PCPB”). He graduated from UCSB with a B.A. in Business Economics, and then graduated from the University of Southern California School of Law, with Honors, Order of the Coif. Mr. Kosmo is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2017 to 2021.

Alex Kreit

Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice at Thomas Jefferson School of Law (TJSL). A graduate of Hampshire College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Mr. Kreit has lived in San Diego since 2007. Before coming to San Diego, Mr. Kreit worked as a law clerk for the Honorable M. Blane Michael of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Charleston, West Virginia and as a litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP in San Francisco. His academic publications include the books Controlled Substances: Crime, Regulation, and Policy (Carolina Academic Press, 2013) and Drug Abuse and the Law: Sourcebook (with Gerald F. Uelmen) (West, 2013). Mr. Kreit is actively involved in the community. He is President of the American Constitution Society's San Diego Lawyer Chapter and a Board Member of the East Village Association. From 2009 to 2010, he served as Chair of the City of San Diego's Medical Marijuana Task Force. Mr. Kreit continues to practice law, representing indigent defendants in state criminal appeals as a panel attorney for Appellate Defenders, Inc. Mr. Kreit is a registered Democrat. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2014 to 2020.

Charles G. La Bella

Founding partner of La Bella & McNamara LLP, a law firm specializing in white-collar criminal defense, corporate compliance and business litigation. Former United States Attorney for the Southern District of California in San Diego, where he headed the prosecution of the longest judicial corruption case in the history of San Diego, resulting in the bribery convictions of three Superior Court judges and a prominent Civil Attorney. Recipient of the FBI Director's Award for Distinguished Service to Law Enforcement for his work in heading a Special Task Force, focusing on the possible violation of federal campaign finance laws during the 1996 presidential election. Graduate of Fordham Law School. La Bella is not registered as a member of any political party. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2003.

Dorothy Leonard

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2003 and 2005 to 2007. Former Vice Chair of the City of San Diego Elections, Campaign & Governmental Ethics Advisory Board from 1992 to 1994. Former Chair of the San Diego City Planning Commission and President of the California State PTA. Chair of the San Diego Unified School District Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) for Proposition MM, the $1.5 billion bond measure. Former Director of Program Services for the March of Dimes San Diego and leader in the creation and development of Mission Trails Regional Park. Graduate of San Diego State University. Leonard is a registered Republican. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2010.

Joe Leventhal

Office managing partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, a law firm with over 650 attorneys nationally. As a litigator, he represents clients across all industries in varying legal disputes including class actions, intellectual property infringement, employment claims, and other complex business matters. He obtained his law degree with honors from the Georgetown University Law Center while working on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide handling issues such as healthcare and education and later while interning for the office of the vice president. After law school, Joe served as an attorney in the White House as deputy assistant to the vice president. As part of the vice president’s senior staff, Joe was then the youngest deputy assistant to the vice president at the age of 25. In this role, his responsibilities included functioning as the final substantive control point before information reached the vice president, managing complex policy and political issues, and representing the vice president’s interests on all policy matters within the administration. Mr. Leventhal is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2017 to 2018.

John C. O’Neill

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2014 to 2015. Of Counsel and former head of the Business & Technology Team with the law firm of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP. He is a past chair of the Board of Directors (2005 - 2008) and a current member of the Executive Committee of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and is a past chair of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Downtown YMCA. He is pro bono legal counsel to a number of nonprofit organizations, including the San Diego Humane Society and S.P.C.A. and the Alzheimer's Association. Mr. O'Neill obtained his Juris Doctor Degree and earned a Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. He is not registered as a member of any political party. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2010 to 2015.

Andrew Poat

Native San Diegan with over thirty (30) years experience in public policy, economic development, and government. He now works as a consultant - building on experience that includes: five years as Vice President of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; four years as Chief Deputy Director of Caltrans; two years as Cabinet Secretary to Governor Pete Wilson; and serving as Deputy Director, United States Office of Consumer Affairs. Mr. Poat is a native of San Diego, and a 1978 graduate of Patrick Henry High School. He attended The George Washington University in Washington, DC - graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1982 with a Bachelors Degree in Public Affairs. Mr. Poat currently serves in several community roles, including: Member, Board of Governors of the San Diego River Conservancy; Chair, Board of Directors, Mental Health America - San Diego Chapter; Member of Downtown Rotary, Club 33. Mr. Poat is registered as an Independent. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2014 to 2015.

Dave Potter

Manages Potter & Associates, a planning and environmental consulting firm he established in 1993. Previously, he served over 21 years with the City's Planning Department in a number of positions, including Deputy Planning Director. He is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. His education includes a Master of City Planning degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from the Ohio State University. He was also a Research Fellow at the Inter-American Housing and Planning Center in Bogotá, Colombia. He is currently serving on the Mission Bay Park/Improvement Oversight Committee. His other public service appointments include the 2010 Redistricting Commission, the Medical Marijuana Task Force, and the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project Working Group. After retiring from the City, he served on and chaired the Clairemont Mesa Planning Committee and the Community Planners Committee, the umbrella organization for all community planning groups in San Diego. In fulfilling his military obligation, he was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam. Mr. Potter is not registered as a member of any political party. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2015 to 2021.

April Riel

Certified Public Accountant specializing in fraud investigations with Riel & Associates, Inc. Former investigative accountant in the Fraud Division of the Office of the San Diego District Attorney, performed financial investigations involving embezzlements, grand theft, real estate, insurance, and investment scams. Current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the California Financial Crimes Investigators Association, and the Asian Accountants of San Diego. Member of the AICPA's Independence-Behavioral Standards Subcommittee. Graduate of University of San Diego with a Bachelors in Accounting and San Diego State University with a Master's degree in Public Administration. Riel is a registered Republican. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2005.

Dorothy Smith

Former elected member of the San Diego City School Board of Education. She served many years as a professor of English and African American Studies at San Diego City College. Recipient of the San Diego African-American Living Legacy Award, the California Women in Government Tribute for Service to Women, and the Samaritan of the Year Award. Smith is a member of the Association of African-American Educators, Vice President of San Diego Women Incorporated and is involved in the Christ United Presbyterian Church. Graduate of the University of Southern California with a Doctorate in Education. Smith is a registered Democrat. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2005.

Karen Thomas Stefano

Attorney with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati where she specializes in securities litigation and commercial litigation for technology and growth business enterprises at all stages of development. Prior to that, Ms. Stefano was Of Counsel to Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP where she litigated complex securities actions. Before joining Milberg Weiss, she spent seven years as a solo practitioner, devoting her practice to criminal and civil litigation in state and federal court. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Stefano served as an aide to Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento), where she focused on a variety of policy issues, including campaign finance. Ms. Stefano served as a member of the State Bar of California's Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct from 1994 to 1996. She co-chaired the Legal Ethics Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association in 1994. Ms. Stefano received her J.D. from the University of California, Davis, School of Law in 1990 and received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1985. In 2004, she received her Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in corporate finance, from the University of San Diego. Ms. Stefano is a registered Democrat. She served on the Ethics Commission from 2003 to 2007.

Richard M. Valdez

Served as the Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2009 to 2010. Attorney with the law firm Sandler, Lasry, Laube, Byer & Valdez LLP practicing general civil litigation, complex commercial litigation and disability access laws. A San Diego native, Mr. Valdez is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego. Mr. Valdez is a former member and subcommittee chair of the San Diego County Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Committee. He presently serves as the chair of the board of directors of the San Diego LGBT Community Center and previously served as a member and vice-president of the board of directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties and a member and chair of the board of directors of The Access Center of San Diego, Inc. Valdez is a registered Democrat. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2007 to 2010.

Gregory Vega

Attorney with the firm of Seltzer, Caplan, McMahon & Vitek. Former United States Attorney for the Southern District of California from May 1999 until June 2001, where he was responsible for the prosecution of all federal criminal offenses, including the investigation of former San Diego City Councilmember Valerie Stallings. Past President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, former Chairman of the Criminal Law Advisory Commission of the California State Bar and past member of the San Diego County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee. Graduate of Valparaiso School of Law. Vega is a registered Democrat. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2005.

Sid Voorakkara

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2019 to 2021. Appointed by Governor Brown in May 2013 as the Senior Business Development Specialist for San Diego and Imperial Counties. In this capacity, he works directly with companies to receive credits and incentives from the state for job growth, attraction, expansion and retention. Prior to this service, he spent nearly a decade as a Program Manager with The California Endowment, the state's largest private foundation, building pathways into high-wage, high-growth jobs. Additionally, he spent ten years as a communication and media specialist in public and private positions. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the San Diego City College Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the San Diego Community College Trustees Advisory Council. Mr. Voorakkara is a registered Democrat. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2015 to 2023.

Larry S. Westfall

Served as Chair of the Ethics Commission from 2010 to 2011. Certified Public Accountant and Retired National Director of Deferred Compensation – Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. A California native and resident of San Diego since 1978. Over thirty years' of business experience primarily in the healthcare industry as an auditor and consultant. Former partner and Assistant National Healthcare Director – Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. Former Managing Partner of San Diego office of KMG Main – Hurdman and John F. Forbes & Co. Formerly with the U.S. General Accounting Office. BS and MBA from the University of Southern California. Served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Viet Nam Conflict. Has been active in numerous professional and local organizations including the Greater North Park Community Planning Committee. He is not registered as a member of any political party. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2004 to 2011.

Bud Wetzler

Retired President, Goodrich Aerostructures (Rohr, Inc.). He has more than 30 years experience in corporate management, operations, and oversight in four different industries. In the early 1990s, Mr. Wetzler was instrumental in successfully establishing an Ethics Office, hiring an Ethics Officer, and developing ethics policies, procedures, and training programs on behalf of the corporation. He is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University, and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Math from Washington College in Maryland. Mr. Wetzler is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2010 to 2013.

Gregory Zinser

Retired Chief Executive Officer of Medac, one of the nation's largest specialty medical billing companies. He held senior management positions in healthcare finance and administration for more than 35 years, during which time he has also been active in the community, holding leadership positions with the Downtown Rotary Club, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Monarch School and Community Health Improvement Partners. Volunteer activities also include board chairmanship of the University City Community Foundation, a community benefit organization he established to facilitate improvements in University City, various projects completed for the local Little League and Recreation Center, a basketball league for older adults he established and has managed for over 13 years, and several music groups that meet monthly to provide performance opportunities to musicians at all levels. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the Ohio State University in 1976, graduating with honors in 9 quarters. Mr. Zinser is a registered Republican. He served on the Ethics Commission from 2014 to 2017.