2023 Election of SJDA Board Members

ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS

All ballots received by Oct. 12 will be eligible for a drawing for one of three prize packages containing a $25 dining gift certificate, 20th Anniversary Downtown Doors notecard packet and a DTSJ limited edition T-Shirt.

Question Title

* The following eight directors have been nominated and are eligible to be elected at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms. Directors are permitted to serve two consecutive three-year terms. Approximately one-third of the Board of Directors seats are up for election at each Annual Meeting. Incumbent members denoted by *.

Ballot for Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2026 term

BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES

All as nominated below

Dap Ashaolu* (Director since 2021)
Downtown resident raised in San Jose and graduate of SJSU, with a career background in finance and sales. Ashaolu is the CFO & Head of Products at Nirvana Soul in the SoFA District. Nirvana Soul’s mission is to bring people together through the power of coffee and tea.

Blair Carson
Carson is a San Jose native who has worked, played, and lived in downtown San Jose for decades. She is the sole owner of Pageboy, a salon located on Post Street which just celebrated its 5-year anniversary. Carson is very passionate about San Jose, a strong supporter of the arts and downtown music scene, and has been involved in helping to revitalize and activate events on Post Street.

Adolfo Gomez* (Director since 2022)
Owner of Mezcal Restaurant in downtown. Active in downtown business for almost 30 years, including 10 years as Operations Manager of the Silicon Valley Capital Club. Member of Historic District and Board Executive committees.

Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez* (Director since 2021)
Executive Director of MACLA, lifelong arts advocate, urbanist, business leader, and frequent advisor to the philanthropic field. In 2009, Helstrup-Alvarez was recognized for her dynamic leadership with the “40 Under 40” award from the SV Business Journal. Helstrup-Alvarez lives in downtown San Jose with her family.

David Mulvehill
Originally from Ireland, Mulvehill started serving pints of Guinness at O'Flaherty's Irish Pub some 20 years ago, and now serves as President of Nuvo Hospitality, which assists restaurants and bars in operations refinement, marketing and booking services in the San Pedro district. He believes that despite its population and size, San Jose has a small-town feel and hospitality that reminds him of his homeland.

Eric Nielsen* (Director since 2021)
Raised in San Jose, Nielsen has a background in the hospitality industry and is the creator of 55 South, San Jose's first high-volume craft cocktail bar and restaurant, and partner at SP2 Communal bar and restaurant. Nielsen is married, has two children, and serves on the board of California Youth Services

Brendan Rawson
Executive Director of San Jose Jazz with 20+ years in cultural and economic development. Rawson is responsible for the strategic and artistic direction of Jazz's numerous performance and education programs and prioritizes advancing a healthy live music economy in downtown San Jose as part of his work. Rawson also co-founded two local restaurants: Blackbird Tavern and Naglee Park Garage.

Emily Ruvalcaba* (Director since 2021)
Ruvalcaba is Senior Vice President of Bridge Bank responsible for developing and delivering banking solutions for a broad range of commercial clients. Ruvalcaba is passionate about giving back to her community, serving on various boards and volunteer efforts. She currently serves on the boards of Sacred Heart Nativity School and the San Jose Downtown Association.

Write-in Candidate

Question Title

* Please provide the following information to verify your ballot and for prize eligibility:

Name of Business

Business Owner Name

Mailing Address

City/State/Zip

Phone

Web

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* Contact person, if different than above:

Name

Phone

For more information about SJDA and its programs, please visit sjdowntown.com.