By Alyssa Enwright and Stephanie Bunce
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank’s Board of Directors has elected Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, CVE, as Board Chair. Rippetoe is President and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and serves as a board member of several San Diego-based organizations, including the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, and Sports San Diego’s Advisory Board. In support of arts and tourism, Rippetoe is a Steering Committee Member for the Comic-Con Museum and an Advisor for the San Diego County Lodging Association and the San Diego Tourism Authority.
“The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and San Diego Convention Center have fostered a decades-long 
relationship built on the shared goal of helping our neighbors who are facing hunger,” Rippetoe said. “We recognize the urgency and importance of solving food insecurity in our communities. As Board Chair, I look forward to championing innovative and effective ways of meeting San Diego’s evolving needs.”
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in the region. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 45 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 37.5 million meals to families facing food insecurity in communities throughout San Diego County. Currently, the Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people per month. The nonprofit’s service population includes working-poor families, seniors on fixed incomes, children living in poverty, low-income military families, and the unhoused population.
Commenting on Rippetoe’s appointment, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank CEO Casey Castillo said, “The Food Bank’s Board of Directors and staff welcome Rip’s appointment as Board Chair. Rip brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to this position having served in leadership positions on a host of boards and a range of community service organizations. We are honored to have such a widely respected community leader at the helm of our Board of Directors, and we look forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen our critical hunger-relief programs and services for the local community.”
“The Food Bank continues to serve record numbers of individuals and families in need throughout San Diego County due to the lasting impacts of the pandemic and soaring inflation. I am confident that Rip’s leadership will help guide our organization as we continue to serve as the county’s safety net for those facing food insecurity. Rip’s leadership of our Board of Directors will continue to strengthen our strong ties with the San Diego community and our role as a leader of the county’s charitable food network.”
An international leader in the meetings industry, Rippetoe has worked for organizations hosting top national tradeshows and conventions, including the Olympic Winter Games of 2002, and for large-scale public assembly facilities such as the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake and the Kentucky Expo Center. From 2020-2021, Rippetoe served as Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Board of Directors.
Alyssa Enwright is a Partner + Vice President at Beck Ellman Heald and Stephanie Bunce is with the San Diego Food Bank.
