LOS ANGELES — Stephen Cushman, an advisor to the mayor and former mayor, is taking the helm of the San Diego Convention Center board of directors as it faces challenges to expansion plans.
Cushman will assume the role of chairman of the board of directors on Jan. 1, replacing current chairman, Nico Ferraro.
Cushman, who is the founder of Cush Auto Group, serves as a special assistant to Mayor Kevin Faulconer. He also served as an advisor on the convention center to former Mayor Jerry Sanders.
He is an adjunct professor of business at San Diego State University and chairman of the business school's board of directors. He also serves as a trustee for the National University system and a member of the Downtown San Diego Partnership executive committee.
A proposed expansion for the convention center stalled a few months ago when a judge ruled against a financing mechanism approved in vote by hoteliers to raise bed taxes from 1% to 3%. The judge decreed that the vote would have to go before the entire electorate.
Tourism officials have said the expansion is needed to continue to attract the largest trade shows to the facility and that the existing structure needs upgrades.
