Learn about your candidates for this year's Board.

1. B O A R D O F
D I R E C T O R
C A N D I D A T E S
2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 5

2. B Y L A W S R E V I E W A N D E L E C T I O N P R O C E D U R E
Board Structure and
Candidates
• LJMVA is a 15 Person Board
• Board members serve two-year terms allowing
approximately ½ of the board to rotate each year.
• Term Limits: three consecutive two-year terms
• Board members can reapply after a one-year hiatus
• Board members must be BID members/delegates
• Current State of Board
• 15 of 15 Seats are currently filled
• 6 Board Members will be elected this cycle
• There are 13 Candidates
Election Process
• Each BID member business gets one vote. (There are 1236 merchants
in the BID. Let’s get out the vote!)
• Monday, October 2 - Wednesday, October 4 – Secret ballots must be
cast in-person at the office of La Jolla Village Merchants
Association, 7734 Herschel Avenue, Suite C, La Jolla, CA 92037
between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM
• One vote per eligible business/business management delegate.
• Ballots will be sealed with Business Tax ID OR Business Name.
• Eligibility will be verified against City of San Diego September BID List
prior to
• No absentee, proxy, mail, text or email ballots are accepted.
• Wednesday, October 11 - Ballots will be publicly opened and counted
beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the LJVMA Annual Meeting/Board Meeting at
the La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Avenue, La Jolla. C
• Wednesday, November 8 – Board members will be sworn in.

3. M E E T O U R
C A N D I D A T E S

4. C A N D Y A G U N D E Z
O W N E R
P L A Y A F I T ,
H E A L T H / F I T N E S S
No written statement submitted.

5. A M B E R
A N D E R S O N
C U R R E N T
B O A R D
P R E S I D E N T
R E A L T O R
P A C I F I C
S O T H E B Y ’ S
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
R E A L T Y
P R O F E S S I O N A L
S E R V I C E S
AS current president of the LJVMA , I am am
committed to supporting the merchants of La
Jolla.
The LJVMA is an important Business
Improvement District (BID) for our
community in that we all pay a tax to be able
to use the combined efforts to bring business
to the Village. Our rent and fixed expenses
continue to rise, coupled with competing for
attention that has never been more
difficult. We need to team up and work
together for the betterment of our
businesses and our community. The more
we collaborate and focus our positive energy
on working together for a common purpose,
we will be successful. I am always here to
help, as there is a special place in my heart
for La Jolla both from a business perspective
and for our local residents.”
I have held a board position for 4 years and
hope that you will allow me to continue to
serve our community.

6. K L A R A
C H A V A R R I A
O W N E R
K L A R A
C H A V A R R I A
C O N T E M P O R A R Y
A R T
G A L L E R Y
I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to
serve on your board and put my passion and
knowledge to use in all, the arts & cultural areas.
I am confident you'll find me a good fit for your
needs as a Board Member to the La Jolla
Village Merchants Association.
I bring over 20 years of professional experience
in the arts as Artist and Designer and have a
love and passion for all arts, culture and the
importance it has to our society. My work is
collected internationally and has been exhibited
and acquired by Museums, Corporations and
Public & Private Collectors worldwide.
I have had studios and galleries in the Midwest,
Miami, where I had the gallery for 15 years; and
now in La Jolla for one year. I am a women &
minority owned business and love our beautiful
La Jolla Village and Community.
Looking forward to all!

7. M A R C C O R M I E R
C A N D I D A T E
O W N E R
S M A R T F I T
M E T H O D
H E A L T H A N D
F I T N E S S
My name is Marc Cormier, owner of The Smart Fit
Method in La Jolla Village.
I have 35 years of sales, sales leadership and
business ownership including starting & running three
companies, including Smart Fit Method.
My business history includes the following:
Vice President of Sales - $150M ARR
VP of Global Sales - $110M ARR
VP Western US - $50M ARR
VP Local Markets - $22 to $50M
Companies that I have started/run:
• Body Graphics - Fitness Consultancy
• MKC Consulting Corporation - sales agency in the
construction space
• Longevity Fitness Group - parent of The Smart Fit
Method franchise
Our business is nine months new in the village. I feel
that with my business acumen, drive and having
recently opened a new business here give me the
ideal focus of getting deep into the fabric of the
community and add my knowledge and experience to
the businesses within the LJVMA.
Your vote for me is appreciated and a wise one as I
will not let you down.
Looking forward to serving the community!

8. A N D Y F O T S C H
C U R R E N T B O A R D
M E M B E R
O W N E R / A R C H I T E C T
W I L L A N D F O T S C H
P R O F E S S I O N A L
S E R V I C E S
I hope to continue to serve on the LJVMA
Board. In addition to serving on the La Jolla
Coastal Access and Planning Board and
Chairing the La Jolla Permit Review
Committee, I also sit on the La Jolla Planned
District Ordinance Committee.
I am actively working on the wayfinding
program with the Merchants Association, and
we are currently in permitting for the first
round of signs for the village.

9. C H A Z D Y E
O W N E R
H I S T O R I C
L A J O L L A
W A L K I N G T O U R S
T R A V E L / T O U R I S M
I live in the village and walk throughout it daily; I’m
the guy with the yellow belt. I am very familiar with
the changes as well as the constants here. I strive
to be a contributing member of our community; for
example, I’m a donor and docent for Coast Walk
Trail.
In May I launched Historic La Jolla Walking
Tours. I see and seek opportunities for symbiotic
relationships with other merchants, such as
providing a quality activity that hotels can offer their
guests with confidence. I would like to be a board
member not only to get better acquainted with
fellow merchants, but also to develop a better
understanding of the challenges facing us and the
neighborhood. I will bring fresh ideas to confront
these challenges.
In general, I genuinely believe it is my
responsibility to give back to my wonderful
community — anything from picking up fronds on
the sidewalk to being a board member.

10. J E N G R A Z I A N O
O W N E R
R A N D O M
H A P P I N E S S ,
I N C
W E L L N E S S
My corporate background consists of enterprise
technology sales in which I regularly met and
worked with the executive leadership at many of
the largest companies in San Diego and Southern
California. I also have 13 years of hospitality
experience, where I was a global sales manager
for one of the largest serviced apartment
companies in the world. My skills include
executive presentations, thought leadership, time
management, maintaining a positive outlook while
also being realistic, connecting with both empathy
and logic, consistency, and maintaining a culture
of inclusiveness, kindness, and community.
Having been a La Jolla resident for over 10 years,
I've been so excited to see the developments that
the La Jolla Village Merchants Association have
made. | especially love the First Friday Art Walk. I
have always supported the merchants of La Jolla
and now, as a merchant myself, I'm excited to
contribute. My goal in joining the board would be
to help keep La Jolla as beautiful as it is today
and continue to foster the culture of community,
music, art and nature.

11. E L N A Z I R A J
R E A L T O R
B E R K S H I R E
H A T H A W A Y L A
J O L L A
P R O F E S S I O N A L
S E R V I C E S
I am writing to express my heartfelt interest in the esteemed role
of a La Jolla merchant board of directors. The impetus behind my
application stems from a profound desire to make a meaningful
impact on our distinguished community, driven by a deep
commitment to giving back and an abundance of energy ready to
be dedicated to La Jolla.
As a dedicated real estate agent, my journey in La Jolla has been
characterized by unwavering commitment to the interests of both
its residents and businesses. Throughout my career, I've had the
privilege of not only assisting families in finding their dream
homes but also forging invaluable connections within this vibrant
enclave.
La Jolla, to me, is more than a place of business; it is my
cherished home, a community that has offered me so much. My
extensive experience in the local real estate landscape has
instilled in me a deep understanding of the nuances and
dynamics that shape our neighborhood. This, I believe, equips
me with the insights necessary to contribute effectively as a
board member.
In my professional journey, I have honed skills of analytical
thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication.
My ability to connect with diverse groups and foster productive
negotiations has been a cornerstone of my success in real estate.
These qualities, essential in any board position, are what I bring
to the table.
However, what truly sets me apart is my unwavering commitment
to giving back to La Jolla and my boundless energy to dedicate to
our community's growth. Serving on the board is a unique
opportunity to channel this commitment and energy into tangible
actions that promote the sustained growth and prosperity of our
community. I envision a La Jolla that retains its unique charm
while adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of modernity, and I
am eager to play a pivotal role in this transformation.

12. A J J O H N S O N
D I R E C T O R
B U S I N E S S
D E V E L O P M E N T
M U N D O V A L
C A P I T A L
M A N A G E M E N T ,
I N C .
F I N A N C I A L
S E R V I C E S
•
The La Jolla Village Merchants Association is an incredibly special
organization, and it is with great enthusiasm that I express my
desire to serve on its board. As a fervent advocate for the vibrancy
of La Jolla, I would be honored to contribute actively to the growth
and success of the local businesses that define our neighborhood.
The unique charm and energy of La Jolla have made it not just a
place to work or live, but a true community that I am proud to be a
part of. I understand the challenges that our local businesses face,
especially in the ever-evolving landscape of commerce. As a board
member, I would advocate for innovative solutions, provide a
listening ear to local concerns, and work tirelessly to ensure that
the Association's efforts lead to tangible, positive outcomes for all
involved.
My professional background in financial services and business
development equips me with valuable skills to contribute to the
Association's objectives. I am excited to collaborate on initiatives
that drive foot traffic to local establishments, boost visibility, and
foster a sense of unity among merchants. One example of this
would be the development of a Next Generation networking group
for new entrepreneurs and businesspeople of La Jolla.
Ultimately, my passion for developing connections and my
adeptness at networking aligns with the board's mission to build
strong relationships between businesses, residents, and visitors. I
look forward to working alongside the people and businesses of La
Jolla.

13. K A R L Y E M A T Z E N
O W N E R
S W E E T P A P E R
R E T A I L
I want to serve on the LJVMA Board
because I believe community is
everything when you are building a
business. As business owners in a
resort destination it is important to have
an impact on the community around
you.
When I lived in Lake Tahoe the artists
and business owners teamed together
to build a town for the community in the
present and the community we were
building for the future.

14. J A S O N P E A S L E Y
O W N E R
T H E C O T T A G E
R E S T A U R A N T
I
My name is Jason Peaslee. I am the
operating partner of the Cottage
Restaurant. We own another “Cottage” in
Encinitas and am in the process of
opening one in Del Mar.
The Village of La Jolla has been great to
my family. Since surfing the “Shores” as a
kid to working my way up to owning a
restaurant her, there has been nothing by
support and kindness. I owe it the La Jolla
Village Merchants Association to be part of
LJVMA. I also want to be part of a great
group that cares about our community.
We are in this together. The Village’s
success is the Cottage’s success.
Thank you for your consideration

15. J A P H E T P E R E Z
B O A R D M E M B E R
J A P H E T ’ S
P A I N T I N G
S E R V I C E S
P R O F E S S I O N A L
S E R V I C E S
I am part of the next generation of American
entrepreneurs, and as a local I have much to
contribute to the growth of the La Jolla Village. As
many of you know, presentations matter. As a young
28 year old business owner, I am often seen with
skepticism for my lack of “experience” in my field.
I make it a point to break bread with prospective clients
in La Jolla to 1. Wine and dine 2. Negotiate business
contracts in-person and 3. Contribute to La Jolla’s
restaurant economy. As a result, I have developed on-
going business relationships with three of the largest
property management companies in San Diego - all
three based out of La Jolla.
In addition to being a business owner, I am an Ivy
League graduate from Columbia University in the City
of New York; I previously worked for the Department of
Defense (DoD) as a Software Engineer, where I was
granted a TS/SCI clearance; I attended the Officer’s
Candidate School (OCS) with the Marine Corps; and I
am an active writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
My range of experience is extensive, but everything
learned during these aforementioned periods of my life
has helped me excel during my time as an
entrepreneur. I am confident that these same skills will
allow me to contribute greatly to the LJVMA. I would
love nothing more than to contribute in a meaningful
way to the place I call home.

16. S T E P H A N I E
T H O M P S O N
S T O R E
M A N A G E R
C C P A T I O
R E T A I L
As a seasoned quality professional by trade, I have been
recognized for my exceptional contributions. At the forefront of
the American Society for Quality’s Next GEN initiative, I’ve
showcased my commitment to innovation and progress by
connecting the leaders of today and tomorrow and named
ASQ’s 40 under 40. My vision for business betterment is rooted
in a genuine passion for sharing organizational excellence
principles and practices, elevating both individuals and
enterprises.
My dedication extends to the La Jolla Village Merchants
Association (LJVMA), where I eagerly anticipate the chance to
impart my wealth of knowledge. My aspiration to foster growth
and excellence is evident through my actions and intention to
utilize the CC Patio showroom for hosting community events
with a NextGen focus. These gatherings will not only foster
connections but also facilitate transformative experiences,
enriching the business landscape of La Jolla where I both work
and live with my Pug @Rosa_Rocks_LaJolla.
The future holds promise for a community united by shared
goals of advancement and success.
My dynamic approach and proven track record as a quality
professional sets me apart, making me the ideal candidate to
join the Board of LJVMA. I am a firm believer in the power of
collaboration and organizational excellence. My involvement
and leadership will undoubtedly inspire positive change and
leave an indelible mark on the La Jolla Village merchants'
community. I am so excited to be connected, involved, and
embraced by LJVMA and can’t wait to jump in!