CTBID Board Position Vacancy

I was recently informed (as a few of you may have been) that Francis Kauhaahaa, General Manager for the Holiday Inn Carlsbad, will be leaving for a new assignment closer to his home in Yorba Linda. Francis was one of the original seven members of the Carlsbad Tourism Improvement District's Advisory Board and his departure will soon leave the first-ever vacancy on that Board.

Kim Akers, General Manager at the West Inn and Suites, and I have written to Mayor Lewis to ask about the process for filling this upcoming vacancy. Here are excerpts from that letter:

"Our understanding as to the composition of the CTBID Advisory Board is that three of the seven seats are deemed permanent. Four Seasons Resort Aviara, La Costa Resort and Spa and Grand Pacific Resorts would maintain permanent status, regardless of who the assigned designee is for each property. The four remaining seats were awarded to individuals, and not to properties.

As the original appointment was not for a designated property, we would assume that any lodging representative from within the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District could be selected by the Council to fill the remaining time on Mr. Kauhaahaa's original term."

We have requested to meet with Mayor Lewis because we believe the ordinance that created the CTBID currently leaves the appointment process with the mayor and council. We would like to help in any way we can to have the vacancy filled as soon as possible.

Best wishes to you, Francis, in your new assignment!