The Interagency Technical Working Group on Tribal Transportation Issues (Tribal TWG) connects leaders of each San Diego tribe with local, state, and federal agency partners on a quarterly basis. The purpose of these discussions is to ensure our regional planning efforts align with tribal needs and priorities.
Staff contact: Paula Zamudio, 619.515.1189, paula.zamudio@sandag.org.
(A)=alternate
Co-Chair
Antoinette Meier, Senior Director of Regional Planning, SANDAG
Tribal Co-Chair
Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman, Jamul Indian Village of California
Representing the Barona Band of Mission Indians
Raymond Welch, Chairman
(A) Sheila Alvarez, Director of Government Affairs
Representing the Campo Kumeyaay Nation
Ben Dyche, Vice Chairman
(A) Marcus Cuero, Chairman
Representing the Ewiiaapaayp Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Robert Pinto Sr., Chairman
(A) William Micklin, CEO
Representing the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel
Kevin Osuna, Chairman
(A) Bruce Durbin, Councilmember
Representing the Inaja-Cosmit Band of Indians
Leia Arviso, Government Staff
(A) vacant
Representing the Jamul Indian Village of California
Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman
(A) Michael Hunter, Vice-Chairman
Representing the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians
Wesley Ruise Jr, Chairman
(A) Jack Musick, Councilmember
(A) John Paipa, Councilmember
(A) John Ruise, Councilmember
Representing the La Posta Band of Luiseño Indians
James-Potts Hill, Vice-Chairman
(A) Eric LaChappa
Representing the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla/Cupeño Indians
Ray Chapparosa, Chairman
Representing the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Indians
Angela Elliott Santos, Chairwoman
(A) Johnny Elliott, Councilmember
Representing the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians
Curtis LaChusa, Chairman
Representing the Pala Band of Mission Indians
Robert Smith, Chairman
(A) Chris Nejo, Legislative Advisor
Representing the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians
Maria Celli, Tribal Administrator
(A) Temet Majel, Chairman
Representing the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
John Constantino, Councilmember
(A) Joseph Linton, Vice Chair
Representing the San Pasqual Band of Diegueño Indians
Steven Cope, Chairman
(A) Shane Helms, Planning Director
Representing the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Cody Martinez, Chairman
(A) Sid Morris, Planning and Development Director
Representing the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
John Christman, Chairman
(A) Ray Teran, Tribal Administrator
Representing the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern California
vacant
(A) vacant
Representing the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association
Mike Connolly, Consultant
(A) Denis Turner, Executive Director
(A) Theresa Gregor, Consultant
Representing Caltrans District 11
Karen Islas, Tribal Liaison
Representing the County of San Diego
Roberta Leash, Tribal Liaison
Representing the City of San Diego
Kelley Stanco, Deputy Director, Environmental Policy and Public Spaces
Representing the Metropolitan Transit System
Larry Renteria, Transit Planner
Representing the North County Transit District
Ioni Tcholakova, Transit Planner
SANDAG, through its government-to-government framework with tribal nations in the region, convenes tribal summits every four years to engage regional leaders in a diplomatic dialogue. Tribal summits result from collaboration between SANDAG and the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA). The purpose is to bring together elected leaders from the 19 local governments who make up the SANDAG Board of Directors and the 18 federally recognized tribal governments in the San Diego region to discuss policy issues of mutual interest related to transportation and regional planning. The goal is to identify priority actions that can be addressed through continued collaboration and coordination.
Regional Tribal Collaboration Accomplishments
2024 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit
The 2024 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit was held on June 14, 2024, and was hosted by the Pala Band of Mission Indians at the Pala Casino Spa Resort.
(Agenda)
2018 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit
The 2018 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit was held on April 13, 2018, and was hosted by the Pala Band of Mission Indians at the Pala Casino Spa Resort.
(Agenda)
2014 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit
The 2014 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit was held on April 11, 2014, and was hosted by the Barona Band of Mission Indians at the Barona Resort Golf Events Center.
(Agenda)
2010 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit
The 2010 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit was held on April 9, 2010, and was hosted by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians at the Harrah’s Rincon Pavilion.
(Agenda)
2006 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit
The 2006 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit was held on March 10, 2006, and was hosted by the Pala Band of Mission Indians at the Pala Reservation in North County.
(Agenda)
2002 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit
The 2002 San Diego Regional Tribal Summit was held on October 11, 2002, and was hosted by SANDAG.
(Agenda)