February 4, 2014 Speaker: Greg Gastelum, P.E. – Update on the SANDAG Mid-Coast Corridor Project

[custom_frame_left shadow=”on”][/custom_frame_left] Greg Gastelum is the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) project manager for engineering on the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project.

Greg has been involved for more than 27 years in the planning, design, and project management of highway and public works projects in the San Diego region. Greg’s career path includes public and private sector management experience with a collective 20 years with NAVFAC South Western Division, Caltrans District 11, and SANDAG, as well as seven years in the private sector. Initiatives he has managed range from building construction to major transportation projects, including the State Route 125 toll road (gap and connector), I-5/I-805 widening, and State Route 15 (40^th Street).

As the project manager for engineering for the Mid-Coast trolley extension, Greg is involved in the management of design, right-of-way, pre-construction contractor services through the use of a construction manager/general contractor, and coordination with local, state, and federal agencies.

Greg holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University and periodically has assisted as a lecturer at SDSU for the highway design course.

February 18, 2014 Speaker: Jean Mendieta, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace

[custom_frame_left][/custom_frame_left] Thanks to the Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 5340 Jean Mendieta is currently pursuing a Master in Peace and Justice Studies at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace in the University of San Diego.

Jean Mendieta was born and raised in the city of Acapulco in Mexico. She earned B.A. in business administration at InstitutoTecnologico de EstudiosSuperiores de Occidente (Iteso) in Guadalajara Mexico.

She was responsible of a development and fair trade project and worked with women artisans from indigenous communities in Chiapas at Fundacion Leon XIII.

Jean has promoted and been actively involved in peacebuilding efforts at her hometown, especially those regarding social dialogue and education. Sheispart of Movimiento por la Paz con Justicia y Dignidad and Acapulco por la Paz.

On pursuing the MA of Peace and Justice Studies Jean wants to focus her studies in peacebuilding and conflict analysis and transformation. In the future she wants to continue her studies in public policy for peace and development.

During her college studies she spent one semester in France at Universite Paul Valery Montpellier III.  Jean speaks Spanish, English and French.