Jerry Sanders began his lifelong career in public service when he joined the San Diego Police Department at the age of 22, fulfilling his dream of becoming a police officer. He ascended the police department ranks and became one of the youngest police chiefs in the city’s history.
In 1999, Sanders retired as Chief of Police and became CEO of the United Way of San Diego, where he reduced the organization’s costs and increased fundraising by 20 percent. Three years later, he chaired the board of the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
In 2005, with his reputation as a successful turn-around executive, civic leaders urged Sanders to run for mayor. Under Mayor Sanders, city financial staff completed six years’ worth of back-logged audits, allowing the city to return to the public bond markets in January 2009.
Sanders also won City Council approval for compensation cuts for employees that saved the city more than $34 million annually. Sanders also introduced Managed Competition to city government, which allows private companies to compete against city employees for the right to provide a variety of municipal services.
Sanders completed his second and final term as Mayor in December 2012, and now currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
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