At the beginning of each two-year term of the Central Committee, members run for and are elected to leadership positions on the Executive Board. These officers, who meet monthly, have specific areas of responsibility and together oversee the County Party's overall management and planning.
IN MEMORY ~ REBECCA TAYLOR Becca served as Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party for more than two years until her untimely passing in 2024. She was a veteran of the United States Navy, where she served as an aviation electrician and volunteered as a sexual assault victim intervention advocate. In 2014, so cofounded and became the first woman to serve as Chair on the Veterans Caucus of the California Young Democrats. She later went on to a founding member of the Democratic Women’s Club and the Blue Dream Democrats. Becca previously served on the Board of Directors of the Ocean Beach Town Council, as the Secretary for the Metro West Area Caucus, and as a DSCC Delegate for AD 78, a position from which she was elected to the California Democratic Party Executive Board. Becca also worked as the Volunteer Manager for the San Diego Rapid Response Network, which serves asylum-seekers. Her friendship, warmth, leadership, and commitment to justice are deeply missed.
Kyle Krahel-Frolander, Chair (Email) Kyle Krahel-Frolander was born and raised in Oceanside. He began his involvement in public service on Oceanside's Youth Commission, where he spearheaded the construction of the city's first permanent skate park. After graduating valedictorian of his high school, Kyle went on to Harvard University where he earned a degree in Government. He moved back home to help turn North County blue after working on campaigns on the East Coast. Kyle worked for Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez and served briefly as North Area Vice Chair. Kyle has fought to elect Democrats up and down the ballot as well as for workers' rights, prisoners' rights, education funding, and more. He served on Oceanside's Planning Commission where he was often one of the only votes to defend our unhoused neighbors, prevent unsustainable sprawl, and protect taxpayers from corporate interests. Kyle helped elect Congressman Mike Levin and now works in his district office.
Ross Pike, North Inland Area Vice Chair, Chair pro Tempore (Email) Growing up in western Michigan, Ross began working with the Democratic Party when he was 16 volunteering for President Obama’s first presidential campaign. He remained involved with the Party and was elected Newaygo County Democratic Party Chair when he was 18, the youngest county Party chair to be elected. Ross later moved to Fallbrook in 2017 after the loss of his mom to be closer to his sister who had already relocated to Southern California. Ross was first elected in 2020 to serve on the Fallbrook Planning Group, becoming the first openly gay person elected in Fallbrook. In July 2022, Ross became the first openly gay person and Democrat to hold two elected offices simultaneously in the Fallbrook area when he was appointed as a Director of the North County Fire Protection District and was elected to retain the seat in 2022. He was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2024 to both boards with nearly 74% of the vote.
Jason Bercovitch, South Area Vice Chair (Email) Jason Bercovitch was born in Madison, Wisconsin, raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and a minor in Political Science. Jason currently serves as the District Director for Congressman Scott Peters where he has been since March of 2013, specializing in immigration, foreign affairs, and financial services. Jason is a public-ballot member of the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee and delegate to the California Democratic Party. Jason previously served as the North Area Vice Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party from 2019-2020. In addition to his work in politics, Jason was a personal banker, financial adviser, and loan officer for ten years with various financial institutions throughout San Diego County. Jason is fluent in Spanish and now resides in Chula Vista, CA with his lovely wife and two kids.
Lauren Cazares, East Area Vice Chair (Email) Lauren Cazares (she/her/ella) is a lifelong La Mesan and dedicated advocate for progress. By day, she’s a dynamic public policy professional, and by night, she’s a passionate City Councilwoman. Elected to the La Mesa City Council in 2024, Lauren made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ councilmember in East County. With 2025 marking a decade working in local politics, Lauren has extensive experience in various Democratic campaign and staffer roles. A second-generation Mexican-American and first-generation college graduate, Lauren earned her B.A. in Political Science & Women’s Studies from Point Loma Nazarene University. She founded the Loma LGBTQIA+ Alumni and Allies Coalition and serves as Board Chair of the Religious Exemption Accountability Project, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ students. Lauren’s home clubs are the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club and San Diego Democrats for Equality. Before serving as Vice Chair, she volunteered on the Party’s Ethics and Community Service Committees.
Codi Vierra, Metro West Area Vice Chair (Email) Codi graduated from UC San Diego with a Political Science degree, and minors in Business and Urban Studies & Planning. She served on the Executive Board of the College Democrats and as Executive Director of UCSD’s Student Organized Voter Access Committee. Codi was Campaign Manager for Congressman Scott Peters’ 2020 campaign and later a Field Representative in his District Office. She served for three years as Deputy Chief of Staff to San Diego Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. Codi now works for Toni Atkins for Governor 2026. Codi is Vice President of Membership for the California Young Democrats and has been President of the San Diego County Young Democrats since 2021. She is also former President of the University City Democrats and has been a California Democratic Party delegate since 2019. From 2021-2023, Codi served as Director of Clubs. She was elected Metro West Area Vice Chair after serving as Pro Tem.
Hugh McGrane, North Coastal Area Vice Chair (Email) Hugh McGrane was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, raised in Carlsbad, and now calls Oceanside home. His passion for politics ignited straight out of high school when he volunteered for Francine Busby’s 2005 congressional campaign. Since then, he has played a key role in numerous campaigns across San Diego County, bringing nearly two decades of field experience to the Democratic movement. In 2021, he expanded his service to the party by joining the Ethics Committee, where he most recently served as Vice Chair, advocating for integrity and accountability in Democratic leadership. Committed to equity, transparency, and grassroots activism, Hugh believes in building a party that fights for working families, social justice, and inclusive democracy. Ryan Darsey, Secretary (Email) Ryan, a lifelong San Diego resident, has dedicated over half his life to advocating for the Democratic Party and electing Democrats across all levels of government. He has taken on numerous leadership positions throughout his journey, currently serving as Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party LGBTQ Caucus and Vice President of both the San Diego Democrats for Equality and San Diego County Young Democrats. Ryan is a firm believer that our party's strength lies in unity and a collective commitment to uplifting the working class while passionately advocating for our core values.
Melinda Vásquez, Controller (Email) Melinda Vásquez, Esq. has lived in San Diego, CA since 1986. As a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, Humboldt State University, and Thomas Jefferson Law School, she has remained in the Rancho Penasquitos Community. She began volunteering in 2008 with the Obama 2008 campaign, Voices for Children (2008), Delegate to the California State Party (since 2011), Rancho Penasquitos Town Council (2013-2017), Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board (2013-2017), and was a founding member of the Rancho Penasquitos Democratic Club (2013-present). Additionally, Melinda Vásquez was first elected as a member to the San Diego County Democratic Party in 2013. During her tenure she has served as a member of the Administration Committee from 2013-2017 and 2019-2021, the Vice-Chair for the North Area (2017-2019), until being elected to serve as the party's Controller in 2021.
Kelvin Barrios, Director of Administration (Email) Kelvin Barrios is a dedicated advocate for working families and community empowerment. His passion for civic engagement began at a young age, leading him to serve as a Policy Advisor and Community Representative for a San Diego City Council member. Currently, he is the Political and Government Affairs Director for Laborers Local 89, where he fights for labor rights and policies that support working San Diegans. Kelvin has held numerous leadership roles, including Club President, Political Director for the California Young Democrats (CYD), Co-Chair of the Legislation Committee of the California Democratic Party (CDP), and Chair Pro Tempore of the San Diego County Democratic Party (SDCDP). He has also served as Vice Chair of his local planning group and town council, ensuring that community voices are heard. As Director of Administration, Kelvin continues to strengthen the Democratic movement, cultivate leadership, and advocate for policies that benefit all working people.
Indroneal Banerjee, Director of Clubs (Email) Dr. Indroneal Banerjee is a molecular biologist with extensive experience in research and the biotech industry. Raised in Columbia, SC and San Jose, CA, he earned a BA in English and a BS in Molecular Biology from San Jose State University, followed by a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Banerjee has worked and published at top research institutions including NASA Ames, USC School of Medicine, and UCSD School of Medicine (28 papers, 30+ conference presentations). Since 2015, he has been active in the biotech sector. A dedicated community leader, Dr. Banerjee has served as President of the AAPI Democratic Club of San Diego since 2021 and was named San Diego Vice Chair to the CADEM AAPI Caucus in 2022. He is also Treasurer of the Clairemont Democratic Club, a CADEM delegate, and an elected member of the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee.
Pete Babich, Director of Grassroots Organizing (Email) Pete Babich has always been a reliable Democratic voter, but the election of George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq motivated him to become more involved with politics. He joined the North-Central Democratic Club and served as Membership Chair. In 2005, he was the prime mover to form the Poway Democratic Club and has been the club president or a member of the board every year since. Pete walked his first precinct in 2002 and has walked multiple precincts in every election since. He’s been the Poway GO Team Community Coordinator since 2005 and served on the GO Team Board as North-Inland Region Coordinator and Data Coordinator since 2020. He was elected GO Team Director in 2022 and reelected in 2024.Pete is a seven-year Navy veteran who served in submarines. Pete holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. He worked at Hewlett-Packard for seventeen years, starting as a product designer and ending up as a senior manager for HP’s worldwide, color, inkjet printer business. He then ran his own business for twenty-three years developing and selling business planning software to small and mid-size organizations.
Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, Past Chair (Email) Will Rodriguez-Kennedy moved to San Diego by way of the United States Marine Corps in 2008. A dedicated public servant, Will serves as the Defense and Veteran Affairs Field Representative in the Office of Congressman Scott Peters, as President of the County Civil Service Commission, and Vice Chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. Will is the Immediate Past Chair of our County Party. He was Chair from 2019 - 2022 where he led the effort to take the majority of the Board of Supervisors flipping San Diego County blue for the first time in history. Under his leadership the Party grew by over 160,000 members while the other party trailed county-wide and in 15 of the counties’ 18 cites. His previous roles include the presidencies of the California Young Democrats and the San Diego Democrats for Equality. He also served as member of the Democratic National Committee.