Darren Gretler joined the County 20 years ago and is Chief of Staff to Supervisor Jim Desmond. 

Before joining Supervisor Desmond’s staff, Darren was Chief of Staff to Supervisor Bill Horn after serving as Assistant Director for the Department of Planning & Development Services (PDS) from 2012-2016. He also had a unique temporary reassignment to Office of Emergency Services to serve as the Recovery Manager for the May 2014 Wildfires. He has previously served as Chief, Building Division in PDS and Chief of Private Development Review in Department of Public Works.  He began his County career as a policy advisor to Supervisor Dianne Jacob. 

Darren has a B.A. in Communication from University of California, San Diego and a Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University.

A native San Diegan, Darren is a former school board member of the Del Mar Union School District, serves on the Torrey Hills Community Planning Board, the Del Mar Schools Educational Foundation Board, and coaches his kids’ teams in baseball, basketball and football.

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Miles comes to us from KFMB-TV & Radio, where he worked for the past five years. His dad was a beloved TV reporter in San Diego for over 35 years. Miles is a native San Diegan, who started a Foundation in memory of his father. The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation helps those in need in San Diego. He’s also the host of the Carols by Candlelight annual concert, which benefits Rady Children’s Hospital.

Miles was recently named as a 40 under 40 awardee for his work in the community and has been featured on CNN Headline News for various stories in San Diego.

In his free time, Miles loves traveling, spending time with friends/family and with his retired racehorse!

If you’re a member of the media, contact Miles who will assist to coordinate.

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Donna graduated from San Dieguito High School and San Diego State University. Since the late 80’s, she has worked with elected officials at every level of government.  In the private sector, she developed and implemented communication and outreach strategies to inform and engage constituents on a variety of issues such as Medi-Care Part D, the “Stand for Less” reduce and reuse campaign, the Green Build at San Diego International Airport, Joint Strike Fighter Alternate Engine and opposition to Offshore Oil Drilling along California’s coastline.  

Additionally, Donna has previously served on staff for two members of Congress, a retired member for the County Board of Supervisors, three members of the San Diego City Council and two State Senators.  Her responsibilities included organizing San Diego elected and law enforcement communities to prepare policy to deter production of  Crystal Methamphetamine in San Diego and contributed language in the Omnibus Drug Act, battling state agencies to get appropriate signage for Miramar National Cemetery,  organizing large informational seminars for parents to protect their children from online predators, Foster Child Awareness Month with the cast of the T.V. show the Fosters and the first “Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign” at the City of San Diego.  

As a resident of Carlsbad and a mother of three.  Her two sons have graduated from the University of San Diego and her daughter is an up and coming fashion she designer.  

If you have questions regarding Health & Human Services which includes Behavioral Health Services, Eligibility Benefits, Aging and Independent Services, Child Welfare Services or Public Safety which includes Fire, Child Support Services, EMS, Medical Examiner, Office of Emergency Services, Probation, Public Defender, District Attorney of  Sheriff’s Department please contact Donna.

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Hunter McDonald was born on Camp Pendleton, but grew up in a small town in Minnesota where he played football, ice fished and hunted waterfowl and deer. After graduating high school he joined the
United States Marine Corps which brought him back to San Diego, where he met his wife, obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in sustainability and began a career in Land Use Planning.

Before joining Supervisor Desmond’s team, he spent 4 ½ years at Planning & Development Services (PDS) with the County of San Diego. During his time at PDS he rose through the ranks from Land Use
Aide to Land Use/Environmental Planner 2 processing both large and small private discretionary projects including, but not limited to residential subdivisions, commercial gas stations, drive-thru restaurants and grocery stores, sand mine expansions, apartment complexes, wireless telecommunications facilities and lot line adjustments. In addition, he drafted numerous California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents including 15183 Checklists, Addendums to Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and Categorical Exemptions.

In his free time he loves to spend time out in nature, running and training for races and hanging out with his beautiful wife and baby daughter.

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Kristal Jabara is a native of North San Diego County, raised in Carlsbad she graduated college from Point Loma Nazarene University, and currently resides in San Marcos.    Serving on the San Marcos City Council for eight years, she is a supporter of the community voice.  Most recently, Kristal worked for the City of San Marcos in their Real Property Services Division.

For two years she served as the League of California Cities, San Diego Division, Board President, was a San Marcos Planning Commissioner, San Marcos Economic Development Council President, commissioner for the San Marcos Budget Review Committee, and volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club.

Kristal is married with one daughter who attends college in Southern California.  She enjoys hiking the trails in North County, going to the beach, and the incredible restaurants and entertainment venues North San Diego County has to offer.

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Candyce Yee was born and raised in Hawaii. Continuing with her goal of never leaving a state without palm trees, beaches, and beautiful weather she graduated college at UC San Diego. Candyce began her career working for former County Supervisor Bill Horn and has enjoyed helping the residents of District 5 for over 13 years. She has served as a guest speaker on panels to help businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community gain a better knowledge of successfully navigating the world of government grants. In her free time… who are we kidding between a young daughter and a husky who thinks she’s a human, Candyce doesn’t have much free time on her hands. However, she wouldn’t trade it for the world and loves being able to be involved in helping raise such an incredible daughter.

If you have questions regarding the Small Business Stimulus Program, Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, or Community Enhancement, contact Candyce. You will run into her at meetings and events around North County.

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Patty Carranza is Supervisor Desmond’s Executive Assistant and Director of Constituent Services. She manages Supervisor Desmond’s calendar, office correspondence, and constituent concerns. She’s been with the County for 17 years, previously working for various other County Departments and Supervisor Bill Horn.  She’s a native San Diegan currently living in La Mesa. 

If you would like to schedule a meeting with Supervisor Desmond or have a concern in your neighborhood, contact Patty. 

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Shaina Richardson is native to San Diego. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a teaching credential from San Diego State University. After college, Shaina spent five years as an elementary school teacher because of her passion for making a difference in others’ lives. In 2017, she decided to change careers because she wanted to make a positive impact on her community in a different way. Shaina started working for the County in February of 2018 and is excited to be a part of Supervisor Desmond’s team. She is passionate about people and public service.  In her free time, she loves to travel, exercise, scuba diving, and spend time with her friends and family.”

If you have questions regarding animal services, general services, libraries, military affairs or our revitalization meetings, contact Shaina.

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Marisol Edrozo serves as a Community Liaison and Policy Aide for Supervisor Desmond. She started her career with the County of San Diego in April of 1999 serving under former County Supervisor Bill Horn for 19+ years. Marisol is currently working toward her B.A. in Public Administration at San Diego State University.

A Native San Diegan, Marisol grew up and is now raising her 3 beautiful girls in East County. Outside of work you can find her cheering on her children at one of their many sporting events.

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Adrienne Cisneros-Selekman serves as a Community Liaison for Supervisor Jim Desmond in the North County communities known as Supervisorial District 5. Her new position involves reporting and attending chamber, governmental affairs, community planning groups and association meetings.   Cisneros-Selekman handles the coordination of community street fairs, festivals, and special events as well as represents the Supervisor on community activities such as dedications, proclamations, and commendation presentations.   Her responsibilities include the unincorporated north county communities and tribal governments.

Prior to her returning home to San Diego, she served in two White House Administrations as a Presidential Political Appointee. Her appointments included the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration; served as a Confidential Assistant and the U. S. Department of Energy, Small Business Office; served as Associate Director.  Cisneros-Selekman was sworn in as a Senior Executive Service (SES) Member, which is the highest level a civilian can serve in the Federal Government.  She also served as a White House Advance member, traveling domestically and internationally with the Presidents and Vice Presidents, planning White House events, and managing the White House Press including the foreign press.      

Cisneros-Selekman is a seasoned professional in public relations and public/governmental affairs.  Past positions included VP of Media Relations for Shandwick Weber Powell/Tate a leading global public affairs company, Washington DC; Western Advance Manager, the “Torch Run”, Atlanta Committee for Olympic Games, Atlanta, GA; and Senor Administrator, IBM Marketing Branch Office, Los Angeles, CA.  She is a graduate of Whittier College, and majored in Business Administration.    

Adrienne loves working with an educational non-profit, helping at-risk elementary school students.  She is super active in golfing, biking, playing the piano, and running with her German Shepard “Sheba”.  She resides in North County with her husband George, who is active in their Catholic church and Knights of Columbus golf tournaments. 

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