The Revolving Door

How San Diego's regulators became its lobbyists — and came back as appointees (2005-2025)

A dossier on the turnstile between San Diego's regulatory bodies and the industries they oversee, told through three exemplars: Marcela Escobar-Eck (Development Services Director -> Atlantis Group), Gil Cabrera (Ethics Commission Chair -> Airport Authority Chair + Gloria's money machine), and Frank Urtasun (Sempra/SDG&E VP + Housing Commission/Downtown chair -> Regional Strategies Group -> Port Commissioner).