Menu

About

Our Mission

The San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) was founded in 2004 as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization with a mission to support and promote the mutual business and other interests of the military, their quality of life, and the defense community in the San Diego area. SDMAC advocates on behalf of our military, those who serve or have served, and their families throughout the greater San Diego region.

Our Vision

SDMAC’s vision is to create an exemplary model of military-civilian partnership, where the San Diego community and the military are seamlessly integrated, mutually supportive, and thriving together, exemplifying the ideal military-civilian partnership for the rest of the nation to emulate.

Our Leaders

The San Diego Military Advisory Council’s (SDMAC) success is the unique collaboration between our SDMAC Staff, an engaged Board of Directors, and an incredibly supportive community of members.

Meet Leadership
Our Events

Our signature events are the SDMAC monthly breakfasts, which take place on the third Wednesday of every month and feature prominent speakers from the Department of Defense, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. These events provide both the opportunity to hear firsthand knowledge from military leadership and to network with more than 300 military and civilian business leaders of the San Diego community. SDMAC also hosts an annual Achievement Awards ceremony to honor those who show exemplary service to our military community.

Explore Events
Our Reports

SDMAC produces an annual Military Economic Impact Report (MEIR), in partnership with UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management. The report highlights specific data on the positive financial impact of military spending in the greater San Diego region through federal defense budgets, veterans benefits, and employment impacts, amplified through the draw of defense contractors and defense development projects in our area.

Read Reports

Our History

Since 2004, SDMAC has filled a vital role advancing the partnership and communication between the military, elected and appointed officials, and business leadership in the San Diego region. SDMAC was founded to establish a much-needed free exchange of information between our local military, elected officials, and the business community. The six original founders came from a variety of backgrounds including the San Diego Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, the local business community, legal profession, and retired Navy and Marine Corps officers.

In the early years, our local military bases were facing encroachment issues including a proposed relocation of the San Diego commercial airport to the Miramar Air Station. SDMAC supported our Military leaders by meeting with elected officials and educating the civilian community about the challenges and safety concerns of sharing air space. After being at the forefront of the San Diego Regional Airport Site Selection initiative, SDMAC became a leader in explaining the impacts from the Congressionally-authorized Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, helping our region benefit from the process while protecting our most valuable installations. SDMAC also assumed a leading role in protecting the strategic role of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. More recently, SDMAC is currently working to support the NAVWAR Headquarters redevelopment project, working to improve employment opportunities for military spouses in California through temporary work licensing, and strengthening our relationships with elected officials at every level.

Contact SDMAC

Gallery