Youth-focused workforce development nonprofit honors San Diego leaders for excellence in business, education, and philanthropy
Pictured left to right: JA San Diego President & CEO Sidd Vivek, Cox Communications Senior Vice President Sam Attisha, Wilson Kosmo Turner Partner Emeritus Vickie Turner, Girard Foundation Founder Buzz Woolley, and JA Fellows Alum Diana Montes | Photo by Paul Nestor
Oct. 8, 2024 (San Diego, CA) — Junior Achievement of San Diego County (JA San Diego) inducted Sam Attisha, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Cox Communications; Vickie Turner, retired partner of Wilson Turner Kosmo; and Buzz Woolley, founder of the Girard Foundation into the San Diego Business Hall of Fame.
“JA San Diego is thrilled to recognize these three individuals for their leadership in the business community and their commitment, through their philanthropy, to making the San Diego region a thriving community”, said Sidd Vivek, President and CEO of JA San Diego.
Established in 1986, the San Diego Business Hall of Fame recognizes individuals in the community who embody business and philanthropic excellence. The 2024 honorees have lead and supported community organizations and initiatives that aim to uplift the San Diego region.
Sam Attisha, Senior Vice President & Regional Manager of Cox Communications
As West Region Senior Vice President and Regional Manager at Cox Communications, Sam Attisha is an advocate in our community who has demonstrated a commitment to digital equity and to making San Diego a “tech-forward” region. Under Attisha’s leadership over the past 17 years, Cox has invested millions of dollars into local nonprofit organizations, including JA San Diego, as a founding member and longstanding supporter of JA Biztown, as well as an integral supporter of the expansion of the JA Fellows youth workforce development program. Attisha also has played a key role in securing grant funds for the larger community, including, most recently, the Chicano Federation, to aid victims of the historic January 2024 flooding. Attisha currently serves on the management council for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors for CalBroadband, the San Diego Tourism Authority, and Monarch School. He has previously served on the board of the USS Midway Museum and Make-A-Wish San Diego.
Vickie Turner, Partner Emeritus of Wilson Turner Kosmo
Turner was pivotal to the growth and development of Wilson Turner Kosmo, the largest certified female-owned law firm in San Diego and recognized as a “Go To” Law firm for Fortune 100 companies. In addition to remaining Partner Emeritus, she has served on numerous boards and committees of organizations including Endeavor Bank, National Bar Institute, the UC San Diego Foundation Trustees Board, Ford Motor Company, and USD School of Law Board of Visitors. Turner is co-founder and Chair of the Links to STEM program which has positively impacted the lives of students over its 10-year history and enhanced the pipeline of students prepared to succeed in STEM majors and careers. She was recognized as one of the Most Influential Black Lawyers in America and Woman of the Year for the 79th California State Assembly.
Buzz Woolley, Venture Capitalist & Founder of Girard Foundation
A venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Woolley began his career at IBM before starting Girard Capital, one of the first venture capital firms in San Diego. Throughout his career, Woolley has founded innovative organizations including the Girard Foundation (supports K-12 education in San Diego County), CONNECT (connected high-tech companies with UC San Diego researchers, financial sources, and service providers), Voice of San Diego (one of the first non-profit local media outlets), and the Charter Growth Fund (an early backer of charter schools). Woolley has also served on the board of Claremont McKenna College, Ed Voice, and numerous advisory boards at UC San Diego.
About Junior Achievement of San Diego
Junior Achievement of San Diego County (JA San Diego) has been inspiring and equipping San Diego youth to achieve economic success by planning for their futures and making informed academic and career choices since 1950. By deploying proven, experiential programs like BizTown program, JA also reaches more than 30,000 students annually through programs such as the McGrath Family JA BizTown, Mission Fed JA Finance Park, and the JA Fellows program which help students build financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship skills. Annually, more than 3,000 volunteers serve as role models and enable JA to deliver experiential programs to students in 36 county school districts.
Media Contact
Catherine Van Weele
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
cvanweele@jasandiego.org
(619) 906-4909
2024 Business Hall of Fame Photo Gallery | Photos by Paul Nestor