Our Mission
We stand for Downtown San Rafael businesses. Supporting San Rafael's downtown is the BID's only job. Join us as we build community, advocate for our member businesses, and promote the eclectic retail, restaurant, arts and professional companies that call downtown home.
Download our Downtown Toolkit:
Resources and Support for your experience downtown.
GET INVOLVED!
The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District is looking for engaged, passionate BID Members who are interested in serving on the BID Board of Directors and/or on a Committee. If having your finger on the pulse of the community and creating new ideas and initiatives for downtown sounds like something you’d like to be involved in, get more information and an application here.
Please contact Eda Lochte, Executive Director of Downtown San Rafael BID by phone 415-849-1874, email director@downtownsanrafael.org, or fill out the form below.
Board & Staff
Board of Directors
President, Social Media Director, Block Captain:
Erika Bowker, Pleasures of the Heart
Vice-President:
Adam Dawson, Mike's Bikes
Secretary, Meet Your Neighbors Co-Editor:
Bonnie Ayers Namkung, Bonnie Ayers Namkung Marketing Communications
Events Chair, Past President:
Jaime Ortiz, Bank of Marin
Treasurer:
Jed Greene, Five Corners Consulting Group, LLC
Board Member, Block Captain:
Jeff Brusati, T&B Sports
OUR BID MVP - A huge thank you to our outgoing president, Jaime Ortiz, from Bank of Marin.
Jaime has served as BID President for the past three years, creating a cohesive, cooperative and effective organization. He did it while also being an active in the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber, and several more organizations. We salute him and his inspiring energy!
As well as being a great leader and Downtown San Rafael advocate, Jaime is our Event Guru, always willing to volunteer and help produce community events. He takes on a multitude of tasks, from finding sponsors and volunteers to hauling event materials in his own truck, assembling them, then working all day and taking them down when everything wraps.
His smiling face can be seen serving drinks for many local organizations and on the road with his VW and biking crews.
Luckily, Jaime has promised to stay active on the BID Board as Past President and Events Chair. He will be a great mentor for our incoming President, Erika Bowker.
Along with our signature events, Jamie's lasting legacy will be seen in the beautiful overhead Tivoli criss-cross lights and the “art style” bike racks coming soon to Fourth Street.
Thank you, Jaime, for being the MVP of the BID!
New Board Members
Board Member: Tobi Lessem, Bodywise Massage, Inc
Tobi Lessem is a massage therapist and business owner in downtown San Rafael. She is passionate about helping others become the best versions of themselves whether through entrepreneurship, body work, athleticism, or volunteerism. She is a devoted rower with the Marin Rowing Association and a big believer in Toastmasters as a way of building confidence while in community. As a Marin resident and Bay Area native, she is committed to bringing healing into all sectors and demographics in our county and beyond. You can find her most of the time at Bodywise Massage, Inc.
Board Member: Morgan Schauffler, Youth in Arts
Morgan Schauffler is the Development Associate at San Rafael educational nonprofit Youth in Arts, where she oversees fundraising and manages the in-house gallery. She was born and raised in Marin and has been a proud San Rafael resident since 2012. Prior to Youth in Arts, Morgan was in fine art sales for over a decade. When not working she can be found hiking the hills of Marin with her husband, two young sons, and Milo Foundation mutt.
Board Member: Elisabeth Setten, Artworks Downtown
Elisabeth Setten, is the Executive Director at Art Works Downtown, located in the heart of downtown San Rafael. Art Works Downtown brings together everything our community needs to support the creative process – from low-income housing to affordable studio space, visual art exhibitions, and events such as the monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk. A San Francisco native, Elisabeth has called Marin County her home for more than 20 years. Elisabeth’s background is in real estate development, advertising and marketing, and visual arts programming. When asked to share her favorite piece of advice, Elisabeth shared, “There is strength in community. The best thing we’ve done here in San Rafael is come together collaboratively instead of trying to work independently. Listen to the different voices in your community, and take the time to truly represent those voices thoughtfully."
Staff
Meetings & Agendas
BID members, you're invited!
Come to our standing board meetings. Find out what's happening and share your thoughts!
Monthly BID Board meetings
3rd Thursdays, 8 - 9 am
Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 817 Mission, San Rafael