Mark Cafferty has a big job. He leads the San Diego Regional EDC, the engine that helps businesses solve problems and grow our local economy. He also is a devoted husband (his wife Charlene is a physician) and a father to two boys who lead active lives.

Kids ground us, Mark says, and even if he’s working on a deal to bring a new airline to the San Diego Airport, nothing matters more than getting his son to his baseball practice. Tony and Juan unpack all that and more with Mark, who grew up in Boston, where he was surrounded by strong women role models throughout his family, and some tough neighborhood kids who always seemed to have his back. They helped shape him, as did his parents.

His leadership style? He’s too modest to shine a bright light on it, but he points to making people feel

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