Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Council less than 72 hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection online and at City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, and placed with other agendarelated materials on the table in front of the Council Chamber prior to the meeting. Sign Language interpreters may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing [email protected] or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. To request Spanish language interpretation, please submit an online form at https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/request-for-interpretation/.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Special Meeting
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.
City Hall, Third Floor Conference Room & Virtual
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Virtual Participation:
Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/spcc-2026-09-08
Phone: +1 (669) 444-9171
ID: 819-5958-8679#
Members of the public may speak on Agenda Items.
1. Board, Commission and Committee Interviews
Interview Applicants and Make Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to October 2027 and the Planning Commission for District 3 to October 2030 (CC)
Recommended Action – Interview applicants and make appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to the end of October 2027 and the Planning Commission for District 3 to the end of October 2030; including alternate members as needed
ADJOURNMENT:
Cualquier documento relacionado con un punto del orden del día, recibido por la mayoría o más de los miembros del Consejo menos de 72 horas antes de la sesión, estará disponible para su consulta en línea y en el Municipio, ubicado en 1400 Fifth Avenue, y se colocará junto con el resto de los materiales relacionados con el orden del día sobre la mesa frente a la sala del Consejo antes de la sesión. Se pueden solicitar intérpretes de lengua de señas llamando al (415) 485-3066 (voz), enviando un correo electrónico a [email protected] o utilizando el Servicio de Retransmisión de Telecomunicaciones de California marcando el 711, con al menos 72 horas de anticipación a la reunión. Se ofrecen copias de los documentos en formatos accesibles a solicitud.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
Sesión especial
Martes, 8 de septiembre de 2026
A las 4:45 P.M.
San Rafael Council Chambers y en línea
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Participación virtual:
Seminario web: https://tinyurl.com/spcc-2026-09-08
Teléfono: +1 (669) 444-9171
ID: 819-5958-8679#
Los ciudadanos pueden opinar sobre los puntos del orden del día.
1. Entrevistas a miembros de juntas, comisiones y comités Entrevistar a los candidatos y nombrarlos para el Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee hasta octubre de 2027 y para la Planning Commission for District 3 hasta octubre de 2030 (CC)
Medida recomendada: Entrevistar a los candidatos y nombrar a los miembros del Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee hasta finales de octubre de 2027 y de la Planning Commission for District 3 hasta finales de octubre de 2030; incluyendo a los miembros suplentes según sea necesario
CONCLUSIÓN DE LA SESIÓN;
____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
Agenda Item No: SM 1
Meeting Date: September 8, 2026
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: City Clerk’s Office
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: BOARD, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW APPLICANTS AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO OCTOBER 2027 AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR DISTRICT 3 TO OCTOBER 2030
RECOMMENDATION:
Interview applicants and make appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to the end of October 2027 and the Planning Commission for District 3 to the end of October 2030; including alternate members as needed.
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Rafael actively recruits community members to serve on its boards, commissions, and committees to ensure broad representation and public input in City policy and decision-making.
Vacancies occur periodically due to term expirations, resignations, or newly created positions. The following members have resigned:
Anabel Vicente, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (to expire 10/2027) Jon Haveman, Planning Commission District 3 (set to expire 10/2026) The City Clerk’s Office conducts outreach for each vacancy through the City’s website, social media channels, email subscription lists, and MarinIJ. Interested residents submit an application, which is reviewed and scheduled for interviews by the City Council.
The following vacancies were recently advertised:
Body Number of Seats Term Expiration
Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee 1 10/2027
Planning Commission, District 3 1 10/2026
All applications received by the filing deadline were provided to the City Council in advance of this meeting.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ANALYSIS:
Staff recommend the City Council interview applicants and make appointments to one unexpired term on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and one term on the Planning Commission, District 3.
The Planning Commission District 3 seat is an unexpired term to the end of October 2026, but staff recommend appointing an applicant to the end of October 2030 due to the end of the unexpired term being so close to the date of interviews and appointment.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee:
The term of Anabel Vicente was set to expire at the end of October 2027; however, she voluntarily resigned from the Committee. Six applications were received for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; however, one applicant withdrew, and two applicants never responded to Staff to schedule interviews and confirm interest in serving. Staff recommend interviewing the following applicants:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Robert Mittelstaedt
Justin Fritz
Tim Widnes
Planning Commission
The term of Jon Haveman was set to expire at the end of October 2026 as the Planning Commission’s District 3 Representative; however, staff recommend appointing an applicant to the end of October 2030 due to the proximity of the October 2026 expiration. The City Clerk’s office received four applications for the Planning Commission District 3 seat during the recruitment period; however, two applicants withdrew.
Staff recommend interviewing the following applicants:
District 3
Justin Fritz
Alyssa Mele
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The recruitment process was publicly noticed on the City’s website, through social media, in the City Manager’s newsletter, and Marin IJ. Outreach was also extended to community partners and stakeholder groups to encourage broad participation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Make appointments to each legislative body following the interview; including alternate members as needed.
2. Direct the City Clerk’s office to continue recruitment for certain Boards, Commissions and Committees.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Interview applicants and make appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to the end of October 2027 and the Planning Commission for District 3 to the end of October 2030; including alternate members as needed.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee applications (three)
2. Planning Commission District 3 applications (two)
3. Resignation Letters
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Justin Fritz
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
11 years
Q4
Business Information
Respondent skipped this question
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
City website
#8
COMPLETE
Collector: o o W Web Link 1 (W Web Link)
SStarted: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 7:18:48 AM u d y 8 8 A Last Modified: Mo Tuesday, March 17, 2026 8:30:44 AM u d y 8 3 A Time Spent: 01:11:56
IP Address: P A 23.93.49.152 3 93 9
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,
Planning Commission,
Voter Approved Tax Oversight Committee
Q17
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Not yet
Q18
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
n/a
Q19
Education:
BS Business Administration
Q20
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I’ve lived in San Rafael for over 11 years and truly love the location and access to the outdoors. At the same time, I feel the city has far more potential than it’s currently realizing. I’d like to contribute my perspective and energy to help make San Rafael a more vibrant and thriving community.
Q21
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q22
Upload your resume.
Justin%20Fritz%20Resume%20(2026).pdf (122.6KB)
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q23
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q24
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q25
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Justin Fritz
| San Rafael, California
Professional Profile
Customer-centric leader with over 15 years of experience in CRM, integrated marketing, and operations, specializing in developing comprehensive strategies that deepen engagement and drive substantial business impact. I am passionate about nurturing high-performing teams and contributing to mission-driven companies.
Experience
The Athletic, a New York Times Company — Remote
Director, CRM July 2024 — Present
Lead CRM and lifecycle marketing for The Athletic, overseeing newsletters, push notifications, and in-product messaging that drive engagement across millions of readers. Lead strategy and a cross-functional team focused on growing weekly active users while helping define and build internal tools that power audience messaging at scale.
Dear Gabby, Inc. — Remote
Vice President, Marketing Oct 2024 — July 2025
Led marketing for Gabby Bernstein, a 10x New York Times bestselling author with a multi-product business spanning a top podcast, live events, digital courses, and a paid subscriber app. Oversaw growth across CRM, paid media, membership, and product launches while managing agencies and the in-house marketing team. ● Drove the most profitable launch of the 21-day Manifesting Challenge digital course, increasing app subscribers by 20% and delivering immediate ROAS-positive performance. ● Led integrated marketing for Gabby’s latest book launch, contributing to its return to the New York Times bestseller list through coordinated email, app, and paid media campaigns.
The Dispatch — Remote
Head of Business Operations and Marketing Jul 2022 — July 2024 Vice President, Marketing Nov 2021 — July 2022
Led all business operations, overseeing integrated marketing, community engagement, product development, business development, and finance functions. Develop and execute strategic goals, aligning with revenue forecasting and performance analysis to drive sustainable growth. Foster successful collaboration across executive leadership, internal teams, and external partners, managing four direct reports and eight additional agencies and contractors. ● Successfully led a business-critical migration from Substack to a self-managed tech stack, driving strategy from ideation to launch while aligning editorial and business leadership. ● Managed the annual forecast and budget, routinely tracking and reporting progress against goals; co-led bimonthly board meetings to share commercial insights and shape strategic direction. ● Scaled social media performance marketing teams, driving an 82% increase in registered users, while enhancing audio revenue through key hires, platform upgrades, new shows, and internalized ad sales. ● Established and streamlined internal GTM processes, enabling high-impact launches including a weekly broadcast show, multiple newsletters, and exclusive private podcasts. ● Increased paid subscriptions by 32% through product enhancements, targeted email campaigns, in-product upgrades, and promotional testing; implemented dashboards and KPIs to support a data-first growth approach.
The Athletic — San Francisco, CA
Director, CRM May 2018 — Nov 2021
Led The Athletic’s efforts to convert, engage and retain subscribers across email, in-product messaging, and push notifications. Set the global strategic vision and quarterly plans that focused the team on driving measurable impact to the core business. Shaped the technical roadmap for CRM systems, working with product and data teams to unlock tools and insights that optimized communications. Managed a team of 3 across the US and UK. ● Delivered 300K+ of The Athletic’s 1M subscriptions from 2018-21, exceeding targets in 11 consecutive quarters ● Drove the development of a new algorithm-driven digest which delivered 1.5M+ daily emails, personalized to each reader and accounting for 15% of annual article reads ● Implemented a churned subscriber win-back strategy accounting for over 50% of all re-subscribes ● Led the selection and integration of the Iterable CRM platform, guiding the RFP process, negotiating contracts, and driving the decision-making to elevate our marketing technology stack Uber — San Francisco, CA
Marketing Manager, CRM Oct 2016 — May 2018
Created multi-channel programs that increased rider usage and understanding of the Uber app, serving as the lead marketer and key decision maker. Managed the end-to-end development of new programs across data, creative, and deployment teams. Partnered closely with the Product Marketing organization to successfully launch new products. ● Developed an innovative new CRM program using real Driver quotes and a custom-built website, which successfully increased positive Driver ratings and future Rider trips ● Launched ExpressPOOL and a beta Casual Carpool product to Riders in San Francisco and DC, serving as the strategic marketer and customer communications expert
● Created an education platform called POOLSchool that addressed key issues with first-time POOL riders, successfully reducing future rider cancellations and increasing Driver sentiment Grove Collaborative — San Francisco, CA
Director of Consumer Marketing Feb 2016 — Oct 2016
Oversaw the customer lifecycle strategy, promotions, and key acquisition programs. Worked closely with merchants, influencers, supply teams, and external partners to orchestrate monthly growth campaigns.
● Rebuilt key acquisition programs leveraging detailed analysis and audience research to increase conversions ● Negotiated partnerships with businesses like Acure Organics, Preserve, and Seventh Generation Strava — San Francisco, CA
Email Marketing Manager Nov 2013 — Feb 2016
Managed all aspects of Strava’s email marketing program. Responsible for strategic planning, copywriting, coding, deploying, and analyzing key metrics. Partnered with internal teams to craft messaging for product launches and ensured ‘the athlete’ remained the primary focus of all communications.
● Revamped the Daily Kudos email, resulting in a 138% increase in traffic back to the Strava platform ● Managed the localization of all lifecycle programs and transactional messages into 14 languages ● Increased year-over-year opt-in rates for Strava’s marketing email channel by 10 percentage points Responsys (Oracle) — San Francisco, CA
Program Manager Feb 2013 — Nov 2013
Served as the primary relationship manager for external clients. Responsible for understanding client business objectives and project requirements, building timelines, managing budgets, and coordinating deployment. ● Partnered with major clients like Zinio and Harry and David to build strategic plans for leveraging Responsys and CRM to achieve key business goals
LivingSocial — Washington, DC
Product Manager, Email Feb 2011 — Dec 2012
Orchestrated the testing, optimization and analysis of over 50 million LivingSocial Daily Deal emails in 500+ markets worldwide. Product-managed improvements to the in-house email delivery and reporting systems. ● Distilled thousands of optimization learnings into a best-practices playbook for the deal-writing team ● Received “Make Strong Moves” company core value award CustomInk — McLean, VA
Direct Marketing Coordinator Aug 2010 — Feb 2011
Sales & Service Representative Aug 2009 — Aug 2010
Coordinated the development and delivery of multiple print and direct mail customer acquisition campaigns, including the company’s first digital and print catalog.
● Developed a new magazine remnant advertising strategy that achieved a 100% increase in impressions without raising year-over-year spend
● Exceeded regular performance targets with sales volumes in the top 10% of the department ● Nominated to receive an annual company core value award for exemplifying innovation Education
The University of North Carolina Wilmington — Wilmington, NC Bachelor of Science, Business Administration | Minor, Spanish Harvard Business School Executive Education — Online
Strategy and Leadership Certification
Personal
● Distance runner with multiple marathon and Ironman finishes, avid skier and hiker ● Home improvement and DIY hobbyist with an ever-growing list of projects Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido robert mittelstaedt Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94904
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 1/Southern / Distrito 1/Sur
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
23 years
Q4
Business Information
Company retired
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda
#114
COMPLETE
Collector: o o W Web Link 1 (W Web Link)
SStarted: Tuesday, April 08, 2025 3:39:18 PM u d y A 8 3 39 8 P Last Modified: Mo Tuesday, April 08, 2025 3:48:31 PM u d y A 8 3 8 3 P Time Spent: 00:09:12
IP Address: P A 69.181.240.51 9 8
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,
Fire Commission,
Marin Commission on Aging,
Park and Recreation Commission,
Planning Commission,
Police Advisory & Accountability Committee
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Yes. I've been active with the non-profit I co-founded, E-Bike Access, and have appeared before almost all city/town councils and school board to advocate for safe e-bikes. I was a member of the MMWD Citizen Advisory Committee on E-bikes; the Marin County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force; and the San Rafael Homelessness Solutions Working Group. I was also a Discovery Facilitator for the Marin County Superior Courts. And I coach the Tam High mock trial team.
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
See No. 7.
Q20
Education:
College and law school
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I was in private law practice for almost 50 years. As a retiree, I'm looking to give back to the community where I live. I've found community service to be fascinating and rewarding, and want to continue doing so.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q23
Upload your resume.
cv.pdf (25.6KB)
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Past officer of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights
Extensive travel in Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and USA References provided upon request.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Tim Widnes
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94903
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 4/Northern / Distrito 4/Norte
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
19 years
Q4
Business Information
Company Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Address 24724 Arnold Dr.
City/Town Sonoma
ZIP/Postal Code 95476
#86
COMPLETE
Collector: o o W Web Link 1 (W Web Link)
SStarted: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 4:23:43 PM u d y 3 3 P Last Modified: Mo Tuesday, September 10, 2024 4:32:12 PM u d y 3 P Time Spent: 00:08:28
IP Address: P A 67.170.211.225
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Manager's Newsletter
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? No
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
None
Q20
Education:
Some college
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? To make San Rafael better.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Alyssa Mele
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
8 years; 14 years Marin
Q4
Business Information
Company Salesforce
Address 415 Mission Street
City/Town San Francisco
ZIP/Postal Code 94105
#30
COMPLETE
Collector: o o W Web Link 1 (W Web Link)
SStarted: F d y u 9 3 3 P Friday, June 19, 2026 6:23:13 PM Last Modified: Mo F d y u 9 8 P Friday, June 19, 2026 6:47:28 PM Time Spent: 00:24:14
IP Address: P A 66.203.115.10 3
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Friend,
Other (please specify):
Jennifer Skinner
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission
Q17
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Donor and member of Friends of China Camp. Previously on the board of Urban Sprouts Q18
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Friends of China Camp
Q19
Education:
B.A. degree in Business Communications - Gonzaga University Q20
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I have been a San Rafael resident for 8 years and am very passionate about the potential of San Rafael. Being the county seat of Marin, only amplifies the potential impact of the decisions we make. In San Rafael we have the dual responsibility of protecting open space and developing downtown to attract businesses and residents that fuel the local economy. As part of the Planning Commission I can leverage my skills accumulated over 20+years in business and apply them to betterment and advancement of the city I intend to call home for the foreseeable future.
Q21
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
N/A
● Conducted long range planning: 5-year revenue and expense projections based on historical performance, market trends, and planned investments across sales, product, and customer success ● Led annual go to market strategy: optimal selling models globally, revenue, quota & capacity, territories.
Example: stood up Marketing Co-prime team and an inside sales team to scale SMB and low AOV ● Developed operational foundation and culture of accountability for sales execution and performance ● Instituted corporate strategic planning to balance investments across growth, margin, and impact objectives ● Led cross-functional initiatives in support of business strategy. Example: creating a self-service model for our free product to create a better customer experience and improve AE productivity LinkedIn, San Francisco, CA June 2018 to June 2019
Head of Sales Strategy and Operations
Led Sales Strategy for one of LinkedIn’s largest commercial offerings, acting as the COO to the Sales leaders – developing growth strategies and supporting the operational excellence of the sales business. ● Led annual planning to determine revenue targets, headcount, quota setting, territory definition ● Developed an operational foundation to revive a business and grow revenue 80% quarter over quarter ● Drove strategic initiatives involving marketing, insights, sales readiness, and sales development ● Defined go-to-market strategies leveraging partnerships and investing in new / whitespace verticals Alyssa Melé • Page 2
Deloitte Consulting LLP, San Francisco, CA September 2012 to June 2018 Manager – Strategy and Operations Consulting
Advised clients spanning early stage startup to global Fortune 500 to define and design business strategies, as well as embrace digital to drive growth and transform customer experiences. ● Delivered a market entry strategy focused on an innovative customer experience and digital platform projected to generate $1B in revenue in 5 years; defined where to play, how to win, how to configure, priority initiatives, business case, and execution roadmap ● Created business plan, economic model, roadmap, and partner pitch deck for early stage startup; modeled customer journey and prioritized functionality to define minimum viable product ● Supported the stand up of a new company focused on data and digital distribution; designed and delivered the first set of products to market. Company generated $100M in 3 years and was bought for a 1.3 multiple ● Led a business transformation for a Fortune 500 company to create an integrated workspace that synchronized people, process, and technology to deliver an improved user experience with an ability to scale ● Drove integration of front-office functions following an acquisition, inclusive of operating and change management plans for the transition period and timeline to operate business as usual CSAA Insurance Group, Walnut Creek, CA June 2009 to August 2012 Product Manager
Managed P&L for a $200M business, defining product strategy and roadmap while balancing growth, profitability, and customer experience. Led the design of the customer-centric processes of a $300M digital transformation. ● Analyzed product performance, competitive position, and industry trends to manage profitability, growth, and member experience
● Product lead on $300M new system integration project; defined business requirements and influenced design of an intuitive user interface
● Identified and executed operational enhancements to improve customer experience and profitability ● Served as the product expert within the company to support marketing, sales, and business development ● Led new product training across regional sales and partner offices Farmers Insurance Group, Los Angeles, CA June 2006 to June 2009 Product Development Manager
Managed the new product development lifecycle for new services and new channels: research, development, execution, training, and adoption.
● Developed and led projects and initiatives of $2M and cross-functional teams of 20+ ● Defined objectives, project scope, resources, timelines and deliverables in addition to product requirements ● Negotiated and set priorities to align products with business operations and sales goals ● Developed marketing strategies and designed marketing materials for new products Education
Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
B.A., Applied Communications and Business Administration 2004-2006*
Magna Cum Laude
*received 2 year A.A. degree through dual-enrollment in high school (2002-2004) University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA Project Management
Certificate 2008
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Justin Fritz
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
11 years
Q4
Business Information
Respondent skipped this question
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
City website
#8
COMPLETE
Collector: o o W Web Link 1 (W Web Link)
SStarted: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 7:18:48 AM u d y 8 8 A Last Modified: Mo Tuesday, March 17, 2026 8:30:44 AM u d y 8 3 A Time Spent: 01:11:56
IP Address: P A 23.93.49.152 3 93 9
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,
Planning Commission,
Voter Approved Tax Oversight Committee
Q17
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Not yet
Q18
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
n/a
Q19
Education:
BS Business Administration
Q20
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I’ve lived in San Rafael for over 11 years and truly love the location and access to the outdoors. At the same time, I feel the city has far more potential than it’s currently realizing. I’d like to contribute my perspective and energy to help make San Rafael a more vibrant and thriving community.
Q21
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q22
Upload your resume.
Justin%20Fritz%20Resume%20(2026).pdf (122.6KB)
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q23
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q24
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q25
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Justin Fritz
| San Rafael, California
Professional Profile
Customer-centric leader with over 15 years of experience in CRM, integrated marketing, and operations, specializing in developing comprehensive strategies that deepen engagement and drive substantial business impact. I am passionate about nurturing high-performing teams and contributing to mission-driven companies.
Experience
The Athletic, a New York Times Company — Remote
Director, CRM July 2024 — Present
Lead CRM and lifecycle marketing for The Athletic, overseeing newsletters, push notifications, and in-product messaging that drive engagement across millions of readers. Lead strategy and a cross-functional team focused on growing weekly active users while helping define and build internal tools that power audience messaging at scale.
Dear Gabby, Inc. — Remote
Vice President, Marketing Oct 2024 — July 2025
Led marketing for Gabby Bernstein, a 10x New York Times bestselling author with a multi-product business spanning a top podcast, live events, digital courses, and a paid subscriber app. Oversaw growth across CRM, paid media, membership, and product launches while managing agencies and the in-house marketing team. ● Drove the most profitable launch of the 21-day Manifesting Challenge digital course, increasing app subscribers by 20% and delivering immediate ROAS-positive performance. ● Led integrated marketing for Gabby’s latest book launch, contributing to its return to the New York Times bestseller list through coordinated email, app, and paid media campaigns.
The Dispatch — Remote
Head of Business Operations and Marketing Jul 2022 — July 2024 Vice President, Marketing Nov 2021 — July 2022
Led all business operations, overseeing integrated marketing, community engagement, product development, business development, and finance functions. Develop and execute strategic goals, aligning with revenue forecasting and performance analysis to drive sustainable growth. Foster successful collaboration across executive leadership, internal teams, and external partners, managing four direct reports and eight additional agencies and contractors. ● Successfully led a business-critical migration from Substack to a self-managed tech stack, driving strategy from ideation to launch while aligning editorial and business leadership. ● Managed the annual forecast and budget, routinely tracking and reporting progress against goals; co-led bimonthly board meetings to share commercial insights and shape strategic direction. ● Scaled social media performance marketing teams, driving an 82% increase in registered users, while enhancing audio revenue through key hires, platform upgrades, new shows, and internalized ad sales. ● Established and streamlined internal GTM processes, enabling high-impact launches including a weekly broadcast show, multiple newsletters, and exclusive private podcasts. ● Increased paid subscriptions by 32% through product enhancements, targeted email campaigns, in-product upgrades, and promotional testing; implemented dashboards and KPIs to support a data-first growth approach.
The Athletic — San Francisco, CA
Director, CRM May 2018 — Nov 2021
Led The Athletic’s efforts to convert, engage and retain subscribers across email, in-product messaging, and push notifications. Set the global strategic vision and quarterly plans that focused the team on driving measurable impact to the core business. Shaped the technical roadmap for CRM systems, working with product and data teams to unlock tools and insights that optimized communications. Managed a team of 3 across the US and UK. ● Delivered 300K+ of The Athletic’s 1M subscriptions from 2018-21, exceeding targets in 11 consecutive quarters ● Drove the development of a new algorithm-driven digest which delivered 1.5M+ daily emails, personalized to each reader and accounting for 15% of annual article reads ● Implemented a churned subscriber win-back strategy accounting for over 50% of all re-subscribes ● Led the selection and integration of the Iterable CRM platform, guiding the RFP process, negotiating contracts, and driving the decision-making to elevate our marketing technology stack Uber — San Francisco, CA
Marketing Manager, CRM Oct 2016 — May 2018
Created multi-channel programs that increased rider usage and understanding of the Uber app, serving as the lead marketer and key decision maker. Managed the end-to-end development of new programs across data, creative, and deployment teams. Partnered closely with the Product Marketing organization to successfully launch new products. ● Developed an innovative new CRM program using real Driver quotes and a custom-built website, which successfully increased positive Driver ratings and future Rider trips ● Launched ExpressPOOL and a beta Casual Carpool product to Riders in San Francisco and DC, serving as the strategic marketer and customer communications expert
● Created an education platform called POOLSchool that addressed key issues with first-time POOL riders, successfully reducing future rider cancellations and increasing Driver sentiment Grove Collaborative — San Francisco, CA
Director of Consumer Marketing Feb 2016 — Oct 2016
Oversaw the customer lifecycle strategy, promotions, and key acquisition programs. Worked closely with merchants, influencers, supply teams, and external partners to orchestrate monthly growth campaigns.
● Rebuilt key acquisition programs leveraging detailed analysis and audience research to increase conversions ● Negotiated partnerships with businesses like Acure Organics, Preserve, and Seventh Generation Strava — San Francisco, CA
Email Marketing Manager Nov 2013 — Feb 2016
Managed all aspects of Strava’s email marketing program. Responsible for strategic planning, copywriting, coding, deploying, and analyzing key metrics. Partnered with internal teams to craft messaging for product launches and ensured ‘the athlete’ remained the primary focus of all communications.
● Revamped the Daily Kudos email, resulting in a 138% increase in traffic back to the Strava platform ● Managed the localization of all lifecycle programs and transactional messages into 14 languages ● Increased year-over-year opt-in rates for Strava’s marketing email channel by 10 percentage points Responsys (Oracle) — San Francisco, CA
Program Manager Feb 2013 — Nov 2013
Served as the primary relationship manager for external clients. Responsible for understanding client business objectives and project requirements, building timelines, managing budgets, and coordinating deployment. ● Partnered with major clients like Zinio and Harry and David to build strategic plans for leveraging Responsys and CRM to achieve key business goals
LivingSocial — Washington, DC
Product Manager, Email Feb 2011 — Dec 2012
Orchestrated the testing, optimization and analysis of over 50 million LivingSocial Daily Deal emails in 500+ markets worldwide. Product-managed improvements to the in-house email delivery and reporting systems. ● Distilled thousands of optimization learnings into a best-practices playbook for the deal-writing team ● Received “Make Strong Moves” company core value award CustomInk — McLean, VA
Direct Marketing Coordinator Aug 2010 — Feb 2011
Sales & Service Representative Aug 2009 — Aug 2010
Coordinated the development and delivery of multiple print and direct mail customer acquisition campaigns, including the company’s first digital and print catalog.
● Developed a new magazine remnant advertising strategy that achieved a 100% increase in impressions without raising year-over-year spend
● Exceeded regular performance targets with sales volumes in the top 10% of the department ● Nominated to receive an annual company core value award for exemplifying innovation Education
The University of North Carolina Wilmington — Wilmington, NC Bachelor of Science, Business Administration | Minor, Spanish Harvard Business School Executive Education — Online
Strategy and Leadership Certification
Personal
● Distance runner with multiple marathon and Ironman finishes, avid skier and hiker ● Home improvement and DIY hobbyist with an ever-growing list of projects
04/16/2026
City of San Rafael
Dear Ms. Lara,
I am writing to formally tender my resignation from the San Rafael Planning Commission, eBective immediately.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Jon Haveman