Ashford University and the Downtown San Diego Partnership teamed up to host a panel discussion on military and innovation. The discussion took place on August 2 at the University Club in downtown San Diego.

Kris Michell, president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, opened the breakfast event. She introduced Bridgepoint Education senior vice president and chief human resources officer Marc Brown, who provided a message from the sponsor. Jamie Moraga, past president of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, served as the moderator for the discussion where panelists talked about how the military and innovation sectors of San Diego’s economy have a mutually beneficial relationship. The panel featured Rear Admiral Mark Rich, commander, Navy Region Southwest; Rear Admiral Kenneth Slaght, USN (Ret.), co-chair and president of San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence; and Earl “The Pearl” Wederbrook, senior manager at Raytheon.

“Bridgepoint Education and Ashford University are proud to sponsor the Innovation Breakfast Series put on by the Downtown San Diego Partnership, particularly because innovation is in our DNA,” said Brown. “In addition to service, it is what we were founded on. And with the panel discussion on military and innovation, we are extremely honored to host this event. We believe education is a powerful and restorative force in the lives of service members and their families.”

The innovation breakfast series provides a local forum for San Diego-based guest speakers to share their experiences and knowledge on topics relevant to the San Diego community. The Downtown San Diego Partnership is a non-profit organization that serves as the leading advocate and voice for the Downtown San Diego community. To learn more about the Downtown Partnership, visit www.downtownsandiego.org. To learn more about the Ashford University Innovation Series, visit www.downtownsandiego.org/events/ashford-university-innovation-series/.

About Ashford University

Where heritage meets innovation – that’s Ashford University. At Ashford, students discover relevant degree programs, innovative technology, and cherished tradition. Ashford offers associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs online, allowing students to balance life by providing the flexibility to do school work anywhere, anytime. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu, www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, www.twitter.com/AshfordU, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.513.9240 x11636.

About the Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership is a non-profit, member-based organization that serves as the leading advocate for the revitalization and economic health of Downtown San Diego. To learn more about the Downtown Partnership, visit www.downtownsandiego.org.