Sheryl Bilbrey, President and CEO
“The BBB is one of the finest examples of business self-regulation for the benefit of the consumer and marketplace. I enjoy working for this worthy cause.”
Sheryl joined the BBB in July 2004. Before joining the San Diego BBB, she was in charge of advertising sales at the two largest cable TV systems in San Diego County, serving as vice president and general manager of CableRep San Diego, now called Cox Media, from January 1997 to August 2001. From June 2002 to June 2004, she served as general manager of advertising sales at Time Warner Cable San Diego. In 2004 Sheryl was named as one of San Diego Magazine’s Top 50 people to watch. Sheryl is a member of the Executive Association of San Diego as well as Rotary Club 33. Sheryl represents the western region on the board of directors of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington. On behalf of the Council, she is currently chairing the Bureau Operations Committee, responsible for oversight of all policies, procedures and integrity of all BBB’s in the US, as well as serving on the executive committee.
Early in her career, Sheryl decided to switch from working in front of the microphone to behind it. The cable TV industry was in its early development at the time, and she decided to focus on advertising sales. She got a job selling radio advertising in Omaha. Then, at age 25, she was hired by Cox Communications as their General Manager of Advertising Sales. While working for Cox in Omaha, Sheryl earned her executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration. After working for six years in Omaha, she spent three months at the end of 1996 as an International Ad Sales Manager for BBC World in London on assignment from Cox. When she returned from England, she was offered the opportunity to transfer to California. So, at the beginning of 1997, she became the General Manager of Advertising Sales for Cox Communications in San Diego. In 1998, she joined the San Diego BBB Board of Directors, and served two years as chairman of the board.
Lauren Hill, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
“I am proud to be part of an organization like the BBB that provides extraordinary civic contributions and adds so much to our community,” said Lauren. “We are continually expanding our services to consumers and Accredited Business that help the community that I love.”
Lauren Hill, a native San Diegan, joined your BBB in August 2006 as vice president of sales and marketing. At your BBB, Hill oversees development and implementation of sales and marketing programs that build membership, expand member participation, enhance community awareness and increase consumer use of the BBB. Prior to joining your BBB, she served as director of sponsorships and special events with the San Diego International Sports Council (SDISC). At the Sports Council, Hill was involved with sponsorship development for special events, event management, branding and strategic alliances. Prior to joining SDISC in March 2003, she served as sponsor fulfillment manager with the San Diego Super Bowl XXXVII Host Committee, and in corporate development with the San Diego Padres baseball team during the 2002 season. Hill grew up in Poway and graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School in North Park. She played on her collegiate varsity basketball team and earned a bachelor's degree in communications from John Carroll University in Cleveland. She has a masters degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Phoenix. She resides in San Diego's Poway area with her husband Robert and two children.
Eva Velasquez, Vice President of Operations
“I am very excited to continue serving the public with the BBB, which is an organization that I have been impressed with for many years. I look forward to providing consumers with confidence in their choices and businesses pride in their status. What the BBB provides is more relevant today than ever before. Consumers and businesses want what we offer – something that other organizations can’t – a seal of approval indicating that a business has met high standards of ethical practice. Your BBB has a rich history and noble mission in our community.”
Eva is responsible for managing the Bureau’s operations, including free consumer protection advice and pre-purchase information for consumers, complaint handling, dispute resolution, investigations/advertising review, mediation/arbitration, compliance with BBB standards and policies, as well as the BBB’s internal operating systems. Prior to joining the BBB, Eva served in the County of San Diego District Attorney’s office. She was the editor of “Consumer News,” a newsletter published by the D.A.’s Office, and a past Vice President of CCAA, the California Consumer Affairs Association. She has more than 500 hours of specialized training in complex investigations, consumer fraud and environmental protection, and is a past instructor and speaker at various statewide consumer protection conferences including the California District Attorney’s Association, and more recently the PACT (Professionals Achieving Consumer Trust) conference. She has served as the chairperson of the Consumer Fraud Task Force for the past 13 years. Eva is a native San Diegan who enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She is an avid runner and completed 3 marathons and over 2 dozen half marathons.
Andrea McNelis, Director of Sponsorships and Special Events
“It is very rewarding working for the BBB because, as a non-profit, we know our efforts are helping many people the community. Plus, it's a great working environment.”
Andrea McNelis joined the San Diego BBB as Marketing Coordinator in March 2005. Today, she is the BBB’s Director of Sponsorships and Special Events. She is involved in the planning and management of all events for the San Diego BBB. She also serves as chief strategist in the design and implementation of current and future fund-raising activities designed to grow the BBB’s development and special events program. The native of Plymouth, Mass., graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, with a bachelor's degree in business management and a minor in psychology. Shortly after she graduated in 1997, she moved to Northern California, and then to San Diego in early 2005.