Councilmember Laura Koval
Laura Koval is a native East County local and longtime resident of District 3 in the city of Santee. She was born at Grossmont Hospital, grew up in Lakeside, is an El Capitan High School salutatorian and is in their Athletic Hall of Fame. As a San Diego State University track and field scholar-athlete and graduate, Laura served as Track and Field Team Captain and representative for all female athletes in SDSU sports her senior year.
Laura began her current role as Director of Park and Recreation for Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in December 2014. Prior to joining the Park staff, Laura was Customer Service Manager for Padre Dam. In addition to her experience with the District, Laura had an accomplished career with the San Diego Padres assuming many roles over 25+ years including oversight of season ticket holder and revenue retention, fan loyalty programs, ticketing services and the contact center. Before the Padres, Laura was the Branch Director of the Santee Boys and Girls Club, Program Director at the El Cajon Boys & Girls Club, a GED instructor, EOPS, Admissions and Records and Tutor at Grossmont College, high school coach at several local high schools, and worked with AVID and SED (severely emotionally disturbed) kids in specialized high school programs.
Laura’s work at Santee Lakes is guided by her Dynamic Vision Plan (DVP), a unique take on a traditional master plan. With the DVP serving as a guide, Santee Lakes reinvested over $14 million in park improvement projects and planted more than 300 trees in its thriving park and campground during her first six years since its adoption. As a self-sufficient enterprise operation, these improvements are paid for through guest user fees; a distinctive financing blueprint in the park and recreation arena.
Community Involvement (abridged)
- Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Services Authority (SLEMSA) Chair
- MTS Board Member (alternate)
- East County SANDAG Borders Committee Representative
- CSA 69 Chair
- Heartland Communications Facility Authority Vice Chair
- Santee Community Center Sub Committee
- SANDAG Board alternate
- Founding Member - Highway 52 Coalition
- Santee School District Wellness Advisory Committee
- Stowe Trail Taskforce
- Grossmont Union High School District Coach and Volunteer
- 2018 “WILL” Woman in Leadership
- 2018 San Diego East County Woman of Distinction
Laura has been a resident of Santee since 1991, is married to JP Koval, and has two daughters. Her father was a police captain for El Cajon Police Dept. and her mother ran the Veteran’s Affairs Dept. at Grossmont College.
A cool fun fact: Laura’s great grandparents lived in the home that is now Cafe 67 in Lakeside.