Nicole “Nikki” Clay, partner, manages Clay Co.’s office in San Diego. She works with private- and public-sector companies and organizations to develop and implement government, community and media relations strategies and programs. Her husband, Ben G. Clay, is a retired principal with Carpi & Clay, a San Diego-based government relations firm with offices in San Diego, Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Together, the two represent one of the highest profile couples involved in San Diego’s business and civic affairs. Indeed, individually they would rank among the most powerful in the economic, social and political fabric of the community.

For example, Nikki served as chairwoman of the board of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and also serves on the board and executive committee of Downtown San Diego Partnership. She is also past president of the Holiday Bowl.

Ben continues to serves on the boards of the San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Symphony Association, the California State Railroad Museum and the San Diego River Conservancy. He is past president and current member of the Rotary Club and former past president of the San Diego Symphony.

Both graduates of San Diego Sate University, the two co-chaired the university’s Centennial Celebration in 1997, and the two were honored as SDSU’s “Alumni of the Year” in 1998.

NIKKI CLAY

Company: Clay Co.

Title: Partner.

Education: Master of Arts in public administration; Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts. Attended Riverside Poly High School.

Birthplace: San Francisco.

Age: 63.

Residence: Mission Hills.

NIKKI'S ESSENTIALS