Clemetson Named SDBJ Editor-in-Chief

Jeff Clemetson has been named editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal. Barb Chodos, president and publisher of the San Diego Business Journal, made the announcement on Friday, Oct. 6.

“I am excited and thankful for this opportunity to challenge myself professionally in a new role, with the responsibility of managing a newsroom that serves a wide-ranging and important audience,” Clemetson said.

Clemetson, 51, is a resident of La Mesa. He came to the San Diego Business Journal in December 2021 with an already strong sense of the San Diego news scene. In July 2022 was promoted to managing editor.

In his time at the San Diego Business Journal, Clemetson has immersed himself in the worlds of technology, life science and finance while overseeing the production of the weekly print product. He played a pivotal role as SDBJ upgraded its website and has guided several special projects, including the annual SD500 issue that profiles San Diego County’s business leaders.

“Jeff has done a remarkable job. He brings the leadership abilities, project management skills, inquiring mind and personable demeanor that we need to effectively cover San Diego County’s dynamic business scene and to serve the Community of Business,” said Chodos.

Clemetson said he is a believer in innovating to meet the changing needs of San Diego’s business community.

“I have been amazed by the depth of innovation and heartened by the pride that people have in San Diego’s business community,” he said. “In addition to a drive to succeed, there is a deep sense of civic responsibility in San Diego to do right by employees and the environment as well. San Diego is a unique place.”

Clemetson said his goal is to keep the San Diego Business Journal focused on its mission of connecting businesses. The publication is at its best, he said, when it fosters a sense of connection between businesses that are not even in the same industry, when a reader can identify with another’s business’ story and learn something.

A San Francisco Bay Area native, Clemetson received his journalism degree from Cal State Chico and cut his teeth on the Chico Enterprise Record as well as the Sierra Sun of Truckee. He spent 10 years as bass player for the band Ten Mile Tide – a job that took him around the United States and taught him about the “need to be a multi-tasker” when being a partner in a small enterprise, he said, adding that n addition to performing and recording, he was at times the group’s publicist, booking agent and tour manager.

A Community Focus

In San Diego, Clemetson served for several years as editor of San Diego Community News Group publications Mission Times Courier, La Mesa Courier, College Times Courier and Mission Valley News. The experience introduced him to local business leaders and familiarized him with local politics, real estate development and community affairs. As he gained experience, he broadened his skills on the advertising and business sides of the publications. He joined the San Diego Business Journal in December 2021.

Clemetson sees a common thread between the intensely local newspaper work of his last employer and his current employer.

“I am looking forward to more involved in the community,” he said. “People can reach me at jclemetson@sdbj.com. I’m always happy to learn more about new businesses and take people’s pitches.

“If you see me at an event come, say hello,” he said. “I love learning more about what people are doing in the business community.”