Eco-entrepreneur Randall Engstrom of Randall’s Sandals was named Pacific Beach’s 2024 Honorary Mayor at Pacific Beach Town Council’s 73rd annual installation dinner on Jan. 26 at The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa.
The event honored first responders including San Diego police, firefighters, and lifeguards. Representatives and staff from all elected offices in Council District 1, principals from PB’s six local schools, and civic and business leaders, as well as reps from the neighboring communities of La Jolla, Point Loma, and Mission and Ocean businesses, were all in attendance. Also acknowledged were previous PB Town Council presidents and honorary mayors.
Starting in North PB on Turquoise Street, and since having moved to 1033 Garnet Ave., Engstrom celebrated the seventh anniversary of his PB business in 2023. Characterizing Randall’s Sandals as an “all-eco-friendly beach essential shop,” Engstrom has said he felt it essential to provide people “the chance to consume products that do not negatively affect the world we live in. I began to see a bigger need out there, a need for resale to go more charitable. It’s all about giving back and making the world a better place.”
Engstrom pointed out Randall’s Sandals is also “the first brick-and-mortar store whose entire platform is based around helping the environment and giving to charities, locally and globally.” Randall’s Sandals promotes products made from materials like recycled plastic bottles and tires.
“A record number of people have gathered here tonight for their shared love of our beach community,” said PBTC president Charlie J. Nieto in opening remarks. “We all saw what happened earlier this week, that terrible rainstorm and all the floods. And all our first responders were on the scene to rescue those in need.”
Regarding PBTC’s history, Nieto said: “It’s important to note why we meet in this time-honored tradition. Seventy-three years ago, a small handful of ordinary community members got together and set the foundation for this community’s town council. They fully understood the power of collaboration and solidarity in the community. Generations of town council members have carried on the sacred torch of service and devotion to the beach and coast that we all share.
“That is why we’ve gathered here tonight: neighbors, first responders, business owners, elected officials, principals, and families. We all know that, when a group of concerned citizens put their heads down and get to work, in the face of the biggest challenges, they can overcome anything for their community.”
The Pacific Beach Rising Star award was presented by youthful town council board member Jaden Ballardo to Carter Choung whom she described as “driven, community-oriented, and outstanding” as a community volunteer for the past year. Ballardo added, “He created and directed an abundance of our town council events.”
The Pug Sanford Award for outstanding service went to CPA Susan Wilding whom Nieto noted “keeps the town council’s taxes in order.”
Nieto presented the lifetime achievement award for someone who has “devoted a lifetime of public service to the neighborhood of Pacific Beach” to retiring San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, which drew a standing ovation. “It’s truly an honor and it’s been a treat to spend 36 years with the San Diego Police Department. It’s been an honor to serve my PB family, and my entire public safety family, to make this America’s safest city,” Nisleit said.
After being cited as a “team player” and being named PB’s Honorary Mayor for 2024, Engstrom commented: “I love you guys. We have so many great minds and so many capable bodies. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
