Where is Paloma Aguirre?
- Susan Heavilin
- Nov 25
- 6 min read
Have you seen our new District 1 Supervisor anywhere? I heard that she showed up at our Bonitafest and spoke for about five minutes.
My sources tell me that she has not made an appearance at a Sweetwater Community Planning Group meeting as of yet. That's the group that she's supposed to interact with.
Once I saw one of her representatives at a Planning meeting. I'm fairly certain that it was Paola Martinez-Montes, Director of Community Engagement, but I'm not positive. She reported that they were still putting a team together at that time.
As soon as Supervisor Aguirre was installed in office, I went to the Board of Supervisors website and signed up for her emails. Anxiously awaiting for that first email!
I know that Supervisors send emails to keep their residents abreast of current issues. I receive Supervisor Jim Desmond's emails . . . at least a couple times a week and sometimes several in one day when a lot is going on. I am up on what is happening in District 5, but not in District 1 . . . the district I live in.
The District 1 Team
Having failed at locating any information from Ms. Aguirre, I decided to see if she had her team together yet. Apparently she does. The information below is what I found on the District 1 website along with the one other thing I found on the internet.
Paul Worlie – Chief of Staff
Paul Worlie brings more than 20 years of experience in government, communications, and executive management at the local, state, and federal levels. He has served in senior advisory roles, including as an advisor to the Chief Administrative Officer at the County of San Diego, Chief of Staff to a San Diego County Supervisor, and as an advisor to former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Harry Reid and Tom Daschle. Most recently, he led The Worlie Group, a public affairs firm that supported nonprofits, health care organizations, labor organizations and public agencies in advancing strategic initiatives and building effective partnerships across multiple sectors. Paul lives with his family in unincorporated San Diego County. paul.worlie@sdcounty.ca.gov
"BREAKING: Paul Worlie, Chief of Staff to disgraced Sup @nathanfletcher, landed County admin job w/out hiring process but now leaving that post. Hired w/out public notice under exemption for "extraordinary expertise in a professional field" but only had political jobs before. (March 4, 2024) BREAKING: New County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre hiring Paul Worlie as Chief of Staff. Worlie previously served as CoS for Supervisor Nathan Fletcher before he resigned in a sexual harrassment scandal. Worlie later landed high-level county job but was cut last year."—La Prensa San Diego on X
Aida Castañeda – Deputy Chief of Staff
Aida Castañeda brings over a decade of experience supporting successful campaigns and advancing equity-driven policy throughout San Diego County. She played key roles on the election campaigns of Supervisor Paloma Aguirre and Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, and has worked in government and advocacy to move progressive change forward. Aida previously served as Political Director to Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, where she helped lead efforts to pass landmark public health and workers’ rights legislation, including banning flavored tobacco sales in San Diego and Chula Vista. She also founded her own consulting firm supporting labor, local governments, and community organizations. Born and raised in Barrio Logan and now living in National City, Aida is a proud South County native who remains deeply committed to empowering underserved communities. aida.castaneda@sdcounty.ca.gov
"As a local community organizer and political enthusiast, I am one in a coalition of National City neighborhood leaders, lowrider car club members and others who know all too well that anti-cruising really means institutional racism. The good news is that the lack of enforcement also means progress and change in the right direction."—Aida Castañeda writes OpEd "It’s time to decriminalize cruising in National City" | San Diego Union-Tribune | November 15, 2025
AUTOMATIC REPLY ON NOVEMBER 18, 2025: "Thank you for your email. Aida Castañeda is no longer with the office. For assistance, please contact Paola Martinez-Montes at Paola.Martinez-Montes@sdcounty.ca.gov."
Lyle Pavuk – Director of Policy
Lyle Pavuk is a healthcare professional turned public servant with deep commitments to advancing social justice, health promotion, and environmental sustainability. He holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent/Young Adult Education. He has also received advanced education in Population Health Management and Health Promotion. Lyle’s policy focuses include optimizing healthcare access and quality, homelessness solutions, affordable housing, health promotion, and advancing independence for seniors and people with disabilities. Lyle lives in Imperial Beach and remains dedicated to making San Diego County healthier, more equitable, and affordable for all residents. lyle.pavuk@sdcounty.ca.gov
"Lyle Pavuk is a Director, Policy at County of San Diego based in San Diego, California. Previously, Lyle was a Policy Advisor at County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe and also held positions at Friends of the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center, Sharp, Quinn Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute, Select Physical Therapy, University of Miami Local and Global Outreach Clinic, University of Miami. Lyle received a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Toledo and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine."—Zoominfo
Paola Martinez-Montes – Director of Community Engagement
Paola Martinez-Montes is a longtime advocate for racial, social, and economic justice across San Diego County. She most recently served as Tribal Administrator for the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and previously served as Senior Advisor and Director of Community Engagement at the County Board of Supervisors. Her past leadership roles include directing the Invest in San Diego Families Coalition at the Center on Policy Initiatives and leading the San Diego chapter of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), where she secured millions in public investment in underserved neighborhoods. Paola is an alumna of the HOPE Leadership Institute, a former Chair of the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission, and a recipient of the 2018 Flip the Script Truth to Power Award. Paola is known for her deep community ties and impact-driven leadership. She lives in Chula Vista. paola.martinez-montes@sdcounty.ca.gov
"Paola Martinez-Montes has lived in San Diego for nearly 20 years, growing up here since arriving from Mexico with her family in 1997. She is the daughter of immigrant parents and was undocumented herself for many years, giving her a unique worldview and sensitivity to the injustices and inequalities that many people face. Being raised in San Diego, she harbors a deep love for the city and the people who live here and it was that love that led her to organizing."—Center on Policy Initiatives
Diane Castañeda – Director of Communications
Diane Castañeda is a bilingual communications specialist, Diane brings with more than 15 years experience crafting impactful campaigns across the U.S.-Mexico border region. Born and raised in the San Diego–Tijuana region, Diane has a deep understanding of cross-border communities and a strong commitment to uplifting diverse voices. She has worked with nonprofits, campaigns, and small businesses to amplify their impact, most recently with Digital Impact &, where she supported social change initiatives through digital strategy. Earlier in her career, Diane led media and community outreach at WILDCOAST, focusing on public education around California’s marine protected areas. Her work has consistently centered on elevating underrepresented voices and making complex policy issues accessible and relevant to the public. Diane lives in Chula Vista with her two kids and husband. diane.castaneda@sdcounty.ca.gov
"Diane Castaneda is the Social Media and Media Relations Manager for Digital Impact And, a digital marketing agency based in San Diego, CA. Diane studied Communications at SDSU and it’s a proud Aztec! With over 10 years of experience, she has worked for non-profits and start-ups helping them with bilingual media and digital marketing campaigns. She is fluent in Spanish and English and conversational Italian. She loves traveling and being outdoors with her daughter and husband."—synED
Brenda Argüelles - Executive Assistant
Brenda Arguelles brings over eight years of dedicated public sector experience in both county and municipal government. She began her public service journey with the County of San Diego, where she spent five years supporting the Behavioral Health Services department. In her role, she provided high-level support to directors and the management team, contributing to critical programs that advanced mental health and wellness across the region. She later transitioned to the City of Imperial Beach, where she served as Executive Assistant to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager’s Office. Brenda is a resident of San Ysidro. brenda.arguelles@sdcounty.ca.gov
Marianne Delatorre - Senior Community Representative
Our newest District 1 staff member is Senior Community Representative Marianne Delatorre. Ms. Delatorre attended the City’s Rohr Park Master Plan Final on November 20, 2025. Her area includes National City, Lincoln Acres, Bonita and Chula Vista. Her contact information is:
Marianne Delatorre
Office: 619-531-5667
Mobile: 858-221-2875
I hope that I get to meet Supervisor Aguirre soon. I have some recent Bonita issues that I'd like to discuss with her.
