Behind every great politician, to paraphrase an old adage, is a great chief of staff. For San Diego City Councilman Jim Madaffer that person is Aimee Faucett, who has helped the council finalize a number of successful projects in the city.

“I rely on Aimee completely,” says Madaffer, “for managing legislation, budget, policy, media, community outreach, personnel and day-to-day operations.”

Faucett, 29, has been involved with politics since her senior year at San Diego State University when she interned for Councilwoman Judy McCarty. Madaffer, who was McCarty’s chief of staff at the time, found Faucett to be “a creative and energetic representative,” and he hired her as a full-time field representative.

When Madaffer ran for a council seat in 2000, Faucett was his campaign manager, directing day-to-day operations, overseeing campaign mailings, doing door-to-door outreach and handling volunteers, the campaign budget and endorsements. After his election, Madaffer appointed her chief of staff.

In addition to her professional duties, Faucett has been especially successful at fund-raising, helping to generate more than $30,000 as the co-chair of table sponsors at the San Diego Family Justice Center opening gala. She raised another $30,000 for the nonprofit San Diego Alpha Project. She received community appreciation from the College Area Community Council and a scholarship to attend the American Red Cross National Convention.

She and her husband, Eric, live with their dog, Morgan, and enjoy athletic pursuits. Most of Faucett’s free time is spent skiing, hiking or reading. Mission Trails Regional Park is a favorite hiking area for Faucett, and she played a major role in Madaffer’s campaign to increase the acreage for the park. One of her major athletic accomplishments was to climb Mt. Shasta with an all-women’s team.

— Alex Moser