Michael Zucchet is one of those guys who listens more than he talks, and his calm and thoughtful demeanor has served him well at the poker table and at the negotiating table.

Zucchet oversees the City of San Diego’s largest labor union as General Manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association. 

In addition to his day job, Michael is one of San Diego’s leading political minds, frequently called on for his strategic advice and recommendations. He’s also a fierce poker player, enjoying rare success in Vegas. Michael also serves as a San Diego Port Commissioner.

He’s married with two kids and he and his family reside in Ocean Beach. It’s his family life, he says, that’s the priority and it may not have been if his political career did not take an unexpected turn.

Michael has seen a lot in and around City Hall over the years. He discusses local politics, poker, leadership, work-life balance, his wife and kids, and much more with Juan and Tony on the latest episode of Dear San Diego.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest's First Impression
00:01:20 - Podcast Overview
00:05:29 - Guest's Background and Personal Life
00:10:29 - Balancing Work and Family
00:13:36 - Career Aspirations of the Guest's Son
00:14:33 - World Series of Poker Win
00:15:12 - Endurance and Emotions
00:16:31 - World Series of Poker Experience
00:19:42 - Poker and Life Skills
00:26:50 - San Diego Municipal Employees Association
00:29:59 - Discovering Local Politics
00:31:08 - Partisanship in Politics
00:33:22 - Changing Dynamics in Politics
00:36:43 - Impact of Media and Public Perception
00:41:18 - Political Endorsements and Races
00:46:26 - Political Race Predictions
00:47:45 - Impact of National Politics
00:48:33 - Personal Lifestyle Choices
00:49:36 - Daily Habits and Routines
00:59:33 - Closing Remarks
01:01:12 - Michael Zuchett's Leadership Style
01:01:39 - Getting to Know Michael Zuchett
01:02:10 - Unique Woodworking Family
01:03:19 - Zuchett's Political Insights
01:03:40 - Conclusion and Gratitude

<a href="https://www.sdmea.org/union/staff/michael-zucchet/">Michael Zucchet</a> is one of those guys who listens more than he talks, and his calm and thoughtful demeanor has served him well at the poker table and at the negotiating table.
Zucchet oversees the City of San Diego’s largest labor union as General Manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association. 
In addition to his day job, Michael is one of San Diego’s leading political minds, frequently called on for his strategic advice and recommendations. He’s also a fierce poker player, enjoying rare success in Vegas. Michael also serves as a <a href="https://www.portofsandiego.org/people/board-port-commissioners/michael-zucchet">San Diego Port Commissioner.</a> 
He’s married with two kids and he and his family reside in Ocean Beach. It’s his family life, he says, that’s the priority and it may not have been if his political career did not take an unexpected turn.
Michael has seen a lot in and around City Hall over the years. He discusses local politics, poker, leadership, work-life balance, his wife and kids, and much more with Juan and Tony on the latest episode of Dear San Diego.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest's First Impression 00:01:20 - Podcast Overview 00:05:29 - Guest's Background and Personal Life 00:10:29 - Balancing Work and Family 00:13:36 - Career Aspirations of the Guest's Son 00:14:33 - World Series of Poker Win 00:15:12 - Endurance and Emotions 00:16:31 - World Series of Poker Experience 00:19:42 - Poker and Life Skills 00:26:50 - San Diego Municipal Employees Association 00:29:59 - Discovering Local Politics 00:31:08 - Partisanship in Politics 00:33:22 - Changing Dynamics in Politics 00:36:43 - Impact of Media and Public Perception 00:41:18 - Political Endorsements and Races 00:46:26 - Political Race Predictions 00:47:45 - Impact of National Politics 00:48:33 - Personal Lifestyle Choices 00:49:36 - Daily Habits and Routines 00:59:33 - Closing Remarks 01:01:12 - Michael Zuchett's Leadership Style 01:01:39 - Getting to Know Michael Zuchett 01:02:10 - Unique Woodworking Family 01:03:19 - Zuchett's Political Insights 01:03:40 - Conclusion and Gratitude

Dear San Diego is a public affairs podcast with personality.

Hosted by veteran communication specialists Tony Manolatos and Juan Hernandez, Dear San Diego gives newsmakers and others a platform to discuss the big issues of the day, but that’s just the beginning. 

Tony and Juan’s guests share what’s not in their bios, who they are away from work, secrets to success, and more. Tony and Juan also discuss work, home, fatherhood, health and wellness, and youth sports – where the politics can be way more fierce than they are at city hall. 

Tony and Juan met a decade ago while working for dueling mayoral candidates in San Diego. Since then, the two friends have worked together on numerous public affairs, land-use, and issue campaigns. 

Dear San Diego is a public affairs podcast with personality.
Hosted by veteran communication specialists Tony Manolatos and Juan Hernandez, Dear San Diego gives newsmakers and others a platform to discuss the big issues of the day, but that’s just the beginning. 
Tony and Juan’s guests share what’s not in their bios, who they are away from work, secrets to success, and more. Tony and Juan also discuss work, home, fatherhood, health and wellness, and youth sports – where the politics can be way more fierce than they are at city hall. 
Tony and Juan met a decade ago while working for dueling mayoral candidates in San Diego. Since then, the two friends have worked together on numerous public affairs, land-use, and issue campaigns.

Dear San Diego

Hosted by veteran public relations specialists, Tony Manolatos and Juan Hernandez discuss the not so obvious talents, attributes, and behaviors of fellow colleagues. Learn what's not in the bios and CV's and what's be the secret to the sauce of their success.

Hosted by veteran public relations specialists, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymanolatos">Tony Manolatos</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-m-hernandez-pisano-3166a275/">Juan Hernandez</a> discuss the not so obvious talents, attributes, and behaviors of fellow colleagues. Learn what's not in the bios and CV's and what's be the secret to the sauce of their success.

Advertisement