Name: Alan Ziter

Age: I have a New Yorker cartoon taped to my fridge with one friend telling another, “Somehow – in all the confusion – I aged!” Somehow, in all the confusion, I turned 49.

Self Definition: Independent individualist

Who has influenced you more than any other person, and how?

In life, it has been my parents who taught me a strong work ethic and a good moral compass.

In education, it was a high school teacher, who set me on a path toward working in the arts.

In my career, it was Bill Purves who moved me to San Diego from Chicago and entrusted me with fulfilling his vision for a theater league to promote and advance the performing arts, which I did for 18 years. Almost everything I have done in life, I can point back to these four people as having the greatest influence.

When don’t you feel equal?

Whenever I hear someone say that gays and lesbians are seeking “special rights.” How dare they? I believe we all should be accorded the same rights, whether we are gay or straight, single or married.

Where were you last Wednesday at noon?

I was walking several San Diego artists through the abandoned barracks buildings at the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma, which are now part of the 26-building civic, arts and cultural district I oversee in my job as director of the NTC Foundation. Trying to determine the new mission for these historic buildings that will be a “gift to the city” is one of the most exciting parts of the job. Many San Diego artists and arts groups have been pushed out of the newly gentrified downtown and other neighborhoods, and I am hopeful we can create a lasting arts district at the new NTC where the arts are the result of our redevelopment and not the “predevelopment.”

When was the last time you felt proud?

I am proud about a lot of my accomplishments in the arts and now at NTC, but the last time I was most proud was in November when my mom died and our family honored her memory in what I believe was the most fitting and meaningful way. I’ve heard stories about some families behaving badly. It was a difficult time and I am still proud of the way my family is handling the challenge.

If there was a defining moment in your life, what was it?

I’d have to say my first sexual experience with a guy (we were both 17). That certainly set me on a path for life! Being a gay man is such a defining characteristic. It’s great being part of a “tribe.”

What is your most immediate goal?

Sorting out if I want to continue living downtown after 21 years, or try some place new, like the beach. And if that’s as tough as things get …