The San Diego – Imperial Valley Chapter began in July 1955 to serve the councils in two counties of the Diocese of San Diego, which diocese comprises the counties of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino. In 1959 the Arrowhead – Desert Valley Chapter was formed for the benefit of the councils in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. There were 19 councils in San Diego and Imperial counties constituting this chapter.

The Diocese of San Diego was founded in 1936 and the first Bishop, Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, undertook in due time, the establishment of the University of San Diego. The Chapter from its inception has made the University Library its chief project. An annual barbecue is held and from this and other sources of receipts the Chapter has reimbursed the diocese about half the cost of the library, which initially was $889,000.00. In addition the Chapter has made contributions to the book fund, and has supported the Newman Club movement.  The Charter officers of the San Diego Chapter were:

Presidents serving the San Diego Chapter have been:

1955 – 56  +  Ralph Mazela          

1956 – 57  +  Dr Charles F. Kennedy                                    

1957 – 59  +  Thomas F. Usher                      

1959 – 60      Albin J. Seifert                                     

1960 – 61  +  Lambert J. Ninteman                                      

1961 – 62  +  Cecil E. Sparling                                  

1962 – 63  +  Alfred Ohlinger                            

1963 – 64  +  Frank E. O'Connor                                    

1964 – 65  +  Edward J. Greaney                                 

1965 – 66  + Kenneth E. Battin                                 

1966 – 67  + George A. Tasch                  

1967 – 68  +  Conrad M. Nagengast                                  

1968 – 69  +  Gustave Kirchoff                           

1969 – 70  +  William F. Smith - Dennis Parra +                        

1970 – 71  +  Mitchel Gos                                   

1971 – 72    Richard G. Josserand

1972 – 73  +  Paul McGrath - Clarence Kueter +

1973 – 74  +  Jose Alire

1974 – 75  +  Michael G. Moran Sr.

1975 – 76    Theodore Gurbacki       

1976 – 78  +  Robert Dover                                     

1978 – 79    James E. Sheil `                          

1979 – 80  +  Carlos Martinez                                      

1980 – 81  +  Ira Beaver                                      

1981 – 83    Douglas E. Tomlin                                   

1983 – 84  +  Albert H. Koenig                             

1984 – 85  +  Edward J. Panek                                     

1985 – 87  + John B. Tuscano                                  

1987 – 88  + Albert G. Porritt                 

1988 – 89    Lawrence J. Powell                                   

1989 – 90  +   Michael G. Moran, Jr.                           

1990 – 91  +  John G. Moore                          

1991 – 92    Mike B. Lopez                                  

1992 – 94  +  Leonard J. Brezezinski

1994 – 95    Joseph P. Schultz

1995 – 96  +  Harley W. Harris

1996 – 97    Robert J. Villalobos

1997 – 98    Robert Brennan

1998 – 99    Rey A. Fernandez

1999 – 00  +  Bernard Gardner

2000 – 01    Joseph La Combe

2001 – 02    Joe Proctor

2002 – 03    John Spafford

2003 – 04    Larry Campitiello

2004 – 05    Abe Doliente

2005 – 06    Frank Contreras

2006 – 07    John Giltner

2007 – 08    Jack O'Rourke

2008 – 09    Frank Durazo

2009 – 10    Michael Brault

2010 – 11    Kamal Alsawaf