Board Members

Brian Adams

Brian Adams joined the political science department at SDSU in 2003 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine. Brian’s research explores why local governments do not live up to their democratic potential. As small jurisdictions, localities should be “closer to the people,” allowing for more extensive citizen participation and greater accountability. Yet participation in local government is dismally low, and local officials are often unresponsive to citizen demands. Local governments, rather than being hotbeds of democratic activity are often corrupt and unresponsive entities dominated by elites.

Dan Soderberg

Dan Soderberg is a native of San Diego County and a fourth generation Californian. The local history he’s seen firsthand has shaped his advocacy for historic preservation.

A graduate of UCLA film school with a BFA in motion picture and television production, Dan is a documentary filmmaker and photographer, and produced the short film “Save the San Diego Mills Act,” which explores the history of this preservation incentive and its relevance in San Diego today. Commissioned for SOHO’s fortieth anniversary, his documentary Four Decades of Historic Preservation in San Diego County won a Governor’s Historic Preservation Award in 2010.

He currently lives in a 1927 cottage in Normal Heights, which he restored himself. Dan appreciates many styles of architecture, but is especially drawn to mid-century modernism, particularly the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, which he has documented through photography over several decades. He served as vice president of SOHO’s board of directors and as chair of the Neighborhood Historic Preservation Coalition.

Emilie Colwell (she/her)

Emilie is from San Diego and has lived in Normal Heights since 2016. With a professional background in urban planning, environmental compliance, and permitting, she brings a deep understanding of how design and policies can shape communities. Emilie joined the Community Planning Group to bring her passion and knowledge to her neighborhood. In her free time, Emilie loves to walk around Normal Heights and spend time with friends. 

Frances Prichett

Jonathon Rivas

Mr. Rivas is an experienced Real Estate, Land Use and Investments professional with a demonstrated history of working in the Real Estate industry. He is bilingual in Spanish and English. He has conducted market research and positioning, development feasibility analysis, acquisition underwriting and valuations, financial modeling and analysis, land-use policy analysis and consultation, fiscal impact analysis, and strategic consultation for various projects throughout Southern California and the Western United States.

Mr. Rivas studied Urban Studies and Planning and Real Estate & Development at the University of California, San Diego and was part of the school’s first graduating Real Estate & Development major/minor class. The first of its kind at any of the University of California schools. He holds a passion for building better more affordable communities for all.

Kenny Patrick

For much of my adult life, I’ve lived in or near San Diego’s “Metro” neighborhoods (North Park, Normal Heights, Kensington, City Heights, Hillcrest, & South Park.) In 2021, when the opportunity arose for me to return to Normal Heights, I leapt with both feet. My cats, Aibileen & Minny, and I are finally in our forever home. My name is Kenny Patrick and I wish to be of service to our community and those who visit Normal Heights.

As a Community Planning Group, we are responsible for informing ourselves and others, while striving to constructively listen, learn, and evolve. Individually, oftentimes, folks can be dismissed by the powerful. Together, we can lift each other up and demand to be heard.

Personally, I want to focus on shoring up our community while holding accountable those who might not always act in the best interests of their neighbors. Together, we can bring attention to the things that impact many while mindfully considering the concerns of the few. Ideally, we plant approximately 2,000 trees and make Normal Heights climate resistant, provide a self-sustaining community garden that is available to those who wish to participate, view our unhoused neighbors as vulnerable instead of labeling them as criminals, and bring lighting to all dark intersections.

Is outreach and implementation easy? Not even a little bit.

Will there be disagreement about methods? Obviously.

And we must keep trying anyway.

Thank You for considering me to participate as a Community Planning Group volunteer board member.

Kim Pham

Madison Stevens

Madison moved from Indianapolis in 2022 and was thrilled to buy her first home in Normal Heights. As a design leader, she is passionate about creating thoughtful, human-centered experiences and applying that same empathetic, problem-solving to neighborhood planning. She loves the ocean, playing beach volleyball, practicing yoga, and exploring San Diego’s unique neighborhoods.

Mark Lawler

Matthew Chaffee

Minhhieu Bliss

Nancy Lawler

I am Nancy Lawler. I have been a resident renter since 1976 living in the same apartment building as a property manager. I am on the board for Adams Recreation Rec Advisory Board and the board for the Normal Heights Planning Group. I support our community and am for Ward Canyon Community Park and the Community Garden.

Paul Coogan (he/him)

Paul moved to Normal Heights in 2010 from Pasadena. By day he can be found at Rady Children’s Hospital as part of the Revenue Cycle team (claims). When not bugging the city for better infrastructure, he likes to tinker with vintage typewriters and cruise Adams Ave on an e-bike.

Sara Nemer

Sierra Orsinelli-Rivers