This page includes the current list of Board Members for the Normal Heights Community Planning Group and the current terms. These members are elected by the community or appointed to vacancies and serve Normal Heights as the official voice of the neighborhood to the City of San Diego.
| Seat | Current Holder | Current Position | Start | End/Renew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat 1 | Paul Coogan | Chair | 4/1/2022 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 2 | Sarah Nemer | Seat | 4/1/2026 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 3 | Dan Soderberg | Seat | 4/1/2022 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 4 | Emilie Colwell | Seat | 4/1/2022 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 5 | Minhhieu Bliss | Seat | 4/1/2026 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 6 | Sierra Orsinelli-Rivers | Seat | 7/1/2025 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 7 | Kenny Patrick | Seat | 8/1/2024 | 4/1/2028 |
| Seat 8 | Kim Pham | Seat | 10/1/2025 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 9 | Nancy Lawler | Seat | 4/1/2020 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 10 | Frances Prichett | Treasurer | 4/1/2022 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 11 | Madison Stevens | Seat | 12/1/2024 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 12 | Brian Adams | Seat | 9/1/2024 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 13 | Julia Corbett | Secretary | 9/1/2024 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 14 | Brian Chaffee | Seat | 10/1/2025 | 4/1/2027 |
| Seat 15 | Mark Lawler | Seat | 4/1/2025 | 4/1/2027 |
As of June 2024, the position of Time Keeper has been added as a youth focused non-voting member. This is currently filled by Parker Vazquez. In the event Parker cannot attend, a time keeper will be selected from a volunteer.
Board Bios
Brian Adams
Dan Soderberg
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
Julia Corbett
As a resident of Normal Heights I care about making our neighborhood a safe, equitable, and enjoyable place for us to live, work, and play. I am a current Master of City Planning student at SDSU. I have a background in homeless services and believe that affordability in our neighborhood should be a priority. I am also enthusiastic about our neighborhood’s access to outdoor spaces and parks. In particular, I’m excited about the plans for a Normal Heights community garden, which I will be supporting. Overall, I’m committed to making sure that everyone’s voice in the community is heard. If you have anything you’re concerned, curious, or passionate about, I hope that the Normal Heights Community Planning Group can be a place where you know your voice matters.
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.