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.
| Person | Position | Start | End/Renew |
| Paul Coogan | Chair | 4/1/22 | 4/1/26 |
| Allan Harjala | Vice Chair | 4/1/22 | 4/1/26 |
| Sami Burrows | Secretary | 11/1/23 | 4/1/26 |
| Frances Prichett | Treasurer | 4/1/23 | 4/1/25 |
| Scott Kessler | AABA Seat | 4/1/23 | 4/1/25 |
| Dan Soderberg | Seat | 4/1/22 | 4/1/26 |
| Jacob Koopmann | Seat/Parliamentarian | 4/1/24 | 4/1/26 |
| Emilie Colwell | Seat | 4/1/22 | 4/1/26 |
| Nancy Lawler | Seat | 4/1/20 | 4/1/25 |
| Kenny Patrick | Seat | 8/1/24 | 4/1/25 |
| Brian Adams | Seat | 9/1/24 | 4/1/26 |
| Julia Corbett | Seat | 9/1/24 | 4/1/25 |
| Eydie Kaufman | Seat | 11/1/24 | 4/1/25 |
| Madison Stevens | Seat | 12/1/24 | 4/1/26 |
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
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.
Allan Harjala
Allan moved to Normal Heights in 2016. He loves the many levels of diversity in the neighborhood’s people, homes, businesses, flora, and fauna. He would like to see the neighborhood’s inherent pre-1930s walkability emphasized with increased pedestrian safety through both traffic law enforcement and some street/intersection redesign, a reimagined public transportation system based on where people actually live and want/need to go, more housing options – especially affordable options, reformed zoning that allows for more mixed uses, adequate street lighting, and better maintained infrastructure. He is a librarian and researcher by trade, a vegetable gardener by hobby, and a midwesterner by birth and general disposition.
Sami Burrows (she/her)
Sami has been a resident of Normal Heights since 2019, and the neighborhood quickly became her favorite place to call home. Driven by her love for its unique charm and vibrant community, she joined the Normal Heights Community Planning Group Board in November 2023 to advocate for pedestrian- and bike-friendly initiatives and ensure renters’ perspectives are considered in neighborhood development.
In her free time, Sami enjoys road cycling, running and walking her dog to Dark Horse. A craft beer enthusiast, she’s often found at local favorites like Blind Lady Alehouse and Fall Brewing.
Frances Prichett
Scott Kessler
Dan Soderberg
Jacob Koopmann
Known in San Diego as Jake the Handyman, I’m a small business owner providing handyman services and business guidance. My business ranks among the Top 10 on Nextdoor out of 2.5 million nationwide and is a local favorite across 198 San Diego neighborhoods.
I studied to get my EMT certification, and a degree in watershed science and biology. I’ve always been passionate about green infrastructure and ornithology. While living in Eugene, Oregon, I experienced firsthand a neighborhood where all rainwater filtered directly through the ground—no storm drains—before making its way to the river. This approach to water management has always fascinated me, along with designing rain catchment and garden watering systems that promote sustainability.
Born in Northern California, raised in Arizona, and shaped in Oregon, I developed an early interest in urban planning while watching my father chair the Yuma Planning and Zoning Commission and the Historic Preservation and Architectural Design Review Boards in Yuma, AZ.
I’ve lived in Normal Heights for over three years, and I believe our community is underserved and underrepresented. My primary motivation for joining the board is to improve community engagement and ensure all voices are heard. Normal Heights is a unique and special neighborhood—it feels like home.
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.
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.
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.
Brian Adams
Julia Corbett
Eydie Kaufman
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.