Board of Trustees
Carl J. Luna, President
Carl Luna is a professor emeritus of political science at San Diego Mesa College and a visiting professor at his alma mater, the University of San Diego. In 1999- 2000 he served as a senior Fulbright Scholar lecturing on international relations and politics at Nizhny Novgorod State University in the Russian Federation. In 2014 the Association of Community College Trustees recognized him as one of the top five community college professors in the country.
Dr. Luna is a frequent and sought after nonpartisan commentator on politics, giving almost two thousand interviews to local, national and international media including public radio and TV, CBS, NBC, the Associated Press and the BBC. He is San Diego Fox5’s resident political analyst and a frequent commentator for San Diego KPBS. He has written and blogged extensively for the San Diego Union
Tribune and San Diego City Beat Magazine and is a contributing author to the anthology of presidential biographies, Public Pillars, Private Lives and a revised volume on the presidency: Imperial Presidents: The Rise of Executive Power from Roosevelt to Obama.
Dr. Luna is co-chair of Restoring Respect, a community initiative promoting greater civility in San Diego dialogue supported by a consortium of academic institutions and community groups. In 2014 he became the founding director of the Institute for Civil Civic Engagement, formed between the University of San Diego and San Diego City, Continuing Education, Mesa and Miramar Colleges.
A long-time Coronado resident, Carl has been a member of the Friends of the Library Board since 2019 and board secretary 2021-2022.
Sharon Lynn Sherman, Vice President
Sharon Lynn Sherman grew up in Coronado, left for law school then returned home to open her law practice. Her love of reading was fostered at the Coronado Childrens Library which was located where the Spreckels Community Center now stands. Wanting to pay that gift forward, Sharon served from 1990 to 2015 on the Friends of the Library Board of Trustees, leaving it to manage the City of Coronado Animal Care Facility. Retiring from the animals in 2020, Sharon returned to her first love and rejoined the Board of Trustees of FOL.
Adrienne Phillips, Treasurer
Adrienne Phillips, Board Member of the Coronado Friends of the Library, came to books late. As a young mother raising three boys with her husband, Adrienne recognized the value of libraries and hasn’t looked back since. She loves reading and wishes to share her love of a good book with everyone she meets. The library is more than books, it is a world to discover, and she hopes to spread the word.
Dan Hunting
Dan Hunting is a Coronado resident since 1985. He is a retired physician. He enjoys gardening, music, camping, cycling, and travel.
Elyse "Ellie" O'Connell
Some of my fondest memories as a child were sitting in the Children's Library as a small child reading "The Box Car Children" Series with my sister. I feel fortunate now to work with an organization where I can work to uphold the Legacy of the Coronado Library among the members of our community. Knowledge is one of the most transformative powers available. The Library is a key to that power source in this community. I currently work as a mental health counselor. I enjoy finding different things to learn in my free time, and I consider myself a lifelong learner. I have completed formal education in many diverse academic areas, including political science, mental health counseling, and Human Resources. In addition, I have completed classes and courses in things as diverse as aerial dance, pottery, stand-up comedy, and studio art!
Jean Seager
Jean Seager has been a Coronado resident since 1975, and has volunteered for many community organizations over the years. When her children were young, she loved bringing them to the library. From pumpkin carving at Halloween to story hour in the children’s library to summer reading programs, her children benefited from a myriad of activities that the library offered. Now that her children are grown, she enjoys the book collection as well as concerts and lectures. She is convinced that the library is one of the jewels in Coronado’s crown and wants to work to make it even better.
Marsi Steirer
Marsi Steirer, a native San Diegan, moved with her family to Coronado in 1995. They live in a historically designated home built in 1921, that they have completely renovated. Marsi’s career was in the public sector, and she worked for the City of San Diego for 30 years overseeing water initiatives including the City’s water conservation program, water resources planning efforts, recycled water projects, and the Water Purification Demonstration Project now known as the Pure Water Program. She joined the Friends of the Coronado Public Library board in 2015, serving one year as Vice President, four as President, and she co-manages Second Hand Prose book shop. She is a wife, mother and grandmother.
Roger Clapp
Roger was born in Rye, New York, and after graduating from Mount Union College and Officer Candidate School, successfully completed UDT/SEAL School and went on to served 22 years in Naval Special Warfare. While in the Navy, he obtained his Masters Degree at the University of Arkansas in Operations Management.
After leaving the Navy, Roger worked at Lockheed Martin and Home Depot and his last job was as the Naval Special Warfare Historian.
Roger has been active in the Friends of the Coronado Public Library for many years, chairing a dozen Book Fairs and also serving on the Board of Trustees and as President. He is also active in the Friends of Children United Society (FOCUS) and has served in various capacities, including President.
Roger is married to Christine and has three sons, Ken, Matt and Nathan, and five boisterous grandchildren.