Board Members


EMILY ACOSTA THOMPSON BOARD CHAIR Community Member	MIKE GILLIGAN TREASURER Community Member	GREG SHADOAN SECRETARY Community Member	AMY LOVEJOY Parent Member - Hawking 2	MARIA B. GARCIA Parent Member - Hawking 1

Emily Acosta Thompson Bio

Emily Acosta Thompson

Community Member

Emily Acosta Thompson is an accomplished educator bringing unparalleled experience to the Hawking Board. She attended San Diego State and Moorhead State for her undergraduate studies, Graduate Studies at University of Minnesota and Harvard Graduate School of Education. During her career, she served as an elementary principal in St. Paul, MN at Jackson Preparatory Magnet School, Como Park Elementary School, Adams Spanish Immersion Magnet, Zanewood Community School and Oakview Elementary School, and her last administrative stint in Chula Vista, CA at Karl H. Kellogg Elementary School. Her role as principal totals over 15 years of administrative experience coupled with serving as Intern-Interim Deputy Superintendent. Some of her other educational experience includes music, ESL, and GATE teacher. She served as Director of Educational Outreach in Masters of Education and Teaching Licensure Program for United States University in Chula Vista. Emily also served as Assessment Administrator for NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) collecting data to aid educators and legislators in 4th, 8th, and 12th grade public & non-public schools. This work falls under the National Center for Educational Statistics of the US Department of Education. Mrs. Thompson hosted the NEA2004 Bus Tour for “Schools that Beat the Odds” in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and consulted in “Urban Learner Framework”, for the 3rd annual Rev. Martin Luther King Lecture Series on Race & Reconciliation in Education. Other accolades include being a Governor Pawlenty Board Appointee to MAEF (Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation) as Educational Representative, presented Blue Ribbon Schools Awards on behalf of MAEP to Minnesota Schools, Governor Pawlenty Appointee to State of Minnesota-Department of Human Services- Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, an Educational Book Writer, and Classical violinist.

Mike Gilligan Bio

Mike Gilligan

Community Member

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting from San Diego State University in 1978, Mike spent several years with Price-Waterhouse, then moved on to become Chief Financial Officer for North County Bank. Gilligan spent 18 years with the bank, including staying on after its acquisition by Wells Fargo.

He is now a founding partner in the Burger Lounge Restaurants, a chain specializing in the upscale hamburger experience.

Greg Shadoan Bio

Greg Shadoan

Board Treasurer

Community Member

Greg Shadoan serves as a dedicated community member of the Hawking STEAM Charter School Board. Born and raised in the South Bay area, he attended Nestor Elementary, Southwest Junior High, Southwest High School and Southwestern Jr. College, so he understands fully the challenges facing the children and families of our community. As an executive in the moving and storage industry in Chula Vista, he has over 25 years of experience helping to relocate our US military families worldwide. Greg is an active member of the San Diego County community who has volunteered at several local elementary schools over the past 2 decades to assist in the mentoring of our future leaders. He also volunteers with Inspiring Connections Outdoors, a non profit group committed to introducing our children to hiking, camping and other outdoor activities in Southern California that they otherwise might not get the opportunity to experience and learn from.

Amy Lovejoy Bio

Amy Lovejoy

Parent Member - Hawking 2

Amy Lovejoy, as the parent of two children who have attended Hawking 2, has been an active member of the Hawking community, including acting as a parent representative on the Hawking 2 School Site Council prior to joining the Board. Ms. Lovejoy grew up in San Diego County and is a graduate of Mar Vista High School. She works as a Lead Support Services Specialist for Rehabilitation with Sharp Rees-Stealy.

Maria B. Garcia-Lopez Bio

Maria B. Garcia-Lopez

Parent Member - Hawking 1

Maria B Garcia-Lopez is a parent of two Hawking students and an active school volunteer. She has served on the school site council and has assisted in coordinating the annual Fall Festival. Maria is an active volunteer within the City of Chula Vista community, as immediate past secretary of South Bay Little League board, served 8 years as Park and Recreation Commissioner for District 4 and an active member of her church. Maria works in social services and coordinates services for families affected by violence.

Hawking STEAM Charter School's Governing Board is comprised of five voting board members. They are members of one of the following three groups: parents, non-interest holding members, or community members. The Executive Director is a nonvoting member of the board. Board members reside in San Diego County or a contiguous county where Hawking students are served.

The Governing Board's primary roles and responsibilities include approving all major educational and operational policies, contracts, the school's annual budget, and Executive Director selection; overseeing the school's fiscal affairs; and ensuring all provisions of the charter school legislation is followed. The Executive Director has the authority and responsibility of managing day-to-day operations of our school, including the selection of administrative, certificated, and classified personnel.

If you are interested in serving on our Board, please email Executive Director Lorena Chavez ([email protected]) for more information.