(July 16, 2007) - Continuing its move towards an ambitious future, the La Jolla Historical Society recently announced the election of its newest Board member and officers. The new Board members include La Jolla residents Donald Yeckel, Constance Mullin Branscomb, Sherri Lightner and Tom Grunow. The Society also named Roger Craig as it new Board President, succeeding Judith Haxo.
“Our new Board members bring to our organization a huge amount of talent and many years of living in La Jolla and contributions to this community,” Craig said. “I am excited to share a vision with all our Board members of a community that values its heritage.”
Known for his sharp business acumen, past president of the Rotary Club of Torrey Pines and founding member trustee and chair of the Ray Thomas Edwards Foundation, Donald G. Yeckel and his wife, Jeannette, have been residents of La Jolla since 1972 during which time six of their seven children graduated from La Jolla High School. Yeckel is currently president of the Torrey Pines – La Jolla Rotary Foundation. Retired since 1999 after a 35-year career in the La Jolla office of Merrill Lynch where he was the first person to gain admission to the prestigious Merrill Lynch Chairman’s Club, Mr. Yeckel served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Captain.
With a deep appreciation for historic homes, Tom Grunow, a native of Old Greenwich, Connecticut, moved to La Jolla in 1986 with his wife, Alanna, a native La Jollan. Growing up in a Connecticut town founded in 1640 gave Grunow the sense of appreciation he holds for the character that older homes add to a community. Grunow, the owner of La Jolla’s Grunow Construction, is quick to point out restoring the beauty of older homes and their gardens is a passion, not a chore!
“We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country and I look forward to making a contribution to our community through my efforts on behalf of the La Jolla Historical Society,” Grunow said.
A devotee of the arts and sciences, Constance Mullin Branscomb, born and raised in historic Annapolis, MD, has been a resident of La Jolla since 1964. Active in musical, political and civic affairs, Branscomb has served on the boards of directors of the La Jolla Chamber Music Society and the Athenaeum Museum and Arts Library. In 1985 Branscomb founded Classical Performing Artists Management and represented classical musicians, chamber music and opera singers internationally. Widowed in 2000 when her husband, UCSD oceanographer Michael M. Mullin passed away, Connie is the recent bride of physicist and public policy expert Lewis M. Branscomb. For the past five years, Connie has lent her numerous talents to the La Jolla Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour Committee by, not surprisingly, arranging for the many fine musicians featured in the Gardens.
Finally, a name familiar to many La Jollans: Sherri Lightner. Lightner has devoted her nearly 30-year La Jolla residency to making a difference through numerous community efforts. A licensed Mechanical Engineer who semi-retired in 1997 after working in nuclear research and development and in the aerospace industry, Lightner has served as President of the La Jolla Town Council and a member of other planning groups in La Jolla and the La Jolla Shores. Mrs. Lightner is currently serving as chair of the La Jolla Shores Association and as Secretary of the La Jolla Town Council, and of the La Jolla Community Planning Association.
“The La Jolla Historical Society is at a critical point in its history and needs all the unique talents that members of our community have to offer,” La Jolla Historical Society Executive Director John Bolthouse said. “These four new Board members will be key contributors to our efforts and I am excited at the opportunity to work with them.”
The new officers of the Society’s Executive Committee are Roger Craig as the Board’s new President, former Board President Judith Haxo as Vice President, Sharilyn Gallison remaining as Treasurer, and Dr. Ruth Covell as Secretary.
About
La Jolla’s connection to its rich heritage, the La Jolla Historical Society's offices and archives are located at 7846 Eads Avenue, La Jolla. Open to the public Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (858) 459-5335. www.lajollahistory.org.
Media Contact: Ruth Varonfakis (858) 273-0928
RCVaronfakis@aol.com
www.lajollahistory.org
