President

Phil Garn

Phil Garn grew up in Arlington, Virginia, visiting his grandparents, Alexander and Frances Golitzen, whose Hollywood careers sparked his lifelong love of film. Some of his favorite memories include touring the Universal backlot with Sasha Golitzen and seeing firsthand the creativity behind classic studio magic. After graduating from the University of Virginia and completing Officer Candidate School, Phil served with Special Boat Unit 12 and later in the Naval Reserves before building a distinguished career with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, including more than 26 years as a Postal Inspector. He and his wife, Lisa, purchased their Coronado home in 1992 and quickly became part of the community. Through local friendships and his connection to Sasha’s film legacy, Phil became involved with the Coronado Island Film Festival, introducing several of Sasha’s celebrated films. He has served on multiple committees, as Vice President, and now proudly serves as Board President.

Treasurer

Alison Lancaster

Alison Lancaster has been a proud resident of Coronado for 39 years and joined the Coronado Island Film Festival Board in 2019, where she serves as Treasurer. Raised in a Navy family, Alison spent most of her school years in Jacksonville, Florida, before earning her degree in Accounting from the University of Florida. Soon after graduation, she moved to Coronado with her Navy husband and has called it home ever since.

Alison began her career as a staff accountant for Lankford & Associates in La Jolla, where she worked for four years. She later retired from Cleanline Concrete Inc., where she managed accounting, bidding, and contracts.

Alison and her husband have built a life in Coronado and are the proud parents of four grown daughters. They also have an adorable grandson.

Secretary

Jeanmarie Bond

Jeanmarie Bond has lived in Coronado for more than 25 years and is a longtime patron of the arts. Now retired, she continues to serve the community in meaningful ways, including as a Commissioner on the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission, an active member of the Rotary Club of Coronado, and in several other volunteer roles.

She retired in 2021 after serving as President and CEO of the Coronado Schools Foundation, where she guided the organization through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to that, she spent more than a decade at UC San Diego as Corporate Secretary for the UC San Diego Foundation. In that role, she worked closely with the university’s most generous donors and the Board of Trustees, while also partnering with the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, and other academic leaders to advance the institution’s philanthropic mission and support its inaugural strategic plan and long-term institutional fundraising goals.

Board Director

Carol Arendt

A native Chicagoan and lifelong John Hughes enthusiast, Carol Arendt’s love of film began in high school while working at her local movie theater. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Carol traded the snowy shores of Lake Michigan for sunny San Diego in 2010. She and her family were quickly drawn to Coronado’s small-town charm and soon fell in love with the community, especially the Village Theater.

Carol’s passion for bringing people together through shared experiences inspired her to volunteer with the Coronado Island Film Festival in 2019. Since then, she has become a Patron member and now proudly serves as a Board Director for the Festival.

Outside of her work with CIFF, Carol enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her pup at Dog Beach, practicing yoga, visiting her oldest daughter in college, and navigating the adventures of raising twin teenagers. She also loves catching classic films with her husband, Dan, whenever possible.

Board Director

Billy Canu

Billy Canu is a Coronado-based entrepreneur, founder, and brand builder known for creating businesses that blend strong identity, growth, and community. He first made his mark with Fox & Jane and has since helped build and expand a portfolio of lifestyle, wellness, and hospitality brands, including Yoga Box, Renegade, Mavericks, and other consumer-driven ventures. His work is rooted in the belief that great brands should feel both elevated and deeply human.

As a board member of the Coronado Island Film Festival, Billy is proud to support an organization that brings storytelling, culture, and creative energy to the community. He believes film has the power to connect people, inspire conversation, and make a place feel more alive.

Billy lives in Coronado with his husband, Shannon, and their two children. He is passionate about building businesses, supporting local institutions, and helping shape a vibrant future for Coronado.

Board Director

Ken Fitzgerald

Ken Fitzgerald is a trial lawyer, trumpet player, and writer who has lived in Coronado since 1986. He holds a B.A. in Music from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and a law degree from the UCLA School of Law.

Ken is the managing partner of Fitzgerald Knaier LLP, a trial-focused litigation boutique. He has been recognized multiple times by San Diego Super Lawyers as one of San Diego’s top attorneys and by Best Lawyers in America for intellectual property and commercial litigation. Ken also serves on the Advisory Board of the Shepherd Society at Rice University and endowed a full-tuition scholarship for trumpet performance majors.

A former full-time professional musician, he has performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, Houston Symphony, and other acclaimed ensembles, and is currently principal trumpet of the La Jolla Symphony Orchestra.

Board Director

Robin Franck

Robin Franck is a native Coronado resident whose love of film began at the Village Theatre and deepened during her many years teaching anthropology at Southwestern College, where she often used documentary films to engage students.

She has been active in numerous professional and community organizations, including serving as past president of the California Sociological Association, former chair of the Board of Trustees for the Coronado Public Library, and former board member of the Friends of the Coronado Library.

Throughout her career, Robin has received many grants, awards, and recognitions, including support connected to the NIH, Dartmouth, and the Human Genome Project. Her passion for education, storytelling, and community service naturally connects with her work at the Coronado Island Film Festival. When she is not involved with festival activities, Robin enjoys volunteering with the gorillas at the San Diego Zoo. She remains a dedicated advocate for learning, film, and community engagement in Coronado.

Board Director

Jennifer Franks

Jennifer M. Franks is an author, adventure traveler, animal lover, concert enthusiast, avid reader, and flamenco guitar player. Jennifer is a cofounder of the Coronado Music and Art Foundation and the Coronado Music Festival, and has been an active board member for the Coronado Island Film Festival since 2020.

Board Director

Dr. Kevin Kenny

Dr. Kevin M. Kenny was raised on Long Island in the suburbs of New York City and educated at James Madison University and the Medical College of Virginia. While serving in the U.S. Navy, he settled in San Diego, established a private dental practice, and continued his Navy career in the reserves, rising to the rank of Captain.

He and his wife, Jackie, a teacher, made Coronado their home. In addition to his dental practice, Kevin taught as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of San Diego and founded a dental study club that grew into a philanthropic organization.

Passionate about service, he has participated in dental missions throughout the world, providing care in communities with limited resources. He has also organized many toy drives in Coronado. A Rotarian, golfer, boater, and devoted film fan, Kevin brings a strong spirit of service and community to the Coronado Island Film Festival.

Board Director

Mark O’Brien

Mark O’Brien is a Coronado-based real estate professional and community leader known for his deep involvement in many of the island’s most cherished events and organizations. A strong supporter of the arts, Mark believes film, music, and community gatherings play an important role in bringing people together.

As part of The O’Brien Real Estate Team at PorchLight Realty, he and his wife are proud sponsors of the Coronado Island Film Festival and longtime supporters of local nonprofit efforts. Mark is also deeply involved in many of the island’s signature traditions, serving as Vice-President of Coronado Promenade Concerts, the nonprofit behind the beloved Concerts in the Park summer series. He regularly supports other important community events, including the Fourth of July Parade and local charitable fundraisers.

In addition, he founded O’BrienFest, an annual fundraiser benefiting the This Time Tomorrow Foundation. Through his professional work and civic involvement, Mark continues to make a meaningful impact in Coronado.

Board Director

Jason Salata

Jason Salata leads Provision Advisors, a PR, marketing, and production company based in Coronado. He served 30 years as a public affairs officer and spokesman for the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Captain in 2022.

His military assignments took him across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the United States, giving him extensive experience in strategic communications and public affairs at the highest levels. Throughout his Navy career, including roles at the Pentagon and the Navy’s Office of Information in Los Angeles, Jason directly supported several Department of Defense-backed feature films and television series, including Black Hawk Down, Behind Enemy Lines, Tears of the Sun, Battleship, and American Sniper, as well as NCIS and The Last Ship.

He now brings that storytelling and communications expertise to his work in the private sector. Jason lives in Coronado with his wife, Tisha, and their four sons, and remains deeply connected to the community.

Board Director

Pam Sauter

Pam brings more than 20 years of global Human Resources leadership experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Qualcomm. Throughout her career, she held key roles with leading technology and consumer product companies, including IBM and Warner Lambert/Schick Razors.

At Qualcomm, she was part of the Senior Management and HR Leadership teams during a period of major growth, helping support the company’s 16 consecutive years on Fortune’s Best Places to Work list. Her expertise includes domestic and international HR, workforce planning, change management, and more than 50 mergers and acquisitions.

Pam holds both a Master’s degree in Human Resources & Labor Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Employment Relations & Psychology from Michigan State University. Originally from Michigan, Pam has lived in Coronado since 2006 and is deeply involved in service and leadership.

Board Director

Renee Simpson

Renee Simpson is an experienced development professional with expertise in higher education, project management, and grant research and writing. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder and an M.A. in Liberal Arts from San Diego State University.

Throughout her career, Renee built her skills through roles with organizations including the Center for Creative Leadership, Queen Mary University of London, The Water Conservation Garden, and San Diego State University. As a consultant and small business owner, she provides expert support through Simpson Nonprofit Services, helping San Diego area nonprofits increase contributed revenue and strengthen their impact in the community.

Renee brings a thoughtful approach to storytelling, service, and community engagement, values that align naturally with her work at the Coronado Island Film Festival.

Board Director

Carol Sommer

Carol, a New Jersey native, moved to the West Coast in 1974 with her late husband, Fred. Although their original plan was to sail around the world, a delay with their boat led them to buy a condo in Coronado instead. Their love of adventure continued through many memorable cruises, from San Diego to Annapolis and later to Alaska. Over the years, they owned four boats before deciding that cruising on larger ships was far more comfortable.

Carol enjoys cycling, tennis, golf, and giving back to the community she loves. She serves on the boards of Sharp Coronado Hospital and the Coronado Hospital Foundation and is also a proud member of the Rotary Club of Coronado, where she is part of the Arch Klumph Society.

Her connection to the arts and community expanded through her support of the Coronado Island Film Festival as a benefactor, and she is honored to serve as a board member.

Board Director

Jeff Tyler

Jeff purchased his historic 1936 Coronado home in 1993 and has embraced the Village lifestyle for more than 30 years. He and his wife have four children and enjoy hiking, cruising, and traveling.

Following a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force, including Command at Sea, Jeff moved into senior management roles in private industry. He has remained deeply engaged in community service and civic leadership across the island.

Jeff is a Board Member and Benefactor of the Coronado Island Film Festival and has long supported the arts, including many years on the Lamb’s Players Theatre Board, serving as Chair. He also chaired the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission for five years and was a founding Public Art Commissioner for eight years.

A Coronado Rotarian for more than two decades, Jeff also serves in board positions with the Coronado Historical Association, Coronado Community Church, and choir, and previously with the Coronado Community Foundation, helping to establish its “People giving to People” philosophy. His educational background includes an MBA in Business and Computer Information Systems, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Oceanography from the University of Washington.

Student Representative

Ethan Wahamaki

Ethan Wahamaki is a San Diego-based filmmaker and high school student with a passion for telling compelling stories. In 2020, he founded Wahamakifilms© with the goal of creating original and meaningful work.

Since then, Ethan has written, directed, produced, and acted in more than 30 films, including Vampire Sandwich, a project as distinctive as its title. The film premiered at the 2024 Coronado International Film Festival and the SoCal Film Awards, where it received the Best Student Film award. Ethan is also directing and producing four short documentaries scheduled for release in late 2024 and early 2025.

A senior at Coronado High School graduating in 2025, he also serves as a board member of the Coronado International Film Festival. With strong creative vision and ambitious plans for the future, Ethan is committed to making a lasting impact through filmmaking and using storytelling to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

Student Representative

Lilia Spiegel

Lilia Spiegel is a high school student in Coronado whose films explore loneliness, especially among her generation. Through her work, she aims to evoke happiness and nostalgia while inspiring meaningful reflection and connection.

Her documentary Low Tech Friend examines how young adults around the world struggle to build lasting friendships in the age of social media. The film earned the Award of Recognition at the Best Shorts Film Competition, premiered at the Coronado Film Festival, and won the Audience Choice Award for Best Emerging Filmmaker in the high school category. Low Tech Friend was also selected for the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival.

Lilia’s short documentary Drifting follows a group of high school students who turn to fishing as a way to cope with leaving their friends, and their past selves, behind. It is an Official Selection at the Kids First Festival. Lilia continues to use film as a way to tell thoughtful, emotionally resonant stories.