Governance

Kelly Durso

President, Appointed 09/12/2019

Kelly currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Pacific Coast Academy. She is a former high school Biology teacher turned stay at home mom of four children and has homeschooled them for their entire education. Kelly brings the unique perspective of a brick-and-mortar educator blended with that of a home-educator to the board. Kelly and her husband own a union subcontractor business in San Diego and have been able to experience all the learning opportunities that come along with operating a business. Kelly has knowledge of human resources, tax law, accounting, labor law, and office operations. She utilizes this extensive knowledge as a foundation to be an effective board member for Pacific Coast Academy. She is also a Robert's Rules of Order nerd and a fantasy book aficionado. When Kelly is not facilitating a child's learning by reading aloud, making slime, or creating spelling words for her son's choose-your-own-adventure book, she is most likely cooking dinner or reading up on the newest changes to Ed code.

Jessica Ackermann

Secretary, Appointed 03/05/2020

Jessica joined the Pacific Coast Academy Board of Directors in March of 2020 and has been serving as Board Secretary since August. As someone who would have liked to have been homeschooled as a child, the decision to homeschool her own children was an easy choice. Jessica taught her two sons throughout the entirety of their education and hopes to continue in the homeschooling community for many years to come. She is passionate about homeschooling and started an online community for North County San Diego homeschooling parents that currently boasts over 1,700 members. Before serving on the Board, Jessica was the treasurer for the North County San Diego Booster Club for Inspire Charter Schools. In her life before kids, she practiced architecture in San Diego and recently Jessica has taken up the cello in her free time.

John “JD” Luckesen

Member, Appointed 08/27/2020

A native of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, JD Luckesen is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a Master of Arts in Religious Education that includes an emphasis in Military Chaplaincy and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Integrative Chaplaincy from Vanderbilt University. John’s military career began in 2003 when he graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Utah Valley University and, while matriculating in graduate studies, was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy Reserves as a Chaplain Candidate. During his studies at Brigham Young University, JD completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency and he served as a Chaplain at Heritage Schools Inc., ministering to “at-risk” youth in a treatment center. John began Active Duty in 2012. As a member of the Chaplain Corps’ Ethics Community of Interest, he contributes to Suicide Prevention and Aftercare, Moral Injury and Leadership, and Team Development training forums. John, along with his wife and four children, happily reside in San Diego County.

Johnny Tran

Member, Appointed 10/01/2020

Johnny Tran joined the Board in October of 2020. He shares Pacific Coast Academy’s goal of developing critical thinkers, responsible citizens, and innovative leaders through education. A former teacher, his service on the Board continues his desire to support public education of our youth. Johnny is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System, which administers the pension of the City of San Diego, San Diego Port Unified District, and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

Ben Fung

Member, Appointed 07/06/2021