General Membership Meeting

Retired Deputy Chief Lorraine Hutchinson served in the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department before retiring in June 2015. Since the start of her career in 1990, Retired Deputy Chief Hutchinson has celebrated a number of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department firsts. She worked her way up through the ranks and is the first and only African American woman in the history of the Department to be promoted to engineer, captain, battalion chief and her current position, deputy chief.
Mrs. Hutchinson earned an Associate of Science degree in Fire Technology from Miramar College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from National University.
Her last work assignment was in Fire Operations as the B Division Deputy Chief/Shift Commander. She supervised seven battalion chiefs who oversee the seven geographical areas that make up the City of San Diego. She was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Department when she was on duty.
Chief Hutchinson has been a community advocate for over 25 years and after being diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2012, she continued her civic service as a spokesperson for Susan G. Komen. Her tireless dedication and commitment to the fire service and her community has earned her much recognition including; Employee of the Quarter twice, the City of San Diego’s Diversity Distinction Award, San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s, 40 Under Forty Award, San Diego Business Journal’s 2011 Women who Mean Business Award, a nomination for the 2014 San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year award and she was honored in 2014 as the San Diego Padres Honorary Bat Girl.
Serving as Susan G. Komen’s 2014 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor and learning of the disparities that exist with African American women, after Mrs. Hutchinson retired, she briefly served as the Susan G. Komen’s Director of Community Relations. She held that assignment until she was needed to care for her ill father until he passed away. Mrs. Hutchinson remains committed to helping save lives by sharing her breast cancer journey.
Mrs. Hutchinson currently serves as the Fire Technology Director at Southwestern Community College where she continues to prioritize the recruitment of women and minorities to the Fire Service.
Mrs. Hutchinson is married to Steve Hutchinson, a retired San Diego Police Officer who currently works for the District Attorney’s office. They are the proud parents of three daughters, Brittany, Brandé and Bianca and three adorable grandchildren, Marianna, Cheyenne and Marquin.

Native of the Encanto Neighborhoods with over 30 years of professional and volunteer contributions to improve the quality of life for all residents of Southeastern San Diego. With advanced degrees in Management and organizational leadership, Patrice leads the community engagement programs and activities for GWSD to ensure that all programs and projects reflect the vested interests, values, and vision of current and future residents.

Anna King has over 20 years of leadership experience at all levels of PTA and was elected president-elect of National PTA in June 2019. She previously served at the national level as a member of the board of directors, vice president of membership and as chair of several committees.

King is also involved in other community activities as a board member of the Douglass Law and Public Safety Academy, a Salvation Army volunteer and the co- lead for Moms Demand Action NE Chapter.

Otha Thornton became the first African-American male president of National PTA at the June 2013 National PTA Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel, who earned the Bronze Star for exceptional performance in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010.

Currently, Thornton is a doctoral student in Executive Leadership at the University of Charleston West Virginia.