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Shawn Vandiver

Shawn VanDiver works with government clients at all levels throughout California to identify innovative solutions to long-term municipal challenges. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the San Diego Convention Center in 2021, and is the founder of the San Diego Chapter of the Truman National Security Project. Additionally, he serves as the Executive Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum San Diego Chapter and on the Boards of Directors for Emerge California, Veterans Community Connections, and the Downtown San Diego Partnership. Shawn is a Navy veteran living in Clairemont with his wife and two children. He can be found on Twitter @shawnjvandiver.

Plans to build a duplex development on a vacant lot by the ocean in Dana Point readily won approval from local officials but have been delayed for years by the Coastal Commission. (SCNG)

Opinion: Achieving abundance requires reforming the Coastal Commission

April 22, 2025 at 12:04 p.m.

In their new book “Abundance,” journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson lay out a vision for how blue states can build more — and build better — by embracing urgency,...

Shawn VanDiver, Lucky (the Afghan who inspired AfghanEvac), and White House National Security Council Chief of Staff Curtis Ried. (Shawn VanDiver)

Opinión: Agradezcamos a los ayudantes detrás de escena. Se merecen el crédito

November 28, 2024 at 4:11 p.m.

“Busca a los ayudantes. Siempre encontrarás personas que están apoyando.”

Shawn VanDiver, Lucky (the Afghan who inspired AfghanEvac), and White House National Security Council Chief of Staff Curtis Ried. (Shawn VanDiver)

Opinion: Give thanks for helpers behind the scenes. They deserve the credit.

November 26, 2024 at 6:05 a.m.

Fred Rogers famously said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” His words remain timeless, offering comfort and clarity during moments of uncertainty. In my...

Shawn VanDiver aboard the USS XX in 2007

Here’s how my military service prepared me for a life of civic engagement

March 19, 2024 at 11:05 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran, the president of @AfghanEvac, vice president of External Affairs at Athenian Group and vice chair of the San Diego Convention Center's board. He lives in...

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The Biden istration and Congress must do more for the Afghans seeking new lives in America

August 16, 2023 at 7:31 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran from San Diego and President of #AfghanEvac. He lives in Clairemont. Find him on X @ShawnJVanDiver.“Brother, will you grant my last wish and help get...

San Diego, CA - April 13:

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, Jennifer Benitez, an assessment specialist at the Neil Good Center check in people requesting a bed at one of the shelters in San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Homelessness is the result of generations of underinvestment in housing and mental health

April 24, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and businessman He serves on the board of the San Diego Convention Center and leads #AfghanEvac. He lives in Clairemont.I often find myself frustrated by...

Shawn VanDiver is the subject of the "Someone You Should Know" column. He was photographed near the USS Midway on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 in San Diego California.

Each tattoo is a time capsule. I can where I was in life by looking at them.

October 23, 2022 at 1:01 p.m.

VanDiver is a businessman and activist who serves on the board of directors for the San Diego Convention Center and leads #AfghanEvac. He lives in Clairemont and is on Twitter,...

Foreigners board a Qatar Airways aircraft at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Some 200 foreigners, including Americans, flew out of Afghanistan on an international commercial flight from Kabul airport on Thursday, the first such large-scale departure since U.S and foreign forces concluded their frantic withdrawal at the end of last month. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A friend’s frantic message from Afghanistan set our relocation operation in motion

August 10, 2022 at 4:25 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and leads #AfghanEvac. He lives in Clairemont and is on Twitter, @ShawnJVanDiver. “Please grant my last wish and help my family get back to San...

Shawn VanDiver and Lucky at Lucky's new market Afghan Halal Market in Fort Worth, Texas.

Americans, banding together to help Afghans, restored my faith in this country

July 1, 2022 at 11:53 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and the founder of #AfghanEvac, and serves on the board of the San Diego Convention Center. He lives in Clairemont. He is on Twitter, @ShawnJVanDiver.Lucky...

Shawn VanDiver with his children Ryan, 13 and Daphne, 2

On Father’s Day, I worry about letting my family down the way my dad let me down

June 19, 2022 at 1:01 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran, president of the #AfghanEvac Coalition, and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Convention Center. He lives in Clairmont with his family....

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Attack on Capitol means we can’t stop discussing politics at dinner tables

January 5, 2022 at 8:43 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and co-founder of the Truman National Security Project San Diego Chapter. He lives in Clairemont. I’ll never forget Jan. 6, 2021. I started it with...

In this image provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, a Marine processes youth to be evacuated, at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Monday, Aug. 23. (Gunnery Sgt. Melissa Marnell/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)

Shortly after 9/11, I found myself with badge, a squad car and a gun

September 11, 2021 at 12:48 a.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and founder of the Truman National Security Project San Diego Chapter who lives in Clairemont.“We do this all the time in countries all over the...

Shawn VanDiver with his son Ryan

My son is 13 and I find myself wondering, ‘Is this the last time my boy will want to hug me tight?’

August 11, 2021 at 7:10 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran, co-founder of the Truman National Security Project San Diego Chapter and a resident of Clairemont. He's on Twitter at @ShawnJVanDiver.“Don’t go back to Virginia, Daddy....

San Diego, CA - March 27:
At San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, March 27, 2021 in San Diego, CA., San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria along with Representative were among the group of elected officials who were given a tour of the temporary youth shelter at the center. The girls will be separated in sleeping areas that will host up to 50-girls per pod. And temporary shelter will max out about 1450 girls. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

How the San Diego Convention Center became a humanitarian hub

July 17, 2021 at 12:31 p.m.

Lai, Cota and VanDiver serve on the board of directors for the San Diego Convention Center. Lai lives in Carmel Valley, Cota lives in Bay Park and VanDiver lives in...

A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment also known as The Old Guard, wears a face mask as he places flags in front of each headstone for "Flags-In" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Thursday, May 21, 2020, to honor the Nation's fallen military heroes ahead of Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

I swore an oath to the Constitution. This Independence Day, I’m thinking about it through a new lens.

July 2, 2021 at 9:56 p.m.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and founder of the Truman National Security Project San Diego Chapter who lives in Clairemont. He’s on Twitter at @ShawnJVanDiver.I’ll never forget what it feels...

Shawn VanDiver aboard the USS XX in 2007

As a veteran, I’m glad the U.S. military is leaving Afghanistan. But vulnerable people will suffer.

May 1, 2021 at 1:41 a.m.

VanDiver is a U.S. Navy veteran, co-founder of the Truman National Security Project San Diego chapter and a board member for Vets Community Connections and the San Diego Convention Center....

ers of Proposition 16 rally in front of the San Diego County istration Building on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.

Why you should vote yes on Prop. 16 to reinstate affirmative action in California

October 20, 2020 at 8:59 p.m.

As service , we swore an oath to protect and defend the United States, a country founded on the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all....

The Mercy sporting several large red crosses gets close to the pier.

In the war against coronavirus, U.S. military and civilians fight side by side

April 2, 2020 at 2:41 a.m.

I woke up Tuesday morning and read in the news a plea for help from the commanding officer of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. It is now in...