Mayor Lurie Appoints Library, Human Services Commissioners

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced two new appointments and one reappointment to the city’s Library Commission, as well as a reappointment to the Human Services Commission. Mayor Lurie has appointed Dr. Shawn Calhoun and Whitney Jones to join the Library Commission, and he has reappointed Pete Huang. He also reappointed Dr. James McCray, Jr. to continue his service on the Human Services Commission. Mayor Lurie thanked Teresa Ono and Susan Mall for their service on the Library Commission.

“Dr. Shawn Calhoun, Whitney Jones, Pete Huang, and Dr. James McCray, Jr. are highly capable leaders, and I proud to have them supporting our city’s recovery,” said Mayor Lurie. “With these four appointments, I am confident that each one is committed to our libraries, our city, and our future. Their collective expertise, dedication, and passion for service will play a pivotal role as we work together to shape a brighter future for our city.”

Dr. Shawn Calhoun currently serves as the library dean at the University of San Francisco (USF) and is a member of USF's leadership team and the provost's Council of Deans. In 2023, he co-led USF’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative, raising over $1 million, and chairs the advisory board for USF’s Black Achievement, Success, and Engagement (BASE) Initiative and the Black Community Council (BCC), fostering connections among Black faculty, staff, and alumni. Dr. Calhoun holds an MLIS from San José State University and an Ed.D. in learning and instruction from USF. He and his wife have lived in Miraloma Park, San Francisco, for over 20 years, raising two college graduates.

Whitney Jones is a seasoned retail executive with extensive experience driving growth across multiple brands. She served as vice president of Omni Women’s and Baby Merchandising at Banana Republic, previously serving as a senior director. She has also held key leadership roles at Athleta and Old Navy, driving significant business growth across multiple categories. Whitney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Middlebury College.

Pete Huang served as a product manager for growth at Airtable, leading initiatives that drive enterprise sales and product-led growth. Previously, he played a pivotal role in Airtable’s strategy and operations team, contributing to product marketing and sales engineering that supported the company’s rapid growth. Pete also brings consulting experience from McKinsey & Company, where he led digital strategy projects for federal public health agencies and healthcare payors. Pete has served as a commissioner for the San Francisco Public Library for seven years. He holds an M.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University.

Dr. James McCray, Jr. is a semi-retired faith and community leader with over 38 years of service in San Francisco, dedicated to ministry, affordable housing, and community advocacy. As executive director of the Tabernacle Community Development Corporation (TCDC) since 2011, he has led efforts to develop affordable housing and reverse the out-migration of African Americans from San Francisco. Dr. McCray has served as vice president of the San Francisco Human Services Commission, commissioner for the Building Inspection Commission, and board member of the Chinatown Community Development Center. He is a cancer survivor, founding chaplain of the Mentoring Men’s Movement, and advisor to UCSF's community health initiatives. He served for 25 years as senior minister of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church and contributed to public transportation policy as president of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. An educator and mentor, he has taught at Redlands University. Dr. McCray holds degrees from Morehouse College and Claremont School of Theology and has received multiple awards for his community service.