Jerry Garcia Avila is a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander with 25 years of service and more than three decades of leadership and management experience. Beginning his Navy career as an enlisted Personnelman, Jerry rose through the ranks, earned a commission as a naval officer, and went on to serve in senior leadership positions, including Executive Officer and Officer in Charge. His career included operational, administrative, educational, and strategic responsibilities, as well as service on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Education has played an important role throughout Jerry’s life and career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University, a Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego, and a Master of Arts in Postsecondary Education from San Diego State University. He also earned a Certificate in Community College Teaching and has extensive experience in education, training, personnel development, and organizational leadership.

Jerry’s commitment to Oceanside schools is also deeply personal and grounded in firsthand experience. In 2019, he began working as a school bus driver for Oceanside Unified School District, and he later served as an OUSD substitute teacher in grades K–12. Working directly with students and seeing the realities of the school system from inside the classroom strengthened his desire to make a meaningful difference in public education and ultimately inspired his decision to run for the School Board.

Jerry is running to bring experienced leadership, accountability, and a renewed focus on student achievement to OUSD. He believes every student deserves a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, critical thinking, and practical life skills—and that schools must remain focused on preparing young people to succeed in school, in the workplace, and in life.