G. Wayne Eggleston was born in Tallmadge, Ohio, a small colonial-style town.

Wayne attended Mount Union College and upon graduating with a B.A. in business Administration, joined Timken Roller Bearing in Canton, Ohio. Shortly after joining their service sales division, he was transferred to California. Over the next few years, Wayne focused his career in real estate, managing large portfolios of 10 million square feet shopping centers, office buildings and 10,000 units large multi-family residential projects. He received the designation of Certified Property Manager (CPMC) in 1986.

In 1984, Wayne moved to San Clemente. In the early 1990’s, realizing that major development projects were being planned for the Pier Bowl, he became very involved in community activities. In 1992, he was elected President of the San Clemente Historical Society, and started to focus his efforts on the fate of the Casa Romantica. Owned by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Clemente, the Agency was desirous of the Casa Romantica being used as a restaurant. He organized opposition to this idea and wrote a conceptual plan to turn it into a cultural arts center. In 1995, he secured a grant to repair the tile roof and Norman Kennedy murals. The City of San Clemente also received a matching grant to assist with this renovation.

Independently, Wayne started a group called Spanish Village by the Sea Visionaries for the purpose of resident surveys to determine the direction San Clemente was heading.

In 1995, Eggleston, along with a group of concerned citizens, organized a 5013C non-profit group called The Heritage of San Clemente Foundation for the purpose of promoting and exhibiting the history of San Clemente. Additionally, the group wanted to call attention to the future of the Casa Romantica. The Heritage Foundation rented a historic building at 415 North El Camino Real with the following exhibits: Nixon/Western White House, Surfing and United States Marine Corps. Additionally, they had an art gallery and gift shop specializing in San Clemente-related inventory. The Heritage Foundation had many functions, including exhibit openings, art exhibits, movie and old radio nights.

When the City Council decided to turn the Casa Romantica into a Mexican restaurant, Eggleston decided that his most effective role was to run for City Council in 1998. Winning a seat on the City Council, he led the City Council to vote for a Casa Romantica Cultural/Arts Center when a generous donation was presented to the City by a benefactor.

It was decided to close The Heritage in 1999 so as to not compete with the Casa Romantica, a new non-profit group. The Heritage donated their exhibits and membership list to the newly formed Casa Romantica.

Just prior to closing their doors, The Heritage published the first coffee table book celebrating the heritage of this community. Ordering 2,000 copies, they sold out within three months. The book, entitled: The Heritage of San Clemente 1925 – 2000 won “The Best Historical Book of the Year” by California Media Professionals.

Over the next several years, Eggleston continued to support the heritage treasure of Ole Hanson’s vision by promoting Spanish Colonial Architecture and the importance of Avenida Del Mar as the premier shopping district in San Clemente.

Eggleston was re-elected to the City Council in 2002.

In 2003, as Executive Director of The Heritage, Eggleston began an effort to construct a Marine Monument in San Clemente dedicated to all Marines, past, present and future. He began a fund raising effort, chose an artist/sculptor, and searched for a location. Along with various community groups and military officers at Camp Pendleton, a location on City property at the Pier Bowl was chosen. Request for the location was made to the City Council and granted for the Alameda site, and the location for the Marine Monument is known as Park Semper Fi. The Marine Monument was dedicated on November 12, 2005.

Eggleston was chosen “Outstanding Citizen of the Year 2005” by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.

Wayne was chosen by his fellow council memebers in 2005 as Mayor for 2006-2007.