Board of Governors
Your Board of Governors, Executive Committee, and Honorary Members of the Board of Governors are a dedicated and diverse group of members who proudly represent the University Club within the San Diego community and serve as trusted ambassadors for our Club. Working in close partnership with Club leadership, the Board is committed to enriching the member experience while fostering meaningful cultural, academic, and professional connections. Their role is rooted in listening, sharing thoughtful insight, and supporting the delivery of exceptional service across every touchpoint. Guided by a deep respect for the Club’s traditions and a shared vision for its future, the Board helps ensure the University Club continues to thrive as a vibrant, modern gathering place for connection and community. Beginning in 2026, the Board is led by Debbie Escobedo, Chair, and Bob Watkins, Vice Chair, each serving three-year terms.
Luis Vargas
Chair Emeritus
Luis Vargas
Chair Emeritus
Serving since 2017
About Luis
Judge Vargas has been a long-standing active member of the University Club since 2013. He is a retired San Diego Superior Court Judge and is very involved in local charities, including The University Club's Lamp of Learning and the San Diego Rescue Mission. A graduate of San Diego State University and University of San Diego School of Law, Judge Vargas has served on our Board of Governors for over 6 years. His best kept secret: The walking trails surrounding the Otay Lakes Reservoir where you can walk in beauty and watch brave souls jump out of planes at Skydive San Diego.
Debbie Escobedo
Board Chair
Debbie Escobedo
Board Chair
Serving since 2016
Bob Watkins
Vice Chair
Bob Watkins
Vice Chair
Serving since 2011
Ashley Feuerman
Communications Director
Ashley Feuerman
Communications Director
Serving since 2025
About Ashley
Ashley Feuerman is the founder of Feuerman Law, APC. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate and business transactions. Ashley's professional passion is helping entrepreneurs protect their assets and create generational wealth through real estate investments. Ashley grew up in Orange County and moved to San Diego in 2006 to attend San Diego State University. She obtained her JD from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Since joining the University Club, Ashley has participated in the Young Executive Society, Welcome Council, Women of the Club, and the Sports and Entertainment Committee. Outside of her Club involvement, Ashley enjoys spending her time on the golf course and volunteering at various youth charities throughout San Diego County. She joined the Club 2016 and her favorite event to attend is Toast to Women Tuesday.
Bob Gaglione
Member
Bob Gaglione
Member
Serving since 2025
About Bob
Bob Gaglione is an Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and Principal of Gaglione ADR Group.
Bob was a business and civil trial lawyer for over 30 years and served as a Deputy Director in the United States Department of Labor in Washington DC. He also taught law and political science classes at several local universities. Bob is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the University of San Diego School of Law. He joined the University Club in 2014 and enjoys hosting private events at the Club, especially in the Board Room which was his law office for seven years before the space was occupied by the University Club.
Rafael Garcia
Member
Rafael Garcia
Member
Serving since 2025
About Rafael
Rafael Garcia is a seasoned media sales executive with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has held pivotal roles at major networks such as Univision and Telemundo, and most recently served as a consultant for Fox Deportes and the city of Tijuana, Baja California. Renowned for his vast industry knowledge and extensive network, Mr. Garcia has a proven track record of creating opportunities and building lasting relationships.
A natural leader and effective communicator, Rafael is driven by his passion for empowering others to succeed. His strategic vision and dedication to client satisfaction have been instrumental in driving revenue growth and strengthening partnerships.
In 2022, Rafael co-founded La Revista Binacional alongside two partners. Today, it stands as one of the most influential media platforms for Latino audiences across the United States, working in close collaboration with Mexican consulates and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce nationwide.
Karl Gorman
Member
Karl Gorman
Member
Serving since 2023
About Karl
Graduate of Western Michigan University where he double majored in Sales & Business Marketing & Finance. Karl has spent the last 20 years in the Employee Benefits sector working for some of the largest financial institutions in the world. In addition, Karl launched GLH, LLC, a real estate investment company focused on revitalizing Black and low-income communities across the country. The company owns 3 commercial properties, 33 residential single-family homes/apartment buildings, and does 10 flips a year. GLH, LLC also lends over $5M to developers in hard money to complete projects.
Dan Hom
Chairman Emeritus
Dan Hom
Chairman Emeritus
Serving since 2010
About Dan
Dan Hom is the President and CEO of FocusCom. Inc, a public relations and public affairs firm located in San Diego. In addition to holding the chairman position on the Board of Governors, Dan is very vested in the San Diego community. He is Chairman of the Asian Business Association Advisory Board, is a board member of the Red Cross, is chairman emeritus for the Chula Vista Police Foundation and a Board member for the San Diego Harbor Police. A native of San Diego, Dan graduated from San Diego State University and has served on our board for over 10 years. Dan's best kept secret: Las Cuatro Milpas in Barrio Logan and Sushi Ota in Pacific Beach.
Harold Tuck
Member
Harold Tuck
Member
Serving since 2025
About Harold
For more than 27 years, Harold Tuck has dedicated his career to the County of San Diego. Most recently, as Chief Information Officer, Tuck was responsible for all operational and strategic Information Technology functions for the County, providing services to 17,000 County employees at over 200 facilities. One of Tuck’s primary, and highly visible tasks was ensuring that County government and its citizens received the full benefits of a multi-year, $700 million IT Outsourcing Contract, making the County the first Municipal Government to outsource all IT functions to the private sector.
He joined Club in 2012. My favorite event at the Club is the “Pop-up” Prime Rib dinner.
Andre Kwan
Member
Andre Kwan
Member
Serving since 2025
About Andre
Andre K. Kwan is a seasoned financial strategist and real estate investment expert with over two decades of experience helping individuals and businesses build long-term wealth through property ownership and smart financial planning. Since launching his career in 2003, Andre has guided thousands of clients and partners through the complexities of real estate, with a focus on maximizing opportunity, building legacy, and fostering community.
Beyond finance, Andre is deeply committed to civic leadership and philanthropy. He proudly serves on the Board of Governors for The University Club, a premier business and social community, and previously served as a Commissioner for the City of San Diego’s International Affairs Board, appointed by the Mayor, where he supported cross-border collaboration and global engagement.
Andre is also a board member of Oncology and Kids, supporting families affected by pediatric cancer, and has dedicated more than a decade as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego. Outside of work, Andre enjoys supporting local charities, hosting meaningful gatherings, learning to sail, traveling in search of inspiration, and cheering on his beloved Buckeyes, Giants, and Knicks.
Brian Lee
Member
Brian Lee
Member
Serving since 2020
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Arnulfo Manriquez
Member
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Arnulfo Manriquez
Member
Serving since 2023
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Tom Deverall
Member
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Tom Deverall
Member
Serving since 2026
Pam Marcheski
Member
Pam Marcheski
Member
Serving since 2025
About Pam
Pam Marcheski is the principal owner of Intentions to Actions Leadership. A Mindfulness-based leadership company that centers around helping individuals and organizations identify their desired leadership intentions in personal and professional life. With the structure of utilizing the traditional leadership development model combined with the foundations of mindfulness, Pam helps to guide a roadmap with actions that align with those intentions. Pam spent the first 25 years of her career as a senior-level executive within several fortune 500 companies. She employs her experience of leading teams with over 1,000 employees and P&L responsibility for billions of dollars in business, to now coach individuals and organizations in operational excellence, leadership development, and organizational strategy and implementation.
Joined the Club in 2018. My favorite events to attend at the club are vast hard to pick!-Any event where I can be with my UClub community brings me joy. If I have to pick I would say Women of the Club events and New Member Happy Hours because I get to meet all the new members.
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Bernie Mauricia
Member
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Bernie Mauricia
Member
Serving since 2025
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Kazeem Omidji
Member
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Kazeem Omidji
Member
Serving since 2025
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Jay Henslee
Member
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Jay Henslee
Member
Serving since 2026
About Jay
Jason Paguio
Member
Jason Paguio
Member
Serving since 2026
About Jason
Jason Paguio is a recognized leader working with and for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities across the country. Jason’s impact and advocacy span multiple sectors and industries, from nonprofit organizations, and government entities to political action committees — providing a perspective that is wide-ranging to maximize a greater collective impact to diverse communities. He currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Business Association San Diego and the Asian Business Association California Foundation. Jason was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the California Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility Task Force, and by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to the City of San Diego Small Business Advisory Board and the Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Group.
Jason was named “Minority Small Business Champion of the Year” by the US Small Business Administration, “San Diego’s 500 Most Influential People” and “CEO of the Year” by the San Diego Business Journal, and is a recipient of the “Libby Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership” by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego.
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Lidia Martinez
Member
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Lidia Martinez
Member
Serving since 2026
Chida Warren
Member
Chida Warren
Member
Serving since 2025
About Chida
Chida Warren is a second-generation Black newspaper publisher and media professional currently serving in San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s administration as Director of Appointments, Boards, and Commissions, where she oversees 44 advisory bodies and nearly 500 volunteers. She previously served as Deputy Director of Communications.
Chida is a published children’s author and an adjunct professor within the San Diego Community College District, contributing to student learning and civic engagement. She is also the founder of the nonprofit Outta Here, which supports underserved youth by covering passport fees.
Prior to public service, Chida was co-publisher and managing editor of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, the city’s oldest African American newspaper, becoming the youngest African American newspaper publisher in the nation. Her career also includes leadership roles in nonprofit and civic organizations focused on youth empowerment, girls’ education, economic equity, and community advocacy, including serving as Executive Director of San Diego’s first Black Chamber of Commerce.
Chida holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a master’s degree in public administration.
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Douglas Wilson
Honorary Member
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Douglas Wilson
Honorary Member
Serving since 1988
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Alex Butterfield
Honorary Member
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Alex Butterfield
Honorary Member
Serving since 2000
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Robert "Bob" Caplan
Honorary Member
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Robert "Bob" Caplan
Honorary Member
Serving since 1990
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Phil Gildred
Honorary Member
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Phil Gildred
Honorary Member
Serving since 1988
Martha Gilmer
Honorary Member
Martha Gilmer
Honorary Member
Serving since 2014
Jerry Sanders
Honorary Member
Jerry Sanders
Honorary Member
Serving since 2013
David Bejarano
Honorary Member
David Bejarano
Honorary Member
Serving since 2001
Nikki Clay
Honorary Member
Nikki Clay
Honorary Member
Serving since 1998
Ben Haddad
Honorary Member
Ben Haddad
Honorary Member
Serving since 1998
About Ben
Currently, Mr. Haddad sits on the board of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the National Conflict Resolution Center, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, and the University Club Board of Governors. He and his wife, Ann, have teamed to chair charity events for the American Cancer Society and two local organizations that help abused children and children with developmental disabilities. Recently concluded assignments include of The San Diego Foundation, the LEAD Board of Directors (former chair), American Red Cross/San Diego & Imperial Counties Chapter board of directors, the Lincoln Club Board, the San Diego Symphony Board, the UCSD Board of Overseers, the Monarch School Board, and the San Diego Center for Children, which he also chaired.
Twice named one of “50 San Diegans to Watch” by San Diego Magazine, Mr. Haddad was also twice named to the San Diego Business Journal’s “San Diego 500, the Book of Influential Business Leaders.
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Jeff Light
Honorary Member
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Jeff Light
Honorary Member
Serving since 2011
Julie Walke
Honorary Member
Julie Walke
Honorary Member
Serving since 2009
Mike Bixler
Honorary Member
Mike Bixler
Honorary Member
Serving since 1998
Sean Mahoney
Honorary Member
Sean Mahoney
Honorary Member
Serving since 2014
Haney Hong
Honorary Member
Haney Hong
Honorary Member
Serving since 2012
About Haney
A husband, father, Reserve Naval officer, business owner, and student of citizenship, Haney Hong is President & CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, President and Trustee of the San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation, and the Principal Officer for the SDCTA Political Action Committee. He is focused on robust citizenship engagement and firmly believes that such engagement is the first line of defense against internal and external threats to a healthy democratic society. Haney is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Universities and sits on several nonprofit and government boards on the East and West Coasts. He teaches at Point Loma Nazarene University and the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy.