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.

About Michelle

Michelle Langmaid is a former Material Program Manager and is enjoying retirement in San Diego. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Michelle and her husband Ed have called San Diego home since 1986. In addition to serving on the Board of Governors as secretary, Michelle is very busy with her philanthropic endeavors at several military charities supporting active-duty service members. Michelle enjoys traveling the world

About Betsy

Betsy Brennan is the President & CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown’s urban neighborhoods. Brennan leads the organization’s staff of more than 100 to provide a broad spectrum of services to benefit Downtown. These include providing a quality membership program to more than 300 individuals and stakeholder organizations, conducting successful advocacy in service of the organization’s mission, telling the story of the market as the voice of Downtown, and providing excellent public services to keep 275 blocks of Downtown clean, safe and thriving. Since 2018, Brennan has brought her background in leadership at the City of San Diego, community-serving nonprofits, and educational institutions to the benefit and growth of the organization, helping it gain new relevancy as a critical piece of the bright future of the San Diego region. Brennan earned her Juris Doctor, with a specialization in land use, at the University of San Diego (2003) and brings this expertise to her work in Downtown. Best kept secret-Downtown: the Plaza Deli on the 3rd floor of 401 B St. (home of DSDP) The owners, Cyndi and Dave have run this place since the ’80s, so friendly and appreciative! Best Chili and Ruben sandwich downtown. Even has a beautiful outside dining area! Best kept secret-San Diego: La Playa Beach in Pt. Loma. Great place for family picnic, standup paddle boards and relaxing!”

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.

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.

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.

About Mike

Michael Pérez is the founder of PEREZ VAUGHN & FEASBY (Est. in 2005). As a trial lawyer, Mike has worked as a business litigator beginning his career at Brobeck, and also as a partner at Luce Forward. Mike was also a federal prosecutor, worked as a diplomat for the State Department in Mexico City, and worked as special counsel to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States in DC. Mike is a native San Diegan who graduated from Valhalla High School. Mike has a double degree from Stanford University in Human Biology and Psychology and a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. He is also pursuing an MA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. Mike served on the Board of Trustees at Stanford and numerous nonprofit boards. He and his wife, Beckie, founded the 29:Eleven Maternity Home which is a housing program for pregnant women who are homeless and in dire circumstances. They operate two homes now and hope to open a third in 2023. Mike and Beckie have five children, including a foster child (Tony, Jacqui, Michael, Ezekiel, and Sofia). In his spare time, Mike is the head wrestling coach at St. Augustine High School.

About Art

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.

About Steven

Nationally known as one of “America’s Top Experts on Leadership, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion”, JONES Founder and CEO, Dr. Steven Jones, has dedicated his career to building a world-class global consulting firm that strengthens its clients’ ability to excellence through diversity, inclusion, and organizational excellence. Committed to continuing the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Jones is driven by the belief we can accomplish more through hope, love, and actions that inspire and empower, as opposed to actions that instill fear and oppress.