San Diego Men of Influence 2021

Ronson Shamoun

Ronson J. Shamoun is the founder and CEO of RJS Law, San Diego’s leading tax law firm. His practice involves federal and state taxation, with an emphasis on criminal tax defense, tax controversy, international tax and estate planning. In 2016, he co-founded the annual USD School of Law RJS Law Tax Controversy Institute, which brings together the entire tax community to discuss the latest changes in the law. He is a native San Diegan, a three-time graduate of the University of San Diego, receiving a B.A. in accountancy, his Juris Doctor and his Master of Law in taxation. He has supported many charitable organizations such as Girl Scouts, Susan G. Komen, United Way San Diego, American Diabetes Association, Rady’s Children Hospital Foundation, St. Theresa Academy, St. Perter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral.  He has been recognized as one of USD School of Law ‘s Distinguished Alumni. He is also an adjunct professor at the  USD School of Law, and the USD School of Business.

John Gomez

John Gomez, the founder of Gomez Trial Attorneys, is one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers. Among his significant trial results  are a $106 million wrongful death jury verdict arising out of San Diego’s infamous “American Beauty Murder,” a $16.5 million verdict against El Pollo Loco for a slip and fall, a $10 million jury verdict against Pizza Hut for the conduct of one of its delivery drivers, an $8.5 million verdict against DuPuy and Johnson & Johnson for a defective hip implant and a $6.5 million verdict against Omni Hotels for a coffee burn. He also represented the surviving members of CHP Officer Mark Saylor in their wrongful death case against Toyota, and the parents of San Diego legend Junior Seau in their wrongful death case against the NFL. He is a graduate of the University of San Diego where he was an All-American football player, and the Yale University Law School.

Neil Senturia

Neil Senturia is the CEO of Blackbird Ventures that invests in and incubates early stage technology companies. He is the classic serial entrepreneur. He has had three careers from writing sitcoms in Hollywood to real estate development and finally technology. Senturia has taught entrepreneurship at San Diego State’s MBA Program, UCSD, and the Donovan State Prison. He has won numerous journalism awards for his weekly business and entrepreneurship column in the San Diego Union Tribune. He is the author of three books about lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey, “I’m There for You Baby, the Entrepreneur’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Volumes 1, 2, and 3. He is married to Barbara Bry, and their blended family includes four adult children, and seven grandchildren.

Rick Dahlseid

Rick Dahlseid is a consulting CFO at PBO Advisory Group. With over 20 years of experience, his personal mission is to leverage his talents and experience to serve nonprofit organizations that help people flourish. A CPA with a master’s in taxation, he is a financial expert by trade. His professional background includes serving in financial leadership role at national companies in a variety of industries including agriculture, manufacturing, health care, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. His passion lies in advising leadership teams and boards of directors for high-functioning nonprofits on how to achieve greater sustainability and impact. His servant leadership perspective and warm personality give him an advantage in perfecting corporate vision and ensuring organizations efficiencies. In his unique role at PBO Advisory, he is currently serving many nonprofits including La Jolla Music Society, Regional Task Force on the Homeless, Nature and Culture International, Solutions for Change, Bayview Church and the Maritime Museum. 

Matthew Geaman

Matthew Geaman is a principal  at JWDA Architects. He has developed a reputation as a top-notch architect and respected leader in the profession. His passion, expertise and commitment to design and client relations is first class. The firm has entrusted him with complete oversight of the design and construction of many of their most successful projects. He was the architect of record on the award-winning Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. Currently, he is the firm’s project executive for a 389-unit, 40- story, high rise residential tower that is under construction at Eighth Avenue and Broadway. He is concurrently managing the JWDA team’s efforts on a 400-unit, affordable housing project in National City and a 422-unit 37-story high rise residential tower in downtown San Diego in Little Italy. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including 2016 AIA San Diego Young Architect of the Year and this magazine’s SD METRO 40 Under 40 award. He is a licensed architect in both California and Illinois, LEED Accredited Professional, and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certification. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois . 

Aaron J. Byzak

Since 2018, Aaron Byzak has served as the chief external affairs officer for Tri-City Medical Center In Oceanside where he is responsible for marketing, communications, government affairs, community engagement , and special events on behalf of the 386-bed general acute care medical center and a health care district serving more than 400,000 residents of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista. He is also the founder of Hazel’s Army, a community advocacy and education group that in 2014 helped pass the most comprehensive assisted living reform agenda in California’s history. In 2019, Hazel’s Army expanded its mission to include support for other vulnerable populations, notably those suffering from mental illness. He also serves on a wide array of nonprofit boards and committees focused on business, health care, workforce development, education and public safety issues. He serves in leadership positions for the North Coastal Prevention Coalition, San Diego North Economic Development Council, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Palomar College Foundation. He holds an undergraduate degree from Chapman University and an MBA from UC Irvine. 

Leonid “Lonny” Zilberman

Leonid Zilberman is a partner in WilsonTurnerKosmo’s Employment Law Practice Group who works closely with employers to achieve practical, cost-efficient strategies to their workplace problems  and disputes. Alternative dispute resolution is often the answer, though he also has an active litigation practice, representing employers across industry sectors in all sorts of single-plaintiff and class action claims. He practices regularly in federal and state courts, in private mediation and arbitration proceedings , and before state administrative agencies. Recently, he has started leveraging his mediation skills to serve as a neutral mediator for various community agencies. He is a volunteer as a pro bono mediator for the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. During the pandemic he volunteered with Resolve Law San Diego, a brainchild of local bar associations to provide free mediation and referee services to civil litigants. He received his B.A. in political science and international relations from UC Santa Barbara and his J.D. from Santa Clara University where he was in the Order of the Barristers. 

Zachary Schlagel

Path

Bardia Moayedi

Snell & Wilmer

Blake Marchand

March and Ash

Kevin Templeton

Barley Mash

Jon Samuel Wreschinsky

San Diego City Schools

Jeffrey D. Morton

Snell & Wilmer

Paolo Piscatelli

Rescu

Taylor Gibson

Optima Office

Ray Shay

Shay Realtors