Meals on Wheels San Diego County Announces New Board Members

Meals on Wheels San Diego County announces new board members who will serve three-year terms from 2022-2025. The new members were voted into service on Sept. 27, 2022 and have already begun supporting the nonprofit by bringing in fresh perspectives and passionate ideas, all in support of the nonprofit’s mission to deliver hot meals and warm smiles to local seniors who need it most.

New board members include the following (in alphabetical order):

David Cohn, Co-Owner, Cohn Family Restaurants
David is the President and Founder of the Cohn Restaurant Group, which owns and operates 27 restaurants in Southern California and Hawaii. David and his wife, Lesley, began their family of restaurants 40 years ago with one small diner. He has been honored as San Diego Restaurateur of the Year, San Diego Press Club’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, California Restaurateur of the Year, Hillcrest Hero, Gaslamp Quarter Vision Award and the National Restaurant Association’s Good Neighbor Award. David serves on the Fundraising Committee.

Drew Deckman, Chef and Owner, Deckman’s Restaurant Group
Drew is the Chef and Owner of the Deckman's Restaurant Group. He is dedicated to local, sustainable ingredients, is Regional Governor for Slow Food International, and has been the culinary consultant for Casa de Piedra Winery, Paralelo Winery, Estacion por Venir Winery and La Contra Vinos. Chef Drew is also an active participant in various Culinary Festivals and Events, including the Baja Culinary Fest, Baja Bash, and Chefs al Rescate. He serves on the Fundraising Committee.

Bobby Fitzsimmons, Program Scheduler, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest
Bobby is a Program Scheduler for the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest located onboard Naval Air Station North Island. He schedules maintenance for Navy and Marine Corps F-18 aircraft. Bobby is proud to represent his family who is one of the most impactful and engaged supporters in our agency’s history. He’s excited to put San Diego senior needs at the forefront in our community. Bobby serves on the Services Committee.

Rick Gentry, Retired, Former President and CEO, San Diego Housing Commission
The President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) from September 19, 2008 to March 31, 2022, Richard C. Gentry led an agency with more than 350 employees and a budget of more than $604 million. In October 2017, Rick received the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for lifetime service to the affordable housing industry. He serves on both the Audit and Services Committee.

Shane Harris, President, People’s Association of Justice Advocates, and CEO of S Harris Communications
Shane Harris is the CEO of a communications and public affairs firm and founder of the national bi-coastal civil rights nonprofit organization and policy institute “People’s Association of Justice Advocates”. Shane brings an important equity lens and will assist with the creation of Meals on Wheels’ first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee to expand the reach, increase clientele, and strengthen partnerships in communities that have been historically marginalized across San Diego County. He serves on the Fundraising Committee.

Nancy Lazarski, President and Owner, Crosscut LLC
Nancy is President and CEO of Crosscut, LLC and addresses corporate-level needs in federal and commercial healthcare, as well as outreach for corporate entities with business interests benefiting community needs. Her background is in counseling psychology with experience in private practice-individual and group; sports psychology; psychological assessment in neuropsychology; psychological stress and resiliency; reintegration. Nancy is the Board Chair and serves on the Executive Committee.

Margaret Malowney, Retired, Former Director, Civilian Human Resources for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Before she retired from the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (formally Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command) in December 2018, Margaret served as the Director of Civilian Human Resources for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. Prior to that, she was the Director of Civilian Human Resources for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command. As Director of Civilian Human Resources, Margaret represented the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command and Naval Special Warfare Command at the Navy level and was accountable to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Civilian Human Resources. Margaret is the Vice Chair and will be serving on both the Executive and Board Development Committees.

Pam Pendrell, Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, GlobeFlex Capital
Pamela Pendrell is the Chief Compliance Officer of GlobeFlex Capital, an investment adviser serving institutional clients. She has been with the firm since 2004 and held marketing and client service roles prior to focusing on compliance. In her free time, Pam is a vocalist, singing with a couple of local cover bands and performing periodically with renowned jazz guitarist, Peter Sprague. She serves on the Fundraising Committee as Co-Chair, as well as the Executive Committee.

“We’re excited to have these wonderful community leaders join our team to not only help take our organization into the next three years of growth, but also provide fresh perspectives on the work we do to support local seniors in need of nutrition,” says Brent Wakefield, president and CEO, Meals on Wheels San Diego County. “In collaboration with our long standing board members, staff, and volunteers, we look forward to continuing to support our senior clients every day of the year.”

For information on ways to get involved and support Meals on Wheels San Diego County, visit sandiegomealsonwheels.org.

About Meals on Wheels San Diego County
The impact Meals on Wheels has on the seniors they serve goes far beyond the wholesome meals provided. Daily friendly contact provides important socialization for those who may be isolated with little or no connection to the outside world. Lives are often saved in the course of delivering meals when a person does not respond to a knock on the door, has fallen, or may have become ill. For over 60 years, Meals on Wheels San Diego County has contributed to the overall well-being of seniors by providing regular nutrition and daily contact with a caring volunteer. Learn more at sandiegomealsonwheels.org or call 800.5.SENIOR.