Management Department

Jennifer Struebing Freet is currently the CEO and managing partner for Balboa Manufacturing Co., LLC (BMC), a company that designs and develops brands in specialized markets; primarily the power sports, outdoor, tactical, and safety industries. She oversees the company's business operations including sales, marketing, new product development, and supply chain.

Jennifer joined BMC in 1995 where she was instrumental in developing BMC's core brands through market research, value-chain analysis, and customer key account development. In 2007, Jennifer successfully created and obtained three product patents. In 2011, Jennifer completed an Executive MBA degree at San Diego State University where she serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Fowler College of Business, Management Department Advisory Board.

Jennifer is results-oriented with highly effective strategic management and supply chain expertise. As a common-sense leader who develops highly competent and well-functioning teams, Jennifer ensures a productive business organization.

LinkedIn: jenniferstruebingfreet

Adam Pierce is Vice President of Energy Procurement and Rates for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), one of Sempra’s regulated California utilities. SDG&E provides service to 3.6 million consumers through 1.5 million electric meters and more than 911,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange Counties.

In his current role, Pierce is responsible for SDG&E’s electric and fuel procurement as well as electric pricing and forecasting.

Since joining Sempra in 2012, Pierce has served in various roles across the organization including Sempra’s Mergers & Acquisitions department, Sempra Renewables, Sempra's Investor Relations department and most recently Customer Pricing for SDG&E.

Prior to joining Sempra, Pierce was in the financial services industry focusing on energy and power capital markets. During this time, Pierce advised energy companies across the industry on various corporate strategic activities including acquisitions, debt and equity financings, and strategic assessments.

Pierce received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Louis University with concentrations in both economics and finance.

He currently serves on the advisory board for San Diego State University’s Fowler

I started working at age 12, doing residential landscape maintenance (pulled weeds and mowed lawns). I advanced quickly to dish washing and janitorial work.

Worked my way through college in many jobs: retail, restaurants, household moving, making ice cream, bar tending, live-in aid to a paraplegic, bouncer at a strip joint, dancing bear in a medieval themed restaurant and running a processing plant in the salmon fisheries of western Alaska.

Earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University in 1976.

Worked as a psychiatric aide in a mental health ICU unit on the graveyard shift. That was an education.

Entered Corporate Land in 1979, at Martin Marietta Aluminum, in human resources and safety.

Earned a master’s degree in organizational psychology from California State University at Long Beach in 1981.

Held human resources, quality assurance and manufacturing management roles between 1981 and 1989, with Smith International, TRW and Mycogen Corporation. Got fired from Mycogen. Pissed off five vice presidents in two years, and that apparently was enough to do it.

Began my entrepreneurial adventures. Founded HRG Inc., in 1989, providing the full range of outsourced human resources services. Grew that company to 20 people and was acquired in 1999 by McGladrey, a national accounting and consulting company. Led the southern California consulting division P&L, equaling four offices and 35 people, until late 2004.

Also, concurrent with the HRG years, founded a software company publishing PC-based HR information systems. That died after two years of “Partneritis”, entirely-self-inflicted. Founded and led a biotech diagnostics company in 1991, whose technologies were sold 12 years later.

Left McGladrey in 2004 to return to independent consulting as HRG, and to form KI Investment Holdings, a small private equity company investing in new businesses that could grow profitably over the long-term while creating middle class careers. Invested in six businesses between 2006 and 2011. Two have failed. Two have been acquired for a good return. Two remaining organizations are progressing as of this writing (stay tuned).

Was invited in 2012 by my absolute all-time favorite consulting client to join its senior leadership team as it engineered the company’s evolution through a critical phase. Became VP of Global Organization Development for WD-40 Company, and retired from that role in January of 2021, having had the pleasure and honor of being part of its cultural and economic journey as an advisor and then tribe member, over a 20 year period.

I am currently the Principal of Sewitch Etcetera Corporation, providing board service and advisory support to senior leaders. I currently serve on two private company boards and have served on 11 others. I have advised many public company boards. I’ve served on two non-profit boards, one of which (The Corporate Directors Forum) included responsibility for creation and delivery of educational programs for directors of public and private companies. I currently also serve as the Chair of the Fowler College of Business, Management Department advisory board.

So basically, I’m a professional mutt. I call myself a business psychologist, because I’ve made human behavior within the context of creating economic inter-dependencies my life’s work. I’ve seen a lot of what can go right, and what can go wrong. I’ve personally contributed to both categories throughout my working life.

In her current role as the Global Talent Director at WD-40 Company, Rachelle partners with leaders in 13 countries in the design and delivery of talent acquisition strategies/methodologies, employment branding, workforce planning and organizational design to support the company’s strategic initiatives and brand growth. In addition, Rachelle is the Corporate HR Partner for the company’s Asia Pacific trading bloc.

Rachelle’s HR and recruiting career spans all continents and professional levels across diverse functions and industries to include biotech/pharmaceutical, human resources, service, hospitality, manufacturing, banking, consumer goods, retail, technology and not-for-profit.

Rachelle guest lectures at the University of San Diego and UCSD, is a former advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes Board, is an active member of the LinkedIn 100 advisory group, is a contributing employer advisor to the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Executive Talent Acquisition Forum board member, and board member for tech start up, Band of Hands. She is passionate about company culture, technology integration, travelling, learning, work-life integration and helping others align their personal “why” with their work.

Rachelle graduated from the University of San Diego with a Master’s of Science in Executive Leadership, University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Accounting with an economics minor from Tafe in her hometown in Perth, Western Australia. She holds an HR Certification from Chapman University.

Brian Buss is a Director with the Forensic Consulting Group of CBIZ, Inc. a national financial advisory services firm. Brian’s practice specializes in intellectual property valuations and business strategies. They provide the IP community with a visionary approach to calculating and communicating the financial impact of trademarks, copyrights, patents, brands and intangible assets, advising C-level executives on IP valuation and strategies and providing expert damages testimony for IP litigators and attorneys. More information about Brian’s practice can be found at CBIZ Intellectual Property Consulting.

Brian graduated from Claremont McKenna College and earned an MBA from San Diego State University. Brian is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Patent Valuation Analyst (CPVA). Prior to joining CBIZ, Brian worked at San Diego-based consulting firms, a technology start-up, Westpac Institutional Bank, and Deloitte & Touche’s Financial Advisory Services group in both New Zealand and San Francisco. Brian is a frequent author, speaker and presenter on topics including patent, copyright and brand valuation, intellectual property damages and profit apportionment.

Nick Harris is Managing Partner of Fiducia Home Loans, a Mortgage Brokerage based in San Diego, CA. and Residence Eighteen, a Residential Real Estate company. In addition Nick owns and operates multiple Broken Yolk Café franchises located in CA and AZ. He has over 20 years in the Real Estate and Mortgage industries, leading to his venture into Franchising. He has worked for a handful of banks before starting his own company in 2018, knowing that he wanted to one day be the one making the decisions rather than be taking orders.

In his current role he is responsible for overseeing all faucets of the businesses, focused on grooming leaders to grow within each company in order to sustain future growth. He is a firm believer in work life balance and strives to make that a focal point within his business decisions. Running a company has been no walk in the park for him, but over the years all those experiences have been invaluable lessons that have only made him better.

He received his BS in Real Estate Finance from SDSU in 2006, followed by his MBA from the Univ. of San Diego in 2010. Nick enjoys traveling with his family, attending his daughters Dance competitions, playing golf, and supporting Aztec sports.

Mary Lynch is the Founder & CEO of Infinite Resource Solutions Inc. a boutique human resources, talent acquisition and marketing consulting firm in San Diego that provides trusted quality solutions to maximize employee potential and exceed organizational objectives.

Mary is an accomplished human resources and talent acquisition executive with over 25 years’ experience in leading global HR and recruiting teams. She has been a strategic, results-oriented, and trusted advisor in implementing processes, programs, training, and hiring from very niche employees to entire sales teams across various industries primarily in pharmaceuticals, biotech, life sciences, and technology organizations spanning across small, pre-IPO to large global companies.

Mary partners with leaders, teams, and organizations that can benefit from her expertise at building and retaining exceptional teams. Her strategic business mindset has been sharpened across 25 years of industry experience and an MBA degree at San Diego State University. Having held leadership positions with several leading global organizations during her professional career, Mary has developed exceptional networking relationships built on high standards and a commitment to professional excellence.

Mr. Mehta is co-founder of Mehtas Ventures LLC, the fund that invests in early-stage high-growth businesses. Ashish Mehta served as CEO of PatientClick, Inc. a web-based telemedicine, electronic health record, and practice management system. PatientClick offers medical office automation with cutting-edge technology solutions, focused to improve the healthcare delivery model and enhance patient care.

An active Advisory Board Member with Alliant School of Management (ASM) and an active Investor & member of NuFund 22 (TCA) San Diego. He served as a business advisor and entrepreneur in residence with CONNECT San Diego.

Mr. Mehta is the founder of Zodiac Infotech LLC, a global information technology and business back-office solution provider. The company’s geographical spread of employees provides a time zone advantage and better utilization of resources which has a direct impact on creating cost efficiency. Mr. Mehta was the early mover in the business process outsourcing (BPO) Industry in the year 1999, when working with international companies and globalization was a new concept for a major healthcare facility in the US.

He has been involved with international business consulting for international economic development initiatives with the State of OH and the Government of India primarily focused on sectors like renewable energy, immigrant entrepreneurship, technology transfer, etc.

Chemical Engineer by training with a Master’s in Business Administration, has more than 20 years of experience in Global Business management. He has served as an advisor, board member, executive, and project engineer in various sectors such as healthcare, renewable energy, petrochemicals, Information technology, and business consulting. Mr. Mehta has served as Ambassador for World Trade Center in Cleveland.

Mr. Mehta is a frequent speaker and has received the 2014 Healthcare Champions- executive of the year award from the San Diego Business Journal. He is an author/owner of multiple patents and trademarks in the US and globally. He is an active Forbes Council member and contributor. He has received several awards for his contribution to the community. He was featured multiple times in leading newspapers such as Plain Dealer, Cleveland Crain, Industrial India, Times of India, and San Diego Business Journal.

Jackie Reed is CEO of T S Restaurants, a familyowned, privately held company with 13 restaurants in Hawaii and California. Jackie began her restaurant career in 1989 as a hostess at Leilani’s on the Beach, part of the T S Restaurants’ family. Leilani’s was her first job and, though the hostess position was meant to be a part-time, transitionary job, Jackie fell in love with the values, spirit and opportunities that existed within T S and never left, spending her entire work career thus far with the company.

Jackie worked in two other T S Restaurants besides Leilani’s before moving to the Home Office as Controller in 1998. She has been involved in five restaurant openings and was an integral part of developing T S accounting systems, human resource policies and adopting restaurant technology. After ten years as Controller, Jackie was able to realize her passion of working in operations as Vice President of CA Operations, a position she held until becoming CEO on November 1, 2015.

While working her way up in the company, Jackie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and, in 2015, graduated from the Executive MBA program at San Diego State University, earning valedictorian honors. Jackie is on the board of directors for Sports San Diego, San Diego’s sports commission and will serve as President in 2024. She is an Executive Board member of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA), a trustee for Francis Parker School, a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business mentor and a member of Young President’s Organization where she served as Chair for the Pacific West Chapter in 2023-24. Jackie’s most cherished board service is for Just Remember Corporation, a non-profit honoring her late grandson, that provides resources for disadvantaged athletes and grieving families who have lost a young child.

Jackie lives in San Diego with her husband John. They are grateful for their family of four sons, two daughtersin-law and six grandchildren. Due to work commitments, Jackie splits her time between California and Hawaii, which allows her the opportunity to regularly connect with her many family members who reside in Hawaii. In her very sparse spare time, Jackie enjoys traveling, reading and is an avid sports fan. Jackie is very proud of her Samoan heritage and is a former Polynesian dancer and instructor for Pride of Polynesia Dance Revue.

As vice president, finance, treasurer and chief financial officer, Jay was responsible for overseeing the company’s financial operations, including the management of accounting, treasury, financial planning and reporting, investor relations and internal audit.

Jay joined WD-40 in December 1997 as manager, financial services and has held various financial leadership positions within the organization, including corporate controller and vice president finance/controller. He assumed the role of chief financial officer in 2008. Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Jay served in a variety of positions, including consulting roles in the tax practice of the public accounting firm PriceWaterhouse LLP, now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, from 1991 to 1997. In addition to his public company responsibilities, Jay has also served as a board member and advisor to several entrepreneurial private companies.

Jay has a Master of Science in Accountancy from San Diego State University (’91) and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Riverside. Jay was recipient of the San Diego Business Journal’s CFO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 and the CFO Exemplary Service Award in 2016.

Jennifer Singer is the Vice President, Financial Planning and

Analysis for Petco Health and Wellness Company, a $6 billion

dollar national pet specialty retailer based in San Diego. In her

leadership role, she oversees the teams responsible for planning

the company’s consolidated financials across P&L, Balance

Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. Through her position, she

interacts, collaborates, and supports the business teams across

the company.

Jennifer has worked at Petco for over 18 years and has been a part of the company’s trajectory that took it to a fully integrated health and wellness company for pets with. She was also a part of the transaction that took the company through an IPO. Jennifer is a proud SDSU Fowler College Management alum. She enjoys traveling, supporting Aztec sports, and spending time wither her family, friends and dog.

Trisha Zulic, SHRM-SCP, is an expert in Human Resources with 20+ years of experience focused on production planning, lean management, diversity & inclusion, forecasting, quality control, training, and project management. Not only has she proven her professionalism with various accolades, speaking engagements, and expansive leadership background, she is also an inaugural member of the SHRM Blue Ribbon Commission on Racial Equity, Together Forward @Work, to advocate for bold action and change in the workplace. Throughout her career of delivering operational efficiencies for various organizations, she has also been instrumental in speaking with a respected voice for the Sales, Lean Six Sigma, and HR communities.

Throughout her extensive career, she has been well known in the industry for her charisma, funny disposition, storytelling, great listening and relatable communication skills. Trisha’s colleagues, friends, and family are known to speak about her compassion and down-to-earth mentality. As a mentor, friend, and professional, she continues to make strides in the industry.

Various roles have encompassed Trisha’s expertise, including being the Senior Director of Business Operations & Strategy for WSA Distributing, Inc. via Efficient Edge. She has also tackled the Senior Leadership Consultant role, ensuring a structured, cost-sensitive, operationally focused environment for Efficient Edge HR & Insurance Services. With a well-known top tier client base, she has been able to lead advanced training and project manage high-level HR efforts. As a C-Suite leader, Trisha is also well known for creating growth strategies while coaching and mentoring professionals to be operationally sound.

As the host of “HR with Style” and the leading lady of www.trishazulic.com, Trisha has been able to captivate audiences across the nation, whether to discuss daily activities or professional business initiatives. As a well-rounded professional and businesswoman, Trisha is credited for her extensive volunteer work for SHRM and CalSHRM.

Additionally, Trisha Zulic, SHRM-SCP has made it her mission and business vision to continue to partner with leadership teams and Board of Directors across the nation to lead performance management, create strategic 5-year plans, and reach operational excellence. Trisha is a proven HR leader with multifaceted achievements across various industries, including being a SHRM instructor, and will continue to strive for organizational growth to discover best practices, which in return advocates for growth and work culture success.

Cathy Zumberge is an Aztec for Life. She earned an MBA, with a specialization in HR Management, at SDSU during her tenure as Vice President for Personnel Administration at The Bank of San Diego. Later, she became a Lecturer in the Management Department, teaching classes in HR and in Organizational Behavior, and she designed and taught courses in what is now SDSU’s Global Campus, where she was Coordinator of the HR Certificate Program. Cathy holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Michigan. She has had a long career in HR as an executive, a writer, a consultant, and an educator. She is a retired academic from UC San Diego, having served as the Director of Business Programs in the Division of Extended Studies. She has also been a member of several boards, mainly in the areas of the arts and education. In retirement, Cathy is an HR Mentor. She advises leaders in the nonprofit sector, helping them optimize their efforts in HR and management activities; she also mentors individuals looking to enter or progress in the HR profession.