staff and board
STAFF MEMBERS

Genovee Ramirez (Youth Coordinator/Tutor)
Genovee Ramirez, born and raised in San Diego, is a dedicated Youth Coordinator at the Community Youth Athletic Center. As a mother to one daughter, she brings her nurturing and compassionate spirit to her work with the kids at the center. Genovee plays an active role in guiding and mentoring the youth, helping them develop life skills, build confidence, and find positive outlets through the center’s programs. Her commitment to the community and her role as a mother gives her a unique perspective in connecting with and supporting the children she works with.
Victor Nevarez (Coach)
Victor Nevares, born in San Diego and raised in Barrio Logan, grew up in the 1990s. The challenges he faced led him to take on the responsibility of supporting his younger siblings and mother, which meant putting aside his own educational pursuits. Now, as a coach at the Community Youth Athletic Center, Victor draws from his life experiences to mentor at-risk youth, guiding them toward positive paths through athletics and personal growth. His goal is to help them rise above their own obstacles and thrive.


Cristo Casillas (Coach)
Born in Chula Vista and raised in Southeast San Diego, Cristo Casillas turned to boxing at 14 as a way to channel his energy. Despite having a tough and unsupportive coach early on, Cristo learned valuable lessons that shaped him into a more compassionate mentor. His dedication led him to earn a spot on the United States Boxing Team, where he competed in numerous tournaments and represented the USA in Thailand. Today, Cristo mentors young athletes at CYAC, guiding them to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential both in and out of the ring.
Diego Marquez (Coach)
Born in San Diego and raised in Tijuana, Diego Marquez has been part of the Community Youth Athletic Center (CYAC) since his youth. He began as a young athlete training at the center and later took on the role of coach. After earning his associate degree in Administration of Justice from Southwestern College, he has continued his education at San Diego State University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Diego’s personal experiences shape his approach to mentoring, where he supports young athletes in developing their skills, both in boxing and in navigating the challenges of life.


Clemente Casillas (Executive Director)
Clemente Casillas is a former two-time California amateur welterweight champion who grew up in Southeast San Diego and graduated from Lincoln High School. He went on to study at the University of Southern California, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. In 1997, Clemente co-founded CYAC as a nonprofit organization and currently serves as its Executive Director, continuing his commitment to empowering youth through education, athletics, and mentorship.
Angel Marquez (Youth Coordinator/Tutor)
Angel Marquez, born in San Diego and raised in Tijuana, is a passionate artist pursuing a career in graphic design. Angel Marquez first walked into the Community Youth Athletic Center (CYAC) at nine years old, an impressionable kid juggling both boxing and schoolwork. While he enjoyed the sport, his true passion gravitated toward academics and an arts. He earned his associate degree in Studio Arts from Southwestern College and is currently attending San Diego State University, working toward a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and business. Angel also brings his creativity and commitment to his work at CYAC, where he helps guide and mentor young people, supporting their personal and academic growth.

BOARD
OF DIRECTORS

Greg Thompson
Greg Thompson has been on CYAC’s Board of Directors since 1998 and currently serves as Associate Judge of the Intertribal Court of Southern California, handling cases from Indian Country. Previously, he spent over 30 years in criminal justice, serving as a top prosecutor in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego, making him unique in holding senior roles in three major California counties. Later, as San Diego County’s Director of Forensic Services, he led crime lab operations and initiated a Cold Case Forensic Team. Judge Thompson earned his JD from McGeorge School of Law and a BA from Biola University. He has also lectured at San Diego State University, teaching criminal justice and forensic science.
Lili Escalante
Lilia Escalante serves as CYAC’s bookkeeper and is also the Director of Finance and Administration for the California Environmental Justice Alliance statewide organization. She has over 24 years of nonprofit financial management experience. Her background is in accounting and business management. Lilia is very passionate about social and environmental justice. She was born in Nayarit, Mexico, and migrated with her family to the United States at age five. As an immigrant, she knows firsthand the challenges environmental justice communities face. At an early age, she was her parents’ interpreter, a skill she continues to perfect, and she never misses an opportunity to do so. She believes that language should not be a barrier for our communities and advocates for language justice. Lilia has three children and a dog named Ilegal, and when she is not crunching numbers or interpreting, she is hiking or cycling. During her free time, Lilia is volunteering with local nonprofits that provide life and leadership opportunities to our youth.


John Gomez
John Gomez, founder and CEO of Gomez Trial Attorneys, is a renowned trial lawyer known for his ethical approach and dedication to justice. Raised in a Navy family, John’s resilience and work ethic led him from junior college to graduating magna cum laude from the University of San Diego and earning a law degree from Yale. After starting his career as a federal prosecutor, John transitioned to civil litigation and founded his firm in 2005. He has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and won multiple awards, including San Diego’s Trial Lawyer of the Year twice.
A devoted husband and father, John emphasizes integrity and family values in both his personal life and his firm. He is also committed to community service and charity work, reflecting his belief in giving back. John remains a hands-on leader, continuously striving to make a positive impact in both the legal field and his community.
David Rodriguez
Sergeant David Rodriguez, with over 17 years in law enforcement, has been a vital member of the CYAC Boxing Gym’s Board of Directors since 2010. His commitment to the gym is fueled by his passion for boxing, developed through his own amateur competitions. David plays a central role in guiding the board on community outreach and youth engagement and is always ready to offer mentorship and support. His dedication ensures the gym remains a safe, supportive space for at-risk youth, making a lasting impact and helping CYAC strengthen the community and foster resilience.


Vince Lopez, M.B.A.
Co-Founding Board Member
Pat Russell
Co-Founding Board Member


Janette Diaz
Co-Founding Board Member
Janette Barreras, a San Diego native, is committed to serving her community. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2024 and has spent nearly a decade working as a Paralegal and Victim Advocate at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
A passionate community supporter, Janette serves on the board of the Community Youth Athletic Center and is a dedicated member of the National Latino Peace Officer’s Association. Her previous roles include being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Voices for Children and a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) advocate with the Center for Community Solutions.
Known for her strong will and dedication, Janette believes in the power of persistence and hard work, guided by her personal motto: “If you really want it—only way to get there is by doing two things. One- Be Persistent and Two- Hard work.”
Victor Nunez
Co-Founding Board Member
Victor Nunez was a trial prosecutor with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for 33 years. In March 2018, he retired as a Chief Deputy. In that position, he supervised attorneys and support staff in the three branch offices of the District Attorney’s office – El Cajon, Vista, and Chula Vista. Prior to this position, he served as the Chief of the South County branch and Assistant Chief of the Superior Court Division of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office.
As a deputy district attorney, Victor prosecuted serious felonies, including gang murders, rapes and other violent crimes in state court. He was also cross-designated as a United States Attorney and prosecuted major drug cases in federal court. As part of the International Liaison Team of the District Attorney’s Office, Victor coordinated prosecutions in Mexico of offenders who fled from the United States.
As an assistant chief in the Superior Court Division, he supervised trial attorneys. He also coordinated the legal internship and Graduate Law Clerk program and was responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting law students to work as legal interns in the District Attorney’s office.
Victor has been an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (N.I.T.A.), Conference of Western Attorney Generals and California Western School of Law “Project ACCESSO.”
Victor has taught oral advocacy and trial skills to Mexican attorneys, judges, and law enforcement since 2009. Victor is involved in both legal and non-legal community activities. He is past president of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers and has held various leadership roles with the San Diego County Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association and the San Diego County Crime Commission. He was one of the founding members of the Scholarship Fund for La Raza Lawyers.
Victor is a strong advocate of mentoring and after-school programs for youth. Since 1998, Victor has served as Vice-President of the Community Youth Athletic Center (CYAC), a nonprofit youth program focused on giving at-risk kids a safe after-school alternative through a boxing and tutoring program. In recognition of Victor’s community involvement, in 2009 the San Diego County Bar Association selected Victor as the recipient of the Community Service Award by a Public Attorney.
Victor obtained his law degree from the University Of San Diego School Of Law in 1982 and earned from UCLA both his bachelor’s degree in History (1977) and Masters in Business Administration (1979).


Christopher Mancilla
Co-Founding Board Member
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
President
Clemente Casillas
Executive Director
Vice President
Victor Nuñez
Retired Chief Prosecutor District Attorney
San Diego County
Secretary
Greg Thompson
Retired Senior Policy Advisor
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
Secretary
Vince Lopez
Real Estate Broker
Chris Mancilla, Esq
San Diego District Attorney Office
David Rodriguez
San Diego Police Department
Ana Escobar
Department of Probation
Lilia Escalante
Fiscal Manager, Environmental Health Coalition
Reyes Franco
Retired District Attorney Investigator