“It is an honor to serve again as Board President of an institution that is incredibly meaningful to generations of residents in San Diego County and beyond,” Schenk said. “The Del Mar Fairgrounds is an iconic and important gathering place in our community — one that has been vital to San Diego County in both times of need and times of celebration. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Board, with the District's staff, with our operators, and with our partners to create exceptional experiences and to emphasize responsibility, accountability, and accessibility on behalf of the diverse communities we serve."
“I also want to thank Joyce Rowland for her strong and steady leadership for these past two years as the District made an incredible comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased that she has agreed to remain on our leadership team," Schenk said. "I am also eager to work with Michael Gelfand, who will make an excellent addition to our leadership team."
Schenk, an influential, award-winning litigator, was first appointed to the District's Board in 2002 and was most recently reappointed in 2018.
The son of an immigrant family, Schenk received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA and his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is currently a partner at CaseyGerry, where he oversees mass tort litigation for the firm. He is also a co-author of the LexisNexis California Automobile Litigation Handbook.
As a lawyer, Schenk has also advocated for and successfully represented victims and their families, including in cases related to asbestos exposure and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Schenk is active in the American Board of Trial Attorneys, where he served as President of the San Diego chapter in 2021, and has received numerous accolades for his legal work and for his community service. He has been inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame, and in 2016, the San Diego County Bar acknowledged Schenk’s civic service by awarding him its annual Community Service award in recognition of his work in the community.
Schenk resides in Carmel Valley.