Nonprofit Officers

Marc Janich is the Chair of the Board for Day & Knight Chess Club. With a background in commercial insurance, Marc has previously run a brokerage and now manages portfolios.

As Chair, Marc leads the board in setting the strategic direction and ensuring the fulfillment of the organization’s mission. He oversees board meetings, supports fundraising efforts, ensures compliance with nonprofit regulations, and collaborates with the CEO on strategic initiatives. His leadership and expertise are vital in guiding Day & Knight Chess Club towards achieving its goals and expanding its impact.

Randolph McNeil serves as the Director of Operations for Education Works Consulting Firm Inc., leading offices in CA, TX, IL, and South Africa. An expert in organizational development and operations, Randolph is a community leader passionate about helping members excel and ensuring generational prosperity. He serves as the Vice Chair of Mental Health and Social Justice Inc. in the US and South Africa and shares his gifts, talents, and passion as one of our board members. Randolph also serves as the Vice Chair for Day & Knight Chess Club, where he brings his expertise and dedication to our mission. 

Patrick Lerdsuwanrut is an amateur chess player and a dedicated board member of Day & Knight Chess Club. He runs the club's Discord server and plays a crucial role in developing the chess program. Patrick is currently studying cognitive science, computation, and real estate, bringing a unique blend of skills to the organization. His efforts help foster a vibrant online community and enhance the educational experience for all members, contributing significantly to the club's growth and success. 

Nicklaus Lo, known as Nick, has been playing chess since kindergarten, accumulating 18 years of experience. He began competing in elementary school and intensified his participation in high school, playing in monthly tournaments. Nick achieved notable success by winning first place in Northern California's CalChess JV State Tournament. Although he is now semi-retired from competitive chess, Nick remains passionate about teaching and coaching the game. After completing his master's in education with an emphasis on assessment, he aims to apply his research interests and skills to improve the future chess community. As a board member of Day & Knight Chess Club, Nick brings his extensive experience and dedication to advancing the club's mission. 

Grant Zeman is an enthusiastic chess player and advocate who has been deeply involved in the chess community since college. Several years ago, Grant founded a chess club at their college, which continues to thrive today. Currently, Grant works in IT for the Healthcare Industry, applying the same strategic thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential in both chess and technology.

An avid online chess player, Grant believes that chess is an exceptional tool for intellectual development and offers profound life lessons that extend far beyond the chessboard. Through chess, individuals can significantly enhance their critical thinking skills, making it an empowering activity for people of all ages.

Beyond the chessboard, Grant has a passion for electronics and enjoys exploring the latest advancements in this field. Additionally, they are an avid VJ (Video Jockey), merging music and visuals to create engaging and immersive experiences.

Grant sees a strong parallel between chess and life, where every move counts and strategic planning is key. Their diverse interests and dedication to promoting the benefits of chess make Grant a valuable member of our chess club's board.

 Justin Mendez brings 10 years of experience as a professional in education to the Day and Knight Board. After receiving his M.A. in Education from UCLA, with a specialization in Race and Ethnic Studies, he began working for non-profits in LAUSD high schools developing and teaching specialized college access curriculum. At Norco College, he led efforts in creating empowerment programs for Men of Color, Foster Youth, and first-year students. 

Justin started serving at Long Beach City College in Basic Needs at the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, overseeing efforts to support students experiencing food, housing, and transportation insecurities. He has represented as a professional expert developing the national CAS Standards for Basic Needs Programs and Services, and continues to consult campuses across the nation around developing on-campus Safe Parking Programs. He has also supported partnerships for parenting-students, and participated in campus-wide efforts such as the Student Equity and Achievement Plan Subcommittee, Holistic Coarse Success Workgroup, Trauma-Informed Approach Workgroup, and the Behavioral Intervention Team. 

Justin is a regular chess player himself and eager to serve as a Day and Knight Board member to support growth of opportunities for our youth to benefit.