Lindsay grad makes ‘40 Under 40' list

Lindsay High School alumni Mario Zamora, has been named as one of the Valley’s most successful “40 under 40” businessmen.

Zamora graduated from LHS in 1998, received his bachelors from California State University Northridge and graduated from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Son of Deborah Unser Cahill of Camp Nelson, and Ramon Zamora of Visalia, Mario Zamora is in his fifth year with Griswold LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd and Gin of Hanford — the largest law firm based in Kings or Tulare counties, which handles everything from small matters to transactions involving hundreds of millions of dollars.

Zamora practices general litigation and is an assistant to the city attorney for Hanford.

The honoree is also one of nine lawyers in the state on the League of California Cities Public Records Act Committee, and approved by the state bar to instruct other lawyers on the Public Records Act. While in law school, Zamora worked for the State Attorney General’s Office in an appellate division.

Zamora was nominated by colleague Stacy Lucas after the two worked on a case together.

“I felt humbled. I had no idea I was nominated until I received the call,” Zamora said Thursday. “I am extremely honored and extremely proud to represent the South Valley and Lindsay.”

Zamora, with LHS alumni Katryn Gonzales, founded the Lindsay High School Alumni Association. He is also active in community service, is a two-year member of Rotary and has served as president of the board for the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Married to LHS graduate Eryka Zamora, who teaches at Lindsay High, the couple lives in Visalia.

Presented by Business Street Online, the “40 Under 40” recognizes some of the top young business professionals in the public and private sectors in Central California who are leaders in their respective communities and have achieved great success before the age of 40.

“Each year we have the privilege of recognizing some of the young leaders of tomorrow, as well as today, at our ‘40 Under 40’ Ultimate Networking Event,” said Lance Cardoza, president and publisher of Business Street Online.

Nominated by peers, Zamora and the 39 others, will be honored on March 14 during the “40 Under 40” Ultimate Networking Event.

“Our staff at Business Street Online makes the selections. It is our honor every year to recognize outstanding young individuals in Central California like Mario Zamora,” said James Olinger, associate editor, Business Street Media Group and BusinessStreetOnline.com. “His business accomplishments, as well as his work and leadership in various organizations, represent precisely what we look for when selecting the ‘40 Under 40’ class members each year.”

The selection also pleased Unser, who reminisced of Zamora when he was a young boy.

“The story I always recall is of Mario at 5 years old, arguing with me in the entry way of our home about taking his coat outside with him. I became a little exasperated with the arguing and told him he would make a great lawyer when he grew up — a lesson to always watch the words you speak over your children,” Unser said. “Mario was always a very determined person with a good heart. He is not afraid of hard work and is a caring and generous friend. I’m blessed to call him my son.”

Visit www.http://businessstreetonline.com/the-40-under-40-class-of-2012-is-announced/ for a complete list of recipients, which includes lawyers, accountants, a photographer, businessmen and women, service personnel, city officials, and numerous television and print media personnel.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045. Follow her on Twitter@Avila_recorder.