Gerry Shishin Wick Roshi is President and Spiritual Leader of GMZC. He is a Dharma Successor of Taizan Maezumi Roshi in both major lineages of Zen, having received transmission from Maezumi Roshi in 1990 after 24 years of Zen training under Maezumi, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and Sochu Suzuki Roshi. He administered the Zen Center of Los Angeles and the Kuroda Institute for the Study of Buddhism and Human Values for 8 years from 1978 to 1986. He founded the Great Mountain Zen Center in 1996.

Shishin Roshi received a Ph.D. in physics from University of California, Berkeley in 1967, has worked as University Professor, science writer, journalist, oceanographer, software developer, and technical manager. He retired as the Director of Electronic Publishing for Merriam-Webster, Inc in May 2007. In addition to his role as spiritual leader of GMZC, he is adjunct Professor of Religious Studies at Naropa University, where he leads frequent classes and retreats. He is the author of books and numerous articles on Buddhism, physics and oceanography.

In May, 2005 he became a Spiritual Director, in Training with Roshis Bernie Glassman and Pat Enkyo O'Hara, of the Zen Peacemaker Family. In May 2007, he was elected President of the White Plum Asangha.