Critical Mass Business Talk Show | Orange County’s Longest-Running Business Talk Show

Meghan Medlin’s career reflects a profound commitment to community service and transformative leadership. With over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, she founded Medlin Workforce & Reentry Solutions (MWRS) in 2019 and the Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (H.I.R.E.) in 2020.
Under her leadership, H.I.R.E. has made a significant impact, assisting over 123 individuals in its inaugural year in 2021 and now serving over 700 people annually. MWRS has also thrived, earning recognition as the emerging Woman-Owned Business of the Year in 2021.
In 2024, Medlin is leading an initiative to integrate H.I.R.E. and MWRS under one roof, creating a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for reentry and workforce development services in Orange County. Her participation in initiatives like the Stepping Up Initiative, OC Cares, Continuum of Care Board, SB 823, Ban the Box and numerous others highlights Medlin’s comprehensive approach to community betterment.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Douglas Freeman is the CEO and Executive Chair of Orange County Music and Dance, a nonprofit community performing arts school in Irvine, California. Doug comes to this role after a long career as a lawyer, businessman, civic leader and philanthropist. He served in a variety of capacities within the nonprofit field, including Board Chair of the Pacific Symphony, where he is now a Lifetime Trustee, and Board Member, now Trustee Emeritus, at the California Institute of the Arts. He was also Board Chair of the UCI Foundation and Founding Board Chair of The Literacy Project. He is currently the Chair and President of the Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation and of the Ernest and Irma Rose Foundation.
Doug has received a number of awards and recognitions, including being listed by the Orange County Business Journal on its inaugural 500 Most Influential People in Orange County (2016) and again in 2020. In 2019, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award. In 2015, he received the Orange County Boy Scouts of America Men of Character Award and in 2006, he received the University of California, Irvine, UCI Medal. Doug is the founder of National Philanthropy Day, proclaimed by Congress, signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and celebrated throughout the United States. He served in the Air Force, active duty and reserves, from 1971-1981.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

His name is Jonathan Brambles, but you can call him The Email Guy. After 16 years of hands-on automation architecture in Silicon Valley, he started his LLC in 2023 to fill an industry void that marketing agencies have been fumbling for decades — quality programs not built by interns.
As an x-mechanical engineer and vintage automotive racer, Jonathan takes the same ‘zero-failure’ principles of success at the race track, and uses them to implement sophisticated eco-systems for his clients. He takes pride in not outsourcing to third world countries or handing clients off to interns. “If something’s worth doing, do it right.”
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Feryal Talebdoost is the founder of GreenPeach, driven by a clear mission: to build a trusted brand and educate parents about the crucial role of nutrition in children's development. Feryal strongly believes that prioritizing food over medication can address and minimize many medical conditions and why supplementation is essential to bridge the gap in our food supply chain.
GreenPeach is dedicated to highlighting the importance of "we are what we eat," empowering families with the knowledge to make informed dietary choices. GreenPeach's aim is to empower and help children thrive and navigate the challenges of the 21st century successfully.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Eric Gildenguys, the Founder & CEO of Rezultant Inc., is a dynamic leader, coach and mentor helping startups and small companies who are challenged in attaining the next stage in their growth. An expert in sales and revenue development, Eric focuses on scaling revenues, operational improvements, and project management.
Having started his career in high tech at the age of 13, Eric co-founded his own software company in his 20s. Pacific Genesys was sold to Optio Software, now Bottomline Inc. As an intrapreneur, he created new revenue streams in the healthcare, retail, and new international markets. He was tapped to lead the integration of their French partner, becoming the EMEA headquarters for Optio Software. During his 3-year tenure in France, the company grew revenues by 600%.
Eric has worked in AI software, healthcare, commercial kitchen construction, project management, and clinical trials, applying his extensive expertise in growth and operations management to any industry he encounters.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Julie Hudash has a passion for empowering children to become catalysts for positive change. She is the visionary Founder & CEO of Team Kids, a non-profit organization established in 2001, which has been woven into the educational tapestry for over two decades. A devoted social entrepreneur, Julie’s innovative vision has given rise to a transformative organization that profoundly impacts the lives of young people across diverse communities, ranging from Irvine & Compton to Tempe & Harlem. Guided by Julie’s vision, Team Kids measures success not in earning profit, but in lives changed & communities strengthened.
During her college career at USC, Julie volunteered in schools in South Central Los Angeles. Struck by the academic disparities & lack of exposure to leadership opportunities, she became determined to inspire children to see themselves as leaders capable of making meaningful contributions when they feel safe, valued, significant, & connected to their communities, challenging the notion that children are "too young" to make a difference in the world.
Drawing from her experiences & expertise in the corporate sector, Julie pursued her dream of making a tangible difference & empowering the next generation of youth leaders, entrepreneurs, & philanthropists after witnessing the power of young people’s empathy & determination to raise funds for a local boy’s life-saving operation. She spearheaded the creation of the flagship Team Kids Challenge (TKC), a comprehensive 5-week, school-wide intervention program that actively engages teachers, public safety mentors, & community stakeholders. The TKC is now empirically validated with peer-reviewed research published in the American Psychological Association Journal of Psychology, Public Policy, along with three other top academic publications.
Specializing in driving systemic community change for & with youth through innovative partnerships with business, government, education, & public service organizations, Julie's lifelong dedication is evident through her achievement of transforming Team Kids’ early groundbreaking work into a national model for youth empowerment, as reflected in widespread school participation from California to Arizona to New York.
Julie is also a writer who tackles complex issues on behalf of children & has had several pieces published in The Los Angeles Times & Orange County Register. Her focus is on youth advocacy issues, including youth development, child safety, & the importance of youth-led activities to help kids thrive. She continues to evolve & partner with several organizations to extend the reach & impact of Team Kids, which has always included social & emotional learning.
Julie’s commitment & passion to protect & empower youth has resulted in her receiving several public agency & private foundation awards.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Melissa Rimoldi, CEO/Founder of Legion Force, has a unique automotive journey that spans over three decades, driven by her unwavering dedication to helping companies navigate the complexities of the automotive industry.
Melissa graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Marketing. She has worked directly for Mazda USA, Volkswagen Group of America, Innocean Worldwide on Hyundai USA, and has provided B2B/B2C/SaaS, digital technology, and vendor services across 15 OEMs in the automotive space. Her positive spirit has allowed her to develop valuable insights across the entire spectrum, from remanufacturing and quality assurance to engineering, warranty, aftersales, sales, marketing, advertising, and even starting three new start-up companies.
At a certain point in her career, Melissa took a risk and started her next journey with a commitment to make an impact. Due to her diverse background, she is on a mission to challenge the status quo by prioritizing the needs of dealers, OEMs, and everything in between. Her core focus is on creating niche partnerships within the vast automotive and retail network.
In the upcoming months, Legion Force will be launching a new platform that highlights their trusted experts. These experts will consult with real-world knowledge, experience, and unbiased insights to help clients and partners with a larger focus on the untapped opportunities in the industry. Melissa also plans to expand efforts to further support women in the automotive industry through various forums.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Perryn Holtrop is the CEO and Founder of PayNation, a payments technology company that focuses on Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable automation for B2B companies. He is a serial entrepreneur and visionary who started his first business at the young age of 19 and holds 5 patents outside of payments. He was introduced to the payments industry over 10 years ago, and his passion for entrepreneurship, developing winning strategies, and helping businesses succeed led him to start PayNation.
Perryn has developed profitable solutions for thousands of B2B merchants and helped agents build their portfolios with solution-based selling and integrations with the most widely used accounting and ERP software. Perryn also has a passion for sharing winning strategies, experiences, and insights that contribute to the success and growth in the payment industry.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Lexi Kaz is a former Division I soccer player and the CEO and Founder of AK Infinite, which specializes in placing clients in national media. Lexi started AK Infinite in the summer of 2022. After staying consistent and building a mental framework, AK Infinite has now worked with 100 + campaigns, and now has a team of 11 plus working all over the world.
Lexi is now living the digital nomad life, traveling while leading her team and helping clients get wider reach and marketing promotions.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation that maximizes the customer experience and enables profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth.
Lisa has been named in the Top 46 most influential in Supply Chain by SAP, a Top 15 Supply Chain & Logistics Expert by RateLinx, and a top 40 B2B Tech Influencer by Arketi Group. She recently published SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EIBTDA Growth on how to successfully navigate the supply chain chaos with superior customer service and profitable growth.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Jeff Gable is an embedded software consultant for the medical device industry, where he helps medical device startups develop bullet-proof software to take their prototypes through FDA submission and into production. Combining his expertise in embedded software, FDA design controls, and practical agile methodologies, Jeff can help existing software teams be more effective and efficient, or handle the entire software development and documentation effort for a new device.
Jeff has spent his entire career doing safety-critical product development in small, cross-disciplinary teams. After stints in aerospace, automotive, and medical, he founded Gable Technology six years ago to focus on medical device startups. He also co-hosts the Agile Embedded podcast, where he and Luca Ingianni talk about how device developers don't have to choose between time-to-market and quality.
In his spare time, Jeff enjoys rock climbing, woodworking, and spending time with his wife and two small children.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Aimee Roberson invented, patented, and brought to market a product called DryMeister under her company name Meister Solutions. DryMeister is a drying wand that dries the inside of containers you can’t reach inside to dry - things like reusable water bottles, wine glasses, hydration packs, baby bottles, vases, and other odd-shaped and sometimes delicate items. Since launching a little over a year ago, DryMeister has been sold on Amazon to customers in all 50 states, an achievement that Aimee is very proud of accomplishing.
Aimee graduated from the University of Southern California and worked in media relations in the motorcycle industry before becoming a full-time, stay-at-home mom. 22 years later, when her youngest went away to college, she and her husband decided not to make any big life changes for a year so they could adjust to a new norm. But 5 months later, Covid hit. And it was then that she started her journey to become a business owner and entrepreneur.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Andrew Hartman is the Founder of Time Boss, an organization that helps leaders and their teams reinvent their relationships with time to get more done with less stress and anxiety.
Andrew founded Time Boss after burning out several times over, even losing his sense of smell for a season. He has taken all he has learned over the years to build a simple system that helps business leaders avoid the same mistakes and chaos.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Ben Chamberlin is the CEO and founder of Chamberlin Care. Ben is a husband to Christa of 15 years and father to 7 beautiful children, including a daughter with disabilities.
With over a decade of experience in the post-acute care space, he has served in the trenches as a nursing home administrator, liaison for senior communities, home care, home health, and hospice agencies, VP of healthcare operations, and owner and investor in post-acute care organizations.
Chamberlin Care was founded in October of 2022 and employs over 180 care professionals, 6 internal staff, and helps seniors and families throughout Orange County.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Kathleen Peters, chief innovation officer, leads innovation and business strategy for Experian’s Decision Analytics in North America. Kathleen and her team are continuously looking for new ways to define product strategies, road maps and priorities for Experian’s identity and fraud portfolio, analyzing industry trends and the latest technologies to bring innovative solutions to our clients.
Kathleen joined Experian in 2013 to lead business development and international growth channels for the recently acquired 41st Parameter business in San Jose, California. She went on to lead product management for Experian’s fraud and identity group within the global Decision Analytics organization, launching Experian’s CrossCore® platform in 2016, a groundbreaking and award-winning offering for the fraud and identity market.
The last two years, Kathleen has been named a “Top 100 Influencer in Identity” by One World Identity (OWI), an exclusive list that annually recognizes influencers and leaders from across the globe, showcasing a who’s who of people to know in the identity space.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Liz Flores has served as an HR Executive, strategically offering more than 20 years of HR executive leadership experience. This life success journey has offered her the opportunities to assist C-Suite professionals, organizations, and structuring startups to scale up multi-million-dollar companies.
Liz's background and expertise evolve from various industries, such as distribution, manufacturing, retail, and aerospace. She is results-driven, working through employee relations concerns, business compliance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bringing unification through real conversations and bridging the gap of conscious communication to optimize relationships; both for the individual and organizations alike.
As a Certified Leadership & Development Coach and Speaker, Liz has had the privilege of assisting professionals and leadership teams, empowering those who lack clarity, feel stuck, and struggle with self-doubt to build stronger teams, proactive leadership, a more fulfilled and purposeful work life culture.
Liz is the Founder of LFTM (lift them), providing HR/WC consulting, professional and leadership coaching, individual and organizational development training. Liz is also fluent in Spanish and provides Spanish language services when needed.
Liz currently serves as an Advisor for Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) for South Orange County. She also sits as a committee member for Executives of Orange County (ECOC) a non-profit organization. Her success comes from pursuing her passion; helping both individuals and organizations achieve a thriving environment and successful business goals through enriching relationships.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mike Brown is a leader and advocate for impact and sustainability in business. He is a five-time Founder, with roles as CEO, CMO, and Board Chair. He is Chief Impact Officer at Real Leaders, growing the impact movement by connecting Impact CEOs, curating impact-oriented leadership development content, and supporting each CEO to accomplish their specific missions.
Mike is the founder of B Local Orange County, which connects local Certified B Corporations with community partners from the academic, government, and non-profit sectors. He also serves as the Business Ambassador at the United Nations Association of Orange County, promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to businesses in his community.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Greg Harrigan is an Outsourced Vice President of Sales. His firm MarketShare Growth Advisors is powered by Sales Xceleration. Greg enables business owners to significantly increase their company’s value by building the best sales organization they’ve ever experienced.
Mr. Harrigan embeds on an interim basis with the business’s Executive Team to lead the B2B Sales function. This includes establishing sales strategy; implementing sales infrastructure and process; hiring, training, coaching and leading the Sales team; and meaningfully increasing a business’s top line revenue.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Harrigan was Chief Revenue Officer at a PE-owned consumer products company with $100M revenue, and earlier in his career spent 10 years as Executive VP of Sales for the Outdoor Channel, a national cable channel. Greg began his 25-year sales career with Comcast.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mr. Roohi Toosi, PE is a passionate leader in the environmental and groundwater industry, who is bridging the gap between technology sector and traditional consulting services through the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data automation tools.
Mr. Toosi established APEX Environmental & Water Resources to utilize his accumulated experience along with tech industry network to serve his clients more efficiently and cost-effectively.  He started his career by developing a computer program for designing excavation limits as a soil remediation technique, which led to his employment at Rubicon Engineering Corporation. His passion and capabilities empowered him to grow fast within the company and during a short time he transitioned from a part time engineer to vice president of Rubicon. After Rubicon and as A-Tech Consulting’s Director of Engineering he established a new department within the company to expand A-Tech’s service offerings.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Toosi has conducted and managed projects for utilities, school districts, municipalities, military bases, private developers, contractors, farmers, water districts, and large consulting firms.  His expertise encompasses all aspects of environmental engineering and hydrogeology, with emphasis on subsurface investigation and remediation, and application of AI in environmental and water management.
He is also a Board Director for California’s Groundwater Resources Association (GRA) and is organizing the 2024 Western Groundwater Conference in beautiful Lake Tahoe for October of this year.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Sloane Keane is currently chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the second largest of 250-plus agencies nationwide. As CEO, she is focused on accelerating the innovation of programs, strengthening the dynamic company culture and managing a scalable budget that will ensure the agency’s sustainability creates meaningful mentoring relationships for youth facing adversity.
Sloane joined the organization in 2013 as director of development and played a key role in tripling revenue from $2.6 million to over $8 million. In her most recent position as chief development officer, she helped establish financial stability for the organization and steer new funding strategies.
During Sloane’s tenure leading the development team, Big Brothers Big Sisters ran a capital campaign to purchase a 52,000-square-foot building, moved company headquarters to the new office in Santa Ana and seed-funded an endowment fund to invest in the agency’s long-term future. Her efforts have supported ongoing growth in serving more than 3,900 matches across Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties with quality mentoring relationships.
Sloane has an intrinsic belief in the power of mentoring, which has fueled her career trajectory over the last two decades. She has more than 20 years of experience directing growth in business development, marketing and media sales for companies across the country, including the Discovery Channel and Orange County Register. Prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters in a professional capacity, Sloane volunteered as a mentor with the organization from 2013 to 2015.
Raised in Orange County, Sloane graduated from Pennsylvania State University and currently lives in Newport Beach with her husband and two sons.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Yosmel Gutierrez, or as his friends call him Joe, is currently the CEO and Founder of YeeGoals, a platform committed to connecting businesses with industry-specific banks and bankers that see their clients not for who they are today, but for what they can become tomorrow. He is also a co-founder of EquipmentFinancings.com and a previous franchise owner of Lendio Anaheim.
Joe brings the experience of working with multiple start-ups and small businesses in the search for capital. He has developed an uncanny ability to problem-solve and develop solutions on the fly, which helps him offer the stellar customer service he is known for. 
As the previous owner of Lendio Anaheim, he had the privilege of helping over 750 businesses across the nation get their PPP loans during the pandemic, amounting to a total of over $25MM. Joe has also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and currently for Pathway of Hope, a local food bank in the North Orange County Community College District. 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Philip Kang is the founder of Wandery Capital and has over 20+ years of real estate experience with 15+ years focused in multifamily/apartment investing. His roles have included Vice President of Redevelopment at Essex Property Trust, Inc., Senior Vice President of Investments at The Picerne Group and most recently Chief Investment Officer at E&S Ring Management.
Mr. Kang has experience in asset management, operations, reinvestment, redevelopment, acquisition, disposition, and refinancing transactions, worth over $20B+ of total asset value across multiple states including California, Seattle, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Colorado.
Mr. Kang holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with majors in Real Estate and Finance and a Bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley - Haas School of Business.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Adriana Lynch has over 25 years of experience in Strategy and Brand Management. Her global experience has demonstrated significant success in the creation and execution of award-winning strategies and plans to improve product positioning, brand recognition and revenue. In the last 10 years, Adriana has worked both on Direct-to-Consumer and Business-to-Business either solely through Digital Channels or through a Multi-Channel approach.
A wiz at brand and business strategy, Adriana has held management positions with The Walt Disney Co., Häagen-Dazs, Pillsbury International, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and St. Joseph Health System. After being classically trained in Brand Management at P&G Brazil - where she managed Pampers and Always - Adriana came to the USA and got her MBA from Harvard, graduating in 1996 with Second Year Honors.
Since 2020, Adriana has been the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for FuelRod, responsible for leading and executing the company's marketing and branding initiatives and growing the e-commerce business. Adri works with cross-functional teams and leads outsourced agencies, to drive the development and execution of marketing strategies and plans that enhance the company's market position and drive revenue growth profitably.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Randa Hoffman MBA, EA is the founder of RADIANT Wealth Planning, LLC, and RADIANT Tax Services, LLC. She is a financial planner, money manager, and tax nerd. She guides clients to build a life that they dream of but don't know how to achieve. She builds wealth and uses tax strategies to save their wealth.
Randa is independent and fee-only, meaning she is never paid a commission of any kind and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice as a fiduciary.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Gary Maggetti is the General Manager of Disney California Adventure Park West in Anaheim, California. Since beginning his career with the Walt Disney Company as a Jungle Cruise Skipper during the 1992 Fall College Program at Walt Disney World, and then as a Food & Beverage Host on Main Street during the 1994 Summer College Program at Disneyland Park, Gary has had a variety of roles at the Disneyland Resort: Restaurant Manager, opening project team for Disney California Adventure; Manager, Training and Development, and Operations Manager for Food and Beverage Business Solutions. He has served as Director, Disneyland Resort Hotels Food & Beverage; Director, Theme Parks Food & Beverage, and as General Manager, Food & Beverage Operations for Disneyland and Director, Food & Beverage and Merchandise Experience Integration for the Disneyland Resort. He has also worked internationally as Director, Food & Beverage for the Tokyo Disney Resort, providing strategic input to Oriental Land Company, who manages all operations at the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Today, as General Manager of Disney California Adventure Park West, he oversees all operations for the Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park, Pacific Wharf and Golden Vine Winery regions of the theme park including Attractions, Retail, Food & Beverage, Guest Show operations, as well as Outdoor Vending, Park Banquets and Festival events for both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park and the Disneyland Resort Central Bakery. In addition, Gary leads the Disneyland Resort’s College & Professional Internship programs.
Gary has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the California Restaurant Association and is currently Chair of the Customer Experience Program Advisory Committee for the University of California at Irvine. Gary has also served on the Board of Directors for several local community organizations including the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, the Executive Advisory Board for the Hospitality Foodservice and Hotel Management program at California State University Long Beach, the Good News for Kids Foundation and the Tim Salmon Foundation.
Gary graduated cum laude from the Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management and was a Gold Spirit of Disneyland® Resort recipient in 1998 and was inducted into the Northern Arizona University’s W. A. Franke College of Business Hall of Fame in October 2021.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Chris Folayan is a renowned and multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur, author and founder, celebrated for his exceptional ability to start and scale multi-million-dollar global companies. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Chris has demonstrated an extraordinary talent for investing, raising substantial capital, and building thriving businesses from the ground up.
His entrepreneurial journey began at the tender age of seven and a half when he started a profitable recycling business, and since then, he has become an expert across various fields, founding and exiting several successful companies globally.
Born and raised in Africa, Chris's relentless pursuit of knowledge led him to California, where he attended San Jose State University in the heart of Silicon Valley. Graduating with a degree in marketing, he discovered his passion for software development and embarked on a self-taught journey in mastering several programming and development languages. This impressive feat caught the attention of several Silicon Valley tech giants, including Quantum. At the young age of 19, Chris was recruited by Quantum, a cutting-edge hard drive manufacturing company.
During his time at Quantum, Chris immersed himself in cutting-edge software engineering which led him to work with the due diligence group for mergers and acquisition division. White at Quantum he worked on the development of numerous technical patents. Remarkably, he accomplished all of this while simultaneously pursuing a full-time college education. Chris's expertise garnered widespread recognition, and companies across Silicon Valley eagerly sought his technical and market-oriented insights.
Eventually, he left Quantum and co-founded NTM, a pioneering digital music label platform, revolutionizing the industry with the world's first indie music recording-to-digital rights and sales platform. Collaborating with artists from around the globe ensuring artists' music was safe while being encrypted and sold online. Chris dedicated his time to developing the patent for the encryption technology he developed used by NTM used by global artists.
Having successfully exited NTM, Chris founded his first of many companies, OCFX Inc. As the founder and CEO, he built OCFX into a renowned Silicon Valley brand, collaborating with prestigious Fortune 100 and 500 companies such as SONY, Quantum, LSI Logic, Accenture, Adobe, Cisco, EMC, Merrill Lynch, Elo, CapitalOne, History Channel and many others. Under Chris's leadership, OCFX built a reputation for turning clients' imaginative ideas into exceptional revenue-generating software products. Additionally, Chris spearheaded the development of several spin-off companies within the OCFX ecosystem, offering valuable tools and solutions that companies could purchase and license. Chris sold and exited several of OCFX spin-off companies to major brands.
While OCFX was growing globally with over 350 employees he had an idea and developed one of Africa’s largest eCommerce platforms MallforAfrica and MallfortheWorld. An idea he started to help people in Africa and the world who were unbanked shop on top USA and UK retailers. Starting the company from scratch wasn’t easy but Chris ended up building a multimillion-dollar monthly revenue business. And quickly became one of Africa and the world's leading eCommerce experts in emerging markets.
Completing his 4th exit after selling MallforAfrica and Mallfortheworld to a UK based business Chris wrote a book titled “From Pitch To Close: What Founders and CEOs Need to Know and Do Before An Investor Meeting” which has won him several prestigious book awards. A book written to help entrepreneurs build companies at the highest valuation possible. Chris has also written other books about entrepreneurship and investments.
Today Chris helps companies expand globally, consults, mentors, lectures, serves on several boards, invests and is an exciting public speaker with amazing motivational stories and lessons to share. Chris has spoken in over 50 countries and has a reputation for thinking outside the box and getting everyone to master the entrepreneurial mindset with his concept well known acronym P.I.N.K (Passion - Innovation - Network - Knowledge).
Reading his books, hoping on a call or listening to Chris speak is a treat. His witty comedic yet inspirational insights into building a business with passion while thinking outside the box is a masterpiece. Over 25+ years of ownership Chris still owns OCFX as a legacy brand he works under. 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Gaye Tomlinson is the co-founder and CEO of Vaha Energy, a solar and energy storage project development firm, servicing California since 2008. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Vaha Energy as well as the procurement and strategic growth of the company.
Gaye has extensive knowledge and experience on residential, commercial, and industrial solar and energy storage systems, financial models, the latest renewable energy technology, net zero goals, and the sustainability industry in general. She is a public speaker and loves sharing her insights on start-ups, balancing it all as a woman executive, as well as her personal journey in career and life.
Gaye is an engineer by trade with an MBA from Cornell University. She is currently the President of the Cornell Club of Los Angeles.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Erin Giglia is an owner and founder of Montage Legal Group. Erin graduated cum laude from Wellesley College.  She then graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2001, cum laude, where she was a member of the San Diego Law Review.
After law school, Erin practiced litigation at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison until 2002.   Erin then joined Snell & Wilmer, LLP where she defended companies in product liability, premises liability, environmental and commercial litigation.
Erin left Snell & Wilmer in 2009 to co-found Montage Legal Group, a freelance attorney company comprised of 400+ exceptionally trained freelance lawyers who opted out of the traditional law firm model in favor of career flexibility.
Erin is a frequent writer and speaker on legal outsourcing, work-life balance, women in law, legal ethics and contract attorneys. Erin’s speaking engagements include presentations for the ABA, numerous bar associations and other state and regional attorney associations, and private entities. Erin and Montage have also been featured in numerous publications, including The ABA Journal, CNBC, The Atlantic, Huffington Post, and Forbes.com. In 2015, Erin and Montage were featured in “Disruptive Innovation: New Models of Legal Practice” by UC Hastings Work Life Law Center. Erin is also a frequent podcast guest.
Erin and Montage serve the community through philanthropic efforts, and were named the National Philanthropy Day Small Business of the Year in 2017 for their charitable leadership.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Kurt Lohse, a dynamic entrepreneur and co-founder of Boredroom LLC, is making waves in the beverage industry with his innovative approach to consumer packaged goods (CPG). Alongside his partner Darin Rasmussen, Lohse has embarked on a mission to transform the conventional water category into a vibrant platform for artistic expression through their venture, Bored & Thirsty. This revolutionary Media + CPG brand stands out for offering a unique and refreshing premium alkaline water experience that aligns with contemporary consumer demands for both quality and creativity​​​​​.
Lohse's journey with Bored & Thirsty is marked by significant achievements and partnerships, reflecting his visionary leadership and strategic acumen. Notably, the company has gained prominence as the exclusive water partner for the Life is Beautiful Music Festival in Las Vegas, leveraging this opportunity to gain mass exposure. Bored & Thirsty also introduced an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) enabled can of alkaline water featuring a song clip from Snoop Dogg, illustrating Lohse's commitment to merging technology with consumer goods. Further solidifying the brand's market presence, strategic relationships have been established with major players like 7-Eleven, Save Mart / Lucky, and C3 Presents the festival arm of Live Nation. These partnerships, along with the company's focus on sustainability and high-quality manufacturing processes, underscore Lohse's dedication to creating a brand that resonates with a wide range of consumers while maintaining an environmentally conscious footprint​​.
Kurt Lohse's professional background extends beyond Boredroom LLC. He founded and led Releventure LLC, a content marketing agency since its incorporation in California thirteen years ago, and before that as the CEO of his media start-up, Keycode, from 1999-2010, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to entrepreneurship and business development​ that positively transforms industries.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

As the founder of FoodTech startup Nutripair, Catlin Tran is embarking on a journey to transform the Restaurant Dining landscape.
Tran is passionate about leveraging innovation and technology to drive positive impact on society and food accessibility. She is dedicated to sharing her experiences with others in hopes of motivating young founders to begin their own entrepreneurial journeys. 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mohammed Omar is a 31-year-old entrepreneur with a passion for business that started back in middle school. He kickstarted his journey by selling candy and snacks from his locker, undercutting the school cafeteria's prices with products he sourced from Costco. This early experience ignited his love for the world of business.
His entrepreneurial career took off with an e-commerce venture, specializing in selling branded, overstocked US products acquired from swap meets and third-party sales events. As this business grew, he transitioned it into a distribution and logistics company, broadening his industry expertise.
He later delved into product development, contributing to the design and marketing of over a hundred successful products in the US market. With the success of these endeavors, he ventured into the film industry, serving as an Executive Producer for holiday movies, and he's made a strong mark in the franchise industry, currently involved in three major franchises: Crumble Cookies, Ace Pickleball Club, and Toastique.
Additionally, he is in the process of relaunching a pet shampoo brand called Splash Plus, which offers dermatologist-level skincare for pets. His entrepreneurial journey continues to evolve and expand across various sectors, fueled by a passion for innovation and growth.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Bret Englander is the Co-Founder and Director of Sales and Marketing at Cerno. A native of Laguna Beach, CA, a melting pot of artists, surfers, hippies, and entrepreneurs, Bret developed a passion for the natural environment, design, and entrepreneurship in his youth. Bret’s parents ran their own business specializing in product development for the homebuilding industry. This meant many weekends were spent touring the latest completed homes, which Bret credits for his drive and ability to combine the creative and analytical sides of running a business.
Originally, Bret wanted to pursue a career in journalism and film, graduating from the University of Colorado. After working at a newspaper, he decided to switch gears and pursue a career in business, which led to a few informative roles in finance and marketing.
In 2009, Bret teamed up with childhood best friends Daniel Wacholder and Nick Sheridan to start Cerno. As co-founder, Bret wears many hats but focuses his efforts on business development as Cerno’s Director of Sales and Marketing. Cerno is a California-based design and manufacturing company that, over the last 14 years, has grown from three founders to a team of approximately 50 people who share a passion for design and making modern lighting in Southern California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Craig Cooke is the author of the newly released book Business Kung Fu. A successful entrepreneur, Craig had the foresight to start a “digital first” company utilizing the Internet long before “digital first,” “digital transformation,” and other buzzwords of today were created. With extremely limited resources of $1,300 and an Apple computer, he started RhythmNet.com with a couple friends from college.
Over the years of struggle, adaptation, and repositioning the brand, “Rhythm“ was sold to a world-class digital creative agency in 2019. Craig stayed with the company for just over 3 years, completing a 26-year marathon of running the company as CEO. During his tenure at Rhythm®, Craig worked with middle market to large enterprise companies, such as American Honda Motors, Beats by Dr. Dre, ZO Skin Health, Irvine Company, The Travel Corporation, Segway, U.S. Bank, FivePoint, Online Trading Academy,Allergan, Abbott Labs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and many other B2C and B2B brands.
During the course of leading Rhythm® to success, numerous organizational achievements were attained, including been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, five years in a row, and listed among the top 15 Advertising and Marketing Agencies in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal.
In addition to the organization achievements above, Craig has been honored with several personal awards and recognitions, including being named one of the 5=40 under 40 of Orange County Professionals by OC Metro Business Magazine in 2009.
Today, Craig shares his business wisdom, experience, and expertise in three key areas: executive leadership, brand development, and marketing communications. He continues his training in martial arts, continuously learning and evolving his skills. Also, he has studied and served as a practitioner of Chinese Medical Qigong since 2015, bringing energy healing to hundreds of people.
Currently, Craig is pursuing a doctorate of Chinese Energy Medicine from the Temple of Change and Transformation. Craig incorporates his skills, knowledge, and expertise in energetic practices into the world of business to provide a truly unique perspective and method in working with professionals across a wide variety of industries.
Outside of his consulting and qigong practice, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids, and two dogs in Southern California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Robert Riggs is the founder and managing member of Oralogix LLC, a health-care consultancy and specialty retailer of oral and perioral care products. He has over 20 years of experience in product commercialization and entrepreneurship. Robert is the innovator behind the Full Face Fitness™ movement – a program designed to integrate four previously siloed care areas: Face, Mouth, Neck, Upper Chest - plausibly uniting them into one high interest, high visibility region of the body…. The Social Zone™.
Riggs is a credentialed member of various professional societies aimed at restoration and rejuvenation of the mouth, jaw and face. He holds a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School and is currently an Integrated Healthcare Practitioner candidate. Robert resides in Southern California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Addison Adams is the founder of Adams Corporate Law and stands out as the go-to voice on Mergers and Acquisitions for California-based businesses. With nearly three decades dedicated to closing deals, Addison’s expertise isn’t confined to just M&A transactions. He guides business owners, helping companies of all sizes and across all industries in the Golden State achieve growth.
Whether it’s mastering investor offerings, crafting watertight contracts, or navigating intricate corporate structures, Addison’s touch is evident in everything he oversees. Whether you’re a startup enthusiast or a seasoned business professional, Addison’s tales from the trenches of deal-making and California’s dynamic business environment promise to both educate and captivate.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Ria Berger is the CEO of Healthy Smiles for Kids Orange County. She is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of Operations, Business Development, and Human Resources experience in multi-cultural, multi-site locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Berger served for four years as a member of the Board of Directors at CalOptima (Orange County's single largest health insurer), with $3.6 billion in revenue. She is a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Governance Fellow.
Berger was previously a VP of Human Resources for several Fortune 500 companies ($2B-42B revenue). She is currently the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, one of the nation's largest oral health care providers for children.
Since the beginning of her tenure in 2014, the organization has increased its revenue by 250% within three years, tripled in employee headcount and launched an innovative Teledentistry program (one of the largest in the US.) Healthy Smiles was named one of Orange County Register’s Top Workplaces in 2017, 2018 and 2021, and Orange County Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2022.
She is a co-founder of Art 4 Fun, a 22 year-old business headquartered in London and continues to serve on the Board of Directors.
Ria Berger's greatest strengths are in the successful execution and transformation of world class organizational and business development programs. She has extensive experience in strategy, operations, board recruitment, leadership reorganization, culture transformation, and mergers and acquisitions. She masterfully architects innovative systems integration and delivers outstanding results to Fortune 500 companies, private corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
Berger holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California (USC), and has taught HR and business courses at the University of California, Irvine and USC.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Jan Miller is a graphic artist, creative solutions specialist, and president of 21-13 Impact Graphics Inc. After graduating high school in his hometown of Downey, Califonia, Jan worked for Mann's Theaters for about a year doing accounting. From there, he started working for Musicland Group, where he stayed for a decade before deciding to go back to college to combine his business skills and artistic skills by pursuing graphic design. He graduated with high honors in 1998.
Jan was soon after recruited by PSB, The Marketing Supersource (now known as West America Communications), as a graphic designer. His career then brought him to Advanced Media Post (AMP), where he served as a senior graphic designer, working on graphics for multi-media DVD menus, as well as print-work for films such as movie posters and DVD wraps.
In 2005, Jan formed his own company, 21-13 Impact Graphics, Inc. He has won several awards, including Graphic Design USA Magazine's “2022 Designer to Watch” recognition, and Small Business Diversity Network's Presidents Award (2023).
Jan currently lives in Irvine, California, with his wife. When he is not working, his hobbies include Peloton, bike-riding, and networking.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Nicholas Yrizarry is the CEO of Align Wealth Advisors. An alumnus of Princeton University, with nearly 30 years as a financial professional, Nicholas values his unique relationships with his clients. His personalized wealth management approach helps investors create financial stability, aligned with a desirable lifestyle.
Some of the nation’s leading media outlets have called on Nicholas for his insight on issues impacting investors and their money. His commentary has been featured in outlets that include The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, MSNBC.com, Fox News, ABC News, and Bankrate.com, and he has also appeared on CNBC.
Nicholas served on the board of trustees for the Laguna Playhouse from 2016 through 2019 and loves to support the arts. As a classical guitarist, he has performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and for charitable organizations such as Laguna Art Museum, Laguna College of Art & Design, Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA) and Project HOPE Alliance.
A native of Toms River, New Jersey, Nicholas currently makes his home in Monarch Beach, California. He is the proud father of three grown children: Jasmine, Shannon and Dustin.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mandy Schaniel is the founder and CEO of Schaniel Consulting Inc., providing leadership and business coaching to startups looking to build a culture of inclusivity, progress and success for both business and employees. Her rise to leadership came early when she was recruited to join the executive team at ZipRecruiter as employee number 19.
During her four-and-a-half years at ZipRecruiter, Mandy helped lead the company to its first million-dollar month, built the company’s first account management team, created a safe space for women and men to seek mentorship from growth-minded leaders like herself and led many on her teams to the next steps in their careers.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Nicole Andrews is the CEO of Fastapp AMC. Nicole has a career spanning over two decades in the financial services industry, and brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her role. Her journey in the industry began as a licensed appraiser and earned her Certified Residential Appraisal license in 2005. This early experience laid a solid foundation for her understanding of the appraisal landscape.
Nicole's leadership extends beyond her impressive credentials. She is recognized as one of the top sales producers in the industry, achieving a remarkable milestone of 10 million dollars in sales in 2017 as an account executive. This achievement is a testament to her dedication, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to her clients.
Nicole owned and operated Andrews Appraisal Company from 2001 to 2012. During this time, she honed her skills as a residential appraiser in California, further deepening her understanding of the industry's intricacies. This experience has been instrumental in her current role, where she bridges the gap between appraisers and appraisal management companies, ensuring seamless operations and fostering strong relationships.
Nicole's leadership extends beyond the confines of her professional life. She is a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where she served as a Law Enforcement Specialist. This experience instilled in her a deep sense of discipline, integrity, and commitment to service, values that she carries into her work at Fastapp.
Under Nicole's stewardship, Fastapp has thrived, even amidst challenging market conditions. Her strategic foresight, coupled with her strong relationships within the industry, has allowed the company to not only maintain its existing client base but also attract new clients. Nicole's vision for Fastapp extends beyond the present, with a focus on conducting and facilitating outreach programs to educate clients and vendors, thereby ensuring the integrity of the field as a whole.
Nicole's journey is a testament to her resilience, strategic acumen, and commitment to service. As she continues to lead Fastapp, she remains dedicated to fostering strong relationships, driving growth, and ensuring the integrity of the appraisal industry.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Rieva Lesonsky is president and CEO of two companies that focus on small business and entrepreneurship — GrowBiz Media and SmallBusinessCurrents.com. She’s a nationally-known speaker, best-selling author, award-winning journalist, and authority on entrepreneurship who has covered the industry for more than 40 years.
Before starting GrowBiz Media, Rieva was the long-time editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine. Lesonsky served on the Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council for six years. The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization honored her for helping drive “the entrepreneurial revolution in secondary education.” The ASBDC awarded her a “Champion of Small Business” award, and she received the prestigious Lou Campanelli award from SCORE.
Rieva regularly writes about small business and entrepreneurship for print and digital outlets, has a podcast devoted to small business issues, and consults with and produces content for corporations targeting entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Since starting her consultancy practice in 1980, Eileen McDargh has become known as a master facilitator, an award-winning author, and an internationally recognized keynoter/trainer and executive coach. Clients have ranged from global pharmaceuticals to educational institutions, from hospitals to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Eileen is the author of seven books, including Your Resiliency GPS, A Guide for Growing Through Life & Work. Her book, Gifts from the Mountain, won the Ben Franklin Gold Award and was turned into a training program featuring Eileen. Her newest book was released to great acclaim: Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge and Reclaim What Matters.
For the last six years Gurus International, a British-based provider of resources for leadership, communication and sales training, has ranked Eileen in the top five of the World’s Top 30 COMMUNICATION Gurus following a global survey of 22,000 business professionals. Eileen is a certified speaking professional (CSP), a certified virtual trainer, and was elected into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame. She’s also listed as a recommended expert through the Sloan Work and Family Research Network.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Dr. Chip Espinoza is the co-author of Managing the Millennials: Discover the Core Competencies for Managing Today’s Workforce Second Edition, Millennials Who Manage: How to Overcome Workplace Perceptions and Become A Great Leader, and Millennials@Work: The 7 Skills Every Twenty-Something Needs to Overcome Roadblocks and Achieve Greatness at Work. His books have been translated into several languages. He is also Dean of Strategy and Innovation at Vanguard University of Southern California and an Instructor in the UCLA Technical Manager Program.
Chip keynotes internationally and across the country on creating an environment where managers and young professionals can thrive. Chip is a leading expert on the subject of generational diversity in the workplace. He consults in the civic, corporate, and non-profit sectors. His client list features great organizations, including The Boeing Company, Microsoft, Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, Special Olympics, The Department of Defense, Sandia National Labs, and SAS Business Software Systems.
Chip is the go-to person for news agencies on the topic of integrating younger workers into organizations. He is a content expert for CNN on the subject of generational diversity in the workplace. He has also been featured on Fox News, CBS Radio, and in major publications. Chip was named a top 15 Global Thought Leader on the Future of Work by the Economic Times and a top 500 influencer in Orange County.
Chip serves as Board Chairman for the Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership and as an Advisory Board Member at Trilogy Investments.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Based in Dorsey & Whitney's California offices, Kent Schmidt has an international practice focused on defending and advising companies around the globe on navigating the perils U.S. litigation.
Kent's legal practice includes virtually all types of general business litigation in the U.S., with emphases in unfair business practices, trade secret litigation, consumer class actions, product liability, securities and shareholder litigation and disputes, commercial contract disputes, Prop 65 (environmental) claims and labor/employment matters. He is a zealous and creative courtroom advocate, equally accustomed to representing plaintiffs and defendants.​
In addition to his general business litigation practice, Kent is an experienced First Amendment lawyer, representing clients on both sides of defamation cases and other matters involving free speech, including California’s unique anti-SLAPP statute.​ Kent speaks and writes on litigation risks, authored Avoiding and Managing U.S. Litigation Risks (Globe Law and Business 2021) and hosts a twice-monthly podcast, SharkCast, where he interviews guests on these topics. 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

David Cristofaro founded Actionable Research in 2001 with the goal of developing marketing research solutions custom-tailored to the unique requirements of clients. His natural passion for discovering the attitudes and emotions behind the opinions and behaviors of the people around him is a perfect fit for marketing research, a field that allows David to think about the things he enjoys thinking about most.
David has performed, designed and/or coached well over 375 primary research projects over the last 22 years, for companies including Johnson and Johnson, 3M Healthcare, Align Technology, Bio-Rad, NVIDIA, and many others.
During his time off, David actively explores his passion for music – be it writing or performing on drums. His band, The Rewinders, recently released their third album, The Rewinders 3, which can be found on Spotify. David’s other interests include hot yoga, wake surfing, spending time with his 6 children and keeping up with the latest trends in the healthcare and technology marketplaces.
David holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Tom Snelling is the President and General Manager of Food Systems Inc., a wholly-owned California corporation that was established in 1972. With a mission to provide the highest quality foods and service without compromise, the company's main business is providing corporate dining services for business, industry, and educational facilities. Prior to his role as President and General Manager, Tom served as the company's Director of Sales and Marketing.
Tom has a background in the food service industry and professional and collegiate sports. With experience working with C-level executives with an emphasis on sales and marketing, Tom is experienced at establishing goals, developing strategies to meet and surpass those goals, and focusing team dynamics on accomplishing these goals.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Bill Carpou is the CEO of Octane, a business accelerator for early-stage companies. Octane has created one of the nation's most dynamic ecosystems to enable technology industry growth in Orange County by connecting people, resources and capital. Portfolio companies have received more than $4.4b in capital since 2011. He is also the founding partner of Visionary Ventures and Elevation Ventures; both provide series A and growth capital to high-quality companies.
Prior, Bill was an Operating Partner with The Blackstone Group, working with portfolio companies to grow revenue and improve enterprise value. Bill relocated to Orange County in 1998 as the President of IKON Office Solutions and held several positions prior to leaving after the strategic exit of the company and acquisition by Ricoh Corporation in 2007.
Bill has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Villanova University where he serves as a board advisor for both the Villanova School of Business and the Villanova Institute of Innovation. He is also a member of the Chief Executive Roundtable at the University of California, Irvine. He resides in Laguna Niguel, California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Brenda Rodriguez has served as Executive Director of Affordable Housing Clearinghouse (AHC) since 2009. This is her fourteenth year with the organization which is celebrating over 30 years of addressing the evolving affordable housing needs of the community. Some of her responsibilities include identifying business opportunities to sustain the organization, overseeing fee-for-service programs/contracts, managing housing developments (both rental and for sale), financial literacy and counseling, and representing the organization at various community events, cultivating relationships between nonprofits, lenders, and other community groups to facilitate Community Reinvestment activities.
Although homeownership continues to be a challenge in Southern California, Brenda is steadfast in ensuring the community is educated on the process and benefits of this long-term investment through support and collaboration of lenders, nonprofits, and various partners. Under her leadership, AHC successfully made homeownership a reality for families throughout southern California; a geography with significant barriers to first-time homebuyers. She secured National Stabilization Funds (NSP 1 & 2) and currently oversees monitoring for the remaining portfolio. She maintains relationships with contacts at US Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and the Federal Reserve.
Brenda is dedicated to the Orange County community and serves on several Boards focused on housing and uplifting families with very little means. Some of these boards include the Kennedy Commission, Orange County Community Housing Corporation (Chairwoman) and Hope Through Housing Foundation. She is passionate about helping the underserved, low-income families, educational programs, and the veteran community. She facilitated the 2016 Veterans Symposium on Housing in Orange County and has previously served as the Chair for Orange County Military and Veterans Families Collaborative Steering Committee for Housing. Her speaking engagements include participating as a guest on the Ron Siegel broadcast in January 2016, Radio Santa Ana (Spanish broadcast), and Telemundo Canal 52 promoting of down payment assistance program for working families. Brenda also established the organization’s relationship with the Veterans Administration and partners with them to offer life skills. The focus of the series ranges from tax savings, credit information to homeownership and other topics.
Lastly, Brenda served as a Board Director of the Southern CA Association of Nonprofit Housing for six years where she also volunteered as part of the Fundraising and Recruitment Committees. Brenda previously held positions in both the private sector at companies like Czarnowski Exhibit Services, IBM as well as in the Public Sector (County of Orange Housing & Community Services).
Brenda earned a BA in Social Work from UC Berkeley and an MSPPM from the Heinz School of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. She studied at the University of Padua, Italy and is fluent in both Italian and Spanish. Brenda was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, CA.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Johnlery Cruz is the founder and CEO of Carbon Fiber Cabinets, a company with a mission to craft exclusive carbon fiber cabinets and architectural pieces while also serving as the Director of Operations and business development for PCW Millworks. The carbon fiber brand represents luxury craftsmanship showcasing the perfect backdrop within the automotive industry and car enthusiasts.
Johnlery has ten years of experience in the construction industry ranging from cradle-to-grave large commercial buildings to small retrofits. He has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chico State University, and started his construction internships during his last two years of college. His career started at the largest Mechanical Firm on the West Coast and has transitioned to luxury craftsmanship in the carpentry industry.
In his free time, Johnlery loves to play golf and spend time with his family.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Braelyn Davis is the CEO and co-founder of Planet Based Foods, the first company to develop plant-based meat and dairy products with hemp as a key ingredient. The brand represents the culmination of six years of research and development around how to utilize hemp seed in delicious plant-based food applications. Davis has enjoyed more than a decade in the space, backed by training as a nutritionist.
Prior to founding Planet Based Foods, Davis introduced a range of retail products using hemp and CBD. He is responsible for building the brand as it expands its consumer product innovation. Davis is on a mission to establish hemp as a superfood protein source that can feed the world sustainably for generations to come.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Sherri Snelling is a corporate gerontologist, “authorpreneur” and founder/CEO of Caregiving Club, a strategic consulting and educational content creation firm with an expertise in caregiver wellness, well-home design and brain health/Alzheimer’s.
Her new book, Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Plan to Find Balance and Joy for a Busy Life, is a creative non-fiction, self-help book released August 22, 2023. Her first book, A Cast of Caregivers – Celebrity Stories to Help You Prepare to Care, was a top-selling book in Amazon’s family and relationships category.
Sherri is also the host of the podcast, “Caregiving Club On Air,” writes articles for various online news outlets including PBS Next Avenue, Forbes.com and USA Today, and serves as an on-air aging wellness expert for TV and radio news.
Snelling has a master’s degree in gerontology from USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology a a master’s certification from MIT Sloan School of Management on Shaping the Jobs of the Future and a master’s certification from Harvard University in “Happiness Psychology.” She lives in Newport Beach, California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Suzy Engwall is the CEO and President of HealthTech Strategies, LLC as well as the VP of Early Medtech Development at Alira Health. She is a healthcare innovation leader, speaker, startup advisor and mentor who has been working to make change in healthcare for over 17 years spending the last 7 in the healthcare innovation space.
In her current roles, Suzy works with early-stage startups to help them navigate the challenging landscape of bringing a product to market in the highly regulated healthcare space. Independently, she consults with healthcare organizations to set up their corporate innovation programs and assist them in the commercialization of new product. She also serves as a leader for the Founder Institute HealthTech chapter, a pre-seed accelerator, and is a long-time board member for GameChanger Charity – a 501c3 that helps deliver joy and distraction therapy to hospitalized children.
Suzy is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Edson School of Nursing and Health Innovation where she is also an Alumni Board Member.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Manuel N. Gómez is the Producer & Founder of OC World. Manuel N. Gómez, Ph.D. served as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at the University of California, Irvine from 1995 to 2010. He began his work as a counselor in the Educational Opportunity Program, was a program officer with the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education in Washington D.C., and he served as Interim Vice President for Educational Partnerships in the University of California Office of the President.
Manuel also served as a member of the Children First, Paul Merage Foundation, on the Board of Trustees for the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Board of Governors for the Orange County Community Foundation. Currently, he is an Advisory Committee member of the UC Berkeley Institute for the Study of Higher Education.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Lori A. Torres is the founder and prior CEO of Parcel Pending, the nation’s leading provider of innovative package management solutions. She is a successful entrepreneur with more than 25 years of real estate experience. Additionally, she has been recognized on multiple occasions for her leadership and was named 2017 “Innovator of the Year” by the Orange County Business Journal. Lori has also been chosen as one of the 13 entrepreneurs admitted into the EY Entrepreneurial Winning WomenTM 2017 North America class and was a Regional EY Entrepreneur of the Year winner in 2019.
Lori founded Parcel Pending in 2013 to provide seamless package management solutions to property managers, residents and couriers alike. She served as the company’s CEO since its inception until leaving in August 2021. Today, Parcel Pending is the global package management industry leader in the multi-family, commercial, retail and universities space with over 200+ employees and serves tens of thousands of customers across North America. Lori sold the company to Neopost/Quadient in 2019 and remained CEO for over two years.
During her 13-year tenure at The Irvine Company, Lori held various senior positions, including SVP of property operations. Lori was responsible for the operational oversight of the company’s entire multifamily portfolio, consisting of 1,200 property management associates operating over 44,000 apartment homes. In addition to the Irvine Company, Lori served as senior regional manager at BRE Properties, Inc. from 1996 to 2000, and regional manager at McNeil Real Estate Management Company from 1986 to 1996.
She has also served as president of the South Coast Apartment Association, Orange County in 2009, board member of California Apartment Association from 2010 to 2012 and board member of the CAA South Coast Apartment Association, Orange County from 2005 to 2011. Lori held a board position at both UCI Beall Applied Innovation and Families Forward, a non-profit helping families avoid homelessness. Lori is now advising companies in both the real estate space and entrepreneurs.
Lori holds a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She is a Certified Property Manager, (CPM), IREM.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

For more than two decades, Lynne Sebastian has been focused on building and protecting the wealth of high-net-worth individuals and families across the country.
She specializes in working with people in transitional periods of their lives, such as newly retired, divorced, widowed, or those who have recently come into an inheritance. She delivers comprehensive financial planning including budget analysis, investment management, legacy planning, retirement income and long-term care solutions. Lynne enjoys educating the next generation of her clients and stresses the importance of financial independence.
A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Lynne earned the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM® designation from the College of Financial Planning, and holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses as well as life, annuity, and long-term care licenses. Lynne is one of a select number of investment professionals at UBS who holds the Private Wealth Advisor designation as well as the Certified Exit Planning Advisor for Companies. CA Insurance License #0B62029. 
Lynne holds the Forbes America Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2023 & Top Women Wealth Advisor 2020-2022 designations. Lynne has been an active public speaker for companies and non-profit organizations on topics such as retirement planning, wealth preservation and raising responsible children of wealth. She has been a contributor to articles featured in The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones News, and Bizwomen.
Lynne is an active participant in the community, advocating and volunteering for organizations such as Leashes of Love Animal Rescue, Second Harvest Food Bank, and UCI Lifevest financial literacy program. Lynne and her husband Chris reside in Newport Beach with their two rescue dogs, Penelope and Dudley.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Anton Komarow is the Founder & CEO of B2Storefront, a cross-platform SEO-friendly, high-performance storefront fully integrated with Shopify, BigCommerce and Swell.
With 20 years of experience as a web developer, Anton launched first web portal in 2003, and is dedicated to working on making eCommerce fast, both in terms of loading time and when it comes to the speed of implementation of new features and sections.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey are the Founders of Barefoot, now the world’s largest wine brand. Since their successful acquisition by E&J Gallo, they have dedicated their lives to helping other entrepreneurs with the lessons they learned in the process. They are popular keynote speakers, writers, teachers, and regular media guests on the subject of entrepreneurship and business culture including several previous interviews on Critical Mass.
Over the past year, Michael and Bonnie have spoken at Oxford, Cambridge, Nanyang University in Singapore, and Keynoted at several events including the Antrepreneurial Center at UCI.   
They adopted their New York Times bestseller, The Barefoot Spirit, into a theatrically performed audioplay that was recognized as a 2020 Business Audie Award Finalist by the Audiobook Publisher’s Association. That success gave rise to their new project, Business Audio Theatre where they dramatize founder’s startup stories in an effort to preserve their legacy and attract, retain, and engage their people. Their Hollywood audio productions are reminiscent of pre-television 1940s radio dramas, complete with actors voicing parts in seminal scenes that demonstrate business principles, complete with sound effects and music.
Their most recent production, The Brain Savers, How a Scrappy Startup Transformed Telemedicine and Patient Care chronicles the entrepreneurial journey of Dr Colin McDonald as he and his team overcome financial, technical, and legal obstacles to create a pioneer, interstate, telemedicine company in the early 2000s.
Michael and Bonnie created Business Audio Theatre to address the increasing trend in resignations and lack of engagement. They believe that entertaining and gripping stories help listeners identify with the founder’s principles and pull for their success. Michael and Bonnie live in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County California, and host corporate retreats at their wine country estate.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Reyhaneh ("Rey") Blackman is the co-founder and co-CEO of Product Pair, a product innovation studio based in Orange County. At Product Pair, she leads software design and engineering projects for dozens of startups and works with more recognized brands like the Superbowl, Udemy and UFC.
Rey is an experienced product manager and software engineer, as well as a serial entrepreneur who has founded two other tech startups. Earlier in her career, she was an investment banker, management consultant and journalist.
Rey has a Master's in Economics and Finance from Columbia University, and is currently earning a Master's in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Chris Boucher is recognized across the global hemp industry for his broad expertise in hemp, including farming, product development, consulting, education, advocacy, and legislation. 
Chris began growing hemp in the early 1990s in China, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. In 1991, he founded The Hempstead Company, one of the first hemp clothing and seed businesses to open in the US since the 1930s. The company sold products to more than 4,000 stores in 10 countries. Clients included The Beatles (for their Anthology Release), the Disney Stores, Converse Shoes, The Dave Mathews Band, Phish, Ziggy Marley, the Bob Marley Foundation, the Save the Earth Foundation, the Turner Foundation, and the Rainforest Action Network. 
In 1992, Chris co-founded The True Hemp Industry Association, now known as the Hemp Industries Association (HIA). In 1994, he became the first person in modern times permitted to legally grow a hemp crop in the US, at the USDA Research Center in Brawley, California. 
In 1997, Chris worked with the Navajo Nation in Arizona to help pass progressive hemp legislation for  Native American US reservations. From 1994-2017, he helped draft and promote legislation resulting in the first relaxation of agricultural hemp laws in America, implemented in California and Colorado. In 2012, he co-wrote Hemp CBD is Legal in All 50 States, a groundbreaking legal opinion challenging the legal status of Hemp-derived CBD, which vaulted the US CBD business into the billion-dollar industry it is today. In 2018, Chris established a large, sustainable hemp farm at the Imperial Valley Research Center in California to support his educational, commercial, and advocacy activities. 
Today, Chris is CEO and co-founder, along with his wife Jen Hutchinson, of Juicetiva Hemp CBDA Powder, which produces a breakthrough innovation for hemp foods, raw 100% hemp juice CBDA powder. He also serves as CEO of Farmtiva, inc. which breeds and sells CBD, CBG, fiber and grain seeds across USA. He also serves as a Director of the California Hemp Farmers Guild a non-profit dedicated to helping hemp farmers. 
Chris lives with his wife in Laguna Beach, California, and he donates his time to mentoring underserved youth in South Central Los Angeles. He travels the country speaking and consulting on behalf of the new American agricultural hemp industry.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Ralph Adamo is the President & CEO of Integrity Wealth Management, and the author of Integrity @ Work: Finding Your Financial True North.
There’s no shortage of financial advisors out there. So how do you pick one that’s right for you? It’s not always a simple answer. That’s one of the primary reasons why Ralph Adamo wrote the book, Integrity @ Work: Finding Your Financial True North, which serves as a roadmap to finding the right financial advisor and the right advisory firm. Integrity @ Work explains what it means to have comprehensive advice. 
Ralph has been in this space for more than 30 years – and this book mirrors his firm’s day‐to‐day values – the processes and value systems that he emphasizes and works hard to deliver every day.
Ralph Adamo is registered with and securities are offered through Kovack Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, 6451 N. Federal Highway, Suite 1201, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308. Tel: 954-782-4771. Investment Advisory services are offered through Kovack Advisors, Inc. Integrity Wealth Management is not affiliated with Kovack Securities, Inc. or Kovack Advisors, Inc.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 
 

Robert Hunt is a speaker, executive coach, and co-author of Nobody Cares (Until You Do), a book on personal accountability that is transforming the lives of business leaders and helping them to live beyond the blame, excuses and doubts that hold them back.
Robert had a successful career in sales and marketing before finding his calling to help business leaders become the best versions of themselves. Today, Robert is a business owner who leads CEO peer groups and provides executive coaching and leadership development to leaders and their teams.
Robert is a frequent speaker on topics such as preventing overload, defining your personal purpose, how to build trust, creating a culture of accountability, and fine-tuning your business model. His passion is helping people remove the obstacles that keep them from being their best.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Sandeep Pandya is CEO of Everguard.ai, and is leading the way in the incorporation of wearables with computer vision, machine learning, and AI to make the world’s industrial environments safer and more sustainable.
Formed in 2020, Everguard.ai stemmed from Pandya’s belief that the world is experiencing a technological renaissance, and that the nexus of AI, digital connectivity, and information sharing will fundamentally reshape and improve the way people and their communities sustain each other.
Pandya is a technology veteran whose experience spans product introductions and innovations in semiconductors, connected devices, wireless infrastructure, cloud services, and novel AI/CV applications. His leadership has helped organizations of all sizes establish high-growth markets globally.
Sandeep is a recognized thought leader and member of the Forbes Technology Council.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Alec Torelli is a professional high-stakes poker player, entrepreneur, investor and speaker, who shares how the lessons he learned from poker can be applied to life and business.
Alec Torelli is the founder of Conscious Poker, a popular poker training platform, and after spending the last 20 years making decisions for hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single hand, he now gives talks in which he dissects the anatomy of decision-making to help others hone the way they make choices. Through his blogs, videos and keynotes, Alec tackles subjects such as the role of luck in life, evaluating risk, maintaining a positive mindset, strengthening mental fortitude, handling adversity and setbacks, managing your bankroll and cultivating self-awareness.
In addition to competing at poker, Alec is an established poker coach, investor, and author. He co-founded MHP Lifestyle, a company which buys, rehabs and operates mobile home parks.
Together with his wife Ambra, they divide their time between SoCal, Vegas, New York, and Italy.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Erin Shaver is the Founder & CEO of Taralumen Games, a company with a mission to create iconic video games with a mental health focus.
Erin has ten years of leadership and production experience from her tenure as Director of Operations for IndieCade, the International Festival of Independent Games. She has a bachelor's degree in theater from Northwestern University, has studied psychology and neuroscience at Columbia University and University College of London, and has worked in research labs within the departments of psychology at NYU and Columbia University.
Erin is also a proud mother and devout artist.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Cleve Adams is Founder of the Trestles Group, Inc. His specialty is building and selling tech companies and has had 8 M&A Exits. Cleve has been fortunate enough to be named one of the Top 50 Non-Technical Founders In Tech Industry History, and to be Co-Founder and CEO of the #2 Company in Forbes's Most Promising Companies in America. He is also featured in the new Bestselling books "Cyberminds" and "Right Leaders, Right Time."
Cleve is a 5-time award-winning VC/PE-backed Transactional CEO managing companies from pre-revenue to over $2 billion and has been hired by VC/PE firms to build and sell their portfolio companies. Cleve's average return to investors is 21x. He helped start, build and manage the largest company in the SaaS/Cloud cybersecurity software market from pre-revenue to a $1.0B IPO, the largest in San Diego county history and the first Cybersecurity Unicorn. 
Cleve has over 20+ years of senior management, operations, sales and marketing experience in Security software, AI, Mobile, Wireless, SaaS/Cloud, Mobile security, digital and social media and Fintech. He has built a successful sales and marketing channel of 1100 resellers and distributors in 82 countries. Cleve has expertise in raising capital and has raised over $300M from tier-one VC’s for multiple companies.
Cleve led the team that started security titan Websense and grew them from pre-revenue to a $1 Billion IPO in less than 3 years. The company was subsequently sold to Raytheon for $2 billion. Cleve has been honored to serve as a software industry expert and speaker at numerous conferences, universities and corporations including the Harvard Alumni Assoc, Amazon, Investor Conferences, Cyber Security and Smart City Conferences. He has been quoted in top business publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and many more.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Max Emma came to the United States from the former Soviet Union with his family over 30 years ago. His first job was busing the tables at a local restaurant while learning English. Then, after graduating with honors with a degree in finance, Max worked in the corporate finance department of Qualcomm. 
Four years later, Max joined the family construction business, growing it from 3 to 96 employees. Years later, together with his co-founder Max came back to his roots and founded BooXkeeping, a company providing bookkeeping solutions nationwide to the franchisees of over 80 franchise brands. 
With the hashtag #coolbeancounters, BooXkeeping now is offering its own bookkeeping franchises to entrepreneurs from coast to coast. In his free time, Max likes to travel, spend time with his kids and friends or enjoy an occasional cigar with a single malt. 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Steven Vengrow is the founder of Synergy Resource Group, a boutique executive search firm based in Southern California.  He specializes in helping senior business leaders find, attract and retain the Top 5% Talent for their mission-critical positions!
Steven has 15 years of talent acquisition and executive search experience. Over this time, he has developed an extensive network of clients and candidates. His company, Synergy Resource Group provides their clients with customized solutions to meet their talent acquisition needs in the areas of Information Technology, Accounting, and Finance. The company has provided top-level talent to clients both locally and nationally at companies ranging in size from start-ups to Fortune 500.
Prior to working in the Executive Search industry, Steven spent almost 10 years working in corporate finance and investment banking.  He holds an MBA from The Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, and an undergraduate degree from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Anne Devine is the CEO of Janus Electric, a leader in groundbreaking EV battery technology and revolutionary exchangeable battery systems for heavy vehicles.
Before joining Janus Electric, Ms. Devine served as Romeo Power’s Chief Operating Officer, where she was responsible for managing operating and production capabilities, driving operational excellence, improving efficiencies, and transforming the Company’s commercial EV battery manufacturing processes from prototype to commercial production.
Ms. Devine has more than 25 years of diverse experience in operational and manufacturing management, with unique automotive industry expertise from tenures at Ford, Navistar and UGN, as well as supply chain development, procurement, program management, vehicle launch, engineering and operations. Ms. Devine holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University.
Throughout her career, Ms. Devine has given back through involvement in professional and community organizations, including STEM-related initiatives that inspire the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math. Ms. Devine is currently a member of the Automotive Women’s Alliance, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy, California State University, Long Beach’s 100+ Women Strong program.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Chris Relth is a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in the talent industry, recognized as a thought leader and an agent of change. He is the Founder and CEO of Artemis Search Partners, a specialized staffing and executive search organization, where he brings a tenacious approach to concierge-style permanent search and staffing services.
Additionally, Chris is a Managing Partner for Artemis United, a DVBE-certified joint venture that works with the state, fed, and clients to help meet their vendor diversity needs. Artemis United only hires military veterans internally to help with their transition to the civilian workforce.
Chris's leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment is critical to the success of his team and ultimately leads to successful outcomes for his clients. His company is dedicated to the satisfaction of its team members and is committed to contributing to positive, long-lasting impact through the promotion of happier, healthier workforces.
A Bay Area native, Chris holds a degree from Chico State University and has been a resident of Orange County for over a decade, where he currently resides in Ladera Ranch, CA. In his free time, Chris channels his energy into philanthropic pursuits as a partner of Miracles for Kids and sits on various boards. He is also a youth football and baseball coach and is heavily involved in fitness. 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Kevin Murphy has over 30 years’ experience in the securities industry, and his extensive background includes the development of several broker-dealers and clearing firms from their inception to maturity.
Kevin began his career on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange as an Options trader in San Francisco, and later moved to Los Angeles where he traded Equities at the Exchange in Los Angeles. He was the Owner and CEO of Velox Securities and prior to that, the CEO of Electronic Transaction Clearing Inc ("ETC").
Prior to joining ETC, Kevin was also Executive Vice President of Operations and Trading for National Clearing Corporation, a premier Clearing firm in Beverly Hills California. Additionally, Mr. Murphy has frequently served as a resource for FINRA and the SEC in guidance regarding Clearing and Execution in US Equities and Options.
Currently, Mr. Murphy is the CEO of Valuable Capital Securities, a growing International conglomerate owned by the SINA Corporation with entries in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Riyadh, and now Irvine, investing in Equities, Options, Futures and Crypto, along with a Registered Investment Advisor arm. Kevin holds FINRA licenses 7, 24, 55, 63 and 65.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Davey Martinez is the Chief Executive Officer of Taqueros Mexican Food. With five years of experience working alongside several Fortune 100 companies, Davey uses his robust corporate experience to revitalize small business operations and directs strategy execution to promote expansion.
Davey specializes in lean six sigma techniques and is responsible for educating other employees on using progressive systems and applications, including artificial intelligence programs, effective communication procedures and organizational apps.
Davey is a Veteran who served in the United States Army for 16 years first with the 82nd Airborne and then with the 217th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group. His combined business acumen and military experience assists his workplace with motivation, empowerment, and inspirational courage. Davey is inspired daily by his wife and their two children. In his free time, Davey likes to run, sing and play video games with his friends.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Bill Colone is the CEO and Chairman of Single Pass, a new Orange County-based start-up company developing a unique electrocautery device for use during deep tissue biopsy procedures. Bill formerly served as the CEO at Spinal Singularity, a seed-stage medical device development company in San Clemente, CA. Under Mr. Colone, the company raised over $6.6 million in dilutive funding and over $5.1 million in non-dilutive funding for product development, clinical studies, and regulatory approvals.
Prior to Spinal Singularity, he served as the VP of R&D for Direct Flow Medical until its sudden closure in November of 2017. He has over three decades of medical device development experience, including ten years as President of Endomed, until its sale in February 2005. Mr. Colone has vast knowledge of ePTFE and endovascular prostheses and is recognized for his contributions to endoluminal technology and vascular surgery.
Prior to Direct Flow Medical, he served as Director of Research and Development, and later Director of Aortic Procedure Development, for Endologix. Mr.Colone directed the development of the Nellix Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing System through design completion, CE trial completion, CE Mark approval, and OUS commercial launch. He also contributed to the procedure development and training for the US IDE investigation centers leading to the fastest enrolled IDE trial for an EVAR device.
Mr. Colone holds 13 US patents for medical devices with others pending. He also served as Director of Operations for IMPRA, Inc. (now Bard Peripheral Vascular) prior to founding Endomed. Mr. Colone holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University where he is a member of the ASU Advisory Committee for Chemical and Materials Engineering. Mr. Colone also served as an Associate Faculty Member at ASU from 2004 through 2007 and was a Founding Member and Board Member of the Arizona Technology Investor Forum.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Steve Delson is a co-founder and CEO of Gate 5, a 12-year-old Orange County, California-based startup that has developed infrastructure that fights climate change with a scalable, innovative and sustainable process that transforms sewage sludge and other organic waste materials into 100% safe, usable, and marketable products, including clean water and surplus renewable energy.
Gate 5 Infrastructure is self-powered using the energy it produces, rather than grid electricity or fossil fuel. Being a thermal process Gate 5 Infrastructure will destroy contaminants of concern (like microplastics and pharmaceuticals) that survive traditional wastewater management, and our process reduces methane to 1/600th of today's treatment plants, while eliminating biosolids (treated sludge) that needs to be hauled away and land-managed. Gate 5 has recently received a $1.6 million grant from the California Energy Commission that combined with funding from Gate 5 investors will fund installation and operation of a Gate 5 demonstration plant at Santa Margarita Water District’s Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant in southern Orange County.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Dr. Nicole Anderson is the Founder of Anderson Sport and Wellness. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Nicole Anderson and her staff approach physical therapy, massage, and fitness coaching from the philosophy that the myofascial system is an important player in optimal function and the resolution of injury and pain.
Nicole personally understands significant injury and pain after suffering a disabling back injury and being able to return to an active lifestyle through a combination of treatments that she now implements in her own practice. This treatment approach involves our unique version of gentle and non-painful myofascial release, the MELT Method, Pilates, Neubie direct current and frequency-specific microcurrent to accelerate strength and mobility progress and re-train brain/body chronic pain adaptations, and unique corrective exercises developed by Dr. Anderson and her team.
Nicole has undergone extensive training in treating sport-related injuries, complex spine conditions, post-concussion syndrome, and chronic pain syndrome and regularly helps people with the help of her team to return to an active and healthy lifestyle even when other treatments at other facilities did not work – even surgeries. Patients have included professional, collegiate, high school, and recreational athletes, as well as people with auto-immune disorders and everything in between. Nicole and her team are sought after for their efficient, effective, and personalized approach to restoring people to health after injury.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

As one of the founders and President of W1SE Logistics, David Romanoff is a lifelong serial entrepreneur who brings both vision and real leadership chops, managing a team with over 60 years of aggregated experience in the logistics and technological arena. David is an expert in business startup, with a specialty in technology.
As a veteran owner-operator of a successful moving and storage company in Chicago, David recognizes the technology deficiencies in the industry and knows what it takes to make a logistics business thrive. He also understands the sensibilities of his marketplace because as logic would have it, he and his audience are one in the same. During his tenure as a moving company owner, David developed and created MoveLogic Pro, a globally recognized enterprise-level logistics software solution. MoveLogic Pro was born out of frustration with all the existing software options available. With his vision, David created the most effective, easy to use, and cost-efficient way to grow and manage a moving, storage, or logistic-based company.
David is the CEO of The Romanoff Group, and the CTO of Haven Capital Ventures which is an investment capital group focused on Real Estate Investments and fund management. In recent years The Romanoff Group has worked extensively with Web2 and Web3 emerging technologies, utilizing his vision and creativity to bring ideas to fruition. David has been a Real Estate broker for 20+ years, and has worked in every facet of the industry during that time.
David is the co-owner of Revital Exotic Jewelry & Apparel, a business he launched with his wife in 2010. Together, they run a boutique located in Dana Point, CA. Through their extensive world travel, Revital Exotic Jewelry enables them to support artisans the world over with the purchases of their handcrafted goods. It also allows them to do charitable work in the communities they touch.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Dr. Sanjay Shrivastava is the founder and CEO of Innova Vascular, Inc., a company engaged in developing innovative cardiovascular medical devices. Prior to founding Innova, Sanjay cofounded BlackSwan Vascular, which is a medical device startup company that developed the first liquid embolic agent approved for a peripheral vascular use in the USA and has a strategic alliance with Sirtex Medical Limited. Sanjay also serves as a member of the board of directors at enVVeno Medical Corporation, which is a Nasdaq traded medical device company headquartered in Irvine, CA. Sanjay has been involved in developing, commercializing, evaluating, and acquiring medical devices for over 20 years.
During his career, Sanjay has held positions at leading medical device companies including senior director, business development at Johnson & Johnson, vice president, upstream marketing and strategy at BTG, plc. (a publicly traded company that was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation), director global marketing at Medtronic and director, research & development at Covidien/ev3 (merged with Medtronic). Sanjay holds 31 issued US patents and numerous International patents in medical devices and has edited two books including one titled “Medical Device Materials” published by ASM International. He was named among 100 Notable People in Medical Device Industry by the prestigious MD&DI (Medical Devices and Diagnostics Industry) magazine. He has been an invited speaker at clinical, business, and engineering conferences to speak about medical device innovation and commercialization. Sanjay holds a doctorate in materials science and engineering from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s from the Indian Institute of Technology.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Sona Shah is the Founder & CEO of My Private Professor, an impact-driven, educational services company that collaborates with organizations to provide personalized, online tutoring services for their clients, teams, & their families.
After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law & practicing business litigation for many years, Sona shifted gears to create a company more aligned with her dual passions of teaching & giving back. An OCBJ “Companies that Care” honoree, MPP’s bottom line is impact, a core value reflected in their sliding scale tutoring rates & “giveback” business model through which they earmark a portion of the proceeds from every tutoring hour to support students in underserved communities.
Over the years, MPP has evolved to best meet the changing needs of students across the country. Since the onset of the pandemic, MPP has helped businesses provide free & discounted tutoring as a meaningful benefit to working parents & their families, & has expanded its customer base to include national & international clients at an institutional level to help thousands of individuals get access to a critical educational resource that many could not have otherwise afforded.
MPP is grateful to work with a number of nonprofit organizations & public schools to provide free tutoring to students residing in emergency shelters & transitional living homes, & has collaborated with individuals & companies to help sustain this effort & enable as many students to benefit from this free resource as possible.
With over a decade of leadership experience on the boards of nonprofits in Southern California, Sona is grateful to currently serve as President of Tustin Public Schools Foundation, Board Member of Orangewood Foundation, & Founder of Inspire Philanthropy Foundation. Through her leadership at MPP & in the community, Sona is determined to do what she can to inspire & empower others to achieve their greatest potential & lead tomorrow’s world.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Mike Schmitt is Founder/COO of The Rubra Group, LLC, a family business consulting group based in Santa Ana, CA. The Rubra Group was founded in 2009 and has evolved into a practice that services businesses throughout the Western US and TN. Mike brings a unique point of view and perspective with his diverse background in finance, marketing and operations. Mike has specific experience in the agriculture, construction and professional services sectors.
The Rubra Group focuses on helping closely held and family businesses to work on their long-term succession and management programs. Mike has over 25 years of experience leading diverse teams of individuals to exceptional performance. He is experienced in both publicly traded companies as well as small to mid-sized closely held companies.
Schmitt is a graduate of the California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo from within The School of Agriculture and holds a MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Management.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Clint Graham is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer for JointCommerce, a leading digital performance advertising solution designed for cannabis brands and retail e-commerce.
Clint has over a decade of experience in sales and partnerships, most recently as Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Surfside. Clint combines his marketing strategy, leadership, and communication expertise to help companies connect with and understand their customers.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Todd Watts is the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of PatientFi. Todd has extensive experience as an executive and investor across elective healthcare and financial services. Most recently, Todd was the Head of Operations at Alphaeon Corporation, a technology company serving medical providers in the elective healthcare segment with patient financing and medical device products.
Prior to joining the healthcare industry, Todd spent several years in financial services. At the NY office at J.P. Morgan Investment Bank, Todd advised companies with comprehensive strategic advice, capital raising and risk management expertise as a member of the Consumer, Healthcare and Retail Investment Banking Coverage Group. Prior to J.P. Morgan, Todd was an Associate in the Wilshire Funds Management Group. Todd earned his MBA from Yale University and a B.S. from the University of Southern California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Ken Potalivo is the founder of ProGrowth LLC & RelPip LLC, and the author of “Secrets of Mindshare – Revenue Producers Get the Referrals They Want By Making Their Competition Irrelevant.” He has a strong business background, a degree in Psychology, and an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Ken understands that any professional who does great work can make more money and become indispensable via a consistent flow of client referrals if they have the right process and system in place. He also knows it cannot be done by random networking where chance is in play. The RelPip community is born out of his vision to support all professionals who want the income and stature to live the life they want and to work with others who want the same.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Amariah Olson is the Founder of Olson Capital Investments. A commercial real estate investor, Amariah has turned $3k into $50+ million in assets, with over $100m in private transactions. Through Olson Capital Investments, Amariah purchases undervalued properties, including multifamily, hotels, and retail, turns them around and sells them.
 
Amariah and his brother Obin have had over 30 years combined experience in startup/business management, project development, financing, and real estate investing. They have produced films with global distribution in over 50 territories through major companies such as Sony, Best Buy, Redbox, and Walmart. They have produced advertising campaigns for Nickelodeon, Nasdaq, Sprint, and the US Marines. Additionally, they have been responsible for running teams of 20-100 personnel on their multi-million dollar apartment community renovation and film projects. 
 
Amariah is also the co-founder of Yield Crowd, and co-founder of Olson Pictures. He is a Cannes finalist, a two-time midsouth Emmy Award winner, and was a 2006 nominee for the Daytime Emmy's. Additionally, Amariah is a member of the Forbes Finance Council.-- 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Adam Coughran is an industry leader in safety and security training for schools, businesses, and organizations. Adam is a veteran of Southern California law enforcement who utilized his expertise to found Standards Training Group and Safe Kids Inc., organizations dedicated to helping deter crime and mitigate violence.
Adam has been recognized as one of the “Go-To” experts for national media outlets, appearing on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, FOX’s Nancy Grace, HLN’s MichaeLA, CBS This Morning, and numerous live interviews.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Neela Singh is a highly experienced chief operating officer and business advisor with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She has a proven track record of success in driving operational excellence, maximizing efficiency and profitability, and leading teams to achieve business objectives.
Neela is a strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and a deep understanding of financial management. She is also an effective communicator and skilled negotiator, able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders and partners.
Neela holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and several certifications in Project Management, Scrum, Six Sigma & HR. She is committed to continuous learning and professional development, and stays up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Chris Baiocchi is the Founder & CEO of Resolute Philanthropy. Chris has worked in the nonprofit space for more than 22 years as a communicator, fundraiser, and leader. He’s led annual giving campaigns, planned special events, written grants, and helped fundraisers and nonprofit professionals find the joy, innovation, and passion in their work. 
Chris has worked for large and small shops, including St. Joseph Hospital, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, and Project Access. Chris has a CFRE and a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
Chris is married and lives in Orange County, California. His son is a student at the University of Puget Sound. Chris is an active reader, an occasional cook, and loves bow ties, icebreakers, and heated arguments about the best sci-fi franchise.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Andrei Hall CFP®, CRPC®, President of Hall Wealth Management Group, has over 18 years’ experience in wealth management for retirees, high level executives, celebrities, and business owners. ‍
Hall Wealth Management’s success is based on Andrei’s firm belief in a holistic financial planning process. This starts with a comprehensive plan to develop planning, retirement, and estate strategies and determining which investments to be best utilized. During the year of the 2008 market crash, Hall Wealth Management had one of its most successful years in preserving clientele and acquiring new clients.
Andrei will work to understand clients’ monetary challenges and the proactive steps that need to be taken under the economic forecast with the goal to make future retirement attainable or current retirement improved.
As a former Vice President at Xerox for twenty-five years & former Senior Vice President at Printronix, Andrei also has a profound firsthand understanding in the affairs of executive level compensation along with business assets under management. Andrei executes expert strategies in providing plans in areas including but not limited to: Retirement Income Planning with a focus on distribution strategies, Estate Planning, Business Succession Planning and Investment Portfolio Design.
Andrei Hall is proud to be a member of Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group. This group is comprised of financial professionals dedicated to the IRA industry. As a member of this group, Andrei has access to training modules, bi-annual workshops and regular webinars to further his knowledge and better serve his clients. In addition, it gives being a member gives Andrei access to Ed Slott and his group of technical specialists, who are also attorneys.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Meg Appelgate is the Co-Founder & CEO of Unsilenced. At the age of 15, Meg Appelgate was abducted by two strangers in the middle of the night from her California home and was told that “she was coming with them." 8 hours later she found herself at a lockdown treatment facility in Boise, Idaho. Then, 6 months, she found herself in an additional behavioral modification program in northern Montana where she spent the next 3 years.
After graduating college, with a degree in psychology, completely oblivious to the abuse she had experienced, Meg spent the next 17 years dedicating her life serving on various non-profit boards to help them with board development and recruitment, and expanding their programs to further their impact. It wasn’t until she was well into her non-profit career that she woke up to the abuse and brainwashing that plagued her childhood and the effect it had on her entire adulthood. It was then that she became determined to pair her love of giving back and helping those in need, with her dedication to empowering other survivors of institutional abuse.
Meg brings to Unsilenced an extensive background in non-profit management, board development, and fund development. She is currently the Vice President, Trustee, and Managing Director at the Gochnauer Foundation. In addition, she is actively involved with and serves on the Board of Directors at Laura’s House in Aliso Viejo, CA, and The Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
When she doesn’t find herself fully immersed in new ideas for fundraising and development, Meg loves traveling to see new places with her husband and 4 children.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Tara Zoē is the creative visionary behind SoberBuddy. Tara’s experiences with deep shame events and trauma led her to pursue a personal transformation journey that ultimately led her to greater understanding about why and how shame affects our lives in powerful ways.
Frustrated by the lack of resources and difficult processes for getting the help one needs while going through trauma, Tara felt technology could hold the solution.
Wanting to attack shame related to drug and alcohol addiction head on, Tara partnered with her father and addiction expert, Paul Brethen, M.A. LMFT, to create an evidence-based program that was easy to access and understand both emotionally and physically.
The SoberBuddy messaging and meetings offer a shame-free culture Tara is determined to spread, so people get the help they need sooner and without the fear of being pushed lower in society. With over 140K people using the SoberBuddy products, Tara now leads a team of top developers, clinicians, artists, and influencers who all come together to create the shame-free world of SoberBuddy.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Melissa Jacobi is Founder & President of The Jacobi Group. Melissa is a former collegiate tennis player from Chapman University and an Orange County native. She has more than seven years of partnership experience, and in her previous role, she served as the Sr. Manager of Multimedia Marketing and Partnerships for Newport Beach & Company. Her position worked jointly with the City of Newport Beach as she managed marketing and day-to-day operations for the Newport Beach Restaurant Association. She developed, implemented, and tracked integrated marketing campaigns for over 450 restaurants displayed on all Visit Newport Beach, Dine Newport Beach, and Newport Beach TV channels. In 2019, she was awarded 30 Under 30 by Destinations International and named one of 30 "Emerging Leaders" by the California Travel Association.
Melissa started The Jacobi Group, a boutique marketing agency, in 2021, focusing on brand management, public relations, and content strategy for restaurateurs, athletes, and lifestyle brands. You will spot Melissa in Orange County filming at a new eatery, hosting in front of the camera, or grabbing a bite with her family - Jason, Jaxon, and Luca.
Jason Jacobi is an LPL Registered Principal and Wealth Advisor. A former collegiate football player and Newport Beach native, Jason began his career in the financial services industry in 2013 at a Fortune 500 company where he developed a passion for the global financial markets.
In 2022, Jason earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation; and with over 70 areas of expertise, he is excited to assist his clients with the complexities that come during the financial planning process. His hospitality background has groomed him into delivering a client-centric experience focused on delivering exceptional services tailored to each individual, athlete, family, or business.
In his spare time, Jason loves to spend time with his wife, Melissa, and two kids. You can find them at the gym, down at the beach, on the water, traveling the world, or dining around town.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mark Beran is innately curious. He is one that has never stopped asking the question why? Consequently, Mark has driven teams to come up with innovative solutions that have resulted in significant intellectual property in the healthcare and medical device market.
Mark is an Orange County native and started his career at a startup called Respiratory Support Products that was successfully sold to Smiths Medical (now ICU Medical). At Smiths, Mark was Global VP of Sales & Marketing for Level 1 a company that marketed unique products for patient temperature management in the critical care setting and operating room. From Smiths, Mark took a full P&L role as VP & General Manager of Cincinnati Sub-Zero. He successfully led a team that pivoted the business to the emerging market of therapeutic hypothermia for patients post cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury. This move took the company to immediate profitability with a significant IP roadmap to drive profitable growth.
Mark was SVP of Sales & Marketing for Posey company where he developed a strategy that led to doubling revenue for Posey and a future exit to a private equity sponsor. From Posey, Mark was VP & General Manager of Gaymar industries and head up the Pressure Management business (high end therapeutic surfaces and devices to reduce pressure injury risk). This private equity owned business was successfully sold to Stryker.
From Gaymar, Mark took a role as Chief Commercial Officer for TIDI products where He led a team that executed on both an organic and inorganic growth strategy that led to two successful transactions with successful outcomes for the private equity sponsors and management team.
From TIDI, Mark moved to Chief Marketing Officer for Encompass Group a manufacturer of healthcare textiles for the acute care and senior living markets. He led a team to develop novel technology in the patient warming (OR) and specialty support surface space. Both products had significant intellectual property and competitive advantage over the market leaders.
Mark is now fractional Chief Commercial Officer for a PPE nurse’s shoe start-up called Gales (www.weargales.com) and is advising a start-up in the vascular access space called MightyWell (www.mightywell.com). Mark is advising MightyWell on the sale of their business.
Mark was born and raised in Southern California and grew up in Orange County. He went to Servite High School in Anaheim and graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Marketing. Mark gained his MBA from Babson College in Massachusetts. He lives in Santa Ana with his son Joseph and father Tony (a serial entrepreneur).
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mike Brown is the founder and principal of BlueLine Consulting Services which provides advisory and consulting services to financial institutions. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Block3 Ventures, a FinTech and Web3 investment and advisory company.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

David Sohn is a business and technology executive who specializes in the creation and harmonization of processes that empower team members to maximize efficiency. Prior to co-founding Helpt he oversaw the global technical support and product content teams for a networking and computer peripheral manufacturing organization that was recently acquired by a Fortune 500 company.
David's 15+ year career in business and technology is enhanced by his insatiable desire for improvement that has resulted in a variety of degrees and certifications.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Kim Kelley Thompson is a business and personal development coach whose specialty is helping people get out of their heads and into action so they can achieve their goals and realize their potential. She brings 32 years of experience as a business owner, sales trainer and coach to develop effective leadership, efficiency and success in individuals and teams.
Kim blends inspiration with practicality as both are necessary to create lasting transformation. She believes that when we become aware of the patterns and habits that are dictating our lives, we can raise our standards and elevate our behavior. We are then able to take the focused, committed action that leads to desired results.
As a multiple business owner, award winning documentary producer, and mom, Kim understands the value of vision, leadership, communication, systems and processes. Having raised four children by herself, while managing a multimillion-dollar event company and starting her own business, Kim has become adept at simplifying the complex and breaking through the mental obstacles that stifle success.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Jon Darbyshire is the Co-Founder & CEO of SmartSuite. In 2021, Jon and his team launched SmartSuite, the work management platform that manages any process, from any industry, on one platform. Now, SmartSuite unites essential elements used to get work done, regardless of company size or type.
In the year 2000, Jon founded Archer Technologies, an enterprise governance, risk and, compliance software, giving business users—not developers—the ability to adapt software to their unique business requirements. Jon and the Archer team built a flexible, award winning platform and solution suite that became the mainstay of governance, risk and compliance teams for some of the world’s most powerful organizations, including 1 in 3 of the Fortune 100. Archer Technologies was purchased by EMC Corporation in 2010.
Throughout his career, Jon has been dedicated to automating everyday, essential business tasks to create smarter, more efficient organizations, no matter what the industry. Prior to Archer Technologies, Jon held leadership positions at both EY and Price Waterhouse, honing his skills in understanding the need to automate and simplify work for the enterprise.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Coach Greg LeFever has over twenty-five years’ experience in the fitness industry. His experience includes Founder / CEO of IMpowered Women's Fitness, Orange County's premier women-only fitness and wellness organization, Founder / CEO of Workplace Wellness Solutions, specializing in onsite employee benefit wellness programs of various fitness, yoga, leadership education, nutrition consultation, and mindfulness. He is also the Founder / President of Empowered Youth Life Style, a nonprofit company focusing on life skills and leadership skills for teens.
Mr. LeFever holds an MBA from Concordia University Irvine, BA with Finance emphasis from Cal State Fullerton, and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification from National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

In 2019, Nicole Sanchez launched a non-profit called The Bella Foundation, named after her 7-year-old daughter Isabella, that helps raise awareness and resources for domestic violence victims. As a young child, Nicole experienced domestic violence firsthand, and believes that one of the most valuable lessons we can teach our own children is to lead by example by helping others.
Nicole's mission is to help women affected by domestic violence get back on their feet, and back in the workforce by providing professional clothing, financial assistance for childcare, and even job placement so they can provide for their children and start a new chapter filled with hope and a future. The driving force behind Nicole's passion for this cause is her daughter Isabella, hence “The Bella.”
In Nicole's words: "I am proud to stand as a role model for my daughter to break the vicious cycle of domestic violence."
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

J. J. Wenrich has been an investment professional for over 20 years, beginning after graduating from the University of Kansas in 2000. He's a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, founder of the firms Wenrich Wealth and Tax Pros + Investing, and author of the book Teaching Kids to Buy Stocks: Stories and Lessons for Grown-Ups.
J. J. met his wife Jodie—also a financial professional at the time—shortly after graduation and are raising four children together.
J. J. developed his fascination with the financial markets as a child, watching business reports on PBS, one of the few stations available in his small-town Kansas home. Fortunately, he had creative teachers along the way who included personal finance education and stock-picking games in their curriculum.
The combination of two decades of professional experience AND two decades of parenting were the inspiration for him to become an advocate for simplified financial education. He regularly hosts free personal finance classes for teenagers and young adults in his community, and worldwide via Zoom.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Carl Orsbourn is a global retail executive and board member whose experience spans across blue-chip companies (BP-owned ampm), disruptive start-up ventures (Kitchen United & Juicer Pricing), and restaurants (Alfa Co). His knowledge of operational excellence, business development, and change management together with his ability to traverse industries and disciplines is admired by his diverse extensive network. Carl has been recognized as a Power Player by Nations Restaurant News and Business Insider for his thought leadership in supporting restaurants to adapt to the challenges and opportunities offered through digitization, technology, and automation.
As Head of Retail at ampm, Carl was responsible for repositioning the branded food & beverage offering while achieving record growth through $1.3 billion in retail sales and growing the network to over 1000+ franchise locations.
At Kitchen United, Carl established the operating model and led operations & customer success by working closely with restaurant partners, such as ChickFil’A and SweetGreen. As COO and co-founder for Juicer Pricing, Carl is building the operating model for dynamic pricing solutions for restaurants, shaping the path for improved profitability through automated intelligence. As a non-executive board member for Alfa Co., Carl advises this leading restaurant group in Saudi Arabia towards a greater digital footprint and further off-premise success.
Carl is a sought-after speaker at events across the world. He hosts 'The Monday Minute’ podcast and appears as a guest at many others. He is a frequent contributor to Forbes, Nations Restaurant News, and RestaurantOwner.com.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Chase Barr is the President and CEO of ATTAC Group Inc. Chase’s resume includes 17 years of specialized leadership, development, training, and implementation of programs for development of troops, staff, and clients up to the C-Suite.
Chase has led many top-level Executive Searches for Fortune 100-1000 firms throughout California and the US, within Finance & Accounting, Information Technology & Engineering, Human Resources, Administration and Operations. Chase partners with his clients to understand the need behind the need to ensure a true transparent understanding of the voice of the customer. Chase is also a Value-Added Associate (VAA) and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst with TTI Success Insights and has a strong coaching background with leaders and staff alike.
Chase served as a Canvassing Recruiter in the USMC; which led him to recruiting after the Corps. He has led over 350 combat operations as a Squad Leader and Team Leader, ensuring the training, development, and mentorship of all personnel and bringing every Marine home who served under his leadership in combat.
Recently ATTAC has been growing through being a strategic partner for large State, County and City government recruiting contracts. Chase built and trained a diverse cross functional team of industry experts and local talent to assist in filling 1200+ positions to date, through the Covid Pandemic. One of his biggest strengths is building strong teams that communicate, understand the mission, and work cohesively in one accord.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Newly-published author Barbara Fulmer (Ditch Your Career Plan, 2022) has taken her years of corporate experience and consolidated the knowledge and insight she's gained to deliver practical, actionable advice that will help you take the next step on your career path.
Barbara founded her career consulting and coaching business, Performance At Work in 2009, out of a deep passion for inspiring people to perform at the optimum level of their abilities. Barbara is an energetic mentor with a collaborative style and the ability to motivate others to achieve their highest ambitions.​
Barbara's unique experience has come from the last 25 years working with thousands of employees and leaders as head of performance development for industry titans such as Toshiba and Jenny Craig/Nestle a division of United Healthcare.
As a business development professional, her clients included Disney, PayPal, Qualcomm, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Herbalife, Illumina, Wells Fargo, Samsung, Ross Stores and more. Barbara has entertained and inspired audiences as a successful keynote speaker, stand-up comedian, and now in her new book, Ditch Your Career Plan.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning