Wall Street-trained; Midwest roots. Recovering lawyer and banker with entrepreneurial bent.

Building wealth and cash flow for our investors so that they can achieve financial freedom.

Focused on Multifamily Value Add assets that generate strong cash flow and produce market-beating returns with tax benefits that are unique to commercial real estate. 

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Annie holds a B.S. in Business Administration. After spending six years in banking and commercial real estate working throughout the United States, Annie received her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Following graduation, she worked with the founders of TheraTx, Inc., a nationwide health care company focusing on rehabilitation. Annie joined Kate Grace Physical Therapy as a co-owner of the private practice sports and orthopedic clinic in San Diego, California, in 1993. She is responsible for the operations and strategic planning for the clinic.

Additionally,  Annie co-founded OrthoRx, Inc., a medical product development and research organization. She was instrumental in the development and patenting of the OnTrack® treatment method for the most common knee disorder in the world, patellofemoral dysfunction. She created and managed the manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution of the product. Annie recruited, trained, and managed a nationwide sales force consisting of over 150 independent OrthoRx representatives located in 39 states.

Annie went on to co-found OrthoEd, an international continuing education provider. The purpose of this company is to teach medical professionals throughout the world how to make available state-of-the-art medical treatment for the millions of people who suffer from patellofemoral dysfunction. Annie and Kate have provided hundreds of educational seminars to thousands of medical providers throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

In keeping with her entrepreneurial endeavors, Annie was the sole founder of the consulting company, ProfitRx. Annie's goal in creating this company is to educate and coach medical professionals and small business owners about how to start and operate successful entrepreneurial enterprises. Since starting ProfitRx, Annie has taught the one-day course she designed, Creating the Ultimate Private Practice, to hundreds of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) members.

In 2002, Annie co-founded Snap-Saver, LLC, with two partners. Snap-Saver formed to manufacture, market, and sell an innovative new line of food storage containers. Snap-Saver began offering its "No-Brainer Container"™ product line to retailers across the country while utilizing home shopping and short-form direct response television to create brand recognition. The "No-Brainer Container"™ design was recognized by Home World Business magazine and the International Housewares Association as the 2005 Housewares Design Award "Best in Category" for all Countertop Kitchenware. Snap-Saver also received recognition from Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the "Hot New Products for 2006".  In 2008 Snap Saver licensed it's patented technology to NewellRubbermaid and sells throughout the United States under the branded name "Easy Find Lids."

Kate Grace Physical Therapy has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses in San Diego, and Annie was nominated as one of the Top 100 Women Who Mean Business in San Diego.

In 2012 Annie and Kate ventured out to create a new model for the delivery of physical therapy and wellness services to individuals of all ages.  They are determined to continue to provide world-class care to their patients and clients without compromise.  Today's health care environment is costly, inefficient, and ineffective.  Evolve Physical Therapy + Advanced Wellness purpose is to rise above mediocrity and to excel at the highest level while positively impacting the lives of so many.

Annie's most recent undertaking is the development of Meet Me At The Barn, a personal development organization designed to help people achieve their highest level of living.  Meet Me At The Barn offers live and on-line courses that take individuals through a year-long, ten-step process of creating the life they want to live.

Annie's most recent undertaking is her book, Keep Your Ass In The Saddle.  In this personal memoir, she tells the truth about her upbringing and inspiring journey to personal freedom.  You can learn more about the book on Amazon

Bill has devoted most of his professional career to the development and sale of automated storage and dispensing equipment. He was either an integral team member or founder of five successful high tech companies in California including Pyxis, OmniCell, SupplyPro, ddn and now, RxSafe.

With over 70 US Patents to his credit, Bill is a recognized entrepreneurial visionary who builds value by recognizing opportunities and then combines creativity, resources and perseverance to turn them into reality.

Bill received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University and an MBA from San Diego State University.

 

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Bob is a principal at Blu Venture Investors and was most recently CEO of Directed, the largest North American designer and marketer of consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems, selling under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brands. Previously, Bob founded and built iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of HD Radio technology, the digital upgrade of AM/FM broadcasting. As CEO, he successfully sold the business to DTS, Inc. (now Xperi, NASDAQ: XPER) in 2015.

 

Prior, he was president and general manager of Westinghouse Communications and Westinghouse Wireless Solutions Company, both telecommunications technology divisions of Westinghouse Electric, worked in the chemical process industry at M.A. Hanna Corporation and Solvay, and was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. He serves on the Consumer Electronics Technology Association Executive Board and co-chairs its Investment Committee. He was chairman of the Maryland Tech Council Tech Division. Bob earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

 

Brandon is a seasoned finance executive with over 17 years of progressive finance and operations experience and is known for driving operational efficiencies and creating shareholder value. He brings a diverse industry perspective from holding senior finance positions in both public and private companies as well as a variety of industries including manufacturing, hospitality and human capital management. Brandon’s portfolio of companies include Callaway Golf Company, Marriott International, American Capital and Eastridge Workforce Solutions.

Brandon received a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management with a focus on International Finance from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

 

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Bruce Merati has over 30 years of experience in gaming, technology, accounting and finance.  Bruce currently serves as CEO of Session Gaming, LLC a gaming manufacturer and distributor and CEO of Uplay1, a gaming IP entity.    

Bruce’s professional experience started with the London office of PWC and his gaming career started as CEO and CFO of VirtGame Corp; a public company founded in 1997 as one of the first Internet gaming service providers. 

Bruce’s gaming expertise covers diversified gaming technologies such as Internet gaming; sports and race software, server-based slot machines, keno and bingo system and applications as well as casino operation management.  

Bruce Merati is a graduate of London School of Economics, a Chartered Accountant in England and Wales; he is also a Certified Public Accountant in California.

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Bryon brings over 13 years of experience to his practice, working with small business owners, executives, and medical professionals. As a Certified Financial Planner, CFP®, he employs holistic methods and fiduciary standard to address his client’s objectives.

Services include; Buy/Sell Plan analysis, Recruit, Retain, Reward Strategies, Executive Benefits, Estate Plan Analysis, Exit Planning for closely held entities, Investment design and management, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Cash Flow Management.

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Cason Lane is an award-winning advisor, planner, strategist and writer with 25 years of experience in marketing, branding, employee communication and change management. His company, Cason Lane Strategic Communications, combines strategic planning and messaging to drive sales, loyalty, reputation, advocacy, productivity and other results for clients such as KPMG, Honeywell, Wells Fargo, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the U.S. Navy and the UPS Store. 

 

Before starting Cason Lane Strategic Communications in 2007, Cason Lane spent eight years managing corporate communications for Jack in the Box restaurants. Earlier in his career, he worked in patient communications at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, in public relations at Houston Community College System, and as a journalist in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

 

Cason Lane is an accredited member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), which means his work is held to a globally recognized standard for communication strategy, and he is formerly IABC-San Diego’s Communicator of the Year. His work has earned more than 25 other awards from IABC, the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, and the Public Relations Society of America.

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Dan Frank founded Three Wire Systems, LLC (Three Wire) in 2006.  As CEO, Dan sets the strategic direction for the company.  Three Wire is headquartered in Falls Church, VA and provides technology solutions to federal government agencies and corporations.  Three Wire’s expertise incorporates both cybersecurity and healthcare solutions.

 

Dan’s vision to build Three Wire was a culmination of his corporate career and military experience. Before the launch of Three Wire, Dan held leadership roles as a Vice President of Sales with companies such as Sterling Software, Computer Associates, and Serena Software.  He was responsible for running direct and channel sales teams in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.  Prior to his corporate career, Dan served eight years on active duty as a Navy officer.

Recently, Dan was awarded the 2020 Top Veteran Owned Business by the Washington Business Journal.  In 2018, Dan was selected as a Service to the Citizen National Award Winner and has been a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year® for Greater Washington finalist. Dan is a founding member of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition, and he has been featured in Washington Exec magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.

Dan holds a MS Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a BS Aeronautics from San Jose State University.

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Over his four decades in the banking industry, Dan has founded two banks – Regents Bank which he grew to over $620 million in assets in 12 years and now Endeavor Bank. In addition to creating banks from the ground up, Dan has sold, acquired, and merged banks, raised capital for banks, and, as a consultant and CEO, he has turned around banks.

Prior to co-founding Endeavor Bank, Dan served as President and CEO of Neighborhood National Bank in San Diego, a community development bank focused on low- to moderate-income communities. He is a Board Member of the Western Bankers Association and a past Director of NTS, a testing, inspection, and certification company, where he also served as the Comp Committee Chair and on the Audit Committee. Dan is a native San Diegan.

 My passion for bringing specialist healthcare to underprivileged patients is what inspires me to pursue a more expansive and inclusive system of patient care. The personal gratification of improving societal health is what has shaped my extensive career in both new product development and launches.

As president and COO of AristaMD, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a team that exudes excitement and prides themselves on their desire to improve patient care. I’m passionate about leading the team to success and promoting a work environment that encourages innovation.

My specialties include new product and franchise strategy, laboratory operations, corporate infrastructure and operations, global sales, IP licensing, complex dispute resolution and strategic corporate partnerships. These skills have closely aligned with healthcare for nearly 20 years and have proven useful in all aspects of business.

I’m also a strong supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Special Olympics, because of the representation and work that is being done to benefit underprivileged individuals. I aspire to model this same support, recognition and inclusivity in the healthcare work that I do.

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Eric serves as the leader of the San Diego region and oversees all aspects of Voit Real Estate Services within the greater San Diego area. Voit Real Estate Services is a fully integrated commercial real estate services company providing top tier brokerage and advisory services to high net worth, institutional owners and occupiers of space throughout Southern California.

As Managing Director of Voit Real Estate Services, Eric has direct oversight and P&L responsibility for the San Diego region. Eric is focused on executing the region’s growth initiatives which includes opening the Carlsbad office in 2018 and growing the revenue by 40% in 2016 consistent growth occurring each year. The growth will focus on adding established brokers with top tier reputations with emphasis on office, industrial. retail, tenant representation and capital markets.

Eric brings a successful twenty-seven-year brokerage career to Voit Real Estate Services. Prior to joining Voit, Eric was an Executive Director with Cushman & Wakefield. While there, he received the prestigious Cushman & Wakefield Chairman’s Circle Award in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In addition, Eric received the Presidents Circle award in 2008, 2011 and 2012. His accomplishments include the sale and leasing of over 2,000 transactions totaling over 25 million square feet of space and 100 acres of land with a total value of approximately $3 Billion.

As a result of an accident in January 2006, Mr. Northbrook is the founder of HeadNorth, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides help and hope to those individuals and families afflicted with a spinal cord injury living in San Diego County. www.headnorth.org

In addition to being featured in Ron Santomassimo’s book Brokers Who Dominate, Mr. Northbrook has also received numerous community service awards during his tenure, which include:

• Cushman & Wakefield’s International Courage Award –2007
• Channel 10 News Leadership Award – 2009
• SIOR National Community Service Award – 2009
• Inaugural Winner of the Eric A. Northbrook C&W Inspirational Award – 2007

Recognized by People Magazine as a finalist for “All Stars Among Us" – 2008
Eric currently serves on the board of Sharp Healthcare Foundation and is a champion for Challenged Athletes Foundation, CAF.

Gal Yosef is a serial entrepreneur specializing in media, marketing, and technology products. 

He has an array of online businesses including Publishing Platform, Marketing Software, Ad Monetization Technology, and Digital Magazines. These businesses’ have drawn over $250 million in sales over the past 10 years.

In his last role as the Co-Founder and CEO of the 101 Network, he established and developed a publishing network of more than 70 million monthly American readers and became one of the top 30 websites in the US. 

Today, Gal focuses on his new venture Decido, a machine learning solution aimed to help consumers make informed and educated decisions when shopping online.

Gary Weiss is one of the founding Principals of L.A. Realty
Partners and has been a broker in the Los Angeles area
since 1987. He started his career at Studley specializing in
the West Los Angeles submarket, focusing on tenant
representation. After 13 years at Studley as one of their top-
producing brokers, Mr. Weiss left in 1999 to start the
commercial brokerage division of Wall Street investment
bank, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, headquartered in
Century City. In January 2002 he joined the JH Snyder
Company as Senior Vice President, concentrating on new
development, acquisition, and leasing. From there, he
opened Madison Partners in Century City in March of 2004,
with three other partners, which became L.A. Realty
Partners in 2010.

Gary has made his reputation by representing many high
profile tenants and has select high end landlord
assignments. He has completed over 8.4 million square feet
of transactions, and to date, has negotiated over 468
separate real estate transactions.Additionally, he has
represented over 4 million square feet of law firm,
entertainment and media companies, and over 2.5 million
square feet of transactions in Century City alone.

Gene is the CEO for OfficeWorks, a nationwide consulting and search and placement firm.  He holds a Master of Science in Information Decision Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, in addition to being a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.  Gene is a creative problem solver with experience in recruiting, process efficiency, operations, information technology, project management, training, sales, contract negotiations, client services, business system design, accounting, finance, strategic planning, and financial management.  He has proven success maximizing profitability by growing revenues and reducing costs.  Throughout his career he has enjoyed working in various industries such as healthcare, staffing, telecommunication, semi-conductor, manufacturing, and managed services in both start-up and Fortune 500 companies.  Gene is a native San Diegan and enjoys spending quality time with his wife of 26 years.  During the weekend Gene plays golf with his daughter and frequents the dessert riding motocross bikes with his son.

My career has taken a lot of turns since I graduated from Northeastern University in 2003. One the key lessons I learned from a mentor there was, “learn by losing other people money first, then attempt your venture.” I took that lesson to heart and worked for a Venture Capital firm in Boston, Showtime International in Dubai, I help launch a Telecom company, all while moonlighting as a consultant for various startups that never took off. That was my learning phase. 

 

The theme of my career was momentum and I never let myself have too much down time. As the financial crisis kicked in, I took off to Madrid to peruse an MBA at IE business school. After graduating I decided to follow one mentors advice and “waste a year trying to be an entrepreneur”. While most of that year was a waste and the uncertainty was excruciating, I was able to close a deal in month 10 of my year of exploration. Instead of starting a company, I helped another entrepreneur buy a company. I’ve been doing that ever since. 

 

Right now, I see a generational opportunity to buy companies from Baby boomers that want to retire and are looking for a succession plan. That is where I come in to give the a path toward retirement, a way to preserve the legacy of their company, and take care of all of the people they have worked with their whole life. San Diego is a great place to do this. 

 

I realized this is where my talent lies. Being able to look at a path of extreme uncertainty and using my network, my ideas and my problem solving to get a project across the finish line. Since 2010 I’ve kept that up each year and I’m currently on my fourth company. I’ve had a few failures along the way, I’m the first to admit that luck always plays a big part, but I’ll also tell you that spotting an opportunity and being ready to pounce made all the difference. 

 

I’d love to mentor someone who realizes that it might take time to figure out what the next move is after college. Especially in these uncertain times, I’m sure that question is daunting. If the mentee wanted to help me find and acquire my next company, that might be a good fit too. I don’t look for “sexy” businesses, in fact I like boring ones. There is predictable revenue, less competition and a faster path toward wealth creation. If some of the above sounds like you; then we might be a good fit.

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Gregg is the co-founder and CEO of Origin 63. Gregg’s primary expertise is in helping startups and middle-market companies growth through improving their sales technology and marketing strategies. Gregg serves as a volunteer, mentor, and board member for San Diego State University's (SDSU) Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, the Lavin Mentor Program, SDSU Zahn Innovation Platform—Launchpad, and the The REC Innovation Lab at San Diego Miramar College. Gregg holds a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and is a Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Grew up in Bay Area in disadvantage neighborhood…only 8 of 243 high school seniors to go to 4-year college (SDSU) from HS.  Studied Business Admin. then switched to Elect. Engr. after 1½ years.  Became Int’l Sales Engr and traveled the world for 2 years…then because successful regional local sales engr. for a components mfg.  Received MBA (Entrepreneurial Studies) from MIT in 2002 

 

Started my own distribution business (Vortex Tech.) in 1991 and grew it to $4M by 2000.  Started contract mfg. company in 1996 (Basic Power) and grew that company to $3M by 2000.  Started circuit protection components company (OptiFuse) in 2000.  Combined all 3 companies into Triad Partners in 2001.  Spun-off Basic Power in 2006.  Almost lost company by 2009 due to faltering sales and debt service created by economic conditions, bad luck, and bad mistakes.  Started Switch Components in 2019.  Started Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) to exit business in 2030. 

 

In 2009, paid off debt and business started to grow…growing more than 20-30% each year for 10 years landing us on the Inc. 5000 for 5 years in a row (2019 sales are expected to be near $8M).  Triad (OptiFuse) was selected as Forbes Best 25 Small Companies in America in 2017.  Finalist Inc. Magazine Best Workplaces - 2018.

James (Jim) Riedman is an entrepreneur and business executive with over 30 years of experience in managing, financing, acquiring, and building successful organizations. His experience includes leading roles in consumer products, insurance, marketing, and media companies. His core strengths include marketing, corporate acquisitions, and strategic planning. He has managed both public and private businesses, and has a long track record of restructuring and growing organizations to a sizable scale. Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Footwear Group. He has been involved with Phoenix since 1997, when he joined as Director of the Board.

Prior to joining Phoenix Footwear, Jim spent 15 years as President of Riedman Corporation, an insurance and real estate firm that he Jim grew to become the sixth largest privately held brokerage firm in the country, with over 1,000 employees working in 70 offices across 14 states.

He has served as Director of Harris Interactive, an online centric marketing research firm best known for the Harris Poll. He is also a past director of Niagara Exchange Insurance Company, the Excellus Long Term Care Insurance Company, International Imaging, and Norstar Bank NA. 

James Riedman received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin with focus in both finance and insurance.

John Shin is the founder and managing director at RSI Security and has over 18 years of Information Technology and Cybersecurity leadership experience working with industries across the board. As a PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional, CISM, and Project Management Professional (PMP), John works with businesses in highly regulated industries to assess and improve cybersecurity strategy and posture. He’s also the author of multiple research papers for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and others. 

John is a board member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) San Diego, ISACA, Gen Next, and the Corporate Directors Forum, as well as a limited partner of a venture capitalist firm– Prime Movers Lab that focuses on technology and scientific breakthroughs. RSI Security is also a sponsor of CCOE, Spire, Provisors, and InfraGard– helping technology professionals thrive in San Diego.

 

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Julius Alejandro strives for innovative approaches to solving social issues. He has over ten years of experience in grassroots organizing, the nonprofit sector, and social entrepreneurship that have crossed intersections from economic development and health disparities that affect communities of color. He received his master’s in organizational leadership from National University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from San Diego State University. In addition, he has professional certificates from Accion and Notre Dame University on entrepreneurship and business strategy. He has been recognized by public officials on the local, state, and federal levels for his community services and youth mentorships. 

He has started his own nonprofit in the past that focus on leadership development for young adults. Julius is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion for the startup ecosystem by starting a regional collaborative involving entrepreneurs and service providers to increase access to the innovation economy. Finally, he volunteers for Startup San Diego, leading the event, Convergence a three-day conference for students and early-stage entrepreneurs.  

Good at:

Connecting to resources; Social media strategy; Organizational development; Accountability check

Not good:

Investment; accounting; software development

Kyle is a retired Navy SEAL Senior Chief; Founder and Managing Partner of Fortisᴺ Partners, and the Managing Director of One More Wave; as well as holding several board member positions for other companies. Kyle joined the Navy in 1999 and although most of his career was spent in the middle east, he has been deployed to over 20 different countries and served with 5 separate SEAL teams. Conducting everything from single man operations, to leading an 800man clearance operation through southern Afghanistan. Kyle had the unique opportunity to be one of the few senior enlisted leaders with Ground Force Commander experience in multiple theaters of armed conflict and has developed his own leadership style that has improved high performing teams in a variety of industries. In 2010-2012, Kyle was tasked with Village Stability Operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. During the 10month deployment, his unit was responsible for the successful expansion, transition and retrograde of Malozai through constant presence patrols, increasing the local police force from 6 to 64; establishing the first three Afghani Local Police checkpoints in the region, and increasing the local governance to a regional level through key leader engagements. During this deployment Kyle had the rare opportunity to continue conducting operations as an enlisted Ground Force Commander, a position seldom held by enlisted men. The men of his platoon did not only establish governance, they also conducted 80 combat operations and resulted in the eventual removal of 146 insurgents from the province; most importantly they eventually all returned home safely. Over the years Kyle has been instrumental in the business development of numerous Navy SEAL founded small businesses, both for profit and nonprofit. In fact, in 2014, one of his fellow teammates was shot numerous times in the leg, resulting in a high leg amputation. A serial entrepreneur, Kyle knew that he had to do something. Upon returning from deployment, Kyle connected with the founders of One More Wave and joined their team. By the end of this year One More Wave will have directly impacted over 400 veterans lives, with family and friends reaching in the thousands. Recently named one of Starbucks 2017 “UpStanders” for his courage to make a difference, it is Kyle's hope to decrease the daily veteran suicide rate of 22 through One More Wave’s mission and the other charities he supports. The last couple of years Kyle has been spent at NSW Training commands, where he has had the opportunity to become the Senior Enlisted Leader for Detachment Coronado Advanced Training Command. A great end to a wonderful career, where Kyle had the opportunity to lead 237 personnel responsible for 94 courses with an annual student throughput of 2,740 Joint Special Operations Forces. He oversaw an annual budget of $110 Million, with $55 Million in assets. The SEAL Teams have been his career, his life, and his family. Kyle is forever grateful for all of the opportunities the NAVY has given him, and is looking forward to giving back to the community. In 2018, Kyle decided he was ready to transition to his next chapter and spend time in America with his children and wife. It is Kyle’s dream and passion to invest in tomorrow, technology, and his network through Fortisᴺ Partners. 

26 year old passionate entrepreneur based out of San Diego, CA and Co-Founder and CEO of Hair Craft Co., the leading e-commerce men’s grooming brand focusing on your hair so you can focus on what matters. Since starting the company in 2018, we’ve earned the Amazon’s Choice Badge across our product line and impacted thousands of men to look good, feel good, and be great.

Prior to Hair Craft Co., I helped scale and co-lead Tinuiti’s (FKA CPC Strategy) Amazon Department for 4 years, becoming the largest Amazon Ad Agency in the world. My primary focus was on growth opportunities and keeping Tinuiti ahead of its competitors by constantly evolving and improving online experiences of clients so they could thrive on bottom-of-the-funnel and top-of-the-funnel retail search channels.

Additionally, I serve as an mentor to students through on the San Diego State University's Aztec Mentor Program. My commitment to SDSU is driven by my experience there as Student Body Vice President, which uniquely placed me as COO of Associated Students, a $30M student-directed not-for-profit auxiliary organization of San Diego State University.

Lisa Druxman is the founder of FIT4MOM, the nation’s leading company for pre and postnatal health, wellness, and fitness programs for every stage of motherhood. FIT4MOM has created business opportunities for moms nationwide, with more than 300 franchisees and 1,000 locations across the U.S. 

In addition to leading her team at FIT4MOM, Lisa is a noted speaker, author, podcaster and powerhouse of energy. A self-proclaimed mom boss, Lisa is passionate about paying it forward and empowering other women in life and business. 

Druxman is also the author of a new book with life strategies for moms—The Empowered Mama: How to Reclaim Your Time and Yourself While Raising a Happy, Healthy Family. 

Druxman earned her Master's degree in psychology with an emphasis in exercise adherence and weight control from San Diego State University. She created the weight management program, L.E.A.N. Mommy® (Learn Eating Awareness and Nutrition), which is also the name of her first book. 

Druxman has written on business for Entrepreneur and on motherhood for magazines such as Fit Pregnancy, Shape and more. Recognizing her entrepreneurship, Druxman has also been nominated for and received numerous honors from organizations such as the National Association of Women Business Owners for creating one of the most desirable businesses for moms in the country. 

Druxman has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, Access Hollywood and Home & Family, to name a few. She has also been featured in print publications including Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Self, Fit Pregnancy, American Baby, and more. 

Druxman lives and relishes the FIT4MOM mission statement every day, “Helping moms make strides in fitness, motherhood and life.” She resides in San Diego with her husband, son and daughter.

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Lorne Polger is the Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director of Pathfinder Partners, LLC.  Pathfinder is a real estate private equity firm based in San Diego, California with a portfolio of real estate investments located throughout the western United States.  Lorne focuses on acquisitions, dispositions, business and legal strategies. He practiced real estate law for more than 20 years and prior to co-founding Pathfinder in 2006, was the head of the Real Estate, Environmental and Land Use team at Procopio, San Diego’s largest law firm. Lorne graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Colorado College, Cum Laude, in 1984 and earned his law degree from UCLA in 1988.

 

Mr. Polger was a finalist in the 2015 EY San Diego Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.  He is a founding Director of Endeavor Bank, and currently chairs the loan committee. He has been a member of Vistage, the international CEO organization, since 2013.  His community activities include serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the La Jolla Playhouse, as a national commissioner, and formerly, as chair of the Regional Advisory Board, the Executive Committee and the Civil Rights Committee of the Anti Defamation League, as a board member of the Residential Committee of the Burnham Moores Centre at the University of San Diego, as a board member of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, as a Director of the San Diego Chapter of the CCIM Institute, and on the Campaign for Cardiovascular Care at Scripps Health in San Diego.  His interests including the outdoors, photography, hiking, cycling and music.

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Mark Pecota is the CEO and Co-founder of LaunchBoom. LaunchBoom partners with entrepreneurs to launch their consumer products through crowdfunding and scale their brands through ecommerce. Since 2015, Mark and his team at LaunchBoom have worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and raised over $50 million online. 

Mark's deep knowledge of crowdfunding, digital marketing, and scaling companies has been critical to the success of not only his clients, but his company LaunchBoom. He's a big believer in the importance of building an expert team and an amazing culture. LaunchBoom now has a fully remote team of 41 people around the world.

He is also the author of the #1 Best Seller, CROWDFUNDED: The Proven Crowdfunding System For Launching Products, Raising Millions, And Scaling Brands Using Indiegogo And Kickstarter.

 Parker Harris is an entrepreneur, leader, and speaker with a passion for Conscious Capitalism.

Parker is the Founder and President of Junto Global, a for benefit venture that provides a peer to peer and peer to mentor education platform for entrepreneurs and professionals, to connect, grow and contribute together. Junto Global was inspired by Benjamin Franklin and his original Junto, and is further expanded on using new personal development and technology tools.

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Paul dropped out of Georgia State University and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995.  Paul sustained a career ending injury in 2001 and finished his undergraduate work at Park University while undergoing surgeries before being honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 2002.  Paul rapidly found that only entry level work was available for a newly degreed former Marine with no relevant experience, and successfully gained entry into the SDSU Graduate School of Business.  Paul worked as a full-charge bookkeeper at a small business while a student and served on the SDSU Aztec Equity Fund.  Paul earned an MBA with dual emphases in Accountancy and Finance in 2004 and was recruited as a Senior Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he was introduced to government consulting support performing financial and workforce analyses for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) in Old Town, SD.  

After realizing that moving forward and gaining experience quickly in a giant organization would be difficult, Paul gained employment as an Operations Manager with Liberty Woods International in 2006 where he was able to quickly take on responsibility and enjoyed the latitude to implement solutions with direct access to executive management.  Paul began a side project relying on his accounting education, experience as a full-charge bookkeeper, and USMC small unit leadership to help his former boss at Booz Allen (now in Charleston, SC) stand up his own consulting company.  Paul was rapidly pulled in full-time to serve as the CEO and Managing Partner, and left Liberty Woods in 2007 to stand up the San Diego office of Atlas Executive Consulting, LLC (Atlas).

Atlas has now grown to $20M in annual revenues with 170 employees spanning six states.  Atlas primarily focuses on providing professional support services to Federal agencies.  Atlas’s winning value proposition of cultivating high quality consultants supported by a lean, agile, and cost-conscious organization has resulted in steady growth in a highly competitive market for over a decade.  Recent awards and recognitions include;

-2016 San Diego Business Journal “#1 Medium Sized Company to Work for in San Diego”

-2017 Consulting Magazine’s one of “Seven Small Jewels”

-2017 Inc. 5000 “#1211 Fastest Growing Small Businesses”

-2017 South Carolina Business Journal “#1 Fastest Growing Business in South Carolina”

-2018 Inc. 5000 “#1035 Fastest Growing Small Businesses”

Even though Paul routinely spends 60+ hours a week at a desk or at client locations, he maintains a passion for outdoor adventures from his days in the Marines.  Paul can frequently be found surfing, hiking and backpacking, mountaineering, or riding dirk-bikes in the local deserts.  His most recent accomplishment was successfully summiting Denali in 2019 on a three-week expedition with a group of amputee veterans.

Succession Link

Co-Founder, CEO 2013 – 2018 
• Grew the business to over $2.5MM in annual gross revenues with over 70% gross profit
• Over $7MM Enterprise Value
• 10,000+ paying customers
• Contract negotiations for vendors, partners, affiliates, enterprise clients and capital sources
• Recruited, hired, trained and managed a 15-person remote workforce (in customer support, operations, product, dev, and sales)
• Successful exit (acquired in October 2018

StarPoint Consulting Group

Co-Founder, Managing Partner 2009 - 2018 (about 9 years)

• Recruited over $8 billion in collective Assets Under Management amongst over 250 Financial Advisors
  •Successfully negotiated contracts with approximately 30 independent broker dealers, Wire-house firms, and clearing platforms to be a referring source to their financial advisor base
  •Developed and implemented marketing initiatives to raise the awareness of our advisor placement service to financial advisors
  •Hired, trained, and manage 4 Regional Consultants (Recruiters)

Content Contributor to Wealth Management Industry Trade Publications including

• Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Journal of Financial Planning
• Rep Magazine
• Wealthmanagement.com:  https://www.wealthmanagement.com/search/node/phillip%20flakes
• Transitions Magazine

Past Host of the, “Get Connected”, Podcast Show 

• Ranked in The Wealth Management Top 10 Podcasts of 2017 for Financial Advisors https://www.wealthmanagement.com/industry/10-best-podcasts-2017-financial-advisors

Noteworthy

• Vistage member (Executive Leadership) 2017-2019
• Professional Soccer Player 2004

Watch Introduction

Having focused on multi-channel, integrated marketing for nearly 20 years, Reid Carr is the CEO of the San Diego-based award-winning marketing agency, Red Door Interactive whose clients include ASICS, Titleist, Sun Bum, Bosch, Thermador and more. He also sits on the boards of several corporations and nonprofits across several industry sectors. Reid graduated from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communications and now sits on their Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Watch Introduction

Ryan Gamble is Founder and President of Intraratio, a company that provides web based software platforms to track, manage, control and automate the manufacture of advanced electronics and medical devices.

Over the past 7 years he has successfully captured contracts with Fortune 100 customers such Cisco Systems and Koch Industries, with deployments across the US, China and Mexico. 

With a dual Electrical and Computer Engineering degree, he has a strong working knowledge of complex software and electronics systems, including hyperscale web based database platforms.

And he has deep knowledge and experience in B2B marketing, sales, and global contract negotiations.

His company is 100% bootstrapped, and continues to grow from customer acquisition driven revenue.  

Operating with an outsider’s perspective, he brings objectivity and a “people first” approach to growing a tech company in today’s world.

 

Sean founded Managed Solution in 2002 after receiving his degree from the University of San Diego. Sean recognized the need for consultative IT services for small-to-medium and enterprise clients. With little capital, Sean and his dedicated team grew the company organically to success. Within 3 years, the company was recognized as one of San Diego’s 40 fastest growing companies, awarded one of the 40 companies with owners under 40 years old and recognized as the 27th fastest growing IT company in Southern California.

 Sean Ferrel had a vision of building a company culture of like-minded individuals, with the number one focus on the people, serving not only businesses but the people within those businesses. Having a team who supports one another, provides the highest level of support for their customers and wants to continuously learn and grow to help the business grow is the driving factor of why he started Managed Solution in 2002. As a natural born servant leader, helping his clients and mentoring his team drives his energy. Having the mentality of “whatever it takes to get the job done” is the culture Sean built at Managed Solution to see both his team and his clients succeed. He wants his team to think of their role as more than a day to day job, and to really think of how each and every part of his team reflects on the business and impacts other company’s day to day operations.

Sean has a huge heart and enjoys helping people by sharing his innovative ideas and continuing to coach and build the best team that makes a difference by achieving the ultimate customer satisfaction. Sean’s drive to provide value was achieved when he built a company of exemplary service in the IT arena.

Today, Managed Solution is a nationally recognized full-service technology provider with a corporate culture that promotes an unmatched service to support thousands of customers.

NeuraLace CEO Shiv Shukla spent more than five years serving in a clinical research capacity for the VA San Diego and UC San Diego Health System. During this time, Shukla’s plans to attend medical school became sidetracked by a surprising discovery: while assigned to a VA pain clinic, he learned that patients were suffering immeasurably from chronic nerve pain – without any hope of lasting relief or recovery. Many relied on opioids, which only partially eradicate pain at best, while also creating dependencies and other adverse effects. Other patients opted for high-risk surgery – often without seeing the results they desired.

Seeking to find a better alternative, he became aware of the benefits of magnetic stimulation. As a largely unexplored path to pain relief, the therapy exposed him to an opportunity to truly make a difference for chronic nerve pain patients. Through further work within the San Diego clinical community, along with early trials that revealed game-changing outcomes, Shukla came to the realization that medical school would have to wait. He and his team dedicated long hours and more than four years to high-voltage hardware engineering, rapid prototyping and 3D printing. They came up with a new and innovative therapy alternative, forming NeuraLace Medical in 2016. 

To date, he has raised $5.45M in venture financing and his innovation, Axon Therapy, is less than 6 months from achieving 510(k) clearance and commercial launch.  He has assembled a world-class team and board who are passionate about disrupting the opioid epidemic with NeuraLace technology.  Today, Shukla’s mission is to restore hope and bring new levels of relief to those with chronic nerve pain.

 

Steve Ruderman has been in the financial services arena for over 30 years. 

Steve runs his own company, Credit and Collection News (CCN) a daily newsletter specifically designed for the credit and collections vertical marketplace with a subscriber database of over 50,000. Besides the newsletter, CCN also hosts some major industry conferences.  Steve was also a host on a segment on credit on CNN radio called the Wall Street Shuffle. Prior to running CCN, Steve ran national sales for Amerix and The Fanuel Group. Prior to that Steve ran regional sales at Equifax for over 10 years. He has been on the board of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Diego  and was the National Sales Advisor for the National Foundation Credit Counseling, and teaches classes to young adults on managing credit. Steve has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from San Diego State University and an MBA from California State University at San Marcos. Steve currently resides in La Costa, CA with his wife Holly and 2 children who are both attending San Diego State University.

I bring confidence and inspiration to all that I do. Over a decade ago, I persevered as an entrepreneur to start FrescoData, a data-driven solutions provider. Through my experience at FrescoData, I have gained over 15 years of leadership experience in data technology. Fast forward to 2017, when I launched IDMERIT, a comprehensive identity verification product that helps mitigate risk and prevent fraud while meeting regulatory compliance. 

As CEO and Co-founder of FrescoData & IDMERIT, I lead an executive team to execute my passion for creating a global data universe generating trusted intelligence. In line with this goal, today, my company is a growing a recognized Global Data Provider. We work with clients like Google, SalesForce, HP, and clients across financial, government and other sectors seeking a superior partner in compliance and mitigating risk. I am an innovator and visionary with the foresight to see the nuances in current data-driven high-tech businesses and provide insightful solutions.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering & Data Sciences.  I am also an active member of the Entrepreneurs Organization of San Diego and a dedicated mentor to up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the EO Accelerator Program. I participate as an active member of the Chairman Round Table Association of Southern California as well.

In my free time, I enjoy running, meditating, practicing yoga and spending time with my wife Sonal and my five-year-old son.

Travis Fisher, President and Founder. Travis Fisher brings more than 20 years’ experience in the digital media and software industries. Before cofounding TicketSauce, Fisher worked at UDS where he managed and helped grow the organization to one of the top digital agencies in the state of Utah. In addition, he helped run and manage SIgnOnSanDiego which grew revenue from 4 million in 1999 to over 20 million in 2006.  With his digital media and software roots dating back to 1996 at Monster.com, his goal at TicketSauce is to create new revenue opportunities, data acquisition strategies and brand exposure for media companies, associations, venues, and event organizers.

Fisher holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Business and Economics from California Lutheran University.

Will Clodfelter is the CEO of Abvance Therapeutics, an early stage biotech based in Carlsbad, California. He was previously the CEO of Medicus Biosciences, a private equity backed biotech where he outlicensed their lead asset in late 2019.  He is also the founder and Managing Director of Ponto Ventures LLC, a device and drug delivery consulting firm and is the head of strategy for Novum Vascular, a disposable medical device manufacturer. He has over 20 years leadership experience working in biopharmaceutical and medical device roles ranging from startups to Fortune 50 organizations. Prior to forming Ponto he was the Director of Device Commercialization at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, now a subsidiary of Astra Zeneca. He has previously held Corporate Strategy and Business Development roles at Eli Lilly and has been an entrepreneur with both product based and consultancy firms. Will has a BS in Structural Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

 Zeynep Ilgaz is the co-founder and President of Confirm BioSciences Inc, a leading provider of drug and alcohol testing and employee screening products and services. Under her leadership, the Company has been recognized as Best Places to work for and Fastest Growing Company list in San Diego. 

Ilgaz also currently serves as a lecturer for International Entrepreneurship at San Diego State University. She is also an advisor to the National Institute of Health, Commercialization Assistance Program. As part of her efforts to give back to the community, Ilgaz started a “We Care, People over Profit” Corporate Program within Confirm Biosciences- where a percentage of sales has been contributed to giving back to local organizations. The Year, the company has formed a partnership with Interfaith Community Services, where proceeds of sales as well as food and health supplies are provided to serve to over 19,000 individuals that Interfaith Community Services serve; to include homeless, veterans and kids at risk Ilgaz received her MBA from San Diego State University in 2000. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Bosporus University, Istanbul, Turkey.