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Letter From The San Diego Business Journal elcome to the San Diego Business Journal’s seventh annual Most Admired CEO publication. In the following pages we are pleased to present a repertoire of San Diego’s most dynamic and innovative business leaders. These individuals have guided their organizations to exceptional success through their vision, foresight, and tenacity. They are our region’s economic generators, financial guardians and Wcommunity champions.w This year’s field of winners and finalists was the largest in our history with a total of 116. We celebrated these “C Level” leaders in a special awards event on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa. Highlighting the event was an appearance by Ken Blanchard—internationally renowned leadership management pioneer, award-winning speaker and best-selling author—who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, United Way of San Diego County’s Doug Sawyer was given an Exemplary Service Award and ViaSat Inc.’s Mark Dankberg received the Founder’s Award. Our sincere thanks go to our panel of judges—Vicky Carlson, Rod Lanthorne, Bill Pollakov, Greg Rogers, Ed Sternagle, and Greg Wells—for their time and diligent evaluations. We’d like to thank our title sponsor, Chase Bank, and our gold sponsors, CBIZ and Mayer Hoffman McCann, Donovan’s and ESET; along with partnership sponsors LEAD San Diego and Paradise Point Resort and Spa for their support of this popular program. We proudly profile our winners, finalists, awards of distinction recipients and judges in the following pages. They represent San Diego’s divergent and robust industries from health care to Armon Mills defense to our budding biotech sector. Their stories are unique and motivational and represent the true President & Publisher spirit of San Diego’s expanding influence on the region, the nation and the world.

2013 Awards Of Distinction

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOUNDERS AWARD EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARD Ken Blanchard Mark Dankberg Doug Sawyer Chief Spiritual Officer Chairman/CEO/Co-founder President/CEO The Ken Blanchard Companies ViaSat, Inc. United Way of San Diego County Dr. Ken Blanchard has spent Mark Dankberg co- A 28-year veteran of a lifetime inspiring global cor- founded ViaSat Inc. in 1986 the banking industry, Doug porate presidents and ordinary and has led the company’s Sawyer assumed the leader- people with now famous moti- rapid growth, holding the ship of United Way of San vational quotes such as “don’t positions of chairman of the Diego County in July 2005 quack like a duck, soar like an ea- board and chief executive as president and CEO. With gle.” Few people have influenced officer since the company’s a desire to give back to the the day-to-day management of inception. He is considered community, he decided to people and companies more than an industry expert in aero- leave the banking industry Blanchard. A prominent, sought- space, defense, and satellite to take on this new venture. after author, speaker, and business communications, and is the The organization has thrived consultant, he is one of the most leading visionary for a new generation of high-capac- under his leadership and recently was only one of six influential leadership experts in ity satellite systems that stretch the boundaries of what United Ways to be funded in a nationwide “Collective the world and is respected for his years of groundbreaking work satellites can do. Under his leadership, ViaSat has con- Impact” program as a strong example of leadership in the fields of leadership and management. sistently been one of America’s fastest growing tech- and significant community progress. Prior to joining Blanchard is the co-founder and chief spiritual officer of The nology companies. As a start-up, ViaSat has been recog- United Way of San Diego, Sawyer held senior execu- Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management train- nized multiple times by leading business and industry tive positions in a number of the region’s financial in- ing and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, publications including BusinessWeek, Forbes, Fortune, stitutions. began in 1979 in San Diego. In addition to being a renowned Red Herring, Space News, and DefenseNews for its ex- Sawyer’s vast community involvement includes speaker and consultant, he also spends time as a visiting lecturer ceptional performance and growth. He has co-authored board memberships in The Plan to End Chronic at his alma mater, Cornell University. Starting with his phenom- several military standards on satellite networking, and Homelessness, The Children’s Initiative, and San Diego enal best-selling book, “The One Minute Manager,” co-authored holds a number of patents in communications and sat- Grantmakers. He is past chairman of the San Diego with Spencer Johnson, which has sold more than 13 million cop- ellite networking technologies. He has participated on Regional Chamber of Commerce where he continues to ies and remains on best-seller lists, his books have a combined Department of Defense advisory panels and was invit- serve on the board of directors. In addition, he served sales of more than 18 million copies in more than 25 languages. ed to testify before a Congressional committee on high as president of the board of directors of the Holiday He has received many awards and honors for his contribu- technology growth companies and IPOs. Bowl in 2006 and continues to serve on the board and tions in the fields of management, leadership, and speaking. The Dankberg was named Entrepreneur of the Year in national strategy committee. National Speakers Association awarded him its highest honor, San Diego in 2000, Satellite Industry Executive of the His past community activities included board mem- the “Council of Peers Award of Excellence.” He was inducted Year in 2003, and received the American Institute of berships at the United Way of San Diego, American into the HRD Hall of Fame by Training magazine and Lake- Aeronautics and Astronautics Aerospace International Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter, wood Conferences, and he received the Golden Gavel Award from Communications Award in 2008. In October, he was LEAD San Diego, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Toastmasters International. He has been inducted into Amazon’s presented with the Innovator Award by the Arthur C. San Diego Opera, and Leadership Trust (as a founding Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 best-selling authors of all Clarke Foundation for his leadership in transforming member). He also served as a member of the Ad Hoc time. The business school at Grand Canyon University bears his satellite communications. He also is a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Audit Committee name. In addition, he teaches students in the master of science in Rice University Electrical and Computer Engineering of the City of San Diego, as well as the City’s Perma- Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Hall of Fame. nent Homeless Facility Task Force. Page A18 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013

CEO 2013 Judges

Vicky Carlson Bill Pollakov Ed Sternagle President & CEO President & CEO Principal LEAD San Diego The Pollakov Financial Group, Inc. Creative Professional Services Vicky Carlson was appointed presi- Bill Pollakov is the president and Ed Sternagle provides business dent and chief executive officer of CEO of The Pollakov Financial Group management consulting services to LEAD San Diego in August, 2010. Inc. He took the helm of a small failing small companies stressing practical, Carlson joined the LEAD board in firm and built it into a large full service strategic approaches for optimizing 2004 and served in many capacities before leaving to financial planning firm which now consists of 16 different business operations. Sternagle has more than 30 years assume her current position. Carlson has nearly two divisions. Pollakov is a sought after speaker, and has spoken of management experience. He has started several high- decades of business experience and was president and throughout the North America and Asia. Additionally, he is tech businesses and has held key senior management owner of Office Pavilion San Diego, a Herman Miller regularly called as an expert witness for industry legal is- positions with a number of companies, including Xerox, furniture dealership. She has served on the board of sues and is a consultant for the Kellogg School of Manage- Computer Sciences Corporation, Mitchell International, Voices for Children and on the board of The Woman’s ment at Northwestern University. An active community and Sullivan International. In addition, he served as the Conference, serving at the pleasure of California’s First supporter, Pollakov is the founder of Bikes for Kids Foun- first executive director of UC Riverside CONNECT, and Lady Maria Shriver. dation, a charitable organization that has given away more has consulted extensively with the City of San Diego than 23,000 new bikes to disadvantaged children. and other municipalities. Rod Lanthorne Advisor/Retired Chairman & President Greg Rogers Greg Wells Kyocera International, Inc. CEO CEO Rodney N. Lanthorne retired from Pacific Building Group Corporate Alliance International Kyocera in June 2012 after 33 years Greg Rogers, CEO of Pacific Build- Greg Wells is the CEO of Corpo- of service. Lanthorne served as di- ing Group, a commercial general con- rate Alliance International, a premier rector of Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera tracting firm based in San Diego, has business relationship organization with Corporation, parent company of the worldwide Kyoc- more than 40 years’ experience in every more than 2,000 members. In addition era group, and, additionally, he served on the board of level of commercial construction. Rogers concentrates to his work at Corporate Alliance, Wells is involved in directors of affiliate AVX Corp. Lanthorne was named on the strategic long-range planning for Pacific Building several other businesses including interests in Big Fogg, as a director of Kyocera Corporation in 1988, becoming Group and, what began as a one-man operation out of a misting and heating company serving the NFL and one of the first Americans to serve on the board of a the back of a pick-up truck, has today become a company NCAA; and Crowd Converge Inc., a lifestyle and hospi- publicly traded Japanese corporation. Under his respon- with projected revenues of $70 million and a staff of tality company focused on enhancing the fan experience sibility, Kyocera developed a divers, highly accountable, nearly 150. He is very active in community and philan- at sporting events. Wells also is a member of the board decentralized enterprise within the Americas. Lanthorne thropic organizations. Professionally, he is a member of of directors for Monrovia Growers, the leading grow- is a current director of the nonprofit Kyoto Symposium the Associated General Contractors, and the Associated er of premium plants and shrubs in the United States. Organization. He is a past chairman of the YMCA of Builders and Contractors, serving as a past board member Wells is involved with a number of San Diego-based San Diego County and is involved in various other com- and chairman. He also is a board member emeritus of San community service organizations, including serving on munity organizations. Diego Rescue Mission. the board of Southern California Special Olympics.

CBIZ MHM AND MAYER HOFFMAN McCANN P.C. Congratulate the Finalists of the 2013 Most Admired CEO Awards

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2013 Winners Profiles

Nonprofit Category within. Before joining the San Diego BBB, be felt in numbers but also lives helped. and so 2-1-1 San Diego’s social enterprise small nonprofit - tie winner Reichert was in charge of advertising sales Yanov’s afterschool intensive tutoring model of fee-for-service contracts covers at the two largest cable TV systems in San and college prep program has helped 485 90 percent of its operating costs requiring Sheryl Reichert Diego County, serving as vice president disadvantaged students become first gen- fundraising for only 10 percent of the $7 President & CEO and general manager of CableRep San Di- eration college students. He has raised and BBB San Diego & Imperial Counties million annual budget. During his tenure, ego, now called Cox Media. She also served awarded $4 million in scholarships and has www.bbb.org 2-1-1 San Diego has grown to 100 employ- as general manager of advertising sales at helped the youth earn nearly $40,000,000 ees helping 400,000 clients annually. And As President/CEO of Time Warner Cable San Diego. Early in in scholarships from all sources to attend yet, his “summer camp counselor” leader- BBB San Diego & Im- her career, Reichert decided to switch from institutions that range from small liberal ship style allows for staff to feel comfort- perial Counties, Sheryl working in front of the microphone to be- art colleges to prestigious universities able and supported in their work. Ohanian Reichert and BBB San Di- hind it. The cable TV industry was in its such as Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, quite literally experienced a “trial by fire” ego celebrated the end of early development at the time, and she de- Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UC when he joined 2-1-1 San Diego, the non- 2012 as another hallmark cided to focus on advertising sales. She got Berkeley, and UCLA. His awards include emergency health and disaster community year. Organizational suc- a job selling radio advertising in Omaha, The Center for Wealth & Legacy’s 2012 resource service, as CEO in October 2007. cess was met with even and then at age 25, she was hired by Cox Inspiration Award and Point Loma Naza- Just three weeks later, Firestorm 2007, the greater individual success, as Reichert Communications as their general manager rene University’s Presidential Commu- devastating wildfires that burned 500,000 brought in record numbers of consumers of Advertising Sales. Reichert is currently nity Service Award. Yanov was a featured to the BBB website (more than 1.6 million) acres and destroyed 1,500 homes in San a member of the Executive Association of speaker at Tijuana’s Innovadora and his Diego County occurred, increasing 2-1-1’s and she was asked to chair the national op- San Diego as well as Rotary Club 33. work was highlighted in a nationwide PBS volume by more than 700 percent. With erating committee of BBB organizations. documentary entitled “The Graduates,” the fires launching 2-1-1 into the public Appearing 491 times in 2012, Reichert so- small nonprofit - tie winner that aired in early November. lidified herself as the face of BBB and of eye, Ohanian achieved both the immediate Christopher Yanov goal of providing valuable resources for consumer affairs in San Diego. BBB San medium nonprofit winner Founder & Executive Director the stricken community, but also leveraged Diego, under Reichert’s guidance, added Reality Changers 1,115 new accredited member businesses, John Ohanian the awareness to attract talented and ex- www.RealityChangers.org Chief Executive Officer totaling more than $620,000 in revenue perienced individuals to the organization’s Christopher Yanov 2-1-1 San Diego staff. Ohanian is civic-minded, serving as for the organization, resulting in a national www.211sandiego.org sales contest award among North Ameri- was tired of local kids a San Diego Downtown Club 33 Rotarian can BBBs. Sales growth was also accom- living in poverty, admir- Since 2007, John Oha- and as a board member of REBOOT and panied by an average 82 percent retention ing gang members rather nian has led 2-1-1 San the California Alliance of Information and rate, a new record for the organization. In than aspiring college stu- Diego as its CEO, rapidly Referral Services. He is also on the 2-1-1 her nine years as CEO, Reichert has al- dents, so he set about to growing it into the coun- U.S. Committee and the 2-1-1 California ways encouraged a family-friendly, flexible change that norm. In his ty’s central resource for Leadership Team, working diligently with workplace and has built a culture of trust, 12 years as founder and information on commu- his colleagues across the nation to raise teamwork and strong professional bonds. executive director of Reality Changers, nity, health and disaster awareness around 2-1-1’s critical services. She is constantly striving to strengthen which he started with $300 of his own services. As a recovering the organization by growing talent from money, the difference he has made can CPA, Ohanian is all about the numbers, continued on page A20

Title: —SDBJ ad | Trim: ." x ." | Bleed: none | CMYK / PDF / PPI Page A20 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A19 2013 Winners Profiles large nonprofit winner pad. He is a strong believer in “healthy for the past 13 consecutive years, and of the San Diego Regional Chamber of body, healthy mind,” and encourages his MRC has been named Xerox’s largest Commerce as well as the San Diego Eco- Gary Weitzman employees to find work life balance. In business partner in the United States. nomic Development Corporation. President & CEO 2012, his team became the first U.S. par- Top notch, motivated employees have al- San Diego Humane Society and SPCA ticipants of the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a ways been a priority for Leone. To help www.sdhumane.org Family Owned Category two-day cycling journey that covers close recruit high quality employee candidates, small family owned winner Dr. Gary Weitzman to 200 miles. He also is the co-founder of he launched a branding program designed is a great communicator InBalance—an organization that helps to target local colleges. Internally, Leone Jason Hughes with a humble approach, CEOs train for endurance sports while created the “MRC Padlock to life’s Pri- President and although president balancing their busy lives. Dhillon and his orities,” that incorporates family, health, Hughes Marino, Inc. and CEO of the San family are strong community supporters work, and personal objectives. Health is www.hughesmarino.com Diego Humane Society of the fight against cancer with OncoSec a key factor in outstanding performance For more than 20 and SPCA for less than recently sponsoring the American Cancer and Leone provides health incentives that years, Jason Hughes has 18 months, he has been Society’s annual Blossom Ball, raising include a recently hired fitness trainer for transacted leases and “dogged” about making a difference. $150,000 for research. He also is active- “boot camps” three days a week. Under purchases in downtown Weitzman established a national center ly involved in the organization’s CEOs Leone’s guidance, MRC has a community San Diego for tens of for animal behavior and learning to assist Against Cancer. involvement team that focuses on com- millions of square feet, shelter animals who need a bit of extra, munity efforts. Leone allocates $50,000 with hundreds of down- professional guidance in order to be ready medium public company winner annually to a number of nonprofit orga- town companies utilizing for adoption. He launched a needs-based nizations. MRC is is a major sponsor for his services each year with his company, community spay and neuter program, Kleanthis Xanthopoulos President & CEO San Diego State’s athletics and for the Hughes Marino, representing tenants ex- and in six months nearly 3,000 animals Regulus Therapeutics San Diego Rescue Mission’s Sleepless in clusively. This year alone, Hughes is re- were spayed and neutered for people who www.regulusrx.com San Diego. The company also supports sponsible for bringing Bumble Bee Foods, could not afford these services. Weitzman the Wounded Warrior Project. Addition- a global company and significant local also spearheaded the recent ban on puppy Kleanthis Xantho- ally, Leone is on the board of directors for employer, back to downtown San Diego. mills in the City of San Diego. He serves poulos is the man behind Father Joe’s Villages. As CEO Hughes maintains overall re- on the board of the Society of Animal Regulus Therapeutics’ fi- sponsibility for every aspect of business nancial growth and suc- Welfare Administrators, the Hill’s Sci- Education Category development and it was his vision and di- ence Diet Shelter Advisory Board, and cess. He not only is the education winner rection that drove the company’s expan- chairs the Best Practices Committee of face of the organization, sion into Orange County and Los Ange- the National Federation of Humane Soci- but is the one who nego- Elliot Hirshman les, opening three new offices in the last eties. He is author of the children’s book, tiates all of the big phar- President year. He also is one of the top commercial “How to Speak Dog,” and the soon to be ma and financing deals. Xanthopoulos is San Diego State University real estate brokers in the state of Califor- published “Everything Dogs.” He also co- the only life sciences CEO in San Diego www.sdsu.edu nia. From annual retreats to spontaneous hosts “The Animal House,” a nationally to take a company public in 2012 solely President Elliot Tuesday morning dance parties to of- distributed weekly public radio program. on pre-clinical data. He has always placed Hirshman became San fices tricked out with amenities, Hughes the organization’s culture and people Diego State University’s has made employee comfort a priority Public Company Category as his highest focus and has guided the eighth president on July with the company’s core values putting company’s expansion, increasing staffing small public company winner 5, 2011. It was a chal- employee satisfaction front and center. by 25 percent with a turnover of only 4 lenging time for the Hughes Marino has been voted one of Punit Dhillon percent. It has been Xanthopoulos’ vision university. A sputter- San Diego’s Best Places to Work for the Co-founder & CEO to translate the very complicated and cut- ing economy had forced last two years, thanks in large part to his OncoSec Medical ting edge micro-RNA technology into the state of California to slash educa- efforts. Hughes has always been a sup- www.oncosec.com an organization that is actually creating tion budgets state-wide. Eleven months porter of downtown San Diego, serving At 33 years of age, novel medicines to cure unmet medical later, he announced the beginning of a on numerous civic and charitable boards Punit Dhillon has ac- needs. He is a proven innovative scientist, strategic planning process. Hundreds of over the last 24 years. As former presi- complished what many a successful business man and a proven faculty, staff, students, alumni and com- dent of The New Children’s Museum, strive to achieve in a leader. In the community he represents munity members participated in working he has been credited with helping to save lifetime. He founded his organization in a number of efforts groups that established three broad insti- the award-winning community landmark OncoSec Medical and including support of Fondation Santé, tutional goals for SDSU, along with per- from extinction. More recently as special by March of 2011 had the American Liver Foundation, and Big formance analysis measures for each one: assistant to the mayor, Hughes is respon- helped raise more than Brothers Big Sisters among many. student success, research and creative sible for renegotiating the City of San $30 million in working capital which has endeavors, and community and commu- Diego’s downtown office leases which to- funded ground-breaking research into large public company winner nication. As a direct result of the strate- tal more than 550,000 square feet. new treatments for melanoma, one of Bob Leone gic plan, “Building on Excellence,” SDSU the most aggressive and difficult to con- President & CEO has already opened a writing center for medium family owned winner trol cancers. Taking the success of the MRC Smart Technology Solutions, A Xerox students; appointed a new LGBT Center first human trial utilizing electroporation Company Mary Jean Anderson coordinator; launched the Aztec Mentor President in gene therapy (a proprietary process www.mrc360.com program; expanded learning communi- Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air which uses an electrical pulse to create Bob Leone founded ties for commuter students; and created www.andersonplumbingheatingandair.com temporary pores in cancer cells), Dhil- areas of research excellence, This fall, Mr. Copy in San Diego in A plumbing company lon saw an opportunity for a potentially 1994 with six employees U.S. News and World Report ranked San more effective solution in oncology utiliz- Diego State No. 14 on its list of “up and with hot pink as its over- and $2.2 million in reve- riding brand color is a ing an immunotherapy approach. In 2012 nue and the company has coming” national universities. The Wash- he oversaw the launch of three Phase 2 ington Post reported that SDSU’s nation- force to be reckoned with been on a growth curve and Mary Jean Anderson clinical trials using OncoSec’s “Immuno- ever since. By 2005, Le- al ranking increased more than that of Pulse” in three types of cancer: metastat- any other university from 2011 to 2013. has made her mark in the one had grown the op- industry on a national ic melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and eration to a $25 million company with 80 These positive developments have re- cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In interim newed employee confidence in SDSU’s fu- scale. Originally trained employees and 17 managers and, in 2009, as a nurse, in 1983 she became the of- data from the Phase 2 melanoma trial, 95 Mr. Copy joined global giant Xerox, com- ture and restored a powerful Aztec Pride percent of treated lesions showed some throughout the San Diego community. He fice manager of a start-up plumbing pletely integrating into its Engines of company, and now its president, grow- response to the treatment by day 39. This Growth Strategy and aligning to fit cur- also has made “The Campaign for SDSU” was the first time the medical community a centerpiece of his administration. The ing the organization to 115 employees rent business practices. MRC, as it is cur- and annual revenues to $14 million. She had seen such a broad application to sev- rently known, now boasts more than 200 president has addressed thousands of the eral very lethal skin cancers that before university’s donors and friends to press inspires many women due to the success employees and continues to expand its of her own women-owned business in an had limited or no treatment options. As a services, acquiring another Xerox core, the case for support. Fiscal 2013, the sec- serial entrepreneur, Dhillon places great ond year of his tenure, marked the most industry that is dominated by men. She So-Cal Office Technologies and, recently is a licensed plumbing, heating and air value in helping future leaders overcome rolling out managed I-T services. With successful year of fundraising in San Di- challenges through mentorship and edu- ego State history, with $91 million raised conditioning contractor. Anderson has Leone at the helm, MRC have been recog- received numerous accolades including cation. This passion prompted him to co- nized as a top organization throughout its toward the campaign’s $500 million goal. found the nonprofit organization, Young Hirshman is actively involved in the com- recently being profiled in ACHR NEWS 18 years in business. Xerox has awarded Magazine for her continuing education Entrepreneurship & Leadership Launch- Leone the National Dealer of The Year munity, and currently sits on the boards continued on page A21 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A21 continued from page A20 2013 Winners Pro les efforts and community involvement and long-standing health and wellness pro- Diego State University School of Busi- the “Amazon.com for scientists,” Assay named Contractor of the Year 2013 by grams. The company was among the first ness, and the UC San Diego Economics Depot is the first and only cloud-based the National Plumbing, Heating & Cool- to offer health benefits to its employees Roundtable. drug research platform that allows any ing Contractors Association. She and the and has offered domestic partner ben- researcher, professional or citizen, to ac- company regularly offer their services efits for more than 30 years. More than Privately Held Company cess research services and experts quick- pro bono for those in need, assisting an half the workforce has been employed Category ly, efficiently and at no cost. Lustig was 86 year old senior in need of a new heater with Evans Hotels more than five years one of the three main architects of the to a young chemo patient needing air con- and its longest-serving employee just SMALL PRIVATELY HELD WINNER software platform. To date Assay Depot’s ditioning to keep her salon operating. retired after serving 52 years. The com- public Research Exchange has users in pany purchased the former Torrey Pines Kevin Lustig 126 different countries and handles tens LARGE FAMILY OWNED WINNER Inn in 1995, almost entirely demolished Founder & Chief Executive Officer of thousands of requests annually. More it in 2000, and opened an expanded and Assay Depot than 1,200 vendors have joined the As- Grace Cherashore www.assaydepot.com President & CEO reconstructed luxury resort—The Lodge say Depot network. Internally, Lustig has Evans Hotels at Torrey Pines—in 2002. That hotel Kevin Lustig has spent the past 30 created a virtual organizational structure www.evanshotels.com was the first in San Diego to receive the years managing research and develop- that empowers its employees and creates coveted AAA Five-Diamond Award in its ment organizations and running his own a positive, healthy working environment. As the long-serving first year of operation and has received it experiments in the labo- Assay Depot employees are free to work CEO of an iconic San in each of the 10 years since. Under her ratory. He is a scientist- from home and set their own hours, pro- Diego company, Grace guidance, Evans has been at the forefront entrepreneur who has viding the work-life balance that most Cherashore has served of the “Green Hotel” movement, start- dedicated his life to im- companies only boast about. Lustig has as a leader in the city’s ing the early 1990s. Today, the company’s proving how biomedical been recognized as an industry innovator second-largest industry three hotels are engaged in significant research is done. Lustig and has been named one of the pharma- sectors and its civic life. waste reduction and recycling efforts. founded Assay Depot in ceutical industry’s 100 Most Inspiring She joined Evans Hotels Outside the demands of managing the 2007 to democratize ac- People by PharmaVoice Magazine and in 1984 following the sudden death of her hotels, Cherashore is an active member of cess to research services and products. Assay Depot was named as a finalist for father who founded the company in 1953, the San Diego community, particularly in In his role as CEO, Lustig is directly re- America’s Most Innovative Companies by joined by her mother, brother, and hus- areas concerning job training, education, sponsible for business development and Red Herring. band, all of whom are still active in the and economic development. She is finish- fundraising to support future innovation management of the company. In 2012, ing her second term on the board of the and expansion. He has executed multi- Cherashore guided the company to its Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, year agreements with four major phar- most successful year, having weathered Los Angeles Branch, where she previ- maceutical companies, including house- the economic downturn that saw demand ously served as chair. She is a director of hold names like Pfizer and AstraZeneca, for hotel rooms in San Diego sink to his- the California Chamber of Commerce, as well as major research institutes such toric lows. She firmly believes that the and previously served on the boards of as the National Cancer Institute. These company is responsible for the well-being the San Diego Regional Economic De- revenue-generating activities allow As- of its almost 1,200 person workforce and velopment Corporation, the San Diego say Depot to continue its mission of em- offers many non-traditional benefits to its Regional Chamber of Commerce, San powering scientists. Often referred to as employees such as no-interest loans and continued on page A22

Congratulations, Doug!

On receiving the San Diego Business Journal’s Exemplary Service Award For 40-plus years of dedication to the San Diego nonprofit community

Doug Sawyer, President & CEO

like us on Facebook facebook.com/unitedwaysd United Way of San Diego County Follow us on twitter uwsd.org @liveunitedsd Page A22 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A21 2013 Winners Profiles medium privately held winner headquarters in San Diego to specialize tives that provides on-the-job training for company, G2 Software Systems, Inc., to solely in the design and installation of volunteers to install solar panels for low- improve communication systems among Daniel Sullivan solar power systems, Sullivan remains income property owners. He also is one military leaders, strategists and soldiers Founder & CEO passionately involved in his company’s of five founding board members for the in the field. She is an active member of Sullivan Solar Power day-to-day business operations. He has California Solar Energy Industries Asso- Women in Defense (WID) since the San www.sullivansolarpower.com won competitive projects for high-profile ciation, San Diego Chapter. Sullivan Solar Diego Chapter’s inception and has long As the founder and institutions such as San Diego State Uni- Power has been repeatedly honored for its served as chair for the WID-San Diego president of Sullivan So- versity, University of California at San work and was recently given the Commu- State University scholarship award, de- lar Power, Daniel Sulli- Diego and the Port of San Diego. Sul- nity Leadership Award by the San Diego signed to encourage young women to pur- van is an American rags- livan has grown his profitable company North Chamber of Commerce. sue careers in applied sciences. Griffiths to-riches story. A master organically, without taking a single out- also has endowed a Science, Technology, electrician by trade, he side investment dollar. He continues to be large privately held winner Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) was inspired by the birth a visionary leader. In 2011, the company scholarship at her undergraduate alumni, of his son to make the Georgia Griffiths launched an electric vehicle charging in- President & CCO California State University Long Beach, world a better place. In 2004, at only 27, frastructure team and began installing G2 Software Systems, Inc. where she funded a lecture hall and com- he took a leap of faith with an old beat electric car charging stations. Sullivan un- www.g2ss.com puter lab in CSULB’s new STEM facility. up Ford Ranger and only $2,500 in the derstands the value of motivated employ- As a private pilot, Griffiths volunteers her bank. Today, Sullivan Solar Power is an ees and supports a family environment Georgia Griffiths has time, her aircraft and all expenses to ferry industry leader and has been ranked one that includes taking employees on paid been a trail blazer for passengers to and from medical proce- of the fastest growing energy companies cruise vacations if the company meets its women in the defense dures as an Angel Flight West volunteer. in the nation for four consecutive years by internal annual sales goal. A San Diego software industry. In the Inc. Magazine. Sullivan now employs 106 native, Sullivan is involved with the com- 1970s when Griffiths en- individuals with 52 trucks that are dis- munity and the growth of alternative en- tered the field there was patched out of the 14,272 square-foot San ergies. He has been the primary voice in a great deal of preju- Diego headquarters, with satellite offices Sacramento to protect solar energy pro- dice in the “old boys’ in Orange County and the Inland Em- ducers, jobs and companies in California. network,” but she has worked tirelessly pire to service all of Southern California. In 2013, he created a partnership with the for more than three decades to establish With the longest standing company with nonprofit organization GRID Alterna- women in the industry. She leads her continued on page A23

Associate Publisher...... Bob Baranski San diego business Journal 4909 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 200 supplement Supplements Editor ...... Patti Anderson San Diego, CA 92123 facts Special Projects advisory...... Rana Sampson 858.277.6359 FAX 858.277.2149 Production...... Suzan Peterson E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.sdbj.com December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A23 continued from page A22 2013 Finalists Profiles

Nonprofit Category provides that refuge for San Diego’s ers. She also worked with 150 companies her time and talent. She serves on the youth. In 12 years, ARTS has grown to to expand and relocate in South County. boards of the Indigo Village Educational Mark Berger a million dollar budget with its 20,000 Gompper-Graves plays a key role in many Foundation and the California Coalition CEO feet of creative space secured through of South County’s newest planned proj- for Youth, and on the steering committees Partnerships With Industry www.pwiworks.org an innovative partnership with National ects, including the Chula Vista Bayfront of the Regional Continuum of Care City. ARTS provides therapeutic arts Master Plan, efficiency improvements to Council, the National City Collaborative, Partnership With In- programs, arts education, and college and the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Proj- and the El Cajon Collaborative. She also is dustry (PWI) was one of career preparation. This year it was the ect, and a cross-border airport terminal the lead for San Diego’s Unaccompanied the pioneer organizations subject of the Academy Award winning from Tijuana to San Diego. Under her Youth Task Force. in California to offer adults documentary “Inocente” about a girl who leadership, the Council embarked on a vi- with disabilities “supported was homeless for nearly half of her 18 sioning project collecting 4,000 surveys, Erin Spiewak employment” in the com- years and who found peace and a path and convening focus groups and public Chief Executive Officer munity, and, as its CEO, Mark Berger is to success through ARTS. D’Arrigo’s workshops to help gauge what is most Monarch School Project a champion of growing those opportu- work also was featured in the “New York important to community stakeholders. www.monarchschools.org nities for its clients. Helping more than Times” bestselling book, “Decisive” by In 2010, Gompper-Graves also launched 500 people annually, Berger’s goal for In the two years that Chip and Dan Heath. During the past an effort to help businesswomen in South Erin Spiewak has been CEO last year was to diversify PWI’s revenue year, D’Arrigo presented at more than 50 County named the South County Power- streams to reduce dependence on state of Monarch School Project events about ARTS. He also is a nonprofit ful Women group. Gompper-Graves has she has worked hard to turn funding. As a result, PWI successfully leadership coach for the Fieldstone Foun- been recognized by the American Eco- launched a document destruction service, around its financial for- dation Leadership Network and a grants nomic Development Council as a leader tunes. She streamlined staff- which will ultimately employ 30 people. committee member for the San Diego in economic development. Also, through employee empowerment ing, outsourced management of its after Commission for Arts and Culture. school programs, switched IT support and his open communication style, Berger Scott Goudeseune reduced employee turnover by more than services to a less expensive nonprofit that Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson President & CEO specializes in it, converted the develop- 50 percent at a time when he also reduced President & CEO American Council on Exercise expenses and added $119,000 to the bot- ment manager into a revenue producing Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest www.acefitness.org grant writer, and obtained a $1 million tom line. Under Berger’s leadership, PWI www.planned.org has received many awards and recogni- As CEO and president donation for partial completion of the tions from the community, including Ad- In the seven years that of the American Council unfinished second floor of Monarch’s vancing Futures for Adults with Autism Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson on Exercise (ACE), Scott new building, which can then be an an- and Brilliance in Business Award from has served as president and Goudeseune has trans- nual revenue source when leased to a the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. CEO of Planned Parent- formed ACE into a global third party tenant. Spiewak also shifted hood of the Pacific South- leader in fitness certifica- the nonprofit’s fundraising strategy from west (PPPSW), the orga- tion and continuing education. It is now hosting in-house events to having third Lisa Cohen nization has consistently grown in its the world’s largest not-for-profit fitness parties host and execute events, saving CEO staff time and widening fundraising op- Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce ability to provide health services and edu- and health certification organization with Chula Vista Convention & Visitors Bureau cation to the community. The year 2012 more than 53,000 certified professionals portunities. Spiewak serves on the United www.chulavistachamber.org & was the agency’s most successful, pro- worldwide. As a self-funded nonprofit, Way Education Advisory Committee www.chulavistaconvis.com viding 304,690 patient visits to women the development of new products and and is chair of the Education Leadership and men who might not otherwise have programs has been crucial to its success Team of Women Give, San Diego. She is As CEO of the Chula access to care. Since DiGiorgio Johnson and 2012 marked ACE’s 14th consecutive also a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Sec- Vista Chamber of Com- began, PPPSW has seen a 39 percent year of growth. At ACE, Goudeseune and tor Skills Academy. merce and Chula Vista increase in patient visits, including life- employees launched a new internal well- Convention and Visitors saving cervical cancer screenings, breast ness model that includes recess breaks for Bureau, Lisa Cohen helps to Teresa Stivers cancer screening, contraception, STD physical activity, standing desks for all Executive Director put Chula Vista on the map. testing and treatment, and more. In 2012, employees who choose one, organized fit- Walden Family Services She successfully advocated before the DiGiorgio Johnson was a national leader ness training events, community race par- www.waldenfamily.org California Public Utilities Commission in in the effort to protect Title X, the fed- ticipation, and company-supported chari- 2005 saving money for San Diegans and 2012 was a banner year eral family planning program. 2012 was table giving and volunteerism. Outside of for Walden Family Servic- in 2010, Cohen started a signature event a financial turnaround year for PPPSW. ACE, Goudeseune also is active. In 2012, in Chula Vista, the Parade Band Review es, and Teresa Stivers, its DiGiorgio Johnson made tough decisions he was elected board president of the Na- executive director, helped and Festival. This event now includes 30 about how to run the organization and, as tional Coalition for Promoting Physical marching bands, a tribute to veterans, and make that happen, achiev- a result, PPPSW doubled its productiv- Activity. He reenergized the organization ing a turnaround from the grants and scholarship opportunities for ity, and increased patient and staff satis- bringing like-minded organizations to- instrumental music programs for school- financial crisis it was in before she as- faction. Under her leadership, the agency gether to support public policy that en- sumed leadership in 2010. The nonprofit children. The Chamber and Conven- introduced the Planned Parenthood Ex- courages and incentivizes the adoption of tion and Visitors Bureau became one of foster care and adoption agency aided 600 perience, a customer service initiative healthy lifestyle behaviors that increase youth, many with developmental disabili- Chula Vista’s first “clean” businesses and which aims to provide excellent care not productivity and quality of life while also subsequently helped more than 100 busi- ties and special health care needs. Stivers only for patients, but for staff as well. As reducing health care costs. exceeded her fundraising goals resulting nesses become “clean” in less than one a result, staff satisfaction has never been year—helping them save on energy costs. in 89 percent of every dollar raised be- higher. DiGiorgio Johnson has introduced Laura Mustari ing spent directly on serving foster and Chula Vista’s Chamber and Convention several measures to gauge staff satisfac- and Visitors Bureau worked with other Chief Executive Officer adoptive families while also lowering tion, including quarterly “pulse checks,” Home Start, Inc. groups to gain the 2012 California Coast- overhead. Walden opened satellite of- which have shown that her leadership has www.home-start.org al Commission’s unanimous approval of fices in Riverside and San Fernando Val- resulted in a positive work environment During the past six years ley for foster youth who aged out of the the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, a with high employee satisfaction. 556-acre waterfront site that will balance as CEO of Home Start, Inc., system but still need assistance. Walden’s economic drivers, public access, and the Laura Mustari transformed program of housing, consulting, and protection of natural resources. Cindy Gompper-Graves the financial picture of the life skills training is the first licensed in President & CEO nonprofit from one relying Southern California. Stivers has created a South County Economic Development on a line of credit to having work environment where employees gain Matt D’Arrigo Council a fund balance of more than $2 million a deep personal satisfaction from their re- Founder and CEO www.southcountyedc.com ARTS | A Reason To Survive and an endowment of $1 million. At sponsibilities and are inspired and excited www.areasontosurvive.org Advancing South Coun- Home Start, Mustari founded transitional to come to work and perform well every ty’s economy is Cindy living programs for older homeless day—quite an accomplishment where em- After a troubled past Gompper-Graves’ mission youth (aged 18-24) who are pregnant or ployees hear daily stories of heartbreak- marked by alcohol and drug as president and CEO of parenting. Mustari has garnered many ing child neglect and abuse. abuse and the trauma of his South County Economic awards over the years, including from the mother and sister being di- Development Council. Dur- city, the California State Assembly, and agnosed with cancer, Matt ing the past 10 years, she helped grow the YMCA. She also has transformed the D’Arrigo turned to paint- its financial and membership base and is workplace, turning it into a caring and ing as a refuge. As founder and CEO of credited with securing and retaining sev- respectful environment. As a nonprofit ARTS (A Reason To Survive), D’Arrigo eral of South County’s largest employ- leader, she believes in giving back with continued on page A24 Page A24 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A 23 2013 Finalist Profiles

Tonya Torosian by 250 percent, annual membership by Linde Hotchkiss Darren Solomon Chief Executive Officer 400 percent, and built San Diego’s first Managing Partner CEO, Co-founder Promises2Kids sustainable seafood initiative, including Willis Kid Ventures www.promises2kids.org the annual Sustainable Seafood Week www.willis.com www.kidventuresplay.com Promises2Kids’ Execu- and Sustainable Seafood Gala. Valencia Linde Hotchkiss is re- Darren Solomon doesn’t tive Director, Tanya To- has been instrumental in creating pro- sponsible for developing just tell his team of employ- rosian, has a passion for grams that inspire and motivate com- and implementing growth ees at Kid Ventures what he helping foster children. munity members to take an active role strategies, heightening cli- expects from them, he goes Torosian expanded the in helping the environment, drawing in ent service and retention, the extra mile to lead by ex- nonprofit’s Guardian Schol- 7,500 volunteers annually. Valencia’s ap- recruiting new talent into ample. He doesn’t run his ars program by 30 percent so now 50 proach includes building lasting connec- the organization, and staff development company behind a desk or through email, former foster youth receive scholarships tions to support programs for the long at Willis. This is an integral part of the but he is always working directly with for college. Torosian also launched a Ju- haul, leveraging marketing endeavors in company’s strategy to drive business re- staff and clients to ensure their mission nior Guardian Scholars program where return for financial support, and having sults while serving the San Diego busi- of bringing fun, educational, interactive participating foster youth in high school fee-based programing that cover costs. ness community in dynamic and innova- programs to growing kids. His company receive mentoring and SAT preparation, Valencia also finds time to volunteer with tive ways. Before she joined the San Diego has boomed in the last few years, while and attend college planning, financial aid, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and operations, the office experienced five many competitors in the family entertain- and college application workshops. Prom- California Women Lead. consecutive years of shrinking results ment industry have gone under. Commu- ises2Kids also pairs foster youth with UC and high client and associate turnover. nity involvement is extremely important San Diego students for “STEAM” (Sci- Public Company Category Hotchkiss quickly identified the need for to Solomon and the vision he has for the ence, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Farzin Alavi change management, and structured and growth of Kid Ventures. In 2012, he Math) tutoring better preparing them CEO implemented a culture of collaboration, and his wife launched a new division of for college and the job market. Another Laptops Plus accountability and focus on clients. As a Kid Ventures, dedicated solely to charity recent highlight for the organization, www.laptopspluswest.com direct result, the office financial results work. Kid Ventures has volunteered time the June 2013 fundraising concert gala, are now telling the story of a successful and resources to support the National Ar- “Dream On,” netted more than $500,000. Coming into a new busi- turn-around, showing that the budgeted thritis Foundation, Rady Children’s Hos- Torosian fosters a team environment ness can be a challenge, but 7 percent growth target will be exceeded pital, The Rivers of Hope Foundation, where she wants everyone to be proud since Farzin Alavi has taken for 2013. Hotchkiss’ greatest strength Promises2Kids, Angels Foster Family of the work they do and feel rewarded. over ownership of Laptops is her ability to forge relationships and Network, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Torosian helps other fundraising profes- Plus, he has helped each inspire those around her to collaborate sionals as well. She currently serves as store to learn new tricks and leverage strengths to the greatest and tips to ensure a faster turnaround John Sommatino the president of the San Diego Chapter outcome. She has been in the insurance CEO of the Association of Fundraising Pro- time for computer repair. He also has pro- industry for 24 years having worked for Wombo Inc. fessionals. moted the company in new ways to in- Marsh & McLennan (and acquired com- www.wombo.com crease Laptops Plus’ visibility. Alavi has panies) for more than 20 years and now revamped the look of each of the stores, John Sommatino is al- Wendy Urushima-Conn Willis for four years. Her leadership, fi- ways branching out to remodeling to better show products. He nancial, operational and growth accom- President & CEO is a community supporter and regularly new sources of business Asian Business Association of San Diego plishments were recognized in 2011 as gives away computers and computer ac- relations, maintaining two www.abasd.org she was the second woman in the U.S. to companies and keeping rev- cessories to local schools. He also gives be appointed to the position of “Manag- Thanks to Wendy Uru- enue high in both. In 2012, discounted repair to seniors and military ing Partner” for Willis. shima-Conn, the Asian Busi- as well as free pickup and delivery of Sommatino acquired Nike as a major cli- ness Association (ABA) of computers for repair for seniors. ent. He maintained all of the IT equip- San Diego’s profile is rising. Chris Shimojima ment for the Nike Women’s Marathon, CEO In the fiscal year 2012-2013, Greg Garrabrants including building a complex networking Provide Commerce bridge for internet access, with towers as ABA’s president & CEO, President & Chief Executive Officer www.providecommerce.com she earned an array of accolades, includ- BofI Federal Bank placed strategically to amplify the best ing 2013 Most Powerful and Influential www.bofifederalbank.com In 2012 Chris Shimo- signals. He also set up and maintained Women in California by the National Di- jima became Provide Com- more than 50 check-in stations for the Prior to Gregory Garra- versity Council, Entrepreneur of the Year merce’s first new CEO in 13 marathon runners. He also offers his ser- brants’ arrival, BofI Federal by Asia Media, Women Who Move the years. One of his first pri- vices free and or discounted to confer- Bank earned approximately City by “San Diego Magazine,” and 2012 orities was to work with the ences for nonprofit organizations hosting a 3 percent return on equity Women Who Mean Business by “San Di- senior leadership team to conventions for causes such as teen drug and was not ranked in the ego Business Journal.” In her three years develop a new mission, vision and values abuse assistance. top 2,000 highest perform- at ABA, she increased corporate member- for the company. This was a critical step ing banks in the country. Under his guid- ships, sponsors, and event revenue and that helped define Provide’s priorities and ance, the institution has routinely been Stuart Tanz partnered with the California Asian Pa- direction. He takes a very proactive ap- CEO ranked in the top five highest perform- cific Chamber of Commerce to co-host proach to enhancing the workplace en- ROIC ing financial institutions in the country the 2nd Annual California Asian Business vironment and his relationships with his www.roireit.net and now employs more than 400 people Summit. Urushima-Conn’s energetic atti- employees and each month meets with a in San Diego and another 30 around the During 2012 as CEO tude and passion motivate others at work, group of 10 to 12 employees from across country. None of the varied business that Stuart Tanz led Retail as well as where she volunteers, including the company for a CEO breakfast. During the Bank is currently involved in existed Opportunity Investments The San Diego Foundation’s Scholarship the “peak weeks” that include Valentine’s before Garrabrants joined the organi- Corporation (ROIC) in its Committee, The Jenna Druck Founda- Day and Mother’s Day—key holidays for zation. He oversaw the growth of the third consecutive year (since tion, and The San Diego Public Library floral and gifting brands—Shimojima single family and multi-family lending commencing operations as Foundation. goes out of his way to support employ- businesses, the C&I lending business, the a shopping center real estate investment ees and keep morale high, sponsoring cof- trust) in achieving record growth and business banking group, and the specialty fee truck events, chair massage days, and John Valencia finance group. For the fifth year in a row, performance. The office relocated its CEO treats for employees throughout the week. corporate headquarters from New York the bank’s 2013 financial performance, His oversight and employee support has San Diego Oceans Foundation growth, and asset quality earned BofI a to San Diego, hiring 30 employees to date www.sdof.org paid off with its well-known online floral from the San Diego workforce. For more top three finish in SNL Financial’s rank- company, ProFlowers, being recognized San Diego Oceans Foun- than 13 years as CEO of two San Diego- ing of the nation’s best performing large for achieving the highest ranking for cus- dation’s CEO John Valencia based public companies, Tanz has strived thrifts. Garrabrants also is active in the tomer satisfaction as J.D. Power and As- has weathered the changing to maintain a positive and desirable work community, coaching youth soccer. He sociates Online Flower Retailer Satisfac- tides of nonprofits. His ef- environment through team emphasis has brought bank employees volunteer tion Report. Shimojima also champions forts were instrumental in including all-staff/all-hands meetings, opportunities joining with Habitat for philanthropic efforts on supporting the the organization’s recogni- regular staff evaluations and fun events Humanity and Rady Children’s Hospital. military, women, critical care children, tion by President Obama’s administration from birthday celebrations to out-of-office education, and employee causes. Provide for creating collaborative efforts to find retreats and take your pet to work days. Commerce received Komen San Diego’s solutions for environmental challenges Under Tanz’s leadership, ROIC achieved First “Million Dollar Council” Member (the top honor in environmental nonprof- record financial growth during 2012, and the Suzie Award in April 2013. its). Valencia has increased volunteerism continued on page A25 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A25

continued from page A24 2013 Finalist Profiles

a total revenue growth of 45 percent like a vending machine and are stocked Lee Goodman Ross Jurewitz and operating income growth by 133 with fresh, pre-portioned meals. FITzee President & CEO Personal Injury Attorney percent—new record highs. As a member Foods team holds the annual “Live Well Jerome’s Furniture Jurewitz Law Group of the San Diego community for the past Project” event each year—a free event for www.jeromes.com www.jurewitz.com 40 years, Tanz has been actively involved girls ages 12 to 19 and is an inspirational Jerome’s is one of San Ross Jurewitz prioritizes with many organizations, including day of fun and fitness. Diego’s famed family owned community action as well as serving on the board of Sanford-Burnham and operated businesses. a successful law practice. In Medical Research Institute. Family Owned Category Under Lee Goodman’s only two weeks, he gathered Gregg Cantor guidance, the “family” has a “Jurewitz Law Group” Michelle Weinstein President/CEO continued to grow and en- race team of more than 50 CEO/President Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel compasses the entire organization. As participants to participate in the Race for FITzee Foods www.murraylampert.com president and CEO, Goodman creates an the Cure: San Diego 5k, raising more than www.fitzeefoods.com environment of excellence. He has cre- $3,000. He led the entire office be a part Gregg Cantor has sus- Michelle Weinstein is a ated of culture of execution and believes of the 5th Annual Walk for Thought to tained Murray Lampert De- everyone can and should grow every day, support the Brain Injury Association of driven successful woman, sign through a challenging who is constantly elevat- and provides the resources, training, and California, and led his staff on a Surfrider economy and a highly com- incentives to make it happen. He estab- Foundation Beach Cleanup. Jurewitz has ing those around her. Not petitive remodeling environ- only has she started her lished a 401k savings program for employ- been featured in “Newsweek” magazine’s ment. He has kept the busi- ees and has created a wellness program. “2012 Leaders in Auto Accident Law own successful company, ness in the public eye as a regular expert FITzee Foods, she also founded a San Goodman’s oversight also has resulted in Showcase.” Internally, he has helped the on the 600 KOGO Home Improvement steady growth for the San Diego institu- office become much better at tracking Diego nonprofit organization called The show and always stays on the cutting edge Live Well Project. The Project’s focus tion bringing innovations not seen in the incoming traffic and is currently putting of electronic media through website, so- retail and furniture business including more focus on testimonials to improve the is to help at-risk teenage girls, many of cial and digital media. Under Cantor’s who have gone through the foster system, their “No Sales” policy. Jerome’s hasn’t firm’s website. guidance the company has been named had a “Sale” since 2007 but maintains a homelessness and other tribulations. The KUDZU Small Business of the Month company has grown steadily with FITzee thriving business with consistent pricing. Keith Michael and ranked number 126 nationally in Re- In today’s world many consumers want Foods’ online store grossing $14,000 on modeling Magazine. In the community CEO instant gratification. Goodman instituted GTC Systems, Inc. average per month and is an avenue for Cantor has partnered with Make-A-Wish consumers nationwide to enjoy fresh, the popular “same day” furniture delivery www.gtcsystems.com Foundation and is the executive director, giving customers the ability to receive an nutritious meals delivered right to their GTC Systems was cre- board member and sponsor of BBB San entire house full of furniture the same doorstep. FITzee Foods’ FITzee Bars are ated from the ground up Diego. day it is purchased. This is faster than in retail stores across Southern Califor- to be different, embracing FedEx, with much larger packages. nia. FITzee Foods’ 10 “healthy vending the idea of servant leader- kiosks” in Southern California Scripps ship—a process to empower Hospital & Clinic locations gross $43,000 leaders to value and improve on average per month. These kiosks look continued on page A26

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1165352_10735 9.85x6.625 4c.indd 1 12/10/13 10:00 AM Page A26 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A25 2013 Finalist Profiles the lives of their employees, vendors and Brian Arrington a nationally distributed product. By hon- Chad Buckmaster clients. GTC has been building and ser- Founding Partner, CEO ing in on what is important to take the CEO vicing public and private clouds since Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty business to the next level and put all ProcessingPoint, Inc. 1995. As CEO, Keith Michaels encourag- www.pacificsothebysrealty.com the teams’ efforts into national grocery www.processingpoint.com es, teaches and mentors each of his sales As founding partner and chains, Bergman has established the com- In the past year, under people without getting in their way. He CEO of Pacific Sotherby’s pany as a major player in the field. Berg- Chad Buckmaster’s direc- has a proven track record in sales, dating International Realty, Brian man is instrumental in all aspects of the tion, ProcessingPoint has back to the late 80’s. Over the past decade, Arrington heads one of San company from conception to distribution been featured in major pub- Michaels has been the driver behind the Diego’s fastest growing real and oversees all aspects of the process lications such as Workforce exploration of new markets and services estate companies. Arrington personally. In the community, Bergman Magazine, Entreprenuer. for the company. He has encouraged the has implemented key local, national and works closely with the Rancho Santa Fe com and Inc.com. With a keen under- GTC Team to work together to support international marketing programs to in- Community Center, Voices for Children, standing of the cloud community, he community events such as winning the crease awareness of the firm’s brand in and Rancho Santa Fe Education Founda- knows what it takes to stay competitive “Finest City Food Fight” to raise funds San Diego and negotiated strong part- tion. He is also an avid aviator. and stress innovation that includes the for the nonprofit Feeding America. nerships to bring industry leaders to the company’s mobile application to its bio- company, hired key management person- Gabriel Bristol metric time clocks and credit merchant Ryan Shortill nel and support staff for the agents. Ad- CEO franchise. From supportive words to free Founder ditionally, he has created cross-platform Desert Call Connection daily lunches, he understands the impor- Positive Adventures, LLC marketing opportunities allowing stra- www.desertcallconnection.com tance of employee relations. Taking a www.positiveadventures.com tegic partnerships to develop within San When Gabriel Bristol few cues from Google’s corporate office, Ryan Shortill has named Diego and overseas in China and Mexico. first came to the call cen- he has made a game and arcade room for community involvement Arrington is a firm believer in the power ter that is now Desert Call employee breaks, and has built creative and philanthropic contri- of technology and the benefits that it of- Connection (DCC) it was and fun work spaces. To date, through butions as fundamental pil- fers in the real estate industry. Pacific So- just a handful of employ- ProcessingPoint, Inc. Buckmaster has lars of Positive Adventures. theby’s International Realty’s 2012/2013 ees making calls from an donated more than $30,000 to local and The organization would not presentation and marketing program, en- auto body shop. In 2012, Bristol opened national charities. This past summer exist without his dedication and drive. titled “Anthology” is a web-based, tablet- a second location here in San Diego from Buckmaster chose to be the key sponsor Shorthill has chosen to work with orga- based program. This is a new innovation its original Las Vegas office which now of the Diablo Golf Classic which helped nizations and youth to develop in them a in what has traditionally been a paper- serves as the company headquarters. He raise more than $8,500 for the nonprofit passion to energize themselves physically, based industry. created a flexible corporate culture to Positudes. mentally and spiritually. In hiring staff to Arrington and his family are active ensure employee retention and satisfac- work with the various youth organization in many of San Diego’s nonprofit insti- tion. DCC’s employee-centric policies are Stephanie Burns clients, he is meticulously careful to hire tutions and he most recently became in- unheard of in the customer service and CEO those that are not only highly qualified volved in supporting SEAL-NSW Fam- call center industry. DCC is a child and Chic CEO but also a good “cultural fit”. Shortill’s ily Foundation that raises awareness and pet friendly workplace, the company has www.chic-ceo.com support of community efforts can be seen funds these military families on a local, a “fun committee” and holds weekly em- After Stephanie Burns in his organizing such things as drum- national and global scale. ployee appreciation events. There is also was laid off from a high ming with the local youth from ARTS (A an employee fitness program. Bristol has profile job in the corporate Reason to Survive) on his birthday every Eric Basu first-hand experience working full-time world, she decided it was year. CEO while caring for his two children and he time to start her own com- Sentek Global knows how difficult it is. He is a self-made pany and has not given up Privately Held Category www.sentekglobal.com entrepreneur with an insightful, forward since. She has guided that company, Chic Sentek Global is thriving thinking approach that results in cus- CEO, to be named in the Top 10 Best Web- Jenny Amaraneni tomer service excellence. DCC continues CEO/Co-founder because of CEO Eric Basu’s sites for Millennial Women. Burns always ability to offer a wide range to grow year after year and has increased tries to provide the latest resources and SOLO Eyewear net profitability by $3.6 million for calen- www.soloeyewear.com of solutions for technology information to women who also want to services for federal, state and dar year 2013. Bristol built and maintains start their own business. She encourages In 2009, Jenny Ama- local government support, a strong and supportive company cul- her employees to grow professionally as raneni took a leap of faith as well as management consulting. The ture. He has been a long-time supporter well as academically. She has been named and moved from Louisiana company has doubled its workforce in of Habitat for Humanity and the Human as one of the Women Entrepreneurs by and the campus of LSU to just over a year thanks to securing long- Rights Campaign Fund. forbes.com and is a contributing writer San Diego with no connec- term government contracts including for “Forbes Women.” tions or support network. most recently Sentek Global’s Advanced Bobbye Brooks But her vision to launch a company that Defense Information Assurance Certifi- President/CEO would give back to the global community Andrew Canter cation and Accreditation Process (DIA- Media 4 Women Enterprises, Inc. CEO was unwavering. At 26, Amaraneni, along CAP) validator training. The five-day, www.Media4Women.com Canter Companies with business partner Dana Holliday, intensive, hands-on technical workshop Bobbye Brooks speaks www.cantercompanies.com started SOLO Eyewear with little capi- teaches Department of Defense (DoD) and teaches women through- tal and resources, producing handcrafted When recent SDSU and Defense contractors the basic prin- out San Diego County, help- sunglasses made with recycled bamboo grad Andrew Canter estab- ciples for accomplishing the certification ing them start their own with each pair purchased funding eye care lished Canter Companies in and accreditation process for DoD infor- businesses, through her for people in need. The concept was de- 2006, it began as a boutique mation systems. Basu has been named one company, Media 4 Women. veloped in a classroom at San Diego State real estate firm. Seven years of five Entrepreneur of the Year finalists She founded Media 4 Women Enterprises University where Amaraneni was enrolled later, under Andrew’s care- for “Entrepreneur” magazine. He person- at the height of the recession in 2009 in the MBA Program. While completing ful leadership, the company has become ally knows the struggles of transitioning and it grew from $50,000 to more than an international entrepreneurship course a vertically integrated investment firm from active military to civilian life and $200,000 in the first year. Brooks has a she discovered there was a great need for which handles everything from develop- is looking to develop a program to train passion for technology innovation in the eye care around the world. Amaraneni, ment, portfolio and capital management, wounded warriors in the science of cyber areas of marketing and media. She also who has poor vision herself, encountered brokerage as well as private equity stakes security. co-founded one of the largest nonprofit two startling statistics: approximately 1 in a variety of sectors. In his capacity as Christian women’s groups in San Diego billion people do not have access to eye president and CEO of the organization, and has hosted an annual women’s con- care and nearly 80 percent of the world’s Darian Bregman Cantor always strives to give back to San CEO ference for nine years with an average of blindness is preventable. Since the com- Diego. When Canter Companies acquired Vuka EnergyDrink 1000 women in attendance. Brooks part- pany’ launch in 2011, funds have helped three homes in Little Italy designated to www.vuka.co ners with several San Diego nonprofits restored vision for 6,500+ people in need be the future location of a development including the San Diego Rescue Mission across 19 countries. It’s hard to find shelf project, he invited the San Diego Fire De- space in the competitive and Solutions for Change. She has writ- partment to use those homes as a practice business of sports bever- ten books, articles, blogs and co-hosts a environment for training purposes. ages, but Darian Bregman Sunday morning radio show designed to has created a product and encourage and inspire women in dealing a successful marketing plan with life’s issues. that has grown Vuka Energy Drink into continued on page A27 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A27 continued from page A26 2013 Finalist Pro les

Eric Casazza Martin Cassell Gina Champion-Cain Daniel Chang CEO CEO & Chief Investment Officer Owner CEO / President FMT Consultants Chandler Asset Management American National Investments/Luv Surf AEM (Holdings), Inc., AEM Electronics www.fmtconsultants.com www.chandlerasset.com San Diego (USA), Inc., AEM Components Co. Ltd. www.luv-surf.com Eric Casazza took on a Since 2008, when Martin www.aem-usa.com; www.aemcomponents.com challenge when he became Cassell took over as CEO Long standing San Di- Daniel Chang grew up CEO of FMT Consultants. of Chandler Asset Manage- ego real estate developer in China during the Cul- In a short time he stabilized ment, revenues and assets Gina Champion-Cain has tural Revolution and was and returned the company have doubled, allowing the been predominantly known among the first foreign stu- to profitability and a rev- firm to add team members, for her contributions to dents who came to study enue growth of 25 percent year over new resources and expanded services San Diego’s Downtown in the US in 1980’s. Chang year. As result of this growth, FMT won to clients. Cassell himself designed and Gaslamp Quarter for the past 30 years, but founded American Electronic Materials, Microsoft’s President Award for 2012. As implemented the primary quantitative she is now dedicating her passion for real Inc. (AEM, Inc.) in San Diego in 1986 part of Casazza’s vision, FMT has ex- process that Chandler employs in portfo- estate, San Diego and pets with a premier to redefine the standards of quality and panded its IT offerings in both products lio management, and has made sure that destination restaurant. Champion-Cain is value in the electronic components indus- and services. In early 2012, FMT began team members have state-of-the-art tools, the owner of Luv Surf, a cross-market, try with its leading edge technologies. offering managed IT services, also sign- including web-based trading platforms, pet-friendly tourism and hospitality brand. The company grew rapidly and was listed ing a partnership with Dell Computers, instantaneous data feeds and analytic pro- It has become a great success. She was re- three times on the Inc. 500 list of “Amer- which allows customers to take advantage grams Cassell also has developed a pro- cently highlighted by San Diego Woman ica’s Fastest-Growing Private Compa- of FMT’s system knowledge and volume gram for Chandler team members to sup- Magazine, along with longtime friend In- nies.” For its outstanding achievement, pricing, and ultimately allows FMT to port charities that are close to their hearts. grid Croce and honored as one of “two Daniel Chang received a presidential provide better service. Casazza is com- He introduced a program for the firm to women of distinction for 2013” by the commendation letter from then President mitted to community efforts and serves match a percentage of charitable contri- magazine. Coined the “first ladies of the Bill Clinton. AEM now holds a dominant on the board of Father Joe’s Villages and butions made by employees. In 2013, em- Gaslamp,” the story tells of their amazing position in the circuit protection market serves as the president of the San Diego ployee and firm gifts supported, among accomplishments to transform the once in the aerospace industry. Chang and his International Association of Microsoft others, The Burned Children Foundation, beleaguered Gaslamp Quarter into its cur- R&D team successfully commercialized Channel Partners. He also spends time Charcot-Marie Tooth Association, The rent vibrant and highly successful destina- an invention of Multilayer Ceramic Ca- and resources supporting other worthy Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and tion. Champion-Cain is an active member pacitors with base metal electrode and causes including Big Brothers Big Sis- the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. of numerous professional and community termination materials and turned it into ters, Junior Achievement, and the Chal- organizations, serving as the board direc- mass production. This technology break- lenged Athletes Foundation. tor for the YMCA and American Lung As- through was voted in 1998 by the “Ce- sociation among others. Additionally, she ramic Industry” magazine as one of the previously sat on the City of San Diego’s greatest milestones in the past 100 years Redevelopment Agency Board and Centre in the Electrical and Electronic Ceramics City Development Corporation’s (CCDC) industry. board of directors. continued on page A28

Congratulations To Grace Cherashore Winner for Most Admired CEO Award

WWW.EVANSHOTELS.COM | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Page A28 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A27 2013 Finalist Pro les

Jeff Church and doing business with high profile com- that pairs teachers with students and the rearranged the office to create a more CEO & Co-founder panies all around the United States. In organization has grown to global propor- collaborative environment. Additionally, Suja Juice Co. 2003, Conde has started her own 501(c)3 tions. Under his guidance, the company he has instituted a daily huddle, allowing www.sujajuice.com nonprofit, Forgotten Victims, to provide not only grew its core music lesson rev- staff to share their successes and chal- Since its 2012 launch, a platform for those who have been the enue, but also expanded into two new lenges openly, offering praise and support innovation has been the key cause of vehicular accidents (where no verticals this year—performing arts and in a team atmosphere. foundation of Suja Juice drugs or alcohol were involved) and there tutoring. Its student and teacher base has Company’s tremendous suc- were catastrophic injuries or death. grown tremendously, which in turn has Melinda Dicharry cess. CEO and Co-founder increased the number of lessons and abil- CEO Jeff Church has been at the Joseph Condurso ity to cross-sell verticals. The launch of Paradigm Mechanical Corp. forefront of this, leading a groundbreak- President & Chief Executive Officer an open toolset and new website design www.pmccontracting.com ing launch of an exclusive line at Whole PatientSafe Solutions has been a success for the company as it Melinda Dicharry Foods Market and building two in-house www.patientsafesolutions.com allows users greater independence to ac- launched Paradigm Me- production facilitates on each coast, to- Joseph Condurso was ap- cess information and track lessons within chanical Corp. in 2010. She taling 46,000 combined square feet. pointed president and CEO their own accounts. Cox is involved with is the founder as well as CEO With the launch of Suja’s new line, Suja of PatientSafe in April 2012. all aspects of the business and is truly and president of the HVAC Elements, each flavor is tied to a cause. The San Diego-based health passionate about its success. He also has mechanical company cur- Twenty cents of each bottle purchased is IT company is on the cut- been part of hiring key positions with rently based in Lemon Grove. Paradigm donated to a select charity with the goal ting edge of converging creative, experienced, great leaders that specializes in working with project teams of Suja donating $1 million collectively. consumer mobile technologies and enter- have supported his ideas and have brought to design and build mechanical systems prise clinical systems. Its flagship product the company to where it is today. They for medical, laboratory, government, and Dr. Ann Clark PatientTouch, released in March 2012, is have worked alongside Cox to develop an industrial facilities in the Southern Cali- CEO & Founder an iPod Touch- and iPhone-based platform online presence by entering into a video fornia region. As a Certified Construction ACI Specialty Benefits that enables doctors and nurses to access/ platform partnership, thus expanding the Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP), www.acieap.com edit patient data. The technology is now TakeLessons name, and becoming part of she has led Paradigm Mechanical Corp. to a cutting edge arena. Dr. Ann Clark has over- implemented at 70 hospitals nationally. achieve 1990 percent growth over its first come incredible odds to build The company was ranked No. 2 in the Wall three years in business. Dicharry guided America’s first specialty Street Journal’s Top 10 Venture-Backed Charles Curbbun Paradigm Mechanical Corp. through the benefits corporation. ACI Healthcare Companies in November 2012, Chief tedious and comprehensive submission and was also rated by Forbes as one of the DDSTUDIO process of becoming certified by the U.S. Specialty Benefits, from the www.ddstudio.com ground up. She is truly hit- top three technology companies to watch Small Business Administration as a par- ting her stride as a 70+ “never-tiree” in in 2013. In addition to guiding the success Charles Curbbun’s drive ticipant in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Devel- 2013. This year alone, Clark celebrates the of PatientSafe, Condurso is a volunteer to mold complex concepts opment Program. She is a supporter of a company’s 30th anniversary and her per- guest lecturer at the University of Cali- into simple, efficient, and fun number of community efforts including sonal 30th anniversary of sobriety marked fornia, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. to use products is shared by the Boys and Girls Clubs of East San by a book release, “Women & Recovery: He also has organized a philanthropy pro- his employees at DDSTU- Diego, City of Hope and Make-a-Wish Sex, Sobriety & Stepping Up.” Clark con- gram in which PatientSafe employees vol- DIO. His strategic direction Foundation. Dicharry currently serves tinually has led ACI Specialty Benefits into unteer at the San Diego Food Bank with has driven the growth of DDSTUDIO as the 2013-2014 president-elect of the the nation’s top ten rankings of the largest Feeding America. and positioned the company as a leader in National Association of Women in Con- EAP provider and expanded the company its category. The agency’s business is in- struction (NAWIC), San Diego Chapter. to include a full spectrum of specialty ben- BJ Cook novation, and Curbbun is both inspirational With NAWIC she heads up the Block efit services including wellness, concierge, CEO & Co-founder leader and design principal. The turnover Kids Committee—an event for elemen- and student assistance. She also has tackled Digital Operative at DDSTUDIO is next to zero, because of tary school children in which they build major community and national challenges www.digitaloperative.com its team-oriented atmosphere. DDSTU- with Lego-type building blocks, foil, including launching ACI’s Veteran Assis- BJ Cook is always look- DIO also promotes a culture of being pres- string and rocks. tance Module in November 2012 to provide ing for ways to take Digital ent and active in the community. Curbbun’s specialized assistance to veteran employees, Operative to the next level main focus in giving back to the commu- Ozzie Divinere students and military family members. Un- by continuously looking to nity is through the education of design President, CEO der her guidance, ACI has received many ac- build relationships and re- students. He guides future generations of ForwardMetrics knowledgements including the recent 2013 searching new platforms. In design thinkers by teaching and lecturing www.forwardmetrics.com Hot List for EAPs by Workforce Magazine. order to stay ahead of and always be in at SDSU, UC San Diego, CSU-Long Beach, Ozzie Divinere is the Clark also is the creator of the popular “Get the know about applications that potential UCLA, and UC-Irvine. He values the peo- heart and soul of Forward- Fit Cell Phone Diet,” which came long be- clients may want to use, he has pushed to ple that sustain this community and 20 per- Metrics. As president and fore modern smartphone apps as she has make the firm a Magento Silver Partner, cent of DDSTUDIO’s work is dedicated to CEO he secured the compa- always been enthusiastic about utilizing QR which has opened new opportunities for nonprofits and startups. ny’s second round of fund- Code, apps, and social media technology partnerships with new clients and in the ing with private investors, long before it became trendy. ACI’s social past year the company has tripled in size. David Davis acquiring $1 million to bring the invest- media practices have even helped one em- Along with looking for new avenues in President/CEO ment total to $1.75 million. His determi- ployee locate lost family members during which Digital Operative can compete and StarPoint Advantage, Inc. nation and drive creates an environment the Japanese tsunami in 2011. have success, Cook also instituted the “in- www.starpointadvantage.com that keeps employees engaged. Divinere cubeagency” internship program, which David Davis has guided is in the office every morning and engag- Karen Conde acts as an incubator for mentoring students the growth of StarPoint es with every employee as if they are a President & CEO looking to get an immersion in agency life Advantage to its success to- family and all employees see the respect Conde Group, Inc. and culture. The company motto is “Peo- day. He oversaw the acqui- he prioritizes for his staff. Divinere en- www.condegroup.com ple//Planet/Profit” and Cook encourages sition of IT company Balti courages community involvement and the At the entrance of that by having a volunteer day off bene- Group and successfully organization has teamed up with C2SDK Conde Group offices there fit, which seeks to promote philanthropy transitioned their customers to StarPoint (Computer 2 San Diego Kids) to assist in is a sign that reads “This is throughout the organization, by giving Advantage Suite—a comprehensive and acquiring the computer equipment the My Happy Place” and Kar- employees one day off a year to volunteer proactive IT Network management plat- organization needs. en Conde incorporates that at an organization of their choice. form. In 2011, he supervised the creation spirit in all she does. She of a new service called Star Essential that Laurie Edwards-Tate, MS started Conde Group more than 10 years Steven Cox provides clients a way to save money and President & CEO ago with the idea that she wanted to pro- CEO have more control over their IT spending At Your Home Familycare vide a “different and better experience” to Service Scout dba TakeLessons but guarantees them the reliability they www.atyourhomefamilycare.com clients in a very commoditized industry. www.takelessons.com demand from the IT services. Davis’s Since 1984, Laurie Ed- She realized that being all things to all A musician himself, Ste- drive for continual improvement makes wards-Tate has been the people was not a value to clients so she ven Cox saw how hard it StarPoint Advantage a challenging and president and founder of created a niche boutique staffing business was for those in the field rewarding place to work. The team envi- both a nonprofit and cur- that focused purely on project manage- to make a living, especially ronment that is fostered means that the rently for-profit premier ment resources. Within three months of those who teach. He found- staff is motivated. Davis developed and non-medical, home care starting the company, she was profitable ed TakeLessons, a service implemented a bonus system and even continued on page A29 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A29 continued from page A28 2013 Finalist Profiles aide organization, At Your Home Fami- with an innovative approach that uses big Sean Ferrel Annie Finch lycare. The firm provides concierge ser- data security anomalytics. A former CTO CEO Founder/CEO vices in the homes of seniors, disabled, of AT&T, Eslambolchi is recognized Managed Solution Katherine Cosmetics and children. Edwards-Tate has been an worldwide in the scientific community www.managedsolution.com www.katherinecosmetics.com active advocate on behalf of home care as one of the foremost thought leaders Working in the technol- Annie Finch successfully and small business. A member of the San and technological scientists and is well ogy industry isn’t easy. Ev- launched her new product Diego Regional Council for Quality Care known for his expertise in IP network ery single day a new prod- line almost single handedly. since 1990, she continues on the board as design and reliability, security, IP tech- uct or idea comes out and She not only runs a success- the Home Care Aide co-chair. Through nologies, services and IP applications. if you don’t stay on top of ful business, but also gives an Area Agency on Aging grant, she de- In 2012, Eslambolchi became inspired to the latest trends you’ll soon back to the community in veloped the On-Line Learning Academy, solve the rapidly growing issue of cyber be out of the game all together. Managed which she lives. She is a woman that ex- one of the first in the country, to provide security and revolutionize the industry Solution, under the direction of CEO udes drive and motivation. Finch started education and support benefitting profes- in the same way he did to telecommu- Sean Ferrel has continued to serve the opening boxes in the back of department sional and family caregivers. Edwards- nications. From this vision of a better San Diego community and support orga- stores at Macy’s for Estee Lauder. She Tate received the prestigious, 2012 way to protect intellectual property, his nizations in their IT needs for more than continued working hard until she even- “Woman in Business Award” from the new company, CyberFlow Analytics, was 11 years. He started the organization in tually ended up as the head of sales and San Diego North Chamber of Commerce born. Eslambolchi shared his vision with the garage in his house and has built it marketing for North America for Estee and was an honorary CEO Against MS investors from Toshiba and demonstrated to the size it is today by always continu- Lauder. Now the head of her own cos- for the fourth consecutive year. She also his revolutionary approach to solving the ally investing in the company. Not just his metic company, she continues to create was honored and featured in the National huge issue of cyber security, leading to time but financially as well. Though it is a her own path to success. She also sup- Association for Home Care and Hospice’s a $2 million strategic investment in Cy- company filled with engineers, tech gurus ports community efforts and was recent- “Caring Magazine.” berFlow Analytics and completing their and a geek or two, Ferrel has built Man- ly a sponsor of the 5th Annual Ladies seed round of funding. Eslambolchi is a aged Solution to function, act and work Luncheon to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Hossein Eslambolchi philanthropist as well as a businessman, together as a baseball team with a “team Foundation. CEO having recently won the Thomas Edison anthem” (what it means to work at Man- CyberFlow Analytics Patent award for his technology that al- aged Solution), a “game plan” (company Leslie Fishlock www.cyberflowanalytics.com lows individuals to donate to charities mission), and the “bottom of the 9th” CEO & Founder Statistics on cybercrime via text message. In 2010, Eslambolchi’s (core values). All of these were built by Geek Girl are frightening. Current technology inspired and encouraged the Ferrel to get all Managed Solution em- www.geekgirlcamp.com philanthropic community when individu- security solutions have al- ployees working together. Leslie Fishlock and Geek als donated more than $30 million to lowed 90 percent of or- Girl are all about educa- the Haiti Relief Fund via his text dona- ganizations to be compro- tion—empowering women tion technology in the wake of the Haiti mised with a growth of 700 in technology through edu- earthquake. percent in malware attacks. Dr. Hossein cation and training. There Eslambolchi, CEO of CyberFlow Analyt- is a definite shortage of ics, has created a solution to this problem continued on page A30 Page A30 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A29 2013 Finalist Pro les women leading companies in tech, but focuses his philanthropic contribution on budget and HR responsibilities. Goss came tire team, from the interns, support team, Fishlock is known throughout the indus- teen suicide prevention. to the United States from Switzerland on and marketing director to the CFO and try, and in startup and entrepreneurial a student visa, attending the University vice president of sales. In 2012, Helgeson circles as one of their biggest support- Raj Ganti of Albany. He had little money and after was nominated for the Top Tech Awards ers, as a volunteer, mentor and financial CEO graduating became a skydiving instructor in San Diego, acknowledged for develop- contributor. She is involved with Startup Spectracore Technologies Inc. in Wisconsin. At times he lived in a tent ing the first CRM integrated Predictive Weekend throughout the country, from www.spectracoretech.com adjacent to the runway. While working Analytics model. He is active in his com- Cape Cod to San Diego. She started Geek Raj Ganti is a serial as an instructor he developed his online munity individually and through the firm, Girl in 2006 when no one else understood entrepreneur and CEO of skills by purchasing internet ads for com- sponsoring a hockey team in Escondido that women and men learn technology tech startups in the broad- panies trying to draw traffic to their web- and providing free GreenRope accounts differently and it was all about education. band mobile software in- sites. Now established in the community, to local nonprofits including All About She attempted to rectify this by creating dustry. Spectracore Tech- Goss has become a very active member the Kids Foundation and Soldiers Who technology conferences across the coun- nologies Inc. was started in of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Salsa. try that were geared to women from eight February 2010 under Ganti’s leadership, Commerce and the San Diego Downtown to 88, and she runs the only conference developing “Mediabox”, a personalized Partnership. He is extremely motivated to Scott Herron where all the instructors are women. She media cloud providing profile-based con- make downtown San Diego the next giant CEO & Co-founder also has created a women in tech meet up tent storage and seamless playback over tech hub in California. MaintenanceNet, Inc. group in San Diego that now boasts al- multi-screens. MediaBox was selected as www.maintenancenet.com most 500 women who attend regularly. a finalist for the Most Innovative New Kai Hankinson In 2004, together with Product Awards in 2013. Ganti raised CEO co-founder Shayne Skaff, Brandon Fishman substantial capital to fuel the growth of QuestPoint, LLC Scott Herron took a gamble CEO the organization with new relationships www.questpoint.com to launch MaintenanceNet, Internet Marketing Inc. with banking institutions and angel in- Kai Hankinson became a high-tech startup compa- www.internetmarketinginc.com vestors. The company has helped mul- CEO of QuestPoint during ny focused on streamlining CEO’s have developed tiple clients in electronic manufacturing a very tumultuous time for and automating sales processes through unusual programs to reward to develop android-based smart phones the company. The organiza- the use of data-driven, cloud-based prac- and motivate their staff, but and tablet PC’s. Ganti leads his company tion had just had a massive tices. Almost immediately, the gamble Brandon Fishman found in conducting food drives during holiday 60 percent layoff. Under his paid off. Herron’s concept was to create a unique approach, taking season for the San Diego Food Bank. He direction, in less than three months the a work environment with all the fast pace his entire company to see also is heavily involved in a foundation salary freeze was lifted and in just 10 and innovation that a successful software “The Price is Right” show. Ice skating that provides schooling, education mate- months QuestPoint reached a major mile- startup needs, but with a San Diego vibe trips, trampoline park trips, and company rials, and after-school tuition programs stone, achieving its highest revenue in that entails a healthy life balance. At his BBQs are also part of the perks working to about 200 well deserving, but impover- one month in the history of the company. urging, the Carlsbad headquarters office for Internet Marketing Inc., along with ished children in southern India. Without Hankinson’s perseverance and was re-designed to encourage a more a comprehensive wellness plan and an leadership, the company may not have face-to-face collaborative environment. employee bonus compensation package. David Gilbert turned around at all, let alone so quickly. Financially, Herron has had a major role Fishman manages all aspects of the firm CEO Prior to becoming CEO, Hankinson was in MaintenanceNet’s year-over-year reve- and has personally obtained more than National Funding the organization’s CFO. While at the fi- nue growth of nearly 115 percent world- $4 million in new sales himself in the www.nationalfunding.com nancial helm, his deep understanding of wide along with a 60 percent increase in past year. He has brought on new analyt- David Gilbert is the CEO the financial workings of the industry staff in 2012. He played an instrumental ics technologies to the company. He also of privately held National helped stabilize the organization and en- leadership role in the initiatives behind has recruited and hired more than 20 new Funding, a San Diego-based abled the company to increase revenue MaintenanceNet earning more than a talented employees who are all experts in full service financial services 400 percent year over year for two con- dozen industry, local and regional awards their field to work. He encourages com- company for small to medi- secutive years. in 2012 and 2013. munity involvement and the company um-sized businesses nation- has volunteered for the San Diego Food wide. The company provides working Trevor Hansen Nigel Hook Bank with all employees helping to pack- capital loans, equipment leases, merchant CEO CEO & President age food. He also has offered free online cash advances and credit card processing. EPMG Dataskill, Inc. marketing work for the MS Society in It serves a wide diversity of businesses. www.epmg360.com www.dataskill.com San Diego, and a children’s foundation Under Gilbert’s leadership National With Trevor Hansen as It takes a special kind of in Jamaica. Fishman also donates time Funding made the Inc. 500|5000 list of CEO EPMG has carved a person to maintain a bal- and money to the Naval Special Warfare America’s Fastest Growing Private Com- specialized niche in the on- anced, positive work envi- Foundation. panies. It achieved its No. 3724 rank with line media world. EPMG ronment for a company’s a three-year sales growth of 78 percent. was awarded Portada’s Top staff, but Dataskill’s CEO Justin Fortier The company since has gone from 65 to Hispanic Digital Media Inno- Nigel Hook has found the CEO 97 employees in just seven months. In the vation award in October 2012 for creating a formula. Being a technology company FYC Labs area of community involvement, Gilbert robust online publisher group in less than means that each day the software and www.fyclabs.com was named to the board of trustees of a year. It launched LIONHEART Digital hardware that is used changes. Hook After ending his four the Seacrest Village Retirement Commu- Latino in April of 2012 and by September makes sure that he is up-to-date on these year tenure with the Con- nities. In addition he supports a number 2012, the platform received an audience hit new advances by reading all the latest sortium Holdings Group, of local and national charities as a private of 1 million unique visits. By the end of data, attending informative events and where he was the driving individual and through his company. 2012, EPMG had established partnerships talking to as many knowledgeable pro- force behind the mega suc- with 14 publishers, including major brand- fessionals as he can. One of Dataskill’s cessful hipster haunt El Stephan Goss ed entities such as LA Times-Hoy, Houston newest products is the result of the re- Dorado Cocktail Lounge, Justin Fortier CEO Chronicle-La Voz, and Washington Post-El search Hook, himself, has done in the paired up with award winning artist and Zeeto Media Tiempo Latino. To date, there are now 18 health care industry. In his leadership of designer Pablo Stanley to launch FYC www.zeetomedia.com partnerships and more in the pipeline. Han- the company and as an individual, Hook Labs. Utilizing his background to create After college Stephan sen supports young ambitious talent by en- is a major supporter of a number of non- innovative marketing and branding cam- Goss quickly became fasci- couraging his employees to be part of local profits including the American Diabetes paigns in the hospitality industry, Fortier nated with the innovations marketing and advertising clubs such as Ad Foundation, 2-1-1, and the Make-A-Wish founded a design and branding agency happening in the online 2 San Diego. Foundation. that has raised the standard for the mar- marketing space. In 2011 he keting industry San Diego. His extensive joined Zeeto Media, where Lars Helgeson Phil Jemmet network and established reputation in the his passion for building a long-term, sus- CEO & Founder Chief Executive Officer hospitality industry facilitated his team to tainable company and legitimizing the on- GreenRope Breakwater Equity Partners garner more than 100 clients within its line marketing field were put to use. Goss www.GreenRope.com www.breakwaterequitypartners.com first six months of operation. In each of was instrumental in starting and develop- Lars Helgeson is seen With Phil Jemmet at its the first three months revenue doubled ing the agency’s media buying department. as a leader, not a boss. His helm, Breakwater Equity and at the one year mark, FYC’s revenues He set the foundation for buying the right commitment to GreenRope Partners more than doubled had already surpasses startup expecta- ads to drive traffic to the company’s web- inspires his employees to its sales volume in 2012, tions. Fortier has a passion for giving site and Facebook pages. He oversees the do the same. He believes in working with hundreds of back to the San Diego community and various departments as well as managing collaboration with the en- continued on page A31 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A31 continued from page A30 2013 Finalist Pro les new clients on dozens of new proper- of 10x10 and has traveled to see first- of Kibak’s major priorities is giving back California’s San Diego campus. In 2013, ties worth more than $1.2 billion in loan hand the impact that education can make to the community and supporting the ini- he also achieved the status of renowned volume. Under his leadership Breakwater when you educate girls worldwide. tiatives that helped him get to where he expert source, with his work published in added almost 30 new employees to the is today. The company works with I Love more than 15 graphic design and market- staff in 2012. Jemmet not only is generous Kris Kibak A Clean San Diego to adopt the beach ing books. In the community, Kollegian is with himself, establishing relationships CEO & Co-founder outside The Control Group’s office with on the Platt College advisory board and a with even the interns and contract em- The Control Group, Inc. a commitment to protect marine wildlife member and forum leader for the San Di- ployees, but also is generous with the com- www.thecontrolgroup.com and keep trash off the beaches. They are ego chapter of Entrepreneurs Organiza- pany’s resources. Employees are treated Kris Kibak, co-founded also supporters of Together We Bake, a tion. He also participated on the judging to a catered lunch every day and Jemmet The Control Group, one comprehensive workforce training and panel for the Summit Media Awards and ensures that the everyone takes the time to of the fastest-growing personal development program for wom- International Creativity Awards. celebrate milestone accomplishments. technology start-ups with en recently released from the corrections headquarters in San Diego. system. Danna Korn Thad Kahlow A web development and CEO CEO online marketing agency that builds and Les Kollegian Sonic Boom Wellness BusinessOnline markets its own products and services, CEO www.sonicboomwellness.com www.businessol.com the company’s flagship product, Instant- Jacob Tyler Creative Group There is a reason that Thad Kahlow is consid- Checkmate.com, compiles reports from www.jacobtyler.com Danna Korn is the chief ered an authority on online millions of public records to help people Les Kollegian and Jacob “energizer” officer above and marketing. As CEO of Busi- get in touch with long lost family mem- Tyler Creative Group had beyond being Sonic Boom nessOnline he has present- bers; protect individuals from would-be many achievements in 2012. Wellness’s co-founder. This ed at numerous industry predators; and help online dater’s re- Under his leadership, the woman on a mission well- and executive conferences search people before meeting them in- company has doubled reve- ness guru and seven-time author of glu- including the DMA, HTMA, AMT and person. It has become one of the largest nues since 2009 and tenfold ten free cook books is the booster rocket Online Marketing Summit. He has been people-search engines in the world and since its inception in 2006. The agency at Sonic Boom, doubling its revenue since published in leading trade and business has been ranked as the 310th most traf- now possesses an enviable client base that 2010 to just over $2 million. Korn led the publications like iMedia, ERA and B2B ficked website in the United States. Kibak includes The Ken Blanchard Companies, development of Sonic Boom’s innovative Magazine, and was one of the original has embodied the entrepreneurial spirit Downtown San Diego Partnership, iTan, Wellness Incentive Management System founding members of the SEMPO Insti- since he was a child. When he was 10, he NuVasive, Sony and Bridgepoint Educa- (WIMS), adding high-level administrative tute. His passion for the industry drives woke up at 5 a.m. every morning to run a tion. Kollegian has been instrumental in value to clients’ comprehensive wellness everything he does. He sets a great ex- newspaper route. At 18, as a freshman in helping his agency achieve more than 75 platforms through secure data exchanges, ample for setting goals, monitoring those the dorms, Kibak started a drop-shipping industry awards in the past five years. In seamless integration, and customizable goals and asking the right questions re- company called YourBestDeals.net using addition, he currently lectures MBA stu- reporting. Awards have been forthcom- garding how those goals are being met. his knowledge of HTML (taught to him dents at UC San Diego’s Rady School of ing as well: San Diego Business Journal Kahlow is a passionate supporter of by his father), and teaching himself PHP Management and also teaches advanced finalist for the “Most admired CEO”; 10x10 which created the award winning and SEO. In his first year, Kibak made design and marketing principles as ad- U.S. Small Business Administration San “Girl Rising” movie. He is on the board more than $100,000 in profit. Today, one junct professor at the Art Institute of continued on page A32

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Diego District award winner for “Woman- as a Best Place to Work in San Diego in and settlement industry. New Venture Ray Major Owned Small Business of the Year”; and 2012 and 2013, as well as in Los Angeles Escrow embraces a fun and professional CEO finalist and top-5 winner in the Business and Orange County. environment. LeBlanc is working to mod- Halo Business Intelligence Journal’s “San Diego’s Healthiest Compa- ernize the way the industry does business. www.halobi.com nies Award” for three years running. Korn Brook Larios New Venture custom developed a mobile Ray Major believes a cus- also founded ROCK (Raising Our Celiac Founder & CEO app that currently doesn’t exist anywhere tomer is more than a finan- Kids), the largest support group of its PlainClarity Communications in the country. The technology is revolu- cial arrangement. With his kind, with more than 140 chapters in three www.plainclarity.com tionary and gives real estate agents, cli- background as a researcher countries, and thousands of members Brook Larios, founder ents, and vendors inside access in to their and educator rather than as worldwide. Korn personally funds ROCK and CEO, has grown Plain- transactions. a businessman, Major un- so that no one will ever have to pay dues Clarity into a preeminent derstands the challenges that companies to access the helpful resources she wishes public relations firm spe- Brad Lee face better than most. He knows what it were available to her in 1991 when she cializing in the hospitality President is to have budget and personnel limits. He learned her baby had celiac disease. industry. Larios has guided Breg, Inc. has used this experience to guide the or- the firm to be one that is respected by the www.breg.com ganization through steady growth with a Jason Kulpa local food community from restaurateurs Breg, Inc. under the strategic plan and effective organizational Chief Executive Officer to caterers. The firm supports socially leadership of Brad Lee, has structure in place. Major also understands Underground Elephant responsible businesses, with a focus on created unique products the importance of giving back. Under his www.undergroundelephant.com artisans food and chefs and restaurateurs for the health care indus- direction as CEO, Halo Business Intelli- The year 2012 marked who practice sustainability. Larios has try. Breg specializes in cost gence has made numerous contributions to significant professional opened her network to those who want saving and efficiency im- the community which include supporting achievements for Jason Kul- to transition to this model and is helping provement tools for orthopedic physician the Ronald McDonald House Charities of pa and his creatively named to change the tenor of the food system practices by providing the only available San Diego, launching internship programs Underground Elephant through this work. She strives to lead a software application on the market which with Mira Costa College and Juniperro agency. In 2012, Under- united team through a consistent and un- also is designed to be aligned with the Serra High School, and donating clothing ground Elephant made the “National 101 wavering work environment filled with demands of the affordable care act. Lee and food to Casa De Cuna Orphanage. Best and Brightest Companies to Work collaboration, positive brainstorming and oversaw the expansion of their Mexican For” list and Kulpa was named a semifi- respect. Larios also is involved in commu- manufacturing facility to reduce produc- Jim Matteo nalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur nity efforts and sits on the board for Girls tion expenses as well as acquisitions, syn- President of the Year award. Underground El- Think Tank. ergistic partnerships and new product Bird Rock Systems, Inc. ephant fosters an environment of coop- lines, expanding revenues by $30 million. www.birdrockusa.com eration and teamwork with Kulpa imple- Mark Laska He headed up efforts to create a program In the IT industry it is menting a variety of performance-based CEO & President sponsored by Breg to provide an Ortho- important to stay innovative bonus incentives, team-building activities Great Ecology pedic Physician Fellowship program that and Jim Matteo, president and milestone recognitions. He founded www.greatecology.com pays the salary of orthopedic surgeons of Bird Rock Systems, Inc. Underground Elephant in 2008 and has Dr. Mark Laska’s pro- opting to gain further training after resi- stays on the cutting edge of grown revenues over 3,000 percent since fessional achievements are dency in such specialties as sports medi- the industry’s developments. its inception. Underground Elephant directly reflected by the cine and spine injuries. Lee also is com- He has created a world class company cul- has quickly become the premier provid- success and growth of his munity minded and sits on the local board ture at Bird Rock Systems which involves er of customer acquisitions solutions in firm, Great Ecology. As of the Encinitas Soccer League. staff participation at every level. Matteo the online marketing space. While other president and CEO, he has himself is directly responsible for 25 per- tech start-ups were receiving angel fund- developed Great Ecology into one of the Gary Levine cent of the sales revenue for the company. ing and VC backing, Kulpa bootstrapped fastest-growing environmental consult- CEO He differentiates the IT resale playing field Underground Elephant, stretching every ing firms in the region and established Gallagher Levine by offering diverse events in the area for dollar and fine-tuning marketing opera- himself and the firm as industry leaders. www.gslevine.com customers and potential customers held at tions. His drive for efficiency lead to the Since its founding in 2001, Great Ecology 2012 was a big year for venues such as the Del Mar horse races, creation of the company’s proprietary has grown consistently and steadily. Last Gary Levine and Gallagher the golf tournament at Torrey Pines, technology platform, NeoKeo, which en- year—one of the firm’s best and most Levine as a company. One of movie premiers, lunch and learns, tech- abled automation of marketing processes, profitable years—Great Ecology experi- the greatest milestones in nology workshops, and even boat racing decreasing labor and production costs enced a 39 percent growth rate and annual GS Levine’s 26 year history regattas. The events are Matteo’s innova- and increasing the volume of leads pro- revenue of $3.6 million. As the firm’s top occurred when the organi- tive way of creating a unique brand for the duced, validated and distributed. sales driver, Laska acquired three large zation was recognized by several Interna- company and it is paying off. Fortune 500 clients and other key con- tional insurance brokerages as the best fit Kevin Landry tracts, which added more than $2 million to merge with and represent their brand Damian McKinney CEO in revenue, expanding the firm’s service in San Diego. GS Levine was approached CEO New Horizons Computer Learning Centers reach. In 2012, Great Ecology opened its by nearly 10 world class insurance bro- McKinney Advisory Group of Southern California third regional office in Denver which has kerages because of their strong reputa- www.mckinneyadvisory.com www.nhsocal.com tripled in size within six months. In ad- tion, market share and leadership and the As CEO of McKinney Under Kevin Landry’s dition, Laska was nominated to join the I fourth largest insurance brokerage in the Advisory Group, Damian watch as CEO, New Hori- Love A Clean San Diego board of direc- world, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., became McKinney has kept a com- zons of Southern Califor- tors. their partner. Led by Levine, the market- mercial real estate office nia was named Microsoft’s ing team implemented a communications alive and growing during Western Region Learn- Casey LeBlanc strategy that increased brand awareness the worst recession in re- ing Partner of the Year President and created buzz about the company as cent history. It is hard to call the company and Red Hat Ready’s North American New Venture Escrow well as positioned them for a full rebrand- only a real estate company. At his design Training Partner of the Year. Under his www.newventureescrow.com ing initiative. Gallagher Levine also ex- a number of services are offered includ- leadership, New Horizons of Southern Casey LeBlanc success- ecuted the complete re-brand with a new ing an in-house legal counsel, portfolio California’s revenue has steadily grown. fully sold two businesses in logo, colors, messaging and personality review, capital sources, space planning, Landry believes that financial success is 2012. He successfully exited with the team participating in more than event organization, conference services, directly tied to the people within the or- those businesses because of two dozen charitable events and increas- and a vast array of development and ganization and has worked hard to cre- the opportunity that he has ing their participation and partnerships project management. McKinney keeps ate an environment where employees are created with New Venture with companies such as the San Diego active in the community and industry comfortable, happy and most importantly, Escrow for the future. While successfully Museum of Art, Pro Kids Golf, the and traveled to China as ambassador for growing personally and professionally. selling 2 major corporations, LeBlanc has YMCA, The Boys and Girls Club, San tourism to Hawaii in 2012. In addition to All New Horizons of Southern Califor- actively grown New Venture Escrow as Diego Sports Innovators, the San Diego management of the firm. He is on numer- nia staff have free access to all of New its president. Within the last year New Sports Council, Seacrest Village and Kids ous boards including All Kids Inc. of Los Horizons’ training offerings, and are en- Venture Escrow has expanded its retail Included Together. Angeles. Additionally, through his guid- couraged to take advantage of them to footprint throughout San Diego County ance the company was able to invite and develop themselves. Landry have been a with branch locations in north, south, and host 100 business leaders in San Diego at large part of the reason New Horizons of central San Diego. LeBlanc maintains a a charity and executive mixer. Southern California has been recognized unique company culture for the escrow continued on page A33 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A33 continued from page A32 2013 Finalist Profiles

Ash Mehta popular marketing hit with clients. Under has brought the best of the U.S. military hotels and tourism are thriving. As a gen- CEO Menkin’s leadership, Where You Want resources to the Wall Street and invest- eral rule, law firms rarely change how they PatientClick Inc. To Be Tours, Inc. has received numer- ment banking industry by hiring many do business. Contrarily, Morrell views in- www.patientclick.com ous awards such as “Best Team building veterans with transferable skills, seeing novation as one key component to main- Ash Mehta is a serial en- Facilitator” by California Meetings and their training and combat experience as taining growth and profitability. Under trepreneur and chief execu- Events, voted Best Tour for Locals by San a great asset. He has led the develop- his leadership, Higgs Fletcher & Mack tive with 13 years of business Diego Magazine, and an Award of Excel- ment of the company’s veteran training continually revamps its online presence management experience. He lence & Appreciation by the U.S. military. and hiring programs. The firm has been and W eb-based communication. The firm has managed multiple busi- Over the years, Where You Want To Be frequently featured on CNBC, Fox News, is dedicated to diversity and Morrell and nesses in health care IT, Tours has created unique family bonding Wall Street Journal, The Bond Trader, Higgs Fletcher & Mack continues to fund business consulting and technology. In programs for faith-based groups and the Business Insider, and Trader magazine a Diversity Scholarship program in part- year 2012, as CEO of PatientClick, he in- military. The company’s team building and has been ranked Top 10 as co-manag- nership with the University of San Diego, creased the company’s revenue three fold adventures and tours are all about foster- ing underwriters by Thomson Reuters for giving $10,000 annually to a deserving and oversaw PatientClick’s development ing a happy environment and Menkin be- Public Finance Operations. The organiza- student and funding a new diversity schol- of three unique processes for a health lieves it all starts with the staff. Together tion has grown steadily and has opened arship with California Western School of care information delivery model. The or- as a team they have donated their time to offices in New York City and Chicago. Law. Morrell is well known for his phil- ganization is filing for multiple patents such causes to the Susan G. Komen Race anthropic activities, serving as chairman this year. Mehta is heavily involved with for the Cure and the American Cancer John Morrell of the Mercy Hospital Ball, a member of the business community in San Diego and Society. Menkin recently was honored by Managing Partner/CEO the board of directors for Mercy Outreach Imperial Valley including CONNECT. the YMCA for all his outstanding work Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Surgical Team, a member of the board of He is on the board of advisors for Alli- and dedication. In addition, he serves as a www.higgslaw.com directors for the San Diego Rotary Club ant School of Management and CSU San Cabrillo Foundation board member. Most law firms around the country 33 and the board of trustees for the San Marcos’ Healthcare IT program. have scaled back operations Diego History Center. Chance Mims and staff due to the pres- Marc Menkin CEO sures of the current eco- Dylan Natter President/Owner Academy Securities nomic environment. Yet Founder/Chief Executive Officer Where You Want To Be Tours, Inc. www.academysecurities.com under John Morrell’s leader- centrexIT www.wheretours.com Chance Mims founded ship, Higgs Fletcher & Mack www.centrexIT.com Where You Want To Be Academy Securities in 2009 realized a 5 percent increase in per-partner Dylan Natter, founder and CEO of Tours has created a unique and provides overall leader- profits within the last year and reached a centrexIT, treats his engi- niche in the tourism and ship, strategy, and direction new record of 72 attorneys on staff and neers like partners. He hires hospitality industry due to as the organization’s chief continued the streak of never having any for integrity and leader- Marc Menkin’s creativity executive officer and major- professional layoffs since he became CEO ship—not on experience and unique branding. The ity controlling shareholder. He has been in 1997. What’s more, the newly estab- alone. One of Natter’s key destination company’s specialty is “hid- involved in every aspect of the firm’s re- lished practice groups of transportation leadership principles is his den San Diego spots” which has been a cent financial success and growth. Mims and immigration as well as restaurants, continued on page A34

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APPLY NOW www.leadsandiego.com 619.280.5323 Paul Hering CEO, Barney & Barney, LLC 1997 LEAD Graduate Page A34 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A33 2013 Finalist Profiles local staffing policy. Although a common Mike O’Brien his house, he is constantly inspiring oth- week leading to tremendous savings. In practice among IT management competi- CEO ers to do what they love. He empowers the community, he volunteers at the San tors, he refuses to outsource desk support Mingle LLC his employees by allowing them the free- Diego Food Bank. overseas, although it’s decidedly more www.climber.com dom to speak up and offer ideas. Parr has expensive to maintain 100 percent of Mike O’Brien likes a worked with a wide variety of clients. Chad Robley his staff in the U.S. He contributes to a noisy work environment He has been published in Fast Company, CEO positive work environment by helping his and at his growing online PSFK, Business to Community and many Mindgruve engineering staff develop their technical job search organization, the more. He has helped nonprofits and start- www.mindgruve.com skills and becoming more effective com- XM satellite radio is always ups such as The Paradigm Project, Invis- Under Chad Robley’s municators as new generation leaders for pumping out tunes to boost ible Children, and World Vision to create oversight, Mindgruve’s 2012 the company. As a result staff turnover is energy. O’Brien has grown his Climber. compelling stories and strategic business projects secured twenty-one almost zero due to careful screening of com website business to a national level plans. He is a sought-out speaker, speak- industry honors, including employment candidates. Natter and cen- and is currently pushing out two more ing for companies such as Southwest and four Internet Advertising trexIT have received recognition for their tools to make the innovative site more Sony. He recently helped launch YouS- Competition awards and partnership and assistance with some of relevant to the ever changing digital job chool, helping to guide high school stu- thirteen ADDYs, making Mindgruve the San Diego’s major nonprofit institutions, market and also to provide more value to dents along a positive path. most-awarded agency in the ADDY com- Natter was named the Young Profession- clients. O’Brien created the software and petition. Robley also achieved substantial al of the Month in February 2012 by the is always working on ways to improve the Gary Peterson growth at Mindgruve, increasing revenue Big Brothers Big Sisters Young Profes- system and grow the name and brand. Founder & President by 24 percent and clientele by 20 percent sionals Committee of San Diego. He believes in supporting his staff and gap intelligence year over year. In 2012, he made a signifi- gives congratulations where it’s due. He www.gapintelligence.com cant contribution to the entrepreneurial Todd Nelson has monthly sales contests and always Gary Peterson founded and startup communities in San Diego, le- CEO thinks of ways all departments including gap intelligence in 2003 veraging his expertise in venture capital- Tonbo Biosciences support and development, can participate with a $10,000 bonus ism and mentoring young entrepreneurs, www.tonbobio.com and actually win. O’Brien is an innovator check. A classic student he created a “Shark Tank”-inspired compe- Todd Nelson had a vision for high and has combined his technological ex- of business, the leader- tition at Interactive Day San Diego, a one- quality, high performance pertise with his passion for wine. In just ship skills he acquired and day digital marketing conference he has flow cytometry reagents a little under two years, he conceived and worked hard to develop throughout the planned and executed for years. IDSD’s for research use at a 30 to developed the brand Wine Battles, which past 10 years have helped guide the com- SharkTank gives startups the chance to 50 percent lower price that is held under Mingle, LLC. Wine Battles pany through the “Great Recession” with gain attention from an audience of tech most suppliers in the U.S., has grown exponentially and O’Brien is high double-digit revenue growth. To- and digital professionals. at a time with NIH funding pioneering this social wine experience day, gap intelligence is a proven leader for immune function research is at an all- site overseas this year. in providing market research to the IT, Nathan Rogge time low. As CEO of Tonbo Bioscience, consumer electronics, imaging, and home President & CEO Nelson built a strong, self-directed team Dr. Melanie Palm appliance industries. This year Peterson Bank of Southern California that was able to take the company from CEO & Director spearheaded gap intelligence’s expansion www.banksocal.com zero to 200 products in inventory in less Art of Skin MD into the new categories of televisions When Nathan Rogge was www.artofskinmd.com than four months and establish a global and home appliances including an as- promoted from COO to CEO distribution channel that includes prod- As the founding direc- sortment of products like refrigerators, at Bank of Southern Califor- uct distributors in Japan, Germany, Bel- tor of Art of Skin MD in laundry units, and kitchen ranges. After nia at 38 years old, the bank gium, France, Netherlands, and Austria, Solana Beach, Dr. Melanie launching in March, this quickly became was entering a “consent or- among others. Tonbo is an employee- Palm, a board-certified der- the biggest growth category, attracting der” and he had to figure out owned company with a culture unlike any matologist and fellowship- several new clients and even more prod- how to literally restart the bank. Now, at in the San Diego biotech industry, provid- trained cosmetic surgeon, ucts such as dishwashers and microwaves. age 44, the results that Rogge has been ing many benefits for employees includ- provides a full-spectrum of both medi- One of Peterson’s most successful inter- able to achieve for the bank are impressive. ing free health care. cal and cosmetic dermatologic care. She nal programs is gap intelligence’s own During 2012, Bank of Southern Califor- also is an assistant clinical professor at institute of higher education called “gap nia took a significant step by successfully David Oates the University of California, San Diego, University” that’s contributed to signifi- exiting the TARP program. The magni- President & CEO and staff physician at Scripps Encinitas cant increases in retention, productivity, tude of this for any bank, particularly a Stalwart Communications Memorial Hospital She lectures nation- and scalability within the company. gapU relatively small community bank, cannot www.stalwartcom.com ally and internationally on laser and filler provides the entire team with leadership be understated. Hundreds of small banks David Oates has achieved a great technology. Palm has authored more opportunities, as well as enriches gap’s have failed over the last seven years, and amount of success as head than 25 articles in dermatological litera- “work hard, play hard” mentality. exiting TARP is an incredible signal to of his public relations firm, ture and co-authored four book chapters customers, shareholders and the market- Stalwart Communications. on various topics including liposuction, Sanjiv Prabhakaran place about Bank of Southern California’s This year he was named to sunscreen use, cosmetic injectables, vein CEO stability. Not only did Bank of Southern San Diego Metropolitan’s therapy, and laser technology. Palm cre- Bytes Inc. California survive, it thrived, growing “20 Men Who Make A Dif- ated DermSurg Fellowship Finder, a cen- www.bytesinc.com from $49 million in 2005 to $200 million ference” and was recently awarded the Ro- tralized database of fellowship programs Sanjiv Prabhakaran pro- today. Rogge also oversaw two complete tary San Diego/Imperial Valley District for young dermatology residents to vides a positive and collab- re-brandings that included name changes. “Governor’s Torch Bearer” award. Not only broaden awareness of advanced derma- orative environment that In 2012-13, he was intimately involved was he the only member from his club to be tologic surgery and training opportuni- leads to successful project in the bank introducing a successful new honored, but he was one of 63 in the dis- ties among dermatology residents. Palm completions. He has imple- investor residential real estate financing trict which is made up of 3,500 members. is a physician supporter of Angel Faces, mented cloud-based tools product allowing more product to move Due to Oates’ success over the past year, an organization that helps teen girls who such as TeamWorkPM and Pivotal that through the sluggish housing market. He he has played a crucial role in expanding have sustained traumatic burn injuries, enables his far flung teams all over the also oversaw the bank’s development of a the company’s client roster which consists and she also volunteers with the Skin globe to collaborate effectively. He has new robust online banking platform and of a record high of 16 clients. He creates Cancer Foundation conducting skin can- guided Bytes Inc. into steadily increasing mobile banking. a collaborative and supportive environment cer screenings on-board the foundation’s revenues that have grown by 14 percent for his staff that includes an open concept mobile RV. despite the tough economy. Prabhakaran Jorge Ruiz de Castilla work area. In addition, there are TVs in the has overseen the acquisition of several President office so staff can stay updated on the latest Shawn Parr large new clients including Certona and The Chip Merchant news and watch March Madness and other CEO Qualcomm. And he nurtures his smaller www.thechipmerchant.com significant events while working. Aside Bulldog Drummond clients as well. When one of his client’s Having previously been www.bulldogdrummond.com from providing a competitive salary, Oates came to him with a challenge to convert the owner of an offshore also implements a bonus program which Shawn Parr, CEO of a 50-year old manual workflow operation software development com- affords employees an opportunity to earn Bulldog Drummond agency, into a state-of-the-art computer applica- pany in Peru, Jorge Ruiz commission based on performance. The lives to inspire—from his tion and, after some brainstorming, he de Castilla’s background in staff engages in a variety of fun activities articles, to his speaking en- proposed a very innovative tablet solu- consulting, software engi- outside of the office as well. gagements, to the Sunday tion that in the end saved the client al- neer, and project management has given night dinners he throws at most 15 to 20 hours of manual labor each continued on page A35 December 16 , 2013 MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT www.sdbj.com Page A35 continued from page A34 2013 Finalist Pro les him the ability to take a 25-year-old brick ment” and “stakeholder enrichment” to joined him in 1982, and today produces Jamie Lynn Sigler and mortar hardware retail store and better serve communities in which TAG and shoots for broadcast and corporate Founding Partner turn it into a successful technology ser- has clients and to sell the most sought af- clients such as UPS, the Chopra Founda- J Public Relations vices company, still including the retail ter accounting software products. Scher- tion, Microsoft, IBM and Cisco, as well as www.jpublicrelations.com store. When Ruiz de Castilla acquired er has contributed to TAG’s success and broadcast companies like Extra!, Discov- Jamie Lynn Sigler is San Diego Computer Consultants as a growth by hiring full-time employees, ery, the Dr. Phil Show and Inside Edition. the founding partner of J business to consumer option it incorpo- not consultants. By having long-term Schulze teaches as he works with others Public Relations and is an rated flawlessly into The Chip Merchant engaged employees, who split their time from employees to clients, and is always award-winning public rela- (TCM) business model under his supervi- among a variety of clients, it allows for patient when explaining complicated tions and marketing com- sion. Ruiz de Castilla prioritizes his staff building tremendous internal knowl- matters of production and how to achieve munications specialist. A and involves them in the hiring process so edge across a variety of industries and great results in a resourceful way. recognized and respected expert in the that everyone has input on future poten- company sizes. Through the process of luxury travel and lifestyle industries, Si- tial employees. He encourages employee strategic acquisition and growth, Scherer Daniel Shepherd gler specializes in building solid client education and guides them toward certi- has overseen TAG’s expansion into three President relationships, creative campaigns and in fications, which are company reimbursed. separate divisions: outsourced account- Titan SEO, Inc. scoring top media placements. JPR’s cli- The Chip Merchant is a community part- ing; software sales and consulting; and www.titan-seo.com ents have recently been featured in some ner with a number of nonprofits includ- family CFO services. Scherer empowers Today, a 13-year win- of the top media outlets in the country ing The Coronado School of The Arts, others by donating his time teaching fi- ner of the Titan Boss’ Day including: The New York Times, Wall Walden Family Services and Whispering nancial management courses for the con- award and a fourth year re- Street Journal Weekender, US Weekly, Winds. TCM has also recently partici- struction industry. He is passionate about ceiver of an Inc 5000 award, and The Today Show. Sigler further pated in events such as Geek Girl Tech accounting practices and software solu- Daniel Shepherd, president contributes to her industry by helping Conference, which helps educate women tions for the construction trade. of Titan SEO, has guided college and budding PR professionals on many forms of technology. the company from the bottom-up, assist- through her involvement in Public Re- Mark Schulze ing with many of the new client sales and lations Society of America and PRSSA Robert Scherer CEO client retention. He ensures each venture New Pros. Under her leadership, JPR President Crystal Pyramid Productions becomes profitable before building on it, has grown into a national seven-figure TAG www.crystalpyramid.com or hiring more people for that role. As the full-service public relations agency with www.teamtag.net Mark Schulze launched top idea-man, he helped develop propri- offices on both coasts in San Diego and 2012 was a banner year Crystal Pyramid Produc- etary software to put the company ahead New York. She also remains committed for TAG, with a new office tions in 1981 after graduat- of the competition. He has created Titan to giving back to the community and is opening in Rancho Santa ing from UC San Diego. As to be profitable, fun, and fast-growing; dedicated to raising money for childhood Fe and becoming a software a “one-man band,” he video- but also encourages a family atmosphere cancer research through her involvement reseller for NetSuite. This taped special events, non- where everyone feels they are contribut- with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, found- can be attributed to Robert profit PSAs and short industrials with a ing to the success of the company and ing the San Diego chapter in 2008 with Scherer’s firm belief in TAG’s values of single camera, tripod and VCR. The com- bettering their community. her husband, Jake. “continuous improvement,” “commit- pany grew rapidly after Patty Mooney continued on page A36

Nominations Now Open The Regulus Team Congratulates PRESENTS Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL Top Real Estate Deals Top featuring the Real Estate CRASD Deal Maker Awards Thursday, February 13, 2014 ost Deals 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. M 2014 Special Networking Reception AdMired and Awards Program Featuring the Heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar CRASD Deal Maker Awards Ceo Join the brokers, developers, architects, contractors AwArd and others in the development community for the San Diego Business Journal’s 2nd annual Top Real Estate Deals of the Year Awards. This event promises to showcase the top brokers 2013 on both the buyer and seller side of San Diego County’s biggest, best and most complex projects. Each category will have two winners: sAn diego Up to $5 million and Above $5 million Business Categories include: ournAl • Apartment/Multi Family Deal of the Year J • Office Deal of the Year • Industrial Deal of the Year • Retail Deal of the Year • Land Deal of the Year Nomination Deadline: January 10, 2014 Nominate or order tickets online at: http://www.sdbj.com/bizevents/ Ticket price includes a 26-week subscription to the San Diego Business Journal ($15.00 allocated to the subscription). Current subscribers may gift their 26-week subscription to a colleague. Event Information: email [email protected] or call 858.277.6695 President and Chief Executive Officer In participation with of Regulus Therapeutics Inc. Page A36 www.sdbj.com MOST ADMIRED CEO SUPPLEMENT December 16, 2013 continued from page A35 2013 Finalist Pro les

Brendan Smith Company “Top Master General Agency” president and currently is the treasurer Toft has been a top fundraiser and walked Founder/CEO Award. Steenerson’s ideas have been fea- of both San Diego Friends of Parks & in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day /60 mile Motive Interactive tured in many national publications, in- Recreation and the Pacific Beach & Santa event to support breast cancer every year www.motiveinteractive.com cluding National Health Underwriter Clara Recreation Council. He has also since her firm opened. Brendan Smith runs magazine, Life Insurance Selling magazine been instrumental in furthering the part- Motive Interactive, a per- and LifeHealthPRO. He also actively sup- nership with VAVi and the Challenged Glenn Torrez formance-based online and ports charity causes and has instituted a Athletes Foundation. CEO/President mobile marketing network, program within his company called “Jeans PRAVA Construction Services, Inc. with an open door policy for a Cause” in which employees have the Robin Toft www.pravacsi.com and complete transparency option to donate a few dollars a week to a President & CEO Glenn Torrez followed with employees. Team members know worthy cause and in turn have the privi- Sanford Rose associates - Toft Group his vision and personally the financial state of the company and lege to wear jeans on Fridays. The totals www.sanfordrose.com/toftgroup financed the start-up of the goals. Smith also created a corporate are then matched by Steenerson. Robin Toft is owner, PRAVA Construction Ser- culture that is the accumulation of every president and CEO of San- vices. In December of 2004 individual employee’s personality. He has Steve Stoloff ford Rose Associates - Toft Sempra Energy approached guided Motive’s revenue growth from $8 CEO Group, an award-winning Torrez to manage their headquarters re- million in 2010 to $17 million last year VAVi, Inc. life sciences-centered ex- model. He accepted the offer and in Janu- overseeing the launch of a new mobile www.govavi.com ecutive search firm highly ary of 2005, PRAVA Construction Ser- service which now accounts for 70 percent Steve Stoloff, CEO of specialized in placing executives into vices, Inc. was formed. With hard work of the firm’s revenue. In addition, Smith VAVi, Inc. is constantly personalized medicine, pharmaceutical, and a great deal of sacrifice, PRAVA was recently spearheaded fundraising $15,000 looking at ways in which medical device and diagnostic companies. able to reach its sales goal in the first year. for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. integrating new technology With offices in San Diego and San Fran- When PRAVA started, it had three em- can help push the company cisco, Toft expanded her firm with the ployees; Glenn Torrez, his wife Denise, Daniel C. Steenerson forward. This year will see addition of the Sanford Rose Associates and his son Nolan. During the years he President & CEO the planned roll out of a brand new web- -Fort Lauderdale office becoming a sig- has created a team of 20 highly experi- Disability Insurance Services site. Internally, Stoloff helped co-found nificant force in two of the three largest enced building professionals. Torrez has www.diservices.com the popular Electric Run. Since launching biotech hubs in the U.S. Toft Group is the been recognized with awards such as Paycheck protection for the first run in November of 2012, Elec- top performing firm within the 50+ offic- Minority Supplier of the Year 2012 and every American is not only tric Run has gone on to do almost 30 runs es in the Sanford Rose Associates world- SDRCC Small Business “Excellence in a lofty goal—it’s an ideal domestically and expanded to Australia wide network, and the most successful Customer Service” winner. In 2012 he that Disability Insurance in 2013. 2014 will see more growth do- franchise on record in the company’s 54 also was named as co-chair of the AGC Services’ president and CEO mestically and an even more aggressive year history. Under her guidance the Toft Build and Serve Committee, as well as Daniel Steenerson strives international expansion. Stoloff is active team has partnered with The Foundation named to the 2012-13 board of directors to achieve every day. He has been recog- in a number of industry and community for Women, EcoLife Foundation, Chal- for San Diego North Chamber of Com- nized in the industry with a number of organizations. He has been re-elected lenged Athlete Foundation, MANA, Hope merce, the Boys and Girls Club of North awards including The Standard Insurance as Sport & Social Industry Association for a Cure, and The Clearity Foundation. County, and Sustainable Surplus.

San Diego Business Journal 2014 Economic Trends Event +BOVBSZ


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BN Paradise Point Resort & Spa, 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego 92109 Breakfast will be served Join the San Diego Business Journal and Moderator Panel of Experts a panel of regional experts for a look at what’s in store for San Diego in 2014. This special event will focus on the major trends and headlines in 2013 and the industry indicators for 2014. Don’t miss Reo Carr Trindl Reeves Tom van Betten Mary Ann Barnes Sid Tobiason Eugenio J. Aleman this landmark event and your chance to Executive Editor Principal/ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President/ Tax Partner Director and San Diego Business Journal Chief Sales Officer Cassidy Turley San Diego Executive Director Moss Adams LLP Senior Economist get the inside scoop. Barney & Barney LLC Kasier Permanente Wells Fargo Additional panelists to be announced. Reserve your space today! http://www.sdbj.com/bizevents

Ticket price includes a 26-week subscription to the San Diego Business Sponsors Journal ($15.00 allocated to the subscription). Current subscribers may gift their 26-week subscription to a colleague. For more information, contact [email protected] or 858.277.6695