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Meet the 2023 Pacific Southwest honorees

Congratulations to our region’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® winners, who were selected by an independent panel of judges based on their demonstration of long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. Finalists were recognized and winners were announced during the regional celebration.

Regional winners went on to compete for National recognition. National finalists and winners were announced during the National awards gala. 

Read the press release

2023 Pacific Southwest winners

Chance-Mims
Chance Mims
Founder & CEO
Academy Securities
San Diego, CA 

  • About the company >#Hide >

    Chance Mims is the Founder & CEO of Academy Securities.

    Academy Securities is a preeminent disabled veteran owned and operated investment bank with strength in capital markets, public finance, fixed income and equity trading.

Quyen-Nguyen
Quyen Nguyen, MD/PhD
Founder and CEO
Alume Biosciences
San Diego, CA 

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    Quyen Nguyen, MD/PhD is the Founder and CEO of Alume Biosciences.

    Biotechnology company developing drug for intraoperative fluorescence detection of nerves during surgery to help surgeons avoid inadvertent injury.

Gary-Moore
Gary Moore
Founder
ATI Restoration
Anaheim, CA 

  • About the company >#Hide >

    Gary Moore is the Founder of ATI Restoration.

    ATI Restoration provides restoration, environmental remediation, and reconstruction, including emergency response due to water/fire/smoke damage; asbestos/lead/mold mitigation; biohazard decontamination; demolition.

Ryan-Moore
Ryan Moore
President & Chief Growth Officer
ATI Restoration
Anaheim, CA 

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    Ryan Moore is President & Chief Growth Officer of ATI Restoration.

    ATI Restoration provides restoration, environmental remediation, and reconstruction, including emergency response due to water/fire/smoke damage; asbestos/lead/mold mitigation; biohazard decontamination; demolition.

Jeff-Moore
Jeff Moore
President & Chief Acquisitions Officer
ATI Restoration
Anaheim, CA 

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    Jeff Moore is President & Chief Acquisitions Officer of ATI Restoration.

    ATI Restoration provides restoration, environmental remediation, and reconstruction, including emergency response due to water/fire/smoke damage; asbestos/lead/mold mitigation; biohazard decontamination; demolition.

Scott-Moore
Scott Moore
Executive Vice President - Operations
ATI Restoration
Anaheim, CA 

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    Scott Moore is Executive Vice President - Operations of ATI Restoration.

    ATI Restoration provides restoration, environmental remediation, and reconstruction, including emergency response due to water/fire/smoke damage; asbestos/lead/mold mitigation; biohazard decontamination; demolition.

Shahab-Elmi
Shahab Elmi
CEO and Co-Founder
Cymbiotika LLC
San Diego, CA 
 

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    Shahab Elmi is CEO and co-founder of Cymbiotika LLC.

    Cymbiotika was founded in 2018 with the idea of offering clean, natural and plant-based products to people who wanted to reclaim their health.

Maher-Albitar
Maher Albitar
CEO and CMO
Genomic Testing Cooperative
Irvine, CA 
 

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    Maher Albitar is CEO and CMO of Genomic Testing Cooperative.

    GTC specializes in DNA/RNA comprehensive genomic profiling of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

Vicki-Mayo
Vicki Mayo
CEO
Global Market Innovators (GMI)
Phoenix, AZ 
 
 

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    Vicki Mayo is CEO of Global Market Innovators (GMI).

    Global Market Innovators (GMI) is a Secure Managed Service Provider™ specializing in leading growth markets including Cyber Security, Digital Workplace, and Managed Services.

Ahad-Khan
Ahad Khan
CEO
Kajabi LLC
Irvine, CA
 
 

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    Ahad Khan is CEO of Kajabi LLC.

    Kajabi is the leading platform helping creators and entrepreneurs  to turn their knowledge and experience into sustainable online  businesses.

Jeff-Spight
Jeff Spight
Chief Executive Officer
MIND 24-7
Scottsdale, AZ 
 
 

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    Jeff Spight is Chief Executive Officer of MIND 24-7.

    MIND 24-7 operates three walk-in mental health and substance abuse clinics in metro Phoenix providing express care (treatment in two hours or less), crisis stabilization and ongoing counseling to patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

David-Glickman
David Glickman
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Ka’ena Corporation dba Mint Mobile
Costa Mesa, CA
2023 National finalist

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    David Glickman is Founder, Chief Executive Officer of Ka’ena Corporation dba Mint Mobile.

    Mint Mobile launched in 2016 as the smarter way to do wireless. They provide nationwide, premium wireless service directly to their customers at impossibly low prices.

Rizwan-Kassim
Rizwan Kassim
Co-Founder, Chief Strategy and Financial Officer
Ka’ena Corporation dba Mint Mobile
Costa Mesa, CA 
2023 National finalist

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    Rizwan Kassim is Co-Founder, Chief Strategy and Financial Officer of Ka’ena Corporation dba Mint Mobile.

    Mint Mobile launched in 2016 as the smarter way to do wireless. They provide nationwide, premium wireless service directly to their customers at impossibly low prices.

Chuck-Casano
Chuck Casano
CEO
Pitaya Foods
San Diego, CA 
2023 National finalist

 

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    Chuck Casano is CEO of Pitaya Foods.

    Pitaya Foods is a certified B-Corp Pitaya Foods started with a simple mission. To promote sustainable organic farming, create jobs in the poverty-stricken areas we source from and produce the healthiest products possible.

Mark-McKenna
Mark McKenna
Chairman & CEO
Prometheus Biosciences
La Jolla, CA 
 
 

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    Mark McKenna is Chairman & CEO of Prometheus Biosciences.

    Prometheus is a startup focused on researching and provided accurate and reliable research on a wide variety of topics which could affect every individuals health. They work with experts in their respective field to bring forth research which can challenge the very foundation of medical innovation.

Lucas-Haldeman
Lucas Haldeman
CEO
SmartRent
Scottsdale, AZ
 
 

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    Lucas Haldeman is CEO of SmartRent.

    SmartRent is a leading provider of smart home and property solutions for the rental industry.

Cody-Barbo
Cody Barbo
CEO
Trust & Will
San Diego, CA 

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    Cody Barbo is CEO of Trust & Will.

    Trust & Will is on a mission to help every family to leave their legacy with a fast, easy, and secure way to create, manage, and distribute their estate plan online. Since 2017, they have helped hundreds of thousands of families plan for their future with a streamlined and intuitive approach that makes estate planning simple, affordable, and accessible.

2023 Pacific Southwest finalists

  • John Shen | American Lending Center Holdings Inc. | Irvine, California

    American Lending Center (ALC) is a private non-bank lending institution and nationally recognized leader in small business lending. As a regional center designated by USCIS, it raises lending capital through the EB-5 program.

  • Jimmy Whalen | Arbitech, LLC | Irvine, California

    Arbitech is the world’s leading independent distributor of data center products. Its sister company Velasea builds computer systems for physical security, and its subsidiaries focus on esports and ecommerce.

  • John Beaver | Biolase, Inc. | Foothill Ranch, California

    BIOLASE is the world’s leading innovator in dental lasers. With thousands of lasers in use  worldwide, millions of patients have experienced the benefits of laser dentistry, such as less aerosols, gentler procedures and comfortable healing.

  • Chris Loeffler | Caliber | Scottsdale, Arizona

    Caliber builds wealth for accredited investors and RIAs with real estate investments on an integrated platform.

  • Alexi Venneri | Digital Air Strike | Scottsdale, Arizona

    DAS Technology is the largest automotive Customer Data and Experience Platform (CDXP), enabling over 7,800 businesses and OEMs to increase consumer response.

  • Mark William Schouten | Diversified Roofing | Phoenix, Arizona

    Diversified Roofing is a second generation full service, residential and commercial roofing operation.

  • Sean Lupton-Smith | Electric Bike Co. | Costa Mesa, California

    Electric Bike Company designs, manufactures and sells custom e-bikes built in Newport Beach, CA, using the highest quality parts and components sourced globally and within the United States. Customers choose from 9 models with limitless color combinations and dozens or features, including EBC branded accessories and customizable helmets. EBC also offers a Mini Design Studio including Custom Order Kiosk to Retail E-bike Dealer Locations nation-wide. All EBC pre and post sales work is performed by employees located in the U.S., including R and D, mechanical and electrical engineers, sales department, builders, inspectors, and a 5 star administration/customer service team.

  • Tom Miller | Entos Inc | La Jolla, California

    Founded in 2019 and headquartered in La Jolla, California, Entos is disrupting the therapeutics landscape with its cutting-edge generative AI drug discovery platform. Leveraging breakthrough technology from Caltech, Entos has assembled a world-class team that unites pioneering AI experts and seasoned drug hunters with strong track records of success in delivering clinically validated drugs. The Entos platform has been demonstrated to deliver high quality, differentiated drugs to clinic with unprecedented speed and across multiple target classes and mechanisms of action. The Entos team is advancing an internal pipeline of clinical assets to address urgent unmet patient need in oncology, with particular focus on breast, lung, and brain cancer patients.

  • Kathey Wagner | EPS Group, Inc. | Mesa, Arizona

    Headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, EPS Group is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary professional consulting firm providing land and infrastructure development. We are the largest locally owned civil engineering firm in Arizona.

  • David Moatazedi | Evolus | Newport Beach, California

    Evolus is a performance beauty company dedicated to providing extended choices in aesthetic treatments and procedures.

  • Michelle Heeb | Forward Tilt | Scottsdale, Arizona

    Forward Tilt is a commercial furniture dealership located in Scottsdale, AZ offering furniture sales, design and space planning, movable walls, project management, installation services and much more.

  • Scott Shainman | Fusion Care Group | La Mesa, California

    Fusion Care Group is an outpatient mental healthcare company providing multidisciplinary psychotherapy services for clients dealing with: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, PTSD, Grief, ADHD and Autism. Fusion Care has 90+ licensed providers with experience in multiple modalities including CBT, EMDR, Biofeedback and Neurofeedback.

  • David Wachs | Handwrytten | Tempe, Arizona

    Handwrytten is the leading provider of scalable, robot-based note writing services.

  • Maritza Diaz | ITJ USA, Inc | Rancho Santa Fe, California

    ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing, high-value market sectors that contribute to the growth of the Cali Baja region. With a unique BOT (Build-Operate and Transfer) model, working with the highest quality software engineers, data scientists, and creative designers from across Mexico and LatAm, ITJ enables companies to create world-class software engineering centers of excellence in Tijuana, MX.

  • John Ho | Landsea Homes | Newport Beach, California

    Landsea Homes Corporation is a publicly traded residential homebuilder that designs and builds best-in-class homes and sustainable master-planned communities in some of the nation’s most desirable markets.

  • Kevin Lind | Longboard Pharmaceuticals | La Jolla, California

    Longboard Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel, transformative medicines for neurological diseases.

  • Donny Salazar | MasonHub | Rancho Cucamonga, California

    MasonHub is a transformative operations platform for beauty & wellness brands, solving pain points of legacy 3PLs with cloud-based technology, retail expertise & first-to-market products. Their bicoastal fulfillment centers offer bespoke svcs. in 400,000 sqf.

  • Russ Garcia, Chris Giovanniello and Chris Keimel | Menlo Microsystems, Inc. | Irvine, California

    Born out of a decade-long effort at General Electric’s Global Research Center, Menlo Micro is bringing to the market a series of technology innovations that have enabled us to reinvent one of the most essential and fundamental building blocks required for nearly every electronic system imaginable… the switch.

  • Steve Zhou | Moov Technologies, Inc. | Tempe, Arizona

    Moov is the world's largest marketplace for buying and selling pre-owned semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

  • Chris Karkenny | NVISION EYE CENTERS | Aliso Viejo, California

    NVISION is one of the nation's leading providers of ophthalmic physician services. NVISION operates over 70 locations. NVISION is an innovative leader in ophthalmology, with a patient first commitment. Eye Care is delivered using the latest clinical and surgical technology by the most talented and experienced surgeons in the industry.

  • Kentaro Kawamori | PERSEFONI | Tempe, Arizona

    Persefoni's Climate Management & Accounting Platform provides businesses, financial institutions and government agencies software to manage their climate-related data and decarbonization strategies with the same confidence as their financial reports.

  • Jack Kennedy | Platform Science | San Diego, California

    Platform Science connects enterprise fleets with the technology solutions they need to future-proof their operations. As part of our mission to transform transportation, we make it easy for fleets to develop, deploy, and manage their vehicles’ mobile.

  • Brad Hillier | Re-Bath | Phoenix, Arizona

    Re-Bath is the nation's largest complete bathroom remodeler. We provide full bath remodels, tub/shower updates, and aging-in-place solutions. A one-stop service covering the entire process in 3 easy steps: consultation, removal, & installation.

  • Greg Flesher | Reneo Pharmaceuticals | Irvine, California

    Reneo is focused on improving the lives of patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases.

  • Stephanie Venn Watson and Eric Venn Watson | Seraphina Therapeutics | San Diego, California

    Seraphina Therapeutics is a health and wellness company dedicated to improving global health by discovering and developing essential fatty acid therapeutics to slow aging, extend wellness, and prevent, manage, and treat chronic diseases.

  • Anthony Magaraci | Trinity Packaging Supply | Newport Beach, California

    Trinity Packaging Supply is packaging's largest catalog. Powered by a proprietary e-commerce platform, SupplyStream™, Trinity aggregates hundreds of supplier catalogs to find the best prices and quickest lead times based on shipping zip codes.

  • Simer Mayo | Valor Global | Phoenix, Arizona

    Our services include Contact Center, Call Center, Customer Care, Retention, BPO (Business Process Outsourcing).

  • Ville Houttu | Vincit USA | Irvine, California

    We’re a software development company who builds tailor-made/results-driven/innovative e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, web services, and embedded systems that set companies apart from their competition.