John Harris JOHN HARRIS CO-FOUNDER / CEO HARBINGER MOTORS INC. WHY: In 2021, co-founded maker of custom-outfitted stripped chassis—a vehicle’s supporting frame and motor—for delivery vans, other medium-duty electric trucks and recreational vehicles (RVs). Says Harbinger Motors is building the first medium-duty chassis designed from the ground up. Moved the manufacturer Read More
Julian Hamood JULIAN HAMOOD FOUNDER TRUSTED TECH TEAM WHY: Founder of Microsoft partner Trusted Tech Team. Calls himself Trusted Team’s chief visionary officer. 2014 graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a degree in business, management, marketing and related support services. Company plans further expansion in Europe this year and Read More
Gupta at the Business Journal’s Innovator of the Year Awards last year ARUN GUPTA EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN BIG HEALTH WHY: Head of app maker focused on developing non-drug options for common mental health conditions. Joined the company’s board in 2019 before being named CEO in 2022. Runs the San Francisco-based company Read More
Ray Grainger RAY GRAINGER EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN KANTATA WHY: Spent 17 years at Accenture, including global managing partner in professional services. Founded Mavenlink to reinvent the way services businesses work by simplifying enterprise workflows. Was on Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for three straight years. Merged with Kimble Applications in 2022 and Read More
KAYE GITIBIN KAVOUS GITIBIN CO-FOUNDER / CEO CO-FOUNDER / PRESIDENT GO RENTALS GO RENTALS Kaye GitibinCo-founder/CEOGo Rentals Kavous GitibinCo-founder,PresidentGo Rentals WHY: Two brothers co-founded Newport Beach-based “lifestyle” rental car service in that has successfully navigated three major national recessions and a global pandemic over 30 years. Grown from one outpost Read More
Matt Gialich MATT GIALICH CO-FOUNDER / CEO ASTROFORGE WHY: Leads a company that plans to track speeding asteroids, extracts precious metals such as platinum from them and then bring the treasures back to Earth. IN THE NEWS: The platinum group metals being sought are used in products ranging from jewelry Read More
Shannon Eusey SHANNON EUSEY CO-FOUNDER / CEO BEACON POINTE ADVISORS WHY: Co-founder firm in 2022 with her father when it had no assets. Has grown firm to $44B+ in assets under advisement, 600+ employees and 60 offices NOTABLE: KKR made 50% investment in 2021 IN HER OWN WORDS: “When I Read More
DUSTIN ARMER & EASON ABBOTT CO-FOUNDERS RENATA MEDICAL Dustin Armer Eason Abbott WHY: Former R&D engineers from Edwards Lifesciences in 2019 co-founded Newport Beach startup Renata, which makes a stent for congenital heart disease that expands in size as patients age and grow. Received support from executive leadership at Edwards Read More
JOHN DRACHMAN & SEAN RAWSON CO-FOUNDERS WATERFORD PROPERTY COMPANY John Drachman Sean Rawson WHY: Co-founders of six-year-old Newport Beach firm that provides housing to a demographic of workers that can ill-afford paying market-rate rents in the cities that they work in. Tenants at Waterford properties in Orange and Anaheim save anywhere from Read More
Justin Chen Li JUSTIN CHEN LI FOUNDER / CEO HELIO GENOMICS WHY: Leads cancer diagnostics firm that’s one of the better-funded medtech companies in OC. Raised more than $180M as of last June, which includes Asia operations from Helio’s sister company Laboratory for Advanced Medicine & Health Group (LAMH). Company Read More
