Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, is the Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank. Allison has built 10 successful companies since the age of 19. Her client list has included Ben & Jerry’s, Supercuts, Charlotte Russe, and Allstate.

Now she and her team of CEO Mentors pay it forward by helping business owners scale their companies, fast-track their success, and create more meaningful lives. Pinnacle Global Network®, a world leader in scaling companies and empowering business leaders—has guided thousands of CEOs and Founders to greater success over the past decade.

Allison has been featured in Inc., Success, Fortune, Fast Company, and Forbes Magazines, among others, and is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine. She is a featured expert on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and FOX broadcasts across the US, and also the host and producer of The Scale or Fail Show and the Women Who Own It Podcast in partnership with WBENC, the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in North America.

Director Patrick Harper was elected to the Fountain Valley City Council in November of 2018 and was appointed Mayor in 2021. Orange County’s City Selection Committee appointed Harper as a city council representative to the OCTA Board of Directors in January 2021.

Director Harper, a Certified Public Accountant, has lived in Fountain Valley since 2010 and has three sons attending local middle and high schools. Harper has been a long time member of the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors from 2012 to 2014. Prior to election to the City Council, Director Harper served as member and chair of the Fountain Valley Planning Commission from 2014 to 2018.

Director Harper grew up in Northern California in Marin County and migrated to Santa Barbara in 1980, where he attended college at UC Santa Barbara and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics. After college, he moved to Los Angeles and worked as an auditor in public accounting, as well as holding executive finance positions at various publicly traded and private companies. Since moving to Fountain Valley, Director Harper founded and operates a tax and accounting practice with his wife Hang Harper.

In addition to serving the public, Director Harper enjoys hiking with his family, scouting, and supporting his sons’ sports and academic endeavors. He is also an avid golf and tennis player, and achieved tennis ranking of #1 men’s doubles player in Southern California region for the year 2000.

In 1986, Mayor Jones graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School in Garden Grove. He continued his studies abroad by attending Kings College, Cambridge University, England in 1988. Returning to the states, he received both his Bachelor and MBA degrees from the University of Southern California, with a dual emphasis in Finance and Real Estate, graduating with honors for high scholastic achievement by having an overall 3.9 Grade Point Average.

Mayor Jones is the past president and a current board member of the Garden Grove Community Foundation since 2007. He also serves as a board member for the Orange County Transportation Authority and the Orange County Sanitation District. Mayor Jones served for eight years on the Garden Grove Planning Commission, with several terms as chair, and ten years on the City Council prior to becoming Mayor in 2016. Since 1999, he has been an active member of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

In his professional life, Steve Jones is the founder and president of a privately held asset management company, Olympia Capital Corporation, formed in 2001.

Mayor Jones’ community goal is to remain open and accessible to the public and play a unifying role amongst fellow councilmembers and other community leaders in order to facilitate consensus on what actions should be implemented to keep Garden Grove a great place to live, work, and play. He championed the “Re:Imagine Garden Grove” rebranding campaign, which in recent years has yielded several hugely successful Open Streets events, public art installations, a major music festival, the arrival of SteelCraft Garden Grove, and the Medal of Honor Bike and Pedestrian Trail, as well as upcoming projects such as Cottage Industries. Mayor Jones sees Garden Grove as a microcosm of the global economy magnified into one city and he envisions becoming the poster child for how public agencies ought to celebrate cultural diversity and learn to live together with one another harmoniously.

Born and raised in Garden Grove, he and his wife, Mani, are proudly raising their two sons, Jaden and Ashton, right here in the same community where he has lived since birth.

Mayor Fred Jung was elected to serve a four-year term representing Council District 1 on the Fullerton City Council in November 2020. Mayor Jung is the first Asian-American Fullerton City Council Member in over 20 years. The term expires in 2024.

Prior to joining Council, Mayor Jung served on the Parks and Recreation Commission and Traffic and Circulation Commission.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jung came to the United States at the age of 5. Jung has lived in Fullerton District 1 since 1987. He attended Sunny Hills High School and has volunteered as a Sunny Hills High School football coach for many years.

Mayor Jung has owned many successful small businesses. He also went on to found one of North Orange County’s largest youth sports nonprofit organizations. He started the jazz magazines All About Jazz Los Angeles, All About Jazz Chicago, All About Jazz San Francisco, and Jazz Weekly. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Jazz Journalists Association.

Mayor Jung serves as the Vice Chair to the Orange County Power Authority. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Board of Directors of the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, the Board of Trustees for the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, and in 2022 was elected to the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors representing the 4th Supervisorial District.

He attended the University of Southern California.

Mayor Fred Jung was elected to a full four-year term representing District 1 in 2020. The term expires in 2024.

Mayor Farrah N. Khan made history in November of 2020 becoming the 23rd Mayor of Irvine. She not only received the highest number of votes for the position of Mayor in the city’s history, but also shattered glass ceilings as the first woman of color to hold the position, and the first Muslim woman to lead a large city in the United States.

Mayor Khan grew up in northern California and began her career in the biotech and innovation industry as a regulatory manager focusing on streamlining complex products and international research. She and her family moved to Irvine in 2004 where her two sons have had the privilege of attending Irvine schools since Kindergarten. She and her husband also serve as Legacy Partners with the Irvine Public School Foundation.

Mayor Khan is focused on ensuring that the City of Irvine is a leader throughout Orange County and California when it comes to innovation and technology, maintaining a healthy environment, combating climate change, and protecting the health and wellness of Irvine’s diverse communities. In her short time as Mayor, she has initiated several new strategies leading to Irvine becoming the first City in Orange County to spearhead COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in local neighborhoods and senior centers, passed HERO pay for frontline grocery workers, created a new committee focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and adopted a resolution with strategies to support achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

Sunny Park is the first AAPI woman to serve as Mayor of Buena Park, unanimously elected by her colleagues in 2021. She also serves on the Community Economics and Housing Development Committee of the Southern California Associations of Governments. Previously, Sunny served as a State Commissioner on the California Board of Accountancy, regulating certified public accountants licensed to practice in California. As an attorney, she has provided free legal services to Orange County working families, immigrants and other vulnerable members of our community.

For her tireless efforts to make our local community better and working closely with people in need, Sunny received the Presidential Gold Medal for Volunteerism from former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Mayor Tri Ta was elected on November 6, 2018 to serve his fourth term as mayor. Mayor Ta was first elected to the Westminster City Council in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010. In 2008, he was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Ta became the first Vietnamese-American elected mayor in the United States with his victory on November 6, 2012; he was re-elected as mayor in November 2014 and 2016.

Tri Ta was born in Saigon, Vietnam. He came to the United States with his family in 1992 at the age of 19. He then received a B.A. in Political Science and has completed the requirements for an M.A. in International Relations. Tri appreciates the opportunities given to him by the political process and democracy in the United States, leading him to begin working as a legislative representative in 1998. That position gave Tri his first glimpse at the mainstream political operation and hands-on experience in helping many people from different backgrounds with various issues.

From 1998 to 2006, Tri worked as a career consultant and then an employment counselor enabling him to help numerous families from all ethnic groups become self-sufficient and less reliant on public assistance by developing better job searching skills, and/or adequate vocational training to obtain sustainable employment. He also helped with a variety of supportive services such as transportation, childcare, housing, shelter, ancillary and much more. Tri’s dedication, integrity, and professionalism has always been recognized by his coworkers and clients.

Mayor Ta is passionate about increasing revenues and supporting businesses in the City. He is dedicated to conserving the fiscal health of the City and working towards solving issues such as homelessness. He hopes to accomplish a healthy budget while responding efficiently to community concerns.

Tri Ta is a dedicated husband and father. He met his wife, Anh Doan by what he calls “an act of destiny,” and together they have journeyed through many challenging paths.

Vaughn M. Williams III currently serves as the Principal Supplier Diversity Advisor for SoCalGas Company. In this capacity he is responsible for ensuring the advancement of small, minority and underrepresented businesses. Previously he served as Category Manager for Southern California Gas Company (A Division of Sempra Energy), his responsibilities included management of all staff augmentation, contracts negotiation and management, fostering long-term client relationships in the areas of engineering, food services and Human Resources.

For twelve years, I served as the primary rainmaker at a nonprofit in Orange County, California. I realized “competition” is a myth. Our universe is abundant with donors, clients, ambassadors, and any type of audience you want to grow.

The real competitor is Noise. Distraction. A Chaotic World. The real challenge is obscurity and figuring out how to transform from a best kept secret to a household name.

The solution is thought leadership branding. Abundantly sharing your lived experience, passion, and expertise to build trust with the right audience on the right topic. Becoming crystal clear on your niche to provide value and solutions with radical empathy. Strategically growing your community and attracting the needed resources to turn your cause into a movement.

Those working closest to our world’s most pressing problems have the solutions; they’re just not always at “the table”. Yet, those at the table still give permission for others to join.

Let’s dismantle the boardroom table and reimagine the ultimate space of leadership as a campfire circle. A place to gather in growing community. To share stories and spark new ideas. To huddle for warmth. To be lit up. Where there is always room.

Bicvan Brown is a partner and Co-Chair of Tressler’s Professional Liability and Employment Group. She focuses her practice in all aspects of employment matters, including employment trials, arbitrations and mediations. She defends employers while providing advice and counsel against claims such as wage and hour (individual and class actions), PAGA, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and whistleblowing. She defends employers before state and federal agencies such as the EEOC, NLRB, California Labor Commission and California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. She is fluent in Vietnamese and Spanish and she provides advice about as well as translates workplace policies, employee handbooks and agreements. She regularly speaks at seminars, including sexual harassment prevention training conducted in Vietnamese, with the purpose of helping employers and their insurers regarding best practices to minimize risk in California.

Bicvan also has a general liability practice in post-foreclosure evictions, housing discrimination, catastrophic injuries, personal injuries and mass toxic torts. Bicvan recently prevailed on summary judgment on behalf of an individual supervisor sued for age-based harassment, disability-based harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress and she recently obtained a dismissal on behalf of a company sued for negligent supervision and retention.

Bicvan started her general liability practice in 1999 in a mass toxic torts action, using her Spanish language abilities. Since then, she has also defended Fortune 500 companies in catastrophic injury and personal injury matters and she has defended insurers in subrogation actions. She obtained a defense verdict in her most recent subrogation trial.

Mayrose Marquez is the founder and creative director of Picnic with Me. She has always had a passion for hosting enchanting picnics for couples, friends, and family.

After retiring in early 2020 from a 17-year career as an elementary school teacher, Mayrose took a leap of faith and started a pop-up picnic company later that year. Building celebrity and notable clientele through word of mouth and social media, Picnic with Me grew at an incredible pace hosting over 400 picnics to date throughout Southern California. From proposals, birthdays, and anniversaries, to a girls-day-out gathering at a park, beach, or private home, her passion and style provide a unique experience filled with love and memories for all to enjoy.

Linda Nguyen thrives on bringing people together to create long-term relationships that expand business opportunities and increase returns. Entrepreneurs are bogged down by operations as they are focused on innovation. She works with visionary leaders who need support on execution, turning their ideas into reality. As a community leader, she actively uses her influence to affect positive change.

Linda hopes to inspire others through her lived experience to defy traditional ideals and use our innate talents to pave a new path as creatives, entrepreneurs, and non-traditionalists – creating our own unique legacy. Her everyday goal – to cultivate meaningful connections and impactful collaborations that serve her clients and community.

Michael Aguillio is the Chief of the Outreach Branch with the California Department of Transportation in the Office of Civil Rights. His office is dedicated to increasing the participation of Small Business (SB), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) firms in both Federal and State procurements.

He is the founding member and the Chairmen of the Board of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Public Agency Consortium. Both committees are dedicated to creating economic growth in their respected regions.

He worked with the Department of General Services as a Buyer and contract administrator for all the fuels (Gas, Jet, Biodiesel, Natural Gas) contracts. He also served as a Business Outreach and Diversity Inclusion Liaison for the State of California in the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services. He presided over the Statewide SB/DVBE Advocates Committee. Participated with the Buying Green program, High Speed Rail Project, and held positions with Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Highway Patrol and Energy Commission.

Gloria Burton is a Program Manager, Supplier Diversity & Development at Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the nation’s largest electric utility. As such, she is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in support of healthier and strong communities with a clean energy future.

Gloria has over 25 years of Supply Chain experience and has supported many organizational business units across SCE as a Contract Manager.

Prior to joining Edison, Gloria worked for ARCO Products acquired by Beyond Petroleum in various capacities managing multi-million-dollar contracts within procurement and working with supplier diversity.

Gloria is very passionate in supporting youth programs. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and her granddaughter Syriah.

Gloria holds a Master’s in Business Administration from University of Redlands. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Pepperdine University.

Roger Cheng recently joined AT&T as a Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager. Prior to AT&T, Roger spent the previous 14+ years with M/WBEs in the technology space leading business development through Supplier Diversity.

Roger, also known as “The Voice,” has served as emcee or VOG for a number of organizations across the country. In 2017, Roger was recognized as the #Hes4Shes Champion at the WBENC National Conference.

Lydia McGee is the Principal Public Affairs Representative with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Through the Business Outreach program, she works to promote business and economic development in the area of contracting opportunities for regional, small, and disabled veteran businesses. This program represents a current reinvestment of more than $1 billion in small businesses. As the regional, small and disabled veteran business program outreach representative, she is charged with identifying and vetting businesses that are positioned and seeking to do business with the Metropolitan Water District.

Lydia oversees Metropolitan’s training, coaching, and mentoring programs for Small Business Enterprises, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, along with hosting and participating in various training workshops. Lydia hosts Business Outreach’s signature event Connect-2-Met and/or Connect-2-Vet twice a year. Lydia represents MWD in industry groups, professional organizations and supplier diversity advocacy groups, demonstrating MWD’s commitment to partner with and assist in the development of small business capacity building.

Vaughn M. Williams III currently serves as the Principal Supplier Diversity Advisor for SoCalGas Company. In this capacity he is responsible for ensuring the advancement of small, minority and underrepresented businesses. Previously he served as Category Manager for Southern California Gas Company (A Division of Sempra Energy), his responsibilities included management of all staff augmentation, contracts negotiation and management, fostering long-term client relationships in the areas of engineering, food services and Human Resources.

Tom Nguyen, a founding partner, established WinCorp Solutions in 2009; an Irvine, CA family owned business specializing in recruiting and staffing. The core mission is to fill a major void in the staffing industry by differentiating with a less commoditized, more analytical and concierge client based approach in acquiring talent for client companies, a “staffing plus, management consulting light” company.

Tom oversees all FORTUNE 500 client relations at WinCorp Solutions and has oversight over quality assurance. Tom has spent many years in fine tuning the modern corporate workforce to deliver results with over 1,000 client projects. WinCorp Solutions has won many entrepreneurial excellence awards from industry, such as Orange County Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, Congressional, Senate and State awards. Tom holds his MBA from Pepperdine University and Entrepreneurship education from UCLA and Dartmouth. Prior to WinCorp Solutions, Tom served in Senior leadership positions at companies, such as Warner Bros., The Walt Disney, California Pizza Kitchen and Mimi’s Café overseeing Finance, HR and IT.

Tom also is devoted to the community and has been past President and also Board of Director of ABAOC (Asian Business Association of Orange County), and volunteer Scout leader with Boy Scouts of America in Irvine, CA, serving as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Commissioner since 2012.