2022 INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES

AIVITA Biomedical Inc., Irvine Hans Keirstead, Chairman & CEO

Dr. Hans Keirstead is chairman and CEO of AIVITA Biomedical, Inc., an Irvine-based biotechnology company developing personalized vaccines for the treatment of cancer and prevention of COVID-19. AIVITA’s innovative therapies are made possible through proprietary, leading-edge capabilities Dr. Keirstead and his team have developed over two decades as pioneers in the field of regenerative medicine. AIVITA’s personalized cancer immunotherapy uniquely targets the seed of all cancers, tumor-initiating cells. In 2021, Dr. Keirstead’s team reported a remarkable 50% improvement in progression free survival over standards of care using this approach. In the last year Dr. Keirstead also led the rapid development of a novel personalized vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine has undergone clinical testing in Indonesia at the invitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health and aims to serve nations with limited access. Importantly, the vaccine provides direct cellular immunity by stimulating a T cell response, in contrast with available mRNA vaccines which produce transient antibodies in hopes of stimulating cellular immunity. Hans is a member of several local Orange County charities. He is also a husband, father, and proud member of the Orange County community.

A-Tech Consulting Inc., Orange Casandra Williams, Owner, CEO & CFO

Casandra Williams is not only an innovator in her field, but in her community. Her company, A-Tech Consulting, was the first to test nonprofit Orangewood Foundation’s new program, the General William Lyon Workforce Academy, pairing disadvantaged young adults in apprenticeship opportunities with local construction firms. The program teaches trade skills to young adults looking for a career path and provides a new source of dedicated employees for companies. In less than a year, it has grown to serve 14 youth and connect them with seven community corporations. Williams now sits on the board for Lyon Workforce Academy and is eager to continue to build on the vision and amazing potential of this program and expand services in partnership with the LWA board and the Orangewood team. Providing choices, financial resources and community support is what changes the direction of a young person’s life. A corporate community that encourages our youth to discover their potential, push past their fears and doubts, and see that they are strong and capable leaders is what will change lives and generations forever.

ATTOM, Irvine Rob Barber, CEO

As CEO of ATTOM, Rob Barber directs the enterprise, data and product strategy, customer acquisition and service, as well as corporate management teams, for the premium property data provider. Barber also leads the company’s corporate M&A strategy. Barber’s true passion for property data guides the ATTOM team comprised of forward-thinking experts. This enthusiasm continues to motivate the company’s growing team of data experts dedicated to ensuring ATTOM’s key stakeholders - ranging from customers to subsidiary partners - achieve success through a culture of integrity and excellence in a positive and collaborative environment.

ATTOM, Irvine Todd Teta, Chief Product & Technology Officer

Todd Teta leverages over two decades of experience in technology and product innovation in his role at ATTOM, where he leads the company’s technology and product teams. Teta’s unique contributions to ATTOM continue to prove invaluable in ensuring the company’s ability to deliver data-driven critical insights and analytics-ready property data solutions, addressing a wide range of business needs. Under Teta’s leadership as chief product and technology officer, ATTOM - now the parent company of RealtyTrac, Homefacts, Home Disclosure, Home Junction and GeoData Plus - continues to build upon its data footprint through technology developments and strategic acquisitions. Teta remains committed to consistently delivering innovations that contribute to furthering ATTOM’s goal of bringing more comprehensive real estate data to the marketplace.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc., Aliso Viejo Wa’el Hashad, President & CEO

Wa’el Hashad has served as the president and CEO of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the past five years. He is also currently a member of the California Life Sciences (CLS) Board of Directors, the Financial Management Association Honor Society and the advisory board of the Center for Health Care Management and Policy (UCI Paul Merage School of Business). A pharmacist by training, he is a passionate leader with over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical management, sales and marketing in the U.S. and international markets. As the chief commercial officer and executive vice president of Seres Therapeutics, Hashad pioneered the path for future therapies. Within this role, he led all activities related to the commercialization of new products. He additionally launched groundbreaking therapies as the therapeutic area head for General Medicine and head of Global Marketing at Amgen. As the vice president of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim, Hashad oversaw the development of a new product which was the first of its kind and offered an easier process for clients.

BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Anaheim Brady Granier, CEO

During the 12 years prior to joining BioCorRx® in June of 2013, Brady Granier had been involved in sales management, media sales and business development. Mr. Granier was employed at Clear Channel Media & Entertainment (“CCME”), where he had served in several positions from account executive to director of business development and local sales manager. He has also served as the Healthcare Category Manager for the Los Angeles division of CCME, the largest media company in the United States. During his tenure at CCME and other media companies, he worked on marketing campaigns for local businesses and physicians, as well as for national brands such as Neutrogena, New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures, Samsung, AT&T, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Hansen’s, Honda, MGM, Universal Studios and more. He also managed endorsements on the radio for Ryan Seacrest. In 2006, He received the coveted Pinnacle Award from CCME for being the top sales executive in the Western region. While serving as director of business development, Mr. Granier grew new business by 49% in his first year in that role.

Blue C, Costa Mesa Eric Morley, Co-Founder & COO

For nearly 25 years, Eric Morley has built Blue C’s reputation as Orange County’s leading brand strategy and marketing agency - a feat not possible without innovation and ingenuity at pivotal moments. Blue C recently debuted its proprietary BrandPWR program to lead businesses through a hands-on, multi-step process that defines the who, what and why behind their brand. An amalgamation of dynamic best practices learned throughout Blue C’s lifetime, Morley drew on the agency’s more than 12,000 marketing projects, 500 rebrands and 1,000 launches to develop this one-of-a-kind branding roadmap. Morley has also built Blue C’s client roster significantly over the last year, with a hyperfocus on partnering with electric transportation and sustainability brands who are or aim to be innovators, disruptors and tastemakers in their respective industries. Morley is also a proven innovator outside of Blue C. When the pandemic hit, Morley quickly sprang into action and co-founded the California Love Drop, a non-profit organization that served more than 400 “love drops” and delivered 38,000+ meals to front line responders, those who need care and medical personnel combatting the pandemic.

Branded Group, Anaheim Michael Kurland, CEO, Co-Founder & Author

Michael Kurland, CEO, writer, podcaster, entrepreneur, culture creator, and conscious capitalist. An award-winning CEO of a successful facilities management company, Kurland is committed to leading with purpose and giving back to his community. Kurland launched Branded Group in 2014 and has led its year-over-year exponential growth and cultural transformation, which has been accomplished through the cultivation of a highly-regarded team of industry experts who strive to be better to their customers, communities, themselves, and to each other. This commitment has resulted in deep and long-lasting customer, vendor, and non-profit partner relationships, innovative programs that drive customer satisfaction, and a respected position in the industry. Kurland is a well-established author of thought leadership articles in online publications such as Forbes, Inc., Huffington Post, and Thrive Global on topics such as leadership, company culture, social impact, and employee engagement and retention. In addition, his first book titled “Broken to Better: 13 Ways Not to Fail at Life and Leadership will be available July 19th. He is also the host of the “BeBetter with Michael Kurland” podcast. Kurland shares his facilities management expertise in case studies and industry publication articles. He is a sought-after speaker, sharing his entrepreneurial journey with aspiring small business owners and students.

CathWorks, Irvine Ramin Mousavi, President & CEO

Ramin Mousavi is a dynamic executive with an outstanding history of building high-performing teams and achieving exceptional results in the medical device and high-tech industries - from developing to launching and commercializing breakthrough and transformational products. He is currently the president & chief executive officer (CEO) of CathWorks, an innovative global medical device company focused on transforming the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery diseases. CathWorks is dedicated to improving the care of patients suffering from coronary artery disease by providing clinicians the most comprehensive and objective data through CathWorks digital health platform, a combination of advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning and cutting-edge user interface. A rising star of the medical device industry, Mousavi has executive leadership and operational experience in general management, marketing, strategy, product development, and commercialization across multiple market segments. Prior to CathWorks, Mousavi led the patient monitoring and digital health portfolio at Baxter International. Previously, he held various leadership assignments at Edwards Lifesciences, Panasonic, and Rockwell Collins. Mousavi served as CathWorks vice president of global marketing & strategy and the company’s chief marketing officer from 2019 to 2020.

Check Capital Management Inc., Costa Mesa Steve Check, President

Steve Check founded Check Capital Management (CCM) in 1987. As CCM’s chief investment officer, he is responsible for overall investment policy and portfolio management. While formally educated as an engineer (plus coursework in accounting), Mr. Check found his passion in investing and helping others with financial issues. He thoroughly studied great investors—Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, etc.—learning not only their techniques but the underlying mindset that ensured their success. Mr. Check holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State and a Masters in Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. A member of CFA Institute, he is past president of the CFA Society of Orange County.

Cinergy Financial, Tustin Cindy Couyoumjian, Founder & CEO

Cindy Couyoumjian is truly one of those inspiring stories about a woman who not only entered one of the last remaining male-dominated industries, she also thrived to become one of the best financial advisors in Southern California. In addition to being a brilliant financial advisor, with 36 years of experience, Couyoumjian is also a bestselling author, educator, and lecturer. Couyoumjian’s book, Redefining