Orange County Power Players

In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Chris Simonsen, CEO of Orangewood Foundation, a powerful nonprofit in Orange County dedicated to helping teens and young adults—especially those who’ve experienced the foster care system or homelessness.

Chris shares his personal journey from a high-level finance executive at AAA to leading one of the region’s most respected nonprofit org...

In this insightful episode, Danny Flores sits down with Greg Hulsizer, a former CEO, public servant, and infrastructure leader who has reinvented life after retirement. With over four decades of executive leadership experience, Greg reflects on the highs and challenges of his career, how he helps others define and achieve their own versions of success, and why "retirement" doesn't mean slowing down.

Greg shares personal stories abo...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Michael Hernandez, a seasoned sales and marketing professional and newly published author of Marketing vs. Sales vs. Marketing. Michael shares how his passion for bridging the gap between sales and marketing inspired him to write a book that cuts through the noise of trendy marketing tactics to focus on what truly matters—the foundation.

Fr...

In this powerful and insightful episode, Danny Flores welcomes Dr. Maher Sonbol, the founder and CEO of Uplifting Rays Family Counseling. With a rich background spanning corporate leadership and clinical therapy, Dr. Sonbol shares his unique journey of leaving a successful business career to follow his passion in mental health and organizational psychology.

He unpacks how meaningful change begins with a personal "why," referencing ...

n this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores chats with Rebecca Gonzalez, founder of Orange Marketing — a top-tier HubSpot digital agency based in Orange County. Rebecca dives into how her agency helps B2B startups, SMBs, and nonprofits streamline their marketing and sales using HubSpot’s all-in-one platform.

Rebecca shares her journey in building Orange Marketing into a Diamond HubSpot partner, what...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Asad Ali, a seasoned SAP expert with more than two decades of hands-on experience in enterprise software, project management, and digital transformation.

Asad unpacks the evolution of his career—from writing 400-page code printouts to leading SAP BRIM implementations for companies in media, automotive, and tech. He breaks down complex SAP s...

In this insightful episode, Danny Flores sits down with tech leader and entrepreneur Rene Cortes to explore how AI is transforming the way small and medium-sized businesses operate. With over 15 years at HP and now founder of GoPivot AI, Rene shares practical ways business owners can cut costs, increase reviews, and save time through automation.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Rene uses AI at HP to enhance employee exp...

In this compelling episode, Danny Flores sits down with Heather Sharfi, PhD—CEO and founder of EVE and a passionate leader in integrative women’s health. With a background in cancer biochemistry, Heather brings together modern science and holistic practices to help women reconnect with their bodies, restore hormonal balance, and live fuller, more aligned lives.

They discuss practical tips for balancing hormones, the importance of m...

What happens when a seasoned intellectual property attorney follows her passion into the world of plant-based pet food? On this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Lisbeth Merrill, a longtime attorney and now co-founder of Virtuous Vittles, a new company launching a revolutionary product—100% plant-based, human-grade dog food.

Lisbeth shares how her career working with internationa...

What does it take to lead high-performing sales teams and deliver impactful communication in today's business world? In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Tod Novak, founder and CEO of the Novak Group, to unpack 25+ years of experience in sales, leadership, and professional speaking.

From managing sales teams across industries to elevating communication as a competitive advanta...

In this high-impact episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Nicholas Pardini — Newport Beach-based wealth manager, macroeconomic researcher, and YouTube content creator — for a candid conversation on building wealth and navigating finance.

Nicholas shares how a childhood gift of stock shaped his curiosity, how post-2008 hustle helped him break into hedge funds, and what inspired the launch of ...

From music beats to motherboards, Tristan McKee’s path into IT wasn’t what you’d expect. After a broken computer shifted his focus, Tristan dove into the tech world, eventually launching Get It Right Solutions, a company dedicated to tailored, proactive IT services for small and midsize businesses.

In this insightful episode, host Danny Flores explores the mindset, grit, and strategy behind Tristan’s success. Learn how referrals bu...

In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Brett Macomber, a leader in business and information technology with a background that bridges construction and cybersecurity. Brett shares how his early career in general contracting uniquely prepared him for the IT and security space — from physical installations to cloud-based solutions.

Brett and Danny dive into what it takes to keep to...

In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Zachary Newkirk, Marine veteran, Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and executive at Black River Security Solutions. Zachary reveals what it’s like to work in high-level security — from protecting celebrities like Kris Jenner and Kobe Bryant to managing large-scale corporate contracts and training elite teams.

He shares practical advice for ev...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Kelly Oberle, founder of Access Human Potential, to explore how mindset, resilience, and emotional intelligence drive performance in both athletics and corporate life.

Kelly shares how her journey as a Division I softball player and corporate leader shaped her understanding of stress, burnout, and balance. She explains why focusing on the process...

Patty has spent more than four decades serving the Orange County community in healthcare and education. She explains how Alzheimer’s Orange County—serving the community for 45 years—offers free education, support, and advocacy for families affected by dementia. Patty also shares practical ways to lower your risk for cognitive decline, including diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and social connection.

Listeners will hear Patty’s i...

Host Danny Flores sits down with Mike Kron, who has spent over 30 years operating a family office that has quietly grown into a powerhouse in Texas and Arizona multifamily real estate. Mike shares his journey from real estate attorney to family office operator, explaining how consistent reinvestment and strategic 1031 exchanges built lasting wealth without outside capital.

Mike also discusses:

• How his family office scaled fro...

In this inspiring conversation, Danny sits down with Sean Swentek — a seasoned marketing executive, nonprofit leader, and surf therapy advocate — to explore how sport can be a powerful tool for youth development, healing, and hope.

Sean shares his journey from corporate marketing at Omnidian to co-founding A Walk on Water, a nonprofit that brings surf therapy to children with special needs. He talks about the life-changing impact t...

In this inspiring episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Steve Jin, higher education professional and passionate advocate for faith-based learning. Steve shares his personal journey as an immigrant from South Korea and how higher education shaped the course of his life. From overcoming challenges in his youth to becoming a leader in enrollment management, Steve brings a powerful persp...