CEO Group (CE-12)

Founder/CEO - Solutions for Change

In 1999, Chris and Tammy Megison were helping out at an emergency winter shelter with their two boys, when a 9 year old girl named Jessica pulled Chris’ sleeve and innocently asked, “Hey mister, do you live here too?” Chris looked at the girl and then over to her mother who was preparing a bed on the shelter floor. Chris got down on one knee, looking into the girl’s eyes, and said, “I don’t live here, sweetie, but my wife and I are going to do everything possible so that you, and your family, won’t have to live here too.” The girl’s eyes welled with tears, and so did Chris’, and a vision was born—to solve family homelessness. This one night forever changed not only the lives of Jessica and her family, who solved their homelessness, but also the lives of over 2,200 other children and their parents who have since found their way here. Through this promise an imperative evolved that is known today as Solutions For Change. Chris served in Marines for 10 years.

Joined Vistage in 2014

CEO - Pioneer Healthcare Services

In 2012, Dan Rietti set out to redefine service in the travel healthcare industry. He hatched a plan to open his own firm and brought his (initially) skeptical and (very) pregnant wife along for the ride.

With a drive to elevate professionalism while putting the human touch back into recruiting, Pioneer Healthcare Services took off almost immediately. Dan wanted to create a place where travelers feel like they are actually part of a team, and he has not only succeeded, but exceeded even his own expectations.

Building a team of like-minded professionals who put people first, Pioneer has become known in the industry for its balance of professionalism and personalization, providing unmatched service and support to both clients and travelers, and finding the right nurses and therapists for every need.

And behind the scenes, Pioneer is a family as well. Their work environment is about loving what they do and having fun along the way. They are also supportive of their employees’ work-life balance, and if you ever stop into their office, you’ll likely find dogs relaxing and children playing or doing schoolwork. Pioneer wants their team to love what they do and where they do it.

At Pioneer, the story is still being written as they continue to grow and evolve.

Joined Vistage in 2022

CEO/Founder GeneGoCell

GeneGoCell was founded in 2020 by Elizabeth Zhang, SCYM (ASCP)CM, MBA, CMQ/OE, PhD, to provide top-quality and fast-turnaround customized services in Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) and flow cytometry analysis to serve the rising precision medicine industry, e.g. cell gene therapy (CGT).

“Love, Trust and Commitment” are the foundations of GeneGoCell.

Joined Vistage in 2018

CEO - Apex Contracting and Restoration

Apex Contracting & Restoration, Inc. opened for business in 2003 with 5 employees with a vision of improving the level of restoration services offered in the San Diego area. Their passion for excellent work and honesty propelled Apex’s growth, allowing them to reach over $5 million in sales by the end of 2006.

As their reputation has grown, so has their ability to serve our customers. Apex now employs more than 55 people and has performed work all over the state of California. Their range of services has grown from restoration services and general contracting to include 24-hour emergency response services for flood and fire; mold remediation; tenant improvements and remodels; new construction; destructive testing and litigation support.

As the continue to grow, Apex is continually mindful of the fact that they achieved such great success in such a short period of time due largely to their dedication to providing the best value to their customers. It is their vision to become the premier contracting, restoration and emergency services company in Southern California, and they believe that their team and philosophy will allow them to achieve that goal.

Joined Vistage 2007

CEO - Lloyd Pest Control

Jamie took over Lloyd’s leadership in 2000, a third generation CEO. Jamie started as the summer janitor while in high school and spent real time doing every job in the field. For almost 90 years Lloyd has been providing award-winning pest solutions for businesses and homes in Southern California and nationwide coverage through their Copesan Partnership. Lloyd provides personal account manager support for commercial accounts and dedicated customer service professionals for phone or scheduling. Lloyd has 250 local technicians in smart phone-dispatched trucks and provides every customer with a web portal for viewing past service slips, billing, and service requests 24/7.

Joined Vistage in 2000

CEO - JVA Art Group

Janet founded JVA Art Group in 1970, She has made it her mission to travel the world and create an exclusive high-resolution photography library ready to communicate your vision via the beauty of art. Janet’s team of graphic designers will create custom artwork to fit every design need. JVA Art Group understands the challenges and complexities of the custom art world and will embody your vision in any facility, ranging from hotels, to hospitals, to offices.

Joined Vistage in 2015

CEO/President - Parron Hall

CEO - RotoCo

Jim founded RotoCo in 1974 with a $1,000 loan to equip his van and began operating out of Hemet, CA. From this simple beginning, Jim has grown the company to be the largest Roto-Rooter franchise in the world. Today, RotoCo operates in San Diego, Santa Barbara and Sacramento counties along with both the Inland Empire and the Central Valley. These rapidly growing areas in California create great opportunities both for the company and the employees. RotoCo prides themselves on leveraging the Roto-Rooter national brand and couples that with the benefits of working with a family business. RotoCo continually invests in its people and its equipment to offer best-in-class services to both commercial and residential property owners throughout California.

Joined Vistage in 2003

CEO - Live Current

Publicly traded Live Current (“LIVC”) is a media technology company involved in the video streaming, social media and mobile games industries. The Company’s portfolio currently consists of three complimentary projects, the Kast online watch party, the SPRT MTRX gaming app (App Store and Play Store:  SPRT MTRX) and the Trivia Matrix game app (App Store and Play Store:  Trivia Matrix). Mark heads up a team of passionate individuals that hail from many different backgrounds across the globe. His team is from USA, Australia, Finland, Russia, Malaysia, and more! They come from fast-pace and exciting industries such as esports, video streaming, entertainment, and video games. They are big thinkers and love to use their shared vision for building and delivering products and services that create real value for their customers.

Joined Vistage in 2020.

Founder/CEO - Altus Schools - California Charter Schools serving at-risk students

Mary Searcy Bixby is an educational leader who is widely sought after as a keynote speaker and advisor. She is an expert in leadership training, organizational improvement, educational reform efforts in America, and the management of processes oriented to sustainable performance excellence and quality. Mary has been honored to support her leadership team in the acceptance of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award. This much-coveted recognition was presented by the United States Office of the President -Secretary of Commerce. The School for which Mary is President and CEO was the first K-12 school in America to receive this honor. Previous recipients include Motorola, AT&T, Solar Turbine, Nestle-Purina, Boeing, Sharp Hospital, Price Waterhouse and many other high-level corporations,

Recognized at local, state, national, and international levels, Mary has been deemed a legendary, courageous and bold leader by the Malcolm Baldrige Foundation, the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education, State level Charter School Associations, as well as, the Vatican. She has twice appeared as a finalist on the list of Women Who Mean Business issued by the San Diego Business Journal, was named a Woman of the Year finalist by San Diego Magazine, and has been recognized as a Woman of Distinction.  In 2019, Mary was awarded the Vistage Leader of the Year Award.

Dynamic, creative, innovative, and determined, Mary Bixby has led an organization that has positively impacted more than 48,000 student lives. She has addressed groups that integrate the business, medical, and education sectors. She has dared to make a difference in a field that is calling for responsible and reasonable change.

Joined Vistage 2012

CEO - Grain & Grit Collective

As CEO of Grain & Grit Collective, Mike DiNorscia has created a company that is purpose driven, innovative, and focused on developing top industry talent. Established in 2018, the company currently owns and operates the Little Italy Food Hall, Carnitas Snack Shack, Broken Yolk Cafe, and Sam the Cooking Guy’s signature Not Not Tacos, and Graze by Sam. Grain & Grit Collective is driven by the opportunity to positively impact communities within our establishments and beyond.

Prior to the creation of Grain & Grit, Mike was focused as managing director of his investment company, Sweet 100. Having successfully completed over $25 Million in restaurant related transactions, Mike began his investment career in 2009 with the creation of Restaurant Capital Growth Inc. In creating Restaurant Capital Growth Inc., Mike oversaw an investment in Burger Lounge, a San Diego based Fast Casual restaurant chain. In addition to Restaurant Capital, Mike had co-founded Location Matters. Location Matters is a full service Retail Commercial Brokerage with a specialized restaurant leasing and development team. Mike sold his interest in the company in 2015.

Prior to Location Matters, Mike was employed by Hormel Foods Corporation. While at Hormel Foods, Mike won the Chairman’s Inner Circle Award being recognized as one of the nation’s top foodservice sales representatives.

Joined Vistage in 2021

President and CEO - First Pacific Bank

Nathan is an experienced President/CEO with a demonstrated history of success. Prior to coming to First Pacific Bank, Mr. Rogge was the President and CEO for 15 years at Bank of Southern California where he took a two branch, $50 million bank under a regulatory order and turned it into a $1.7 billion bank with 15 locations throughout Southern California. He successfully completed six M&A transactions and four capital raises. Before that he was with First Republic Bank where he ran the Business Banking Group.

Joined Vistage in 2007

Private Investor, Advisor

Phil Dowley served in leadership roles at various businesses located throughout San Diego County for more than twenty years. He is currently self-employed focusing on investment opportunities as well as advising/mentoring other high achieving executives.

Joined Vistage in 2022