Our panelists will include the following representatives from a variety of technology-focused businesses, discussing how small businesses are using technology to get ahead.
Meet the members of our Panel.
Dr. Stephen Nellman is the Superintendent of Centinela Valley Union High School District where all students graduate ready for college, career, and life! After serving in the US Army in the Airborne Infantry, he earned a B.S. in Biology from UCSD, a M.Ed. from UCLA, and an Ed.D. from USC. A Hawthorne resident, he also serves as the Vice President of the Hawthorne Veterans Affairs Commission, a Board Member of the US Selective Service System, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.
Marci spent almost 20 years honing her story telling skills as a television director in the reality genre tv, on shows like Dr. Phil, Inside Edition, and E! Entertainment Television. She is a Los Angeles Emmy Award winner and a Cable Ace recipient, and surf enthusiast.
After graduating from UC San Diego with a degree in Communications, and learning to surf, Marci made the move to Hollywood where she worked her way up from the bottom. She started as a production assistant, to production coordinator, to story producer, to field producer and then on to director, Supervising and Senior Producer roles. It was in 1990 that she was invited to direct on Greg Kinnear’s first network tv show, The Best of the Worst, which inaugurated her into the Directors Guild of America.
Wearing many hats in Hollywood prepared Marci with the skills and experience to open and run her own video production studio, which she now operates in Redondo Beach, just a short distance from her home and family in Redondo Beach – and more importantly, 5 blocks to the ocean which she uses as her inspiration, as quoted in her passage, “Being in the ocean is like diving into creativity. I get inspired feel invigorated, and ideas flow. The ocean is where I write my client scripts in my head, long before my hands ever reach a computer keyboard.” The vibe of her company is as important to her as the quality of videos she produces. Marci’s board meetings are offered in the surf line-up, and everyone is welcome.
Marci balances business with family and philanthropy. She sits on the board for non-profit organization Waterfront Education, is a Public Arts Commissioner and Ambassador to the Redondo beach Chamber of Commerce. Today Marci is still a member of the Directors Guild of America, the Producers guild of America. Marci never books a video shoot on Fridays until after her morning surf session.
My name is Gus Papagno and I own CALL-A-TEK LLC a Managed IT Company. We provide
professional managed technical consulting for home, small to medium business that do not have a need for a full time IT person on their payroll. A one stop "Virtual IT" service company, offering on call / as needed IT Services. Available 24/7 365, onsite or remotely.
I take pride that we are not just another technical consulting company.
What sets is apart is our
ability to establish long lasting relationships, fast respond times, affordability and problem solving.
We work with you on resolving and preventing any issues, before they affect you or your business.
We have been building partnerships since 2000 throughout California. Our customer base ranges from Home users, Hotels, Restaurants, Department of Defense contractors , Interior Designers, Credit card processing, Online retailers, Meat packing company, Doctors/Chiropractor Offices, Airline food kitchen, Law offices, Insurance Offices, Architects, Freight forwarders and Linen Services to name a few.
Daniel Gouw is the Senior Strategy for EDNA Digital Marketing, a Los Angeles based Digital Marketing company.
He is a best selling author of the book “The Art of Getting More Customers” and has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News.
He has been an instructor for the SBA in Digital Marketing for over 4 years and has been a frequent guest speaker for Business Associations, Chambers of Commerce, National and International Companies.
Daniel was also a former professional athlete and National US Team Member, representing the US in International Competition and PanAm Games for 15 years.
Paul Savage serves as the Director of Client Success for Profitcents, holding the position since 2017. Prior to his current role, I managed the international operations for ProfitCents, focusing on the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa. Paul works extensively with accounting firms and consulting associations to grow their advisory capabilities, with a strong emphasis on benchmarking, forecasting and valuation methodologies.
Paul holds a BS in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University and is currently completing his MBA at East Carolina University.
Richard Nguyen is an accomplished insurance brokerage owner of SmartPath Insurance in Hawthorne, CA. With extensive expertise in the areas of business, cyber liability, and personal lines insurance, Richard has established himself as a reliable and trusted advisor to his clients.
He’s built a reputation for providing personalized service and tailored insurance solutions to meet the unique needs of each of his clients. He takes a proactive approach to risk management, working closely with his clients to identify potential threats and implement strategies to minimize exposure.
In addition to his expertise in traditional business and personal lines insurance, Richard has also developed a deep understanding of the emerging field of cyber liability insurance. He stays up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in this rapidly evolving area, and is able to provide his clients with comprehensive coverage and risk management solutions.
Throughout his career, Richard has remained committed to providing exceptional service and building lasting relationships with his clients. He takes great pride in helping businesses and individuals protect what matters most to them, and looks forward to continuing to serve his clients for many years to come.
