Critical Mass Business Talk Show | Orange County’s Longest-Running Business Talk Show

With over 30 years of experience in wealth management, Rhonda Ducote is a respected leader and expert in the financial advisor industry. As President and Principal of Apriem Advisors, she is known for crafting personalized financial strategies that focus on both outstanding results and exceptional customer service. Rhonda’s dedication to her clients goes beyond business, as she considers them an extended family, pouring her heart into ensuring their financial success. Rhonda is also passionate about empowering women in finance. Through the creation of Women of Wisdom, she provides a platform for women to take control of their financial futures, helping to bridge the gender gap in financial literacy and boosting confidence in financial decision-making. Rhonda’s husband, children, granddaughter and two pups are the driving forces for everything Rhonda does! -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Craig Cooke is a successful entrepreneur who had the foresight to start a “digital first” company utilizing the Internet long before “digital first,” “digital transformation,” and other buzzwords of today were created. With extremely limited resources of $1,300 and an Apple computer, he started RhythmNet.com. Over the years of struggle, adaptation, and repositioning the brand, “Rhythm“ was sold to a world-class digital creative agency in 2019. Craig stayed with the company for just over 3 years, completing a 26-year marathon of running the company as CEO. During his tenure at Rhythm®, Craig worked with middle market to large enterprise companies, such as American Honda Motors, Beats by Dr. Dre, ZO Skin Health, Irvine Company, The Travel Corporation, Segway, U.S. Bank, FivePoint, Online Trading Academy, Allergan, Abbott Labs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and many other B2C and B2B brands. Craig has also participated as a speaker in many conferences and seminars, including “Connections” by ExactTarget, The “Res Conference” by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, The Integrated Marketing Forum, and numerous other events. He has also served on the boards of the California American Indian Chamber of Commerce as Vice-President and the American Advertising Federation as Interactive Chair. Today, Craig shares his business wisdom, experience, and expertise in three key areas: executive leadership, brand development, and marketing communications. He continues his training in martial arts, continuously learning and evolving his skills. Also, he has studied and served as a practitioner of Chinese Medical Qigong since 2015, bringing energy healing to hundreds of people. He has a Doctorate Degree of Chinese Energetic Medicine from the Temple of Change and Transformation. Craig incorporates his skills, knowledge, and expertise in energetic practices into the world of business to provide a truly unique perspective and method in working with professionals across a wide variety of industries. Outside of his consulting and qigong practice, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids, and two dogs in Southern California. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Meghan Clem and Katie Webb Brundige are the creative forces behind Intertwined Inc., bringing decades of experience in hospitality, events, marketing, and design to the art of crafting luxury experiences. Their hospitality collection of brands offers wedding and event production services, social media marketing, and room block management. Known for their creativity, precision, and heart, they also lead RAD Camp, their nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through life- changing and inclusive experiences. Meghan, a University of Southern California graduate with a degree in Public Relations, launched her career in event planning and public communications for the City of Anaheim, later expanding her talents into large-scale production, nonprofit consulting, and social media strategy. Katie, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a focus in Event Management from San Diego State University, began her journey planning major events for Fortune 500 companies before building a reputation for bespoke event design and multi-day productions across the globe. Together, they’ve woven social impact into the very fabric of their business model because they believe that luxury and generosity are not mutually exclusive. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Susan Howington is the CEO and Founder of the outplacement and executive coaching firm called Power Connections Career Services, Inc, and equity owner of Career Partners International. She is a sought-after expert in the career management field due to her experiences as a career consultant, executive coach, author, and speaker. Her life-long goal is to help professionals manage and advance their careers through effective work relationships and strategic management growth, which ultimately leads to greater success for them and the companies for which they work. Susan made her mark in the industry throughout her executive tenure with the firm of Lee Hecht Harrison, a global player in outplacement and executive coaching services. Under Susan’s leadership as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Southern California region, the company was branded as the premier Executive Coaching service in Orange County, California. She received Lee Hecht Harrison’s Global Leadership Consulting Award and participated as a member of the Company’s Executive Strategic Planning Committee. Widely recognized, Susan was profiled by OC Metro Magazine as one of “15 Orange County Women Who Inspire Others”. She has appeared in national and regional media outlets that include the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal. She is the author of the book on Amazon.com called “How Smart People Sabotage Their Job Search: 10 Mistakes Executives Make and How to Fix Them.” Susan is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC)™ through the International Coaching Federation. Her experience includes coaching C-level executives and key senior management. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

As founder of OC Growth Advisors, Marla works with business owners and their employees to improve focus and processes for growth and greater profitability. She has run several successful organizations, including one she sold in 2015 for 15 times EBITDA. Marla has served on multiple non-profit boards as well as two for-profit Boards. She is also a chapter chair for WPO, Women Presidents’ Organization, which is an international organization of women business owners. Marla’s clients range from service industries to construction to manufacturing, in the $2 million to $50 million range. Her clients say she helps keep them focused on the business, versus working in the business. Her 14 years in Vistage and 11 years in WPO have trained her to be continuously looking for tools to help the businesses run more efficiently. She wants her clients to enjoy their business until they wish to sell or transition the business to employees or children. Marla is a CPA and an MBA and has taught at Chapman University and UCI. In addition, Marla volunteers to help new or developing businesses succeed. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.