BIO

Ray Calnan is a certified e-PRO & ECO-Broker who specializes in first time home buyers and sellers. He founded Charity Alliance Realty in 2005 in order to combine his two passions, helping people buy and sell homes and giving back to the community. Charity Alliance Realty donates 10% of its revenue to charities selected by clients. Ray is also a commercial real estate appraiser with a specialization in tax related appraisals.

When he isn’t helping people buy/sell homes, Ray stays involved in the local community. Currently, he is the Land Use Chair of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council and teaches part-time at California State University Northridge in the College of Business and Economics.

Chad G. Charton is the Vice President of Marketing Development for FMS Financial Partners, Inc.  He is responsible for conducting extensive marketing and outreach efforts to identify candidates for the sophisticated and resourceful expertise offered by FMS Financial Partners, Inc.  He's also a licensed life, health, disability and long term care insurance broker.

Chad attended California State University, Northridge where he achieved a bachelors of science degree in business administration with a concentration in financial services. While at Northridge Chad he served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Associated Students, Inc., the acting student governance organization at the University where he was responsible for advocating the interests of nearly 34,000 students. In 2006, Chad was appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve on the California Student Aid Commission. Further, Chad has served on the Board of Directors for the California State Student Association and the National Board of Directors of Consumers for Competitive Choice.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alumni Association for California State University, Northridge.  

Shannah Compton is a partner of Stanley L. Compton (SLC) Insurance Services, Inc., an innovative insurance and financial services agency that is privileged to represent over 80 Life, Disability, Health, and Long Term Care Companies. Based in the greater Los Angeles area, SLC Insurance provides specialized services combined with competitive products from highly rated insurance companies to offer our clients a distinct advantage for their short and long-term insurance and financial planning needs.

Shannah is also working hard to build a division dedicated to young professionals educating them about the principles of a strong financial foundation.

Shannah also has over 10 years of marketing and business consulting expertise in such diverse industries including Real Estate, Financial Services, and Entertainment.  One of her proudest accomplishments is her creation of a national student film festival, Hometown Cinema, Inc. in her sophomore year of college which she ran for over 5 years. She has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, an ability to think outside the box, and a passion for creating unique niche opportunities in all her business ventures.

Shannah holds a B.A. degree in Arts Management from Indiana University and an M.B.A. degree from Pepperdine University.

Megan Cottier is a Field Deputy for Councilman Greig Smith with the City of Los Angeles Council District 12.  She has been coordinating events as well as assisting with community outreach for the Councilman since 2007.  Prior to working with the City, Megan worked in Member Services for the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.  She sits on the Board of Directors for the West Valley Alliance and for Ride on Therapeutic Horsemanship.  Megan graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2007 with a BA degree in Communications.

When Megan isn't working, she enjoys traveling to strange and exotic locations, horseback riding, reading (especially books about travel), photography and shopping. 

Mitchell Englander is the Chief of Staff to Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith. In addition, Mitch is very active in civic and philanthropic activities. He currently serves on numerous boards of directors including The American Diabetes Association and Chairs the LA Political Roast, San Fernando Valley Jaycees and Chairs the Annual Alumni Gala, Providence Holy Cross Hospital and Chairs the Care Can’t Waite Honorary Committee, North Valley Family YMCA and Chairs the Annual Booster Dinner and Capitol Campaign Pacesetter Committee and is active in the Parent/Child Guide Program, Kadima Academy Board of Trustees, Valley Leadership Institute-Advisory Committee, The Police Activities League (PALS), New Directions For Youth, and New Horizons. Mitch is a graduate of the Valley Leadership Institute and recently served as a Commission on the State Bar. Mitch is also a Reserve Los Angeles Police Officer and was president of both of his Academy classes.

Timothy Gaspar, owner of Timothy Gaspar Insurance Services, is a well-respected insurance specialist. His company is located within the confines of Financial Management Services (FMS), a 34-year-old financial planning firm that caters to business owners and entrepreneurs.

Gaspar currently insures one of the largest homes in Southern California and has written a variety of unique property, identity theft and kidnap/ransom policies. Gaspar is known for unparalleled customer service and discretion, he will go to great lengths to provide privacy and protection for high-profile clients, including house calls and off-hour appointments.

Gaspar’s property and casualty expertise was honed at Wheatman Insurance Services, where he was the Top Agent and President’s Award winner for five consecutive years. Other specialties include life, health, umbrella, commercial, professional, worker’s compensation, kidnap and ransom, collectibles and identity theft insurance. His firm represents Mercury, Travelers, Hartford, AIG, Progressive and Allied Insurance, among others.

Max Haghighi is the Chief Executive Officer of Syndicated Insurance Agency, the Limited Liability Company he co-founded in 2004. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Information Management Systems from the University of Phoenix in June of 2000. Max first came to the insurance industry in 1999 through Blue Cross of California where he handled benefit issues and processed claims. In 2001, Max accepted a position as an account coordinator with GNW-Evergreen Insurance Services where he acquired his Life and Health Agent License. He completed his Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designation in 2003. He has proudly called the city of Northridge his home since 1978.

Clark Hill is a Realtor with Century 21 All Moves. He has been helping buyers and sellers in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas for years. Last year Clark received his California Real Estate Broker License to better assist his clients. He is also designated by the National Association of Realtors as an e-Pro, establishing his knowledge and commitment to the use of technology in the world of real estate.

Clark is a member of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, for which he serves as vice-chair of the Education Committee.  His transaction experience includes working with buyers, sellers, houses, townhouses, condos, land, estates, credit unions, loss-mitigation, 1031 Exchanges, BPOs, etc. His clients have included doctors, engineers, lawyers, real-estate developers and brokers, government employees, non-profit organizations, and more.

In addition to real estate, Clark enjoys water and snow sports, fine cuisine and wine, and weekly games of Kickball. Clark is also very involved in the community and serves on several local committees and boards of directors. He also donates to his charity of choice, Easter Seals, with every transaction he completes.

Debbie Holbrook is a National Vice President with the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.  She is assigned to the states of Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina and cross-assigned to California.  She previously served as the President of the California and Santa Clarita Valley Junior Chambers.   As a National Officer she travels the United States providing leadership, membership and organizational management training.

Debbie works as a Yield Management Analyst with Princess Cruises in Valencia, where she is responsible for identifying marketing opportunities for the Exotic and European cruise markets.  Prior to working at Princess, Debbie was the International Distribution Coordinator for Universal Pictures.  A 1999 graduate of the University of California at Davis, Debbie has called Santa Clarita home since 2000.

Leslie Kaz is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Syndicated Insurance Agency, the Limited Liability Company he co-founded in 2004. Born in Park Ridge, Illinois, to parents with strong Midwestern values, Leslie attended Western Illinois University in Macomb before exchanging that region’s brutal winters for life in southern California in 1989. After acquiring his Life and Health Agent License in 1994, he did his initial training with Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, where he specialized in helping public and private school teachers maximize their retirement benefits. Later he became Senior Account Manager at GNW-Evergreen Insurance Services. There he spent ten years managing group and individual policies of all types and sizes. To further his knowledge of the industry, Leslie completed his Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designation in 2003. Married to a merchandiser for Macy’s in Northridge, Marcella Villalobos, Leslie makes his home in Granada Hills.

Vahid is a stock research analyst providing in-depth analysis for banks, mutual funds, and other investment groups. He mainly works on analyzing small market capitalization companies, as well as providing analysis on current economic conditions.

Vahid became a financial analyst after spending seven years as an executive of a computer wholesale company. Vahid’s experience at the executive level, where he was involved in multi-million dollar transactions, and in-depth analysis to make market timed purchases, contributes to his work as an analyst. This past experience allows Vahid to better understand what companies are attempting and how successful their ventures will be.

Vahid is a Board Member for the Encino Chamber of Commerce.  For leisure, Vahid is an avid weightlifter and medium distance jogger. As the trunk of his car will attest, he is always prepared for a pick up game of almost any sport. Vahid also enjoys reading any book he can get his hands on.

Heidi is an experienced sales and marketing professional with an extensive event planning and promotions background used to drive productivity and growth of multi-billion dollar organizations.  Her background includes work with firms in the education, real estate, mortgage, health care, entertainment, theme park and auto industries. 

In her spare time, Heidi is a community activist.  She’s an active member of the San Fernando Valley Jaycees and the Granada Hills Rotary Club.  She’s also a dedicated volunteer for both the American Cancer Society and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Heidi’s credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Spanish from Whittier College, and a Broker’s License from the California Department of Real Estate.  She’s completing her Master’s degree program in Business Administration/Marketing at California State University Northridge—which she expects to receive in a few short months. She enjoys sports, cooking, traveling, concerts and spending time with her dog, Einstein.

Juliet has a background working for the local government and non-profit industries as well as working with an international public relations firm serving celebrities and authors.  Her past experiences as a communications professional include managing projects for all levels of local and state government, speech writing for government officials and producing a series of television segments advocating car safety for children featuring local legislators.  She has also worked with regional and national media writing press releases and coordinating publicity and has published numerous articles for a variety of magazines, newspapers and news websites. 

Cindy has been practicing public accounting since 2001.  She has worked primarily with large local and regional firms in the Southern California area.  Her practice areas include providing audit and tax services to privately held clients in the manufacturing, insurance, real estate and services industries, as well as technical consulting for public companies in the area of stock based compensation and financial reporting. 

Cindy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California State University Northridge in 2001.  She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.  She serves on the board of directors for the San Fernando Valley Jaycees, the Girl Scouts of America, and is actively involved in the San Fernando Valley business community.

Wendy Phelps
Owner
More is Available Coaching & Consulting

Wendy helps individuals reconnect to their purpose and live it.   Be it as a coach, a consultant or a speaker, Wendy weaves best practices from business, education and practical spirituality into all that she does. 

As a coach, Wendy partners with individuals to brand and expand small businesses, manage career transitions, manage life transitions and address work/life balance issues.  As a consultant, she partners with organizations to assist with corporate coaching programs, employee assistance programs and special projects in the areas of assessment, marketing, event planning, communications and human resources.  As a speaker, Wendy increases participant understanding and action in the areas of communication, recruitment, retention, supervision, organizational change and work/life balance.  

Wendy’s love for this line of work started as an undergraduate when she held a variety of student leadership positions – all of which involved extensive training in the areas of listening, communication, problem-solving and directing others to appropriate resources.  This lead to a Masters Degree in Leadership, nearly 15 years of professional experience and well over 1,000 hours invested in her personal and professional development.

In addition to growing her coaching and consulting business, Wendy also enjoys serving as a part-time university professor teaching Leadership, Marketing and Entrepreneurialism at her alma mater, Cal State Northridge.

Nick Ramirez
Account Executive
Well Kneaded Massage, Inc.

Nick received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Television Arts in 2007 from California State University Northridge.  He was involved in several Executive Boards on and off campus including New Student Orientation and Director of Clubs and Organizations for the Associated Students.  As a member of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity, Nick was elected to serve as the Vice President and New Member Educator during his undergraduate career and was elected Outstanding Graduating Senior in 2007 for his dedication to the advancement of his fraternity, his participation in community involvement and his academic achievement.

Currently, Nick works as the Account Executive and Co-Partner of Well Kneaded Massage (www.wellkneadedmassage.com) which is a national network for licensed massage therapists.  Incorporated in 2003, Well Kneaded Massage has become one of the leading national networks for therapists and clients alike.  Nick also works at California Pizza Kitchen, Topanga, as the Director of Fundraising and as a part-time Manager.  For the SFV Jaycees, Nick currently serves as the chapter's Treasurer.