Kartik Chandar, Founder of Avant-Garde Ventures, Inc., is an accomplished IT leader with over 25 years of experience architecting, developing, and delivering enterprise-level, business-focused solutions across multiple industries. With more than 15 years in IT management, he has led high-performing teams that align closely with organizational vision and strategy while fostering a culture of collaboration with the business.

Throughout his career, Kartik has managed the delivery of solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of critical business processes. He has successfully delivered transformative technology initiatives for clients in the Finance, Manufacturing, Food Service, Health Care, Media & Entertainment, and Real Estate industries.

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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.

Helen dos Santos is a dynamic innovator with a proven track record in business and technology. A former student athlete, two-time World Champion in darts, she successfully transitioned her competitive spirit into leadership roles across the automotive and real estate industry. With over two decades at Keller Williams Realty, Helen excelled as finance and operations, a regional leader, brokerage owner, consultant and advisor.

As the founder of Market Centric Leverage Systems, Helen now pioneers AI-driven solutions designed to bridge human potential and ethical, inclusive artificial intelligence. Innovating communication models and rewriting the future of business systems and technology.

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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.

If you're looking for someone who blends the heart of a community advocate, the mind of a marketing strategist, and the soul of an 80s music lover—you’ve found her. Brandy Alvarado-Miranda isn’t just a name in the AV world—she’s a force of nature.

When she’s not courtside cheering on her kid’s basketball game (or the Lakers & Sparks), you’ll find her chasing waves at the beach, getting her hands dirty in the garden, or spoiling her adorable pug and corgi duo. A true SoCal spirit, she lives for tacos, margaritas, and the synth beats of Depeche Mode—preferably all at once.

Brandy dove into the AV industry in 2014 and never looked back. After gaining experience across engineering, manufacturing, and themed integration, she made the bold leap during the pandemic—launching BAM! Marketing & PR Agency in 2021. Since then, she’s helped dozens of Pro AV and Digital Signage brands find their voice and amplify it across the industry with strategic branding, impactful content, and fearless creativity. She’s dubbed her clients her #BAMily, and has created an ecosystem that not only connects them to work on projects together, but to team up to network.

But Brandy doesn’t stop at business. She’s a passionate advocate for women in tech, founding WAVIT in 2023—a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting women in AV/IT. From her leadership with the AVIXA Women’s Council to her mentorship and advisory roles, Brandy is determined to leave the AV industry better, stronger, and more inclusive than she found it.

With titles like Woman of the Year in AV, Pro AV Watch Lister, AV Living Legend, and DSE Advisory Board Member, her accolades are impressive—but her mission is simple: to empower others, create meaningful change, and rock out to some 80s jams while doing it.

Brandy Alvarado-Miranda: marketing superhero, AV trailblazer, taco connoisseur, and always tuned to WII-FM—What’s In It For the Mission.

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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.

Athena Yap is a founder, CEO, and engineer with 26 years in aerospace engineering. She specializes in machine learning, iOS app development in the areas of voice and image recognition, augmented reality, backend cloud database management, technical operations, and manufacturing.

Athena has 15+ years as founder of a manufacturing, wholesale, and retail company, experienced in product development, marketing, wholesale contracts development and distribution, day-to-day operations, social media, and storefront marketing. Customers include TJX Corporation (HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls), Gelson's, Albertsons (Vons, Pavilions), Bristol Farms, and UPP Pet Supplies Distributor.

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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.

Garrett Marshall brings over 22 years of expertise in driving growth within the wellness industry, with a proven track record across strategy and innovation, executive leadership, business development, strategic partnerships, and technological product development.

At a time when health awareness and digitization are at unprecedented levels, Garrett Marshall specializes in creating practical, high-value solutions that empower individuals to improve their well-being. By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of market dynamics, Garrett transforms challenges into scalable opportunities that deliver measurable impact.

Garrett has played a pivotal role in the success of multiple ventures, contributing to two IPOs and earning six Inc. 1000 FGC Awards. Recognized as IHRSA’s Rising Star, Garrett consistently drives remarkable results, achieving $5M in ARR within 36 months in each of the last three SaaS startups.

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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.

Pete Fowler is a construction consultant, professional cost estimator, President and Chief Quality Officer of Pete Fowler Construction Consultants. Pete received a B.S. in Construction Management from CSU, Chico. He has held certifications from AAMA, ASPE, ICBO, and others. Mr. Fowler has published articles in national magazines, has been invited to speak by the most important groups in the building industry, and has composed and delivered hundreds of educational programs on building inspection & testing, estimating, quality & construction management, project management, and claims & litigation. Pete has experience with successful expert witness testimony, including Federal Court.

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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.

Dennis Harris is the founder and executive director of In-Flow Interventions, a mission-driven organization focused on truth-centered restoration and intentional personal growth. With nearly 30 years of experience in volunteer-based human services, Dennis brings together compassion, corporate leadership, and a strong commitment to helping others move forward with clarity and support.

His background spans ministry, counseling, education, administration, and organizational leadership—equipping him to lead with empathy and strategic insight. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Dennis has lived in California for over 20 years. He pursued academic studies at William Tyndale College and Maryville University in St. Louis, gaining insight that informs his work with individuals and communities alike.

At the heart of Dennis’s work is a commitment to truth, transformation, and service. He meets people where they are, offering direct, undistorted truth grounded in love—defined as looking out for someone’s best interest with no expectation of return. He believes that people matter, their truth matters, and that anyone willing to do the hard work can experience lasting change and embrace a new way of being.

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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.

Ryan Yang is the founder and CEO of Tryangle Construction, Inc., a leading residential remodeling and renovation firm based in Southern California. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and transparent communication, Ryan has grown Tryangle into a trusted construction partner for homeowners, realtors, and real estate investors. His leadership is grounded in a value-first philosophy—delivering thoughtful, design-driven renovations that maximize both lifestyle and property value.

Ryan doesn’t just build homes—he builds businesses, relationships, and meaningful impact. He is also the visionary behind BuildLogIQ, a soon to be launched alliance designed to help professionals in the built environment grow their businesses through structured collaboration, warm referrals, and high-trust relationships. He is also developing a counterpart, named TaskLogIQ, which is rethinking how back-office operations, powered by AI and expert support, can give builders and contractors the freedom to scale—without the overhead.

With a background that spans real estate investing, remodeling, and business development, Ryan brings a rare blend of strategic insight and hands-on experience to everything he builds. His work lives at the intersection of construction, community, and smart systems, and he’s driven by a single mission: to help good people build great things—together.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management and lives in Orange County, CA, with his wife and their sons.

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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.