Orange County Power Players

In this powerful episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, meet Lamarr Banks, a Certified Residential & FHA Approved Real Estate Appraiser with over two decades of experience. Lamarr shares the journey from discovering the appraisal field to building a people-first business grounded in authenticity, customer care, and deep faith.
Lamarr discusses how he helps families navigate property assessments during life-changing events—whether it's inheritance, estate planning, tax reassessment, or divorce. He offers practical insights into how timely, expert appraisals can save thousands and protect long-term financial health. Lamarr also opens up about surviving the 2008 financial crash, rebuilding with resilience, and his commitment to giving back through nonprofit work supporting at-risk youth and human trafficking survivors.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode, host Danny Flores sits down with electronics distribution veteran Bill Fisher. Bill’s career began in 1979 and spans more than four decades across multiple industries including electronic components, printed circuit boards, automotive, and high-tech materials.
Listeners will hear how Bill became one of the first to bring PCB manufacturing from Asia to the U.S., how he nearly helped launch Vizio TVs before they became a household name, and how he designed and imported neighborhood electric vehicles from China. The episode dives into his pivotal role in global supply chain development, his views on U.S.-China trade relations, and his current work with heat management technologies using graphene.
Bill also shares fascinating stories of global travel, cultural differences, and business philosophies that helped shape his resilient and adventurous approach to entrepreneurship.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode, Danny Flores welcomes powerhouse entrepreneur and leadership expert Wendi Fast, who shares her fascinating journey from corporate training consultant to co-owner of a thriving salon suite franchise in Laguna Hills.
Wendi talks about her early days in organizational development, her leadership consulting work with Fortune 500 companies, and how a government-funded training program helped shape her professional path. She opens up about the challenges—and ultimate success—of launching Image Studios, a luxury salon suite business created during the uncertainty of the pandemic.
You’ll hear how Wendi and her husband leveraged their respective strengths—real estate and leadership training—to build a high-end space that has remained fully leased for over a year. She also explains why she believes in being open to new opportunities, even ones you never imagined for yourself.
From grassroots Instagram marketing to building trust with beauty professionals, Wendi’s insights are valuable for any entrepreneur or leader looking to grow.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

This week on the Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores welcomes Sonya Herburger—a powerhouse sales professional, mature model breaking beauty standards, and award-winning children’s author. With warmth and wisdom, Sonya takes us on a journey through her remarkable life: from fitness instructor to top sales rep, from a devoted mom to a passionate dog rescuer, and now, a voice for healing through storytelling.
In this episode, Sonya opens up about her career evolution, overcoming personal and professional adversity, and her drive to give second chances—both to animals and to herself. She shares the inspiration behind her children’s book Willie’s Quest for a Home, the raw truth behind her upcoming adult memoir Fairy Tale to Nightmare, and how heartbreak fueled her creative fire. Plus, hear how Sonya’s eight rescue dogs became her family, her daily motivation, and even her co-stars in her storytelling journey.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

From his early days practicing law in Orange County to launching game-changing ventures like Rich Uncles and now Alture Funds, Harold Hofer has been at the forefront of real estate investment innovation. In this conversation, Harold explains how the JOBS Act opened the doors to new capital-raising opportunities, the rise of non-traded REITs, and how platforms like Alture Funds make it possible for everyday investors to get involved in high-quality real estate and private credit opportunities.
Listeners will gain valuable insight into:
How Harold helped pioneer digital real estate investing with Rich Uncles
The impact of Blackstone and other institutional players moving into the retail investor space
The opportunities and risks of alternative investments
What’s next in real estate, and why now may be the time to get in
Whether you're a seasoned investor or just curious about passive income through real estate, Harold breaks it all down in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this inspiring episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Traci Nervo, the visionary founder and CEO of Patient Flow Communications. Based in Tustin and serving dental practices nationwide, Traci's team provides call center services that do more than answer phones—they build patient relationships that lead to life-changing dental care.
Traci shares how her extensive background as a surgical tech and operations leader in the dental industry led her to start her own business. She reveals the profound impact of full arch tooth replacement, how trained agents help patients overcome fear and stigma, and why first impressions over the phone can make or break a dental practice’s success.
You'll hear how Traci made the leap from corporate to entrepreneur, what drives her team’s empathetic approach, and her plans for expanding impact across the country.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores interviews powerhouse real estate CEO Michele Harrington. From her humble beginnings in the Marine Corps to leading California's largest privately held real estate firm, Michele shares her journey of grit, resilience, and bold entrepreneurship. She opens up about the discipline forged in the military, the ups and downs of building multiple companies, and how she now helps others launch successful careers in real estate.
Michele also introduces her mission-driven venture, Thin Blue Wine—a winery dedicated to first responders. With passion and purpose, she’s building both real estate leaders and community impact.
Whether you’re an agent looking to grow your business, a veteran considering entrepreneurship, or someone curious about how one leader is transforming an industry, this episode will leave you inspired.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this powerful episode, Danny Flores chats with KJ Banuk, a dynamic leader in biotech and precision medicine. KJ breaks down how the science of proteins, peptides, and biomarkers is changing how we treat cancer, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. She explains the key difference between traditional treatments like chemotherapy and new targeted therapies that minimize side effects by working with your body's biology.
But it doesn’t stop there. KJ also dives into the power of lifestyle choices and how over 50% of your health outcomes come from how you live, not just your DNA. From muscle building and hormone therapy to peptides and grounding, she shares actionable insights that can help anyone take control of their health journey.
Plus, KJ opens up about her personal health experiments, her mother’s inspiring comeback from hospice, and how she’s transitioning from corporate biotech into investing and owning multifamily real estate.
In This Episode:
What precision medicine really means—and how it works
Why your DNA doesn’t define your health destiny
The importance of muscle in managing glucose and avoiding metabolic disease
What peptides, hormones, and grounding can do for your long-term wellness
KJ’s venture into real estate investing and her mission to escape corporate taxes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this insightful episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Hernan Ricuarte, owner of Ricaurte Precision Inc. (RPI), who shares his fascinating journey from an international career in healthcare to taking over and expanding his family's aerospace and defense manufacturing business.
Hernan details how he transitioned into the family business, emphasizing the importance of integrating innovative technology and systems to accelerate growth. Under his leadership, RPI has tripled in size over the last nine years, achieving impressive year-over-year growth. Hernan discusses the challenges he faced entering a new industry, how global economic shifts have impacted the aerospace supply chain, and the strategies he's implemented to stay ahead.
Listeners will gain valuable insights on:
Adapting and thriving in an unfamiliar industry
Modernizing traditional businesses with technology
Navigating international supply chains in volatile times
Successfully transitioning a family business between generations
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this inspiring episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Joanna Moore, whose remarkable journey from a small-town music teacher to Chief Claims Officer at Mercury Insurance is nothing short of extraordinary.
Joanna shares how an unexpected move to California changed her career path, her rise to become the first female senior executive at Mercury, and how her love for service kept her grounded in an industry often misunderstood. She also discusses her current work as a consultant and expert witness, and her passionate involvement with Cal State Fullerton’s Women’s Leadership Program—an initiative she founded to support emerging leaders.
This conversation is rich with insights on leadership, pivoting through change, embracing mentorship, and empowering the next generation. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or simply curious about how one woman broke barriers in the insurance industry, this episode will leave you inspired.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest