Orange County Power Players
Orange County Power Players is the go-to podcast for uncovering the personal, professional, and financial success stories of Orange County’s most influential leaders. Hosted by Danny Flores, this show dives deep into the journeys of business owners, professionals, and C-suite executives who are shaping the future of OC. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, actionable advice, or a glimpse into the lives of those at the top, Orange County Power Players delivers powerful insights in every episode. Tune in to learn from the best and discover what it takes to succeed in the competitive landscape of Southern California.
Episodes

35 minutes ago
35 minutes ago
In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Tammy Cooper, the dynamic CEO/CFO of Technologent, a women-owned tech company headquartered in Irvine, California. Tammy shares her remarkable journey from her early days in Cleveland's steel industry to leading a nationwide tech firm through explosive growth—from 25 employees and $25 million in revenue to nearly $1 billion and a team of 300.
She discusses how she built a high-performing team, tackled the challenges of scaling operations, and created a culture that retains top talent. Tammy also gives insight into hiring strategically, navigating international partnerships, launching a successful internal mentorship program, and her role on nonprofit boards like the American Red Cross and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
This is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organizational growth, and real-world strategies for building a people-first business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

2 days ago
2 days ago
In this episode, Danny sits down with Jami Eidsvold, the powerhouse behind Smarty Social, to discuss how she built one of Orange County’s leading social media agencies from the ground up. Jami shares her journey from agency burnout to entrepreneurial success, revealing how motherhood inspired her to create a more flexible, female-driven business model.
Listeners will get insight into how Smarty Social grew from a solo consulting gig into a 30+ person agency specializing in social media and influencer marketing—especially in the regulated world of healthcare. Jami discusses how she strategically built her team, the importance of niching down, the real ROI of social ads, and how she’s integrating AI into her business to stay ahead of the curve.
She also dives into her game-changing initiatives like the Smarty Social Academy and their new event/production space in Orange County. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is full of gold.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

3 days ago
3 days ago
In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores chats with Nicole Dankovich, West Regional Sales Manager at Alpatronic, about her impressive career in the electrical industry. Starting at just 19 years old with Westinghouse, Nicole carved out a path in a technical, male-dominated field—all while raising her son as a single mom and later earning her business management degree.
Nicole takes us through her journey: from early jobs in Pittsburgh to driving across the country with two cats and a Trans Am, and her rise through top companies like Eaton, Siemens, Square D, ABB, and now Alpatronic. She talks about her hands-on learning, the impact of formal and on-the-job training, the challenges of online education, and navigating the evolving landscape of the EV charging market.
This episode is packed with wisdom about persistence, adaptability, and staying driven in any environment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Thursday Jul 03, 2025
"Wealth Management at Apriem Advisors" with Rhonda Ducote
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Rhonda Ducote, AIF®, President and CEO of Apriem Advisors, a leading wealth management firm in Irvine, CA. Rhonda shares how she built a career rooted in trust, education, and long-term client relationships — helping families manage over $1.2 billion in assets.
Rhonda discusses the evolving landscape of wealth management, the importance of financial literacy, and the role family meetings play in preserving wealth across generations. She shares real-life stories of how poor planning can lead to wealth disappearance by the third generation—and how Apriem works to change that narrative.
If you’re a business owner, parent, or just curious about planning for your financial future, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.
Key Takeaways:
Why estate planning and financial literacy are critical to generational wealth
How Apriem Advisors approaches multi-generational financial education
Real-world stories that show why planning early makes all the difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
"Business Coaching" with Joe Ball
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with seasoned business coach Joe Ball, whose career spans over 25 years across industries like aerospace, nonprofit social services, and global real estate investment.
Joe shares how his journey from the factory floor to aerospace division manager shaped his values in leadership, operations, and sustainable growth. He dives into his transition to nonprofit management with organizations like The Salvation Army and Lutheran Social Services, and how this experience paved the way for a mission-driven approach to real estate and coaching.
Joe opens up about the most common pitfalls entrepreneurs face—especially the temptation to scale too fast—and explains how creating clear, strategic business plans can set a strong foundation for lasting success. He also emphasizes the importance of daily routines, gratitude, and growing leadership within teams.
Whether you're a business owner looking to grow or someone seeking purpose-driven career insight, this episode offers plenty of golden takeaways.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
"The Journey to Becoming the COO at Mayo Clinic Platform" with Maneesh Goyal
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
In this insightful episode, host Danny Flores sits down with Maneesh Goyal, the Chief Operating Officer of the Mayo Clinic Platform. Maneesh shares the winding path of his career—from engineering at TRW to venture capital, healthcare startups, and now leading transformative healthcare innovations at Mayo Clinic.
You’ll hear Maneesh’s story of taking chances, embracing unexpected opportunities, and how his unique mix of technical and business skills prepared him to scale and lead one of the most innovative healthcare initiatives in the world.
Key Topics Covered:
The early influence of Broadcom and venture capital on Maneesh’s career
His move into healthcare M&A and strategy
Why platform thinking is revolutionizing the Mayo Clinic
How Mayo Clinic is using data and AI to impact millions globally
Maneesh’s advice for young professionals navigating diverse career paths
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
n this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores chats with Mauricio Rauld, founder of Platinum Legal Consulting. Mauricio shares the story behind his pivot from running one of the most respected boutique syndication law firms to launching a hands-on legal coaching program for real estate professionals.
Listeners will hear how a chance encounter with Rich Dad Poor Dad changed Mauricio’s career trajectory and led him to become general counsel for the Real Estate Guys. He dives into how he built Premier Law Group into a 7-figure practice before exiting to focus on teaching syndicators how to raise capital legally and protect investor interests.
Mauricio also breaks down real estate market shifts over the last few years, the pitfalls of high-leverage deals, and how today’s operators must focus on fundamentals to succeed. Plus, he offers actionable advice for new syndicators on how to gain experience and avoid costly legal missteps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
"The Benefits of Being a Developer & a CPA" with James Bohan
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
James Bohan blends the analytical strength of accounting with the bold vision of real estate development. In this deep-dive conversation with Danny Flores, he walks us through his journey from Big 4 accounting to running his own firm and launching impactful real estate ventures. James explains how his CPA background gives him and his clients a strategic edge in minimizing taxes, cleaning up financials, and identifying solid investments. From creating high-yield micro-apartment rentals to building reliable long-term tax strategies, James demonstrates why understanding both money and property is a serious power move.
You’ll also hear:
Why real estate development offers some of the best tax advantages
The nuts and bolts of how his accounting firm helps syndicators and investors
How he’s creating attainable housing in high-demand resort towns
The power of combining hands-on property management with financial strategy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
"Cataract, LASIK and Conreal Surgery" with Dr. Raoof
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Duna Raoof joins host Danny Flores to discuss cutting-edge advancements in cataract, LASIK, and corneal surgeries. Dr. Raoof, based in Newport Beach at New Vision Eye Centers, shares her inspiring journey from medical school to becoming an internationally recognized eye surgeon—and the life-changing impact of restoring patients' vision.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
Dr. Raoof explains how cataract surgery can now also eliminate the need for glasses, discusses revolutionary new lens technologies (like trifocal and light-adjustable lenses), and breaks down the difference between LASIK and refractive lens exchange. She also highlights how vision correction is becoming increasingly customizable, safe, and permanent.
Whether you're dealing with aging eyes, tired of contacts, or just curious about your options—this episode provides everything you need to know.

Wednesday May 28, 2025
"Legal Operations KPI's" with Mori Kabiri
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
In this episode, Danny Flores welcomes legal operations expert Mori Kabiri, CEO of InfiniGlobe. Mori shares how he helps corporate legal departments and law firms work smarter with technology, data, and AI. They dive into the transformation of legal departments from cost centers to strategic business enablers and how legal KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are changing the game. Mori also talks about his internationally recognized book, upcoming projects, and the future of AI in legal practice.
You'll learn:
Why legal departments have been slow to adopt technology—and how that’s changing
How AI is reshaping the legal field, from drafting contracts to managing data
The importance of KPIs in legal operations and decision-making
Mori’s vision for bridging corporate legal and law firm collaboration
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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