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

For more than 25 years, Bill Wilhelm has played a pivotal role in helping shape R.D. Olson Construction to become one of the nation’s leading general contractors, commemorating 40 years in business this year. Under Wilhelm’s leadership, R.D. Olson Construction has earned an award-winning reputation across the Western U.S. and Hawaii for projects spanning hospitality, multi-unit, adaptive reuse, education and senior living. The firm has been repeatedly recognized by Engineering News-Record as a Top 400 Construction Company Nationwide and Top 40 General Contractor in California.

Wilhelm has spearheaded some of R.D. Olson Construction’s most iconic projects and continues to cultivate the company’s nationwide reputation as a trusted, relationship-focused builder. Notable projects completed under his leadership include Lido House, Los Angeles’ NoMad Hotel, Irvine Spectrum Marriott, Paséa Hotel and Spa, Chapman University’s Reeves Hall and Atria Senior Living, among many others. Wilhelm’s hands-on leadership approach and forward-thinking industry expertise has made him a highly sought-after speaker for events such as The Lodging Conference and Bisnow. He also frequently contributes his insights to Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, GlobeSt, Construction Today, Hotel Business Magazine and other prominent business and commercial real estate publications.

In addition to leading R.D. Olson Construction, Wilhelm has dedicated his career to giving back to the local community by volunteering, fundraising and building homes alongside his employees for Habitat for Humanity, Olive Crest, HomeAid, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and OC United. His team-oriented leadership and civic-minded approach has helped garner the company numerous awards and recognitions, including “The Olive Crest Leadership Award,” Orange County Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” and OneOC’s “Civic 50” – a coveted list of the top 50 philanthropic companies in Orange County. In 2019, Wilhelm was recognized by Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council, as a Men of Character Honoree.

Wilhelm graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He later went on to study at the University of Southern California, where he completed the university’s Management Development Program followed by Harvard University’s Executive Finance Program. He continues to strengthen the core of the company and attributes his leadership success to his ability to bring out the best in his associates, employees and project partners through a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.

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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.

Paul Brinkman has spent 15 years in management consulting, bringing expertise in Process Improvement, Cost Reduction, and Value Creation for his transportation consulting customers.

Paul recently purchased Trans-Solutions, a business focused on strategic planning and execution for clients' Supply Chain needs, creating efficiency in modality and transportation, as well as leading carrier sourcing negotiations and operational optimization initiatives.

In addition to his expertise in Supply Chain, Paul has also assisted customers with their Print, Mail & Packaging needs. This includes corrugated, non-corrugated and bottling solutions.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from University of Southern California with an emphasis in Financial Analysis & Valuation.

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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.

Richard Cabrera is an Executive Vice President at Umpqua Bank and the Head of Commercial Banking for Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. He has been with Umpqua since 2016 and leads the bank’s asset-based lending division, debt capital markets, and corporate banking operations. Under his leadership, the bank has expanded and growth the Commercial Banking division. Prior to his time at Umpqua, Cabrera worked for California Bank and Bank of America in a variety of leadership roles.

A fourth-generation Californian with a lifelong affinity for numbers, Cabrera is dedicated to serving the vibrant business communities within California and Umpqua’s broader footprint. He is a graduate of San Diego State University. Cabrera and his wife, Karen, reside in Southern California. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.

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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.

Julie Keyes is a Business Consultant and Certified Exit Planner based in Central Minnesota. Her company, KeyeStrategies has worked with business owners of private companies since 2012. Julie’s been an entrepreneur herself for many years and has won numerous national awards for her work in exit planning. She a member of the Exit Planning Institute’s Leadership Council and faculty, as well as a contributor to its online Academy. She instructs business owners and advisors from across the country on topics related to exit planning and business transition readiness.

Julie's speaking and teaching engagements for various professional organizations include but are not limited to: Exit Planning Institute, Independent Electrical Contractors Association, MN State Bar Association, MN Society of CPAs, NAIFA, Women in Insurance and Financial Services, Edward Jones, Financial Planners Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, RBC, Merrill, Independent Business Brokers Association, Lincoln Financial Services, Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries, LeClair Group, Principal Financial Group and Frost Bank.

Julie’s also an author and podcaster. You can find the 2 nd Edition of her book “Poised for Exit” on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and her podcast of the same name on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, and Google Podcasts.

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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.

Brett Buettner is the President of Buettner Insurance Agency, a full-spectrum employee benefits firm located in Orange County, California.

Brett helps companies grow, maintain top talent, and reach their goals by providing boutique employee benefit solutions to his clients alongside HR technologies and compliance tools. He is a 3rd Generation broker, has been on the Board of OCAHU (now called CAHIP-Orange County), and is a select broker to be a part of carrier roundtables to participate in discussions centered around the insurance market, what clients want and need from the insurance carriers, and the future of healthcare.

Buettner Insurance Agency, Inc. has been serving clients since 1992, and has achieved multiple excellence statuses with insurance carriers.

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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.

David Bagga is the CEO of the David Bagga Company, founded in 2013. Since its inception, David has successfully placed over 600 candidates in medical device sales jobs and is ranked in the top 1% of sales recruiters across the U.S. on LinkedIn.

David is the author of "A Millennial's Guide to Breaking into Medical Device Sales" and holds the title of the most recommended medical device sales recruiter on LinkedIn, with over 270 recommendations year-to-date. In addition to his recruitment work, he provides a 1:1 coaching program for candidates seeking to enter the medical device sales field and is currently developing a course, scheduled for release in 2025.

Before his career in recruitment, Bagga played college basketball at the University of Arizona from 2005 to 2009. He went on to play professionally in the British Basketball League in England during the 2009-2010 season as part of FIBA.

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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.

Ajay Prasad, Founder and CEO of RepuGen (founded in 2016), is a healthcare marketing leader passionate about aligning online reviews with patient satisfaction. He recognized a critical gap – most healthcare providers' online reviews don't reflect their high internal satisfaction ratings. This disconnect hurts businesses, as over 80% of patients rely on online reviews when choosing a doctor.

Ajay established RepuGen to bridge this gap, empowering healthcare providers to showcase their excellence and attract patients seeking top-notch care. Previously, Ajay founded GMR Web Team (2004), a thriving digital marketing agency for healthcare providers.

Ajay believes patient satisfaction, stellar reviews, and a strong web presence are the cornerstones of a successful healthcare business. This philosophy guides his work at RepuGen, ensuring clients not only shine online but also prioritize patient experience.

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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.

Shane Silsby has 25 years of experience influencing strategic planning, public policy, organizational development, and the delivery of major infrastructure projects. His expansive career includes executive leadership roles in the private sector and with government agencies across the country, including his last public sector post as the Director of Orange County Public Works.

As the current CEO of Silsby Strategic Advisors, he is now focused on helping public agencies develop creative solutions to complex challenges, including strategies around federal funding acquisition and implementation.

Mr. Silsby holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University, is a current member of the American Public Works Association national government affairs committee and has recently authored and published the book “Managing for Meteors: Preparing Local Government Leaders Before the Impact.”

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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.

Angie Rowe serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Beyond Blindness. Through their mission-focused programs, Beyond Blindness empowers children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. Beyond Blindness envisions a world where all children, no matter their abilities are equipped to live full and rewarding lives. Angie is committed to the integrative and comprehensive Journey of Care provided by Beyond Blindness, giving families the security of knowing they will be with them throughout their child’s lifetime in whatever way they need or want them to be. Previously, Angie served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Global Genes, a rare disease patient advocacy organization.

Angie believes in the power of collaboration and serves on the boards of several agencies in Orange County. She currently serves as treasurer and is a founding board member of CAABVI (California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired), the Orange County regional representative and Treasurer of the board for CAPSES (California Private Special Education Schools), (OCDC) Orange County Disability Coalition, and is a member of OneOC's Non-Profit Advisory Board. She is also a graduate of the highly selective Octane OC Non-Profit Accelerator program. She is a past President of the Junior League of Orange County and through that found both her passion for nonprofit work and training and mentoring young women. She still actively volunteers as Chapter Advisor for Alpha Chi Omega’s Delta Psi Chapter at UC Santa Barbara as well as formally mentors Experian executives as part of Octane’s Women Leaders programming.

Angie has a Master of Science in Public Policy and a Certificate in Industrial Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State University. She has two grown sons, Colin and Brady, who reside together and are young professionals in Phoenix. She, her husband Bob, and rescue dog, Urbi are 25-year residents of Aliso Viejo, CA.

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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.

Mike Myers, is CEO, Southern Pacific at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. A long-time McCarthy partner, Mike Myers became the Chief Executive Officer for the Southern Pacific region in 2024. In his role, he leads approximately 1,500 partners across four locations in Southern California and Nevada. His responsibilities include overseeing all operational functions that support sustainable growth and a comprehensive, client-focused approach to business. Under his leadership, the region has grown significantly, increasing service lines through enhanced preconstruction and construction services. Mike is known for driving a culture of ownership through his leadership, encouraging innovative thinking and ideas.

An industry veteran, Mike has more than two decades of construction experience and a passion for giving back to the industry and community. Mike serves as a member of McCarthy Holdings’ executive committee and board. He also provides leadership to the Southern California’s Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and the Orange County American Heart Association Board. In addition, Mike sits on the CHOC Foundation Cabinet and is a long-time supporter of the American Heart Association, JSerra Catholic High School, ACE Mentor Program, and Flags of Valor organizations.

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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.