Just a Good Conversation

David Ochi is a persistent entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in early-stage companies, having started his first enterprise at the age of 13. Since then, Ochi has started over a dozen companies in diverse industries such as fashion, technology, international distribution, startup incubation, clean tech, biotech, mobile, social media, and education. He is a regular speaker at industry events throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, most notably on topics involving startup strategy and early-stage funding. 

Currently, Ochi is the Executive Director of the CSUDH Innovation Incubator, where he focuses on expanding the entrepreneur mindset and skillsets into diverse communities. Ochi currently sits on the Board of Directors of a handful of startup companies and is actively involved in the growth of several early-stage companies. Ochi is also very actively involved in several charity and industry organizations including seven organizations at UC Irvine as well as a former board member of Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN) in Orange County. Ochi was a co-founder of the not-for-profit MORE Foundation, whose mission is to connect intellectual property opportunities with undergraduate students at local universities.

Shealah Craighead is an American government photographer who served as the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Donald Trump. She was the second female chief photographer in White House history, after Sharon Farmer in 1998. Craighead was official photographer to former First Lady Laura Bush in the administration of George W. Bush. Shealah grew up in Connecticut where she worked in her parents photo lab. Craighead attended Belmont University and earned a BFA from Lesley University in 2002. After college, she worked as a freelance photographer for the Boston Globe, Associated Press, and Getty Images. In 2005, she worked for David Bohrer, the official photographer for Vice President Dick Cheney. In 2017, Craighead was named the official White House photographer for Donald Trump.The Trump administration employed a total of four photographers with different specialties including fashion, military, and administration.

Craighead photographed Nancy Pelosi standing to address a seated Trump in an October 2019 meeting at the White House, which attracted media attention. She later remarked that Trump liked to "control the lighting, the production, and the show basically", and that he preferred posed over candid photographs.

After he left office, Trump used many photographs taken by Craighead to produce a book, but did not credit her work or that of other photographers.

Shealah Craighead is an American government photographer who served as the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Donald Trump. She was the second female chief photographer in White House history, after Sharon Farmer in 1998. Craighead was official photographer to former First Lady Laura Bush in the administration of George W. Bush. Shealah grew up in Connecticut where she worked in her parents photo lab. Craighead attended ⁠Belmont University⁠ and earned a BFA from ⁠Lesley University⁠ in 2002. After college, she worked as a freelance photographer for the Boston Globe, Associated Press, and Getty Images. In 2005, she worked for David Bohrer, the official photographer for Vice President Dick Cheney. In 2017, Craighead was named the official ⁠White House⁠ photographer for ⁠Donald Trump⁠.The Trump administration employed a total of four photographers with different specialties including fashion, military, and administration.

Craighead photographed ⁠Nancy Pelosi⁠ standing to address a seated Trump in an October 2019 meeting at the White House, which attracted media attention. She later remarked that Trump liked to "control the lighting, the production, and the show basically", and that he preferred posed over ⁠candid⁠ photographs.

After he left office, Trump used many photographs taken by Craighead to produce a book, but did not credit her work or that of other photographers.

Spencer Durrant Outdoors is the modern sporting journal for those who define their lives by what they do. From hunting, backpacking, camping, and fly fishing, to trolling for lake trout or peak-bagging in the Rockies, we all have something about the outdoors that shapes our lifestyle. Spencer Durrant Outdoors is the home for those stories – and anything else helpful in your journey. 

Spencer Durrant is a fly fishing writer, outdoors columnist, and novelist from Utah. He’s had work appear in Field & Stream, American Angler, Trout Magazine, Sporting Classics Daily, Hatch Magazine, Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine,and other national publications. Known in the fly fishing world for gear reviews and humorous stories about bachelorhood and trout, Spencer created Spencer Durrant Outdoors to serve as the home base for the stories he has to tell. 

Whether you’re new to the sporting world, or you’ve been at this game longer than most of us have been alive, there’s something for you here. One of the most amazing things the outdoors does is bring people together who otherwise would never meet. The hope is that the connections built through Spencer Durrant Outdoors are as rich and fulfilling as any friendship forged on early-morning drives, long stretches of quiet fishing, and the backbreaking satisfaction of hauling big game off the mountain.

Checkout the Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@venturesflyco

The company website venturesflyco.com

Andy Vargas, acclaimed successor to the throne of Latino soul music in the U.S., has been making waves in the music industry for over two decades. As Santana’s lead vocalist since 2000, he has collaborated with musical titans such as Juanes, Mana, Chris Perez, Frankie J, The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, and Enrique Iglesias.

Given his first shot by legendary producer and managers Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys, and Lou Adler, Andy inked a record deal at the age of 16 to Ron Fair at RCA, BMG. Here, he wrote and recorded Pop, Latin funk, and R&B Soul music. This caught the interest of Clive Davis and Carlos Santana, who asked him to support the worldwide smash “Supernatural” record.

Vargas has crafted a unique music genre, earning him widespread recognition and acclaim. He has also expanded his professional reach by co-founding Malaspalabras Records (MPR) alongside acclaimed comedian George Lopez and music distribution giant, United Masters. MPR is committed to safeguarding artists’ rights and launching fresh talents in both conventional distribution and the evolving Web3 arena.

This year marks a significant milestone in Andy’s journey as a musician. He has earned solo recognition, securing a coveted spot among the illustrious lineup of the Dave Koz Friends at Sea Cruise. For two weeks of musical bliss sailing through the Mediterranean, he’ll share the stage with fellow superstar musicians, promising an unforgettable experience for all aboard.%

But Andy’s musical odyssey doesn’t end there. He’s set to join his mentor, the legendary Carlos Santana, and the Santana Band for the 2024 Oneness tour, featuring the iconic Counting Crows. This collaboration with musical giants is a testament to Andy’s talent and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Beyond his musical pursuits, Vargas is dedicated to giving back. In 2015, he founded The Andy Vargas Foundation (AVF), a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire, mentor, and educate underprivileged youth with dreams of making it in the music industry. AVF offers a host of free community programs, such as instrument training, vocal coaching, music composition and production workshops, music business courses, and college scholarships.

Amidst these grand ventures, Andy remains deeply connected to his roots, finding solace and joy in performing on his favorite local So Cal stages, Spaghettini in Seal Beach and Herb Alpert’s Vibrato, throughout the year. Here, amidst the cozy ambiance and intimate setting, he shares his gift with fans, creating moments of magic that linger long after the last note fades.

Laura Herzog is the former Public Affairs Officer for the Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Calif. She served as the lead for Hero Missions (fallen soldiers returning from Afghanistan & Iraq), coordinated public appearances for the JFTB base commander, disseminated information for JFTB to the public, and was the base spokeswoman who acted as the primary liaison with media.

Her prior occupation was as a General Manager for The News Enterprise, servicing the greater Orange County region. She also worked as a freelance reporter on various local assignments.

Laura was awarded the California Medal of Merit in 2009, which is one of the highest decorations in the State of California, awarded by the State to National Guard service members and civilians for exceptionally meritorious conduct.

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As a photographer and filmmaker, David McLain specialize in exploring big questions across a range of subjects by telling intimate stories about real people. He has shot seven feature stories for National Geographic Magazine, photographed the NYT best-selling cookbook Blue Zones Kitchen, shot for major brands like Sony and Apple, and was Director of Photography for the feature documentary Bounce, which premiered at SXSW. His primary tools are curiosity, an ability to listen, and deep empathy for people who inhabit different realities than his. Attentiveness to others, to his craft, and to his clients are at the core of everything he does.

Gina Ferazzi grew up in the small New England town of Longmeadow, Mass. Gina went to the University of Maine for Journalism. Four years at the Lewiston Sun-Journal in Maine and other four years at the San Bernardino Sun. She has been a staff photographer with the Los Angeles Times since 1994. Her photos are a part of the staff Pulitzer Prizes for Breaking News in 2016 for the San Bernardino terrorist attack and for the wildfires in 2004. She’s an all-around photographer covering assignments from Winter Olympics, presidential campaigns to local and national news events. Her video documentaries include stories on black tar heroin, health clinics, women priests and Marine suicide. A two-sport scholarship athlete at the University of Maine, Orono, she still holds the record for five goals in one field hockey game.

Dr. Carrie Lane studies the changing nature of work in the United States. Her current research concerns the professional organizing industry, in which organizers are hired to help people manage their belongings, homes, and workspaces. Professor Lane teaches about work, community, gender, disability, and interdisciplinary research methods. She co-leads the American Studies Internship Program, has led study abroad trips to South Africa, Denmark, and Bali. As CSUF's first Scholarly Publication Faculty Fellow, she helps other faculty revise and publish their work.  

Nate serves as a university photographer to tell BYU’s visual story. His work includes photography for university news, arts and athletic events, campus scenics and administrative initiatives.  

Nate graduated in 2013 with a BS degree from Utah Valley University with an emphasis in photography. Since graduating he has worked for the LDS Church photographing for the Ensign, Liahona, and New Era magazines, as well as the church's’ worldwide general conferences. He also worked as the Photography Manager for Marketing and Communications at Utah Valley University in 2014 for two years before joining BYU Photo in 2016.  

Although young in his career, he has won many awards, including Best of Show at the University Photographers Association of America (UPAA) year-end competition in 2016, and Photographer of the Year in 2017. He has also won many CASE awards in the short time he has been at BYU, including Gold for individual photography and a CASE Platinum Award for Excellence in Photography in 2018. 

Nate loves the diversity of assignments and the wide variety of things he gets to experience and learn while photographing for the university. But one of the things he values most about BYU are the people he works with and their continual support and encouragement.