Active CEO Circles

The Pioneer Circle

• Started in 2022
• Multi-Industry
• Co-Sponsored by PBO Advisory Group and Endeavour Bank
• Hosted by Knobbe Martens

The Vanguard Circle

• Started in 2024
• Multi-Industry
• Co-Sponsored by Morgan Stanley and Procopio
• Hosted by Procopio

EmpowHer Circle

• Under formation
• Women CEOs / Multi-Industry
• Sponsorships available

Future CEO Circles (exploring): Industry specific: Software and Technology, Military and Defense, Service Organizations, Manufacturing, Medical Device & Biotech Ownership type: Family-held, Private equity owned

Partner callout: "We want to partner with other associations creating CEO Circles" — San Diego CEO Circles focused on particular industries in planning: Software and Technology, Military and Defense, Service Organizations, Manufacturing, More. Contact: acgsandiego@acg.org (subject line: "CEO Circle Sponsorship")

Note: The homepage lists Pioneer Circle as sponsored only by PBO Advisory Group, but this page and the Pioneer Circle's own page list it as co-sponsored by PBO Advisory Group AND Endeavour Bank — worth reconciling which is current/accurate before publishing.

THE PIONEER CIRCLE

Headline: The Pioneer Circle has been operating since 2022.

Pioneer Multi-Industry — members come from: Aerospace and Defense, Construction, Distribution, Energy, Food & Beverage, Health Care, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Professional/Scientific & Technical Services, Real Estate, Telecommunications

Sponsored by: PBO Advisory Group Hosted at: Knobbe Martens

Chair — Ray Adler For 30+ years, improved performance of 200+ small to middle-market companies across financial services, banking, construction and related trades, medical, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, service, technology, and childcare companies. Offers a practical system/toolset (built on EOS® — Entrepreneurial Operating System) helping leadership teams improve on three things: Vision, Traction, and Health.

• Vision: getting leaders aligned on where the org is going and how it'll get there
• Traction: helping leaders become more disciplined and accountable
• Healthy: helping leaders become functional, cohesive leadership teams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-adler-nlbcoaching

Pioneer Discussion Topics: Acquisitions and post-closing integration; best practices for raising outside capital; virtual work processes; business development and strategic alliances; equity compensation for key employees; establishing/protecting company culture; exit planning; building a practice of accountability; developing/executing a strategic plan; optimizing management team; real estate strategies; revenue building/concentration; risk management; setting motivational vision and mission; using dashboards for KPIs.

Co-Sponsor & Member — Mike Ford, PBO Advisory Group, President Original founder and current President of PBO Advisory Group. 30+ years of management consulting, business advisory, and outsourcing experience; served 400+ clients across sectors. BS from Bowling Green State University (Political Science & Economics); two Master's degrees from The Ohio State University. Career includes 14+ years with Deloitte (8 in consulting, 6 as Managing Director for Resources Global Solutions, NASDAQ: RECN). Co-founder of NBS Finance (Temecula, CA) and RoseRyan's Southern California division. 7 years as Sr. VP for west coast Enterprise Risk Management division at IPSA International. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ford-7708874/

360° Peer to Peer feedback — CEO presents in-depth review on: Mission statement and value proposition; vision and values; goals for next three years; strategic focus, ideal customer, brand promise; business model/product-service differentiation; leadership team development; proposed funding and fund raising; M&A advice; new service offering.

Co-Sponsor & Member — Steven Sefton, Endeavor Bank, President 36+ years of banking experience in Southern California. Most recently President and past CEO of Regents Bank (largest division of former LA-based Grandpoint Bank), May 2012–June 2017, before joining Endeavor. Oversaw purchase/merger of a community bank while growing Regents' loans and deposits. Previously opened two regional offices, each growing to over $100 million in loans and deposits. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-sefton/

A Word from The Chair: "For CEO's Seeking Exponential as well as Incremental Business Growth." Each member identifies a 12-month transformational business goal, broken into quarterly "Rocks," tracked monthly for accountability. Incremental improvements come from leveraging the experience of seasoned CEO members monthly.

THE VANGUARD CIRCLE

Headline: The Vanguard Circle has been operating since 2024.

Vanguard Multi-Industry — members come from: Shipping and Logistics; Flooring Manufacturing; Sporting Goods Manufacturing; Premium Fitness Apparel; Contemporary Wall Art and Decor; Electronic Monitoring; E-Commerce Fulfillment; Global Travel; Consulting/Leadership Coaching; Pet Food Manufacturing; Health Care – Monitoring; Financial Services; Specialty Manufacturing; Early Education Managed Services; Children Learning Materials; Holistic/Digital Health & Nutrition; Art, School and Office Supplies; Software Developers; Cybersecurity; System Engineering; Physical Therapy; Craft Brewing

Co-sponsored by: Procopio and The Pangaea Group | Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Hosted at: Procopio

Chair — Brad Lee 25+ years in the medical device space, including a 13-year run as CEO of a mid-cap private equity–owned orthopedic medical device company, leading it from $85M to $275M in annual revenue and 1,500 employees. Now leverages business leadership experience plus formal training/certification in executive leadership coaching. Describes CEO Circle as a safe, confidential, and challenging space to work through issues, leading to clearer insight and stronger leadership. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-lee-clarus/

Vanguard Discussion Topics: Developing/executing a strategic plan; setting motivational vision and mission; communication skills for the CEO; optimizing management team; establishing/protecting company culture; using dashboards for KPIs; business development and strategic alliances; revenue building/concentration; acquisitions and post-closing integration; exit planning; making a company salable; getting the most from a commercial bank; working with an investment banker; raising outside capital; how PE looks at opportunities; managing competitive moves; crisis management; employee retention/satisfaction/training; equity compensation for key employees; building a practice of accountability; cybersecurity for CEOs; risk management strategies; real estate strategies.

Co-Sponsor & Member — Jason Femrite, Procopio, Partner Practice focused on M&A, corporate finance, securities, and corporate law — representing private and publicly held companies across a range of transactions from structure/formation to finance and acquisition. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfemrite/

360° Peer to Peer feedback ("Hot-Seat" program) — in-depth review of: Mission statement and value proposition; vision and values; goals for next three years; strategic focus, ideal customer, brand promise; business model/product-service differentiation; leadership team development; proposed funding and fund raising; M&A advice; new service offering.

Daniel Morilak, Certified Exit Planning Advisor Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley (Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC) LinkedIn: (listed as "Dan Morilak - Linkedin," no URL captured)

A Word from The Chair: "For CEO's Seeking The Opportunity to Collaborate with Fellow CEOs to Accelerate the Performance of Their Business." Members meet monthly for 2.5 hours focused on surfacing/exploring/solving specific issues and capitalizing on opportunities. Environment is challenging and supportive, fostering candid dialogue. Group also discusses key economic, leadership, cultural, and business performance dynamics.