On the iPod? Justin Bieber, Hansen, Britney spears, Aqua, Miley Sirus

Your most recent “LIKE” on Facebook? I don’t really Like facebook. My nose still hurts from the last time I got hit in the face with a book

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Pancakes and spaghetti

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Bubble tape

Your favorite book as a child: Helter Skelter

Favorite quote: “Life is hard, It’s harder if your stupid”  – John Wayne

Your biggest fear: Having people tease me about being overweight as a child

Favorite past time: Backwards rollerblading on the boardwalk in my speedo and clown wig

Bio: I enjoy long walks on the beach, pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.

I am a very serious individual. (As I am sure you can tell)

Aside from being a killer whale trainer. I have worked for numerous years in the following fields- construction, manufacturing, retail management, team management and sales. I have a work hard play hard mentality and am very focused on Taking care of business (not just the song).

I am very dedicated to my wife and kids and love getting to spend time with them.

Nickname: The Viking

Where you got your nickname? South African roots and a general propensity to conquer by sea.

On the iPod? Pete Philly & Perquisite, Hilltop Hoods, Dylan, Bad Religion, Living Legends , The XX, Sufjan Stevens, Guitar, Calexico, Fat Freddy’s Drop and on…

Your most recent “LIKE” on Facebook? Joe Sorren Art, Arrested Motion & Cabinas las Olas (Costa Rica)

Best item on the Starbucks menu? “Exit”

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Tahitian Whole Pig Roast- then at least I could surf Teahupoo before I go.

Your favorite book as a child: The Power of One

Favorite quote: Enjoy yourself – it’s later than you think. – Socrates

Your biggest fear: An unexamined life.

Favorite past time: The ocean & wilderness.

Bio: As a designer. Responsible for conceptual design, development and execution of client’s vision. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa & attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. A Green Building LEED Accredited designer & have background in commercial architecture & architectural design from initial planning and evaluation, conceptual and schematic design for large scale projects.

Additional skills include abstract photography and freelance design in the areas of architectural visualization, animation, 3D design, and marketing. A member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and is active with Architecture for Humanity. My compassion for green design & South Africa has led me to contribute to Cargo of Dreams as a designer and project manager focusing  on the design of structures that can be easily converted, transported and established in 3rd world countries.

Nickname: RIP

On the iPod? Stones, Clash, Marley, Tupac

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Espresso shots

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Crab legs with baked potato and finished with an ice cream sundae

Your favorite book as a child: “Where the Wild Things Are”

Favorite quote: “There’s no crying in baseball”

Your biggest fear: Missed opportunity

Favorite past time: Surf, snow, and dirt with my family

Bio: Out of high school, I worked as a carpenter building custom homes for an Architect.  This is where my idea of building what you design first began.  Eventually, I decided to go to school for architecture at night while continuing to pay the bills through my carpentry job during the day.

By chance I did some work for the owner of a snowboard company who needed work done on his house.  Upon completion, he asked me to build a tradeshow booth for him, which introduced me to a whole new world of creativity and building.

Before I knew it I was offered a job as the operations manager of the snowboard factory hired to increase production capacity and quality control. This gave me the opportunity to run large teams of people and manage large annual production budgets. This is also where I met my business partner Mike Zimmerman who was the controller of the company at the time.

After a few years and a decline in the snowboard market it was time for me to make a change. I knew my true passion and skills were in the design and build world. By chance some opportunities came my way to build some trade show booths and retail fixtures. I confided in my good friend Mike with my ideas and discovered he too was ready for a change.  Mike showed up three days later with a business plan and Displayit, Inc was born.

At first, we built smaller booths out of our garages and eventually decided to rent a little more space. With hard work, a lot of passion and a little luck we steadily grew our business.

My passion is still in the creative and building sides of our business, although I spend most of my time managing our teams: design, sales and even building departments.

When I’m not working, I’m spending time with my wife and two boys at the beach, mountains or some playing field coaching.

I have always been taught to work hard and play hard, because if you don’t enjoy the journey you will never be happy at your destination.

Nickname: B

Where you got your nickname? Short for Byron

On the iPod? Sports Radio and Talk Radio, Like the 60’s, grew up in the 80’s.  Style stuck

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Zebra Hot Chocolate and Blueberry Muffin

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Hot Fudge Sunday with  Vanilla Ice Cream and Bananas.

Your favorite book as a child: Was and Is Dr Suess … anything

Favorite quote: I am a Toy R Us Kid

Your biggest fear: Showing Up Anywhere Naked

Favorite past time: Various Sports, Back Packing, Being with the Family, Figuring Things Out.

On the iPod? All Classic Rock (Led Zep., Rolling Stones)

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Latte

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Cheeseurger from Fatburger

Your biggest fear: Being unemployed

Bio: Family guy. My kids are everything. Love to surf, raised in Malibu.

On the iPod? Jack Johnson, Black Eyed Peas, Aerosmith

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Ham Egg and Cheese on an Artisan Roll,  Close second “perfect” oatmeal

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Definitely Ruth’s Chris Steak House – filet mignon, creamed spinach, asparagus

Your favorite book as a child: Star Belly Sneeches by Dr. Seuss

Favorite quotes:
- If all you do is try your best you are sure to fail.  It’s when you provide desired results that you succeed.
- Get it all done now because it won’t matter when you’re dead.
- Life’s not fair, get use to it (Mom & Dad)

Favorite past time: Surfing, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Playing sports with the kids

Bio:I have 4 kids (3 girls 1 boy) 15, 12, 8 and 2.  The 2 year old was NOT an accident!

I am one of 7 siblings, being raised in a large family taught me the invaluable lessons of competing, strategizing and learning how to win – at the time these were musts for survival.  Seems these skills are good for life as well.

I enjoy spending time with the family, with the wife, with colleagues, with my friends – balancing time among each group is difficult.  I seem to be losing the battle against time.  I figure I can catch up in the future –  wait…I said that 10 years ago???  Well whatever you do with your time, make it count!   Spend it with people you enjoy being around.  Live in the present, focus on the future, learn from the past.

I earned an accounting degree as an undergraduate and embrace 2 of its fundamental principles (i) for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; (ii) timing is everything.  However, the best business principle ever learned was in my last semester of graduate school.  This principle is:  focus your attention on developing the business Culture and its Values; by doing so your profits will follow.  I credit my instructor (Professor Wasilewski) for any business success I have achieved or will achieve.  Last and most important, I express my appreciation and gratitude to the relationships that have been fostered among our clients and employees for without these friendships life would surely be miserable.

On the iPod? I like to listen to Rock & Roll on the way to work. A little Rockabilly, Punk, Funk & even some Classical at work to keep the day going. Then some R&B dance jams for the ride home…or sometimes it’s just a good audio book.

Your most recent “LIKE” on Facebook? A page for Kurt Vonnegut*, my favorite author. RIP

Your favorite book as a child: I really loved the Ramona Quimby series, but my favorite would have to be A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Shirley Temple movie version is a must watch for any little girl.

Favorite quote: “Go not where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Favorite past time: Meeting my husband, and every day since.

Bio: I grew up in Southern California, and learned to surf when I was 8. I even taught lessons at a surf school. I attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising after High School and earned my Associate of Arts Degree in Visual Communications with an emphasis on Retail Design and Fashion Styling. On my own time I love to design and make clothes and jewelry, as well as paint and create art of all kinds. Constantly learning is important to me, so doing new things and reading new literature is always on my life agenda. Someday, I would like to own my own retail boutique in a quiet town on the coast. 

On the iPod? Janes Addiction, The Greatful Dead, Rage Against the Machine, The Buena Vista Social Club

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Nobu Jalapeno Yellowtail

Your favorite book as a child: The Jungle Book

Favorite quote: “What goes around, comes around”

Favorite past time: Laughing

Bio: I mean business, and my business is making amazing things happen.

Nickname: Gana Banana Strawberry Baie

Where you got your nickname? My grandpa Cal made a rhyme up for me with that nickname in it.  He still says it to me every time I see him, which is about twice a month.

On the iPod? Rolling Stones, White Stripes, Black Keys, Robert Johnson, The Beatles, The Raconteurs, Dead Weather.  Anything that is blues inspired.  Especially the Stones and The White Stripes.

Your most recent “LIKE” on Facebook? My best friends picture of her kitties wearing miniature sombreros she bought for them in Mexico.

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Americano

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal”? BBQ anything with Mac N Cheese & corn on the cob.

Your favorite book as a child: Where the wild things are & this random book of fairy tales my mom would read to us.

Favorite quote: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” – Mark Twain

Your biggest fear: Death

Favorite past time: drawing, painting or crafting.

Bio: I am a generally happy person. I think every single day counts in life, since it is so short if you take any of it for granted you will end up missing a lot. I love my family, they are the most important thing in the world to me.  Art is a huge part of my life as well.



On the iPod? I have a little bit of everything, but you’ll find mostly Soft Rock, Chill out, Spanish and Hebrew songs.  It’s really hard to pick favorites, but John Mayer, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith & Norah Jones are certainly at the top of the list.  Hiding in there you might find some jazz and country.

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” I’d start with a warm chocolate brownie with peanut butter ice cream on top, a glass of red wine and if I’m not dead by then my mom’s chiles rellenos with tacos on the side and sushi.

Favorite quote: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”

Favorite past time: My husband and our little Jack Russell

Bio: I am a passionate designer who is captivated by beautiful things even if it is just a smile. I tend to appreciate little things.  They make me happy and fulfilled!  I was born and raised in Mexico City.  Family and friends are the most important thing in my life.

My three passions: design, travel and food: I love to learn from different cultures, find inspiration in new places and try gourmet food paired with good wine.


Nickname: Lunder dogg

Where you got your nickname? I don’t know, ask rob?

On the iPod? I pretty much like all music, yes even love songs, but if I had to choose, I would keep it gangsta.

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Carmel Macchiato, it’s amazing.

Favorite quote: Pinky: Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight? Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky.  Try to take over the world!

Bio: I’m simple, get to know me, you’ll have a friend for life.

Nickname: “Austie” or “Austy”

Where you got your nickname? Champagne “Austie Spumonty”

On the iPod? Reggae, Bad Religion, Ozzy, Too Short, ect.

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Rib eye steak, potatoes, corn bread

Your biggest fear: Heights

Favorite past time: Surfing, fishing, golf, snowboarding

Bio: Mark is on a surfing and fishing Ji-HAD



On the iPod? I like top 40 and dance music for the gym, and rock/alternative when I’m relaxing.

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Venti caramel frappiccino with whip cream and extra caramel sauce

Your biggest fear: My biggest fear is not knowing when the next big earthquake will hit.

Favorite past time: Camping, fishing, hiking, and anything else outdoors.

Bio: I have lived in Southern California all of my life, except when I moved to Phoenix for the summer when I was 20 years old.  I grew up playing soccer, softball, and basketball, but my favorite spectator sport is ice hockey.  I have one younger sister and two older sisters, and no brothers.  I have my cosmetology license, but I am now back in school to pursue my degree in accounting.

On the iPod? Son Volt, Marco Forster, KORN

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Black Coffee

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” The Apple Pan

Favorite quote: “The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” – Michelangelo Buonarroti

Bio:
Born: Jan 9, 1970        PPG: 21.8
Height: 6-5                   RPG: 7.3
Weight: 235lbs             APG: 4.3
College: UCI                Pastimes: Watersports & Travel
Years Pro: 18
Heroes: John Wooden, Michael Caine, Plexi Miguel


On the iPod? Alternative Rock

Best item on the Starbucks menu? Caramel Macchiato

What would you pick if you got to choose your “last meal?” Steak & Lobster

Favorite past time: Hanging out with my kids.

Bio: I have been married for five years.  I have three daughters – we love playing Barbies at my house.