Episodes - Page 14 of 24

Robert Michero

June 27, 2023 No Comments

Robert (Bob) Michero was raised in Alhambra and South Pasadena, California. Bob is a 45 year+ veteran of the Wine, Spirits and Food Industry, encompassing the operations and strategic management of Retail, Wholesale-Distribution, Importing Exporting Compliance, National Sales and Marketing, Winery Operation, and Wine Cellar Design and Acquisition. Bob learned how to read and play music beginning when he was 6 years old as a student of percussion at Pedrini’s Music in Alhambra, California. This became one of Bob’s major activities as he went on to play for the Alhambra All-City Orchestra in his youth. As he matured, he played percussion with a variety of small orchestras and jazz groups while in college. Music has always been a major part of Bob’s life and coalesced after 50 years when he joined the Pasadena Symphony Association’s (PSA) Board of Directors. For over ten years Bob served as Vice President Finance & Treasurer for the organization and is currently President of their Board of Directors.

Jack Huang

June 20, 2023 No Comments

Jack Huang grew up in the United States with his Chinese parents. When he had to attend a college he chose UCLA, from which he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Once he had his degree he went into the aerospace career until he became section manager. Leaving California for New York was a decision he made to support his then-wife, though they did eventually end up back in Southern California.

Denny Mu

June 13, 2023 No Comments

Denny Mu was born December 17th 1986. He grew up in Northridge in the San Fernando Valley. His family had a location in Northridge from 1982 to 2020 and that’s where Denny started working in the family restaurant business. His father was the head chef and owner until he passed away when Denny was 7 years old. That is one of the main reasons why Denny does what he does and loving it. He doesn’t remember too much about his father but Denny does remember how people always wanted his father’s attention and how he was very charismatic. Denny feels that he was blessed with those same qualities. In a sense he wants to finish the road that his father started. Denny knows the restaurant is a tough lifestyle but It is a simple lifestyle, one where you can directly impact someone’s life for the better, which is why he tries his best to be kind and like family to his patrons.

Kenny Phan

June 6, 2023 No Comments

Kenny Phan is a Chinese Vietnamese coach in the San Gabriel Valley. His family moved from Vietnam to America in 1980. Kenny graduated from Monterey Vista Elementary, Garvey Intermediate, and Mark Keppel High School. In 5th grade he pick up basketball and never looked back. Currently, Kenny runs the Mofufus Basketball league and has done so since 2001. The league has become a staple of adult recreational basketball league in the SGV. In 2014 he started coaching his daughter which lead to him training and coaching youth basketball. Basketball has taught Kenny life lessons and provided many opportunities, great memories and experiences that he remembers to this day.

Jon Narcisso

May 30, 2023 No Comments

Jon Narcisso, is the founder of Jon Narcisso Millinery, a bespoke and custom hat company. Each hat is made from scratch, by hand every single day using some of the worlds finest materials such Rabbits fur, Ecuadorian Paja straw and 100x beaver. My journey and passion in millinery (haymaking) started back in 2012, creating custom 1 off pieces for small boutiques and clients around the Los Angeles area. I am a self-taught milliner that developed the skill over the years by consistent practice over and over again. Though I was self taught, I did my due dilligence but researching and studying other hat-makers around the world. I always believed I needed to find foundation before creating my own style and technique. My perspective on hatmaking is focused on symmetry, bold shape and color. I love to express myself the RAW, UNCUT form. That’s what makes my hats special and unique. I currently have a small studio showroom to showcase my work and to meet and build with clients.

Armando Novelo

May 23, 2023 No Comments

Coming from a single mother household, Armando learned some life struggles early on, specifically around money, but hard work and perseverance helped him excel In his studies. He attended UCLA, where he earned a degree in Psychology and also fell into the world of Real Estate and Mortgage. Armando started his career in mortgage while attending UCLA. Today, he ranks in the top 1% of loan officers nationwide and runs a successful branch of a local mortgage firm.

Salvador Melendez

May 16, 2023 No Comments

Salvador Melendez is a Council member and past Mayor for the City of Montebello. In this capacity, Salvador is responsible for formulating policies, protecting the welfare of the City of Montebello and overseeing the City of Montebello’s financial operations. He is also a member of several organizations like: The Montebello Lions Club, League of California Cities, Independent Cities Association, Southern California Association of Governments, Claremont Lincoln University Council, Board member of MELA Counseling, SGV COG, and Metro Advisory Council.

Lisa Liu

May 9, 2023 No Comments

Lisa Liu, the founder of Cairn Cookies, loves creating deeply impressionable flavors and a cozy environment. Cairn Cookies was made to bring comforting memories and joyful tastes to local neighborhoods. Lisa found that she can connect deeply with the community at the farmers market. She was able to combine a love of flavors with the love of creating efficient operations and an enjoyable culture for employees in this business model.

Brian Nittayo

May 2, 2023 No Comments

Brian graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. While still in school, he worked in a variety of restaurants from a sushi place to Outback Steakhouse and first experienced a love for serving and meeting people. After graduating, he gained experience as a front desk agent at the Ritz Carlton Hotel where he learned valuable customer service skills. His father was retired and “itching to get back into business,” in the early 2000s so they opened their first Cold Stone Creamery location in San Dimas. For the next 7 years they opened and operated Cold Stone Creamery franchises. During that time, they felt a strong desire to open a restaurant which would allow them the freedom to create a concept and menu. In 2009, they opened Rose City Pizza, only three doors down from one of their original Cold Stone Creamery locations in Rosemead.

Michael Patris – Part 2

April 25, 2023 No Comments

Michael Patris has always had an interest in history. Whether collecting antiques, collecting and working on antique cars, or restoring a 1923 California bungalow in Alhambra, pieces of the past always seemed too important to brush aside. After several years working in the news and film industries, Michael speaks publicly about Southern California transportation, collecting antiques, and Mount Lowe.

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