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Valley 200 – 2024: Bill Johnson

Chief Executive, Founder, Chair, Liberty Co. Insurance Brokers

Johnson founded his Woodland Hills-based company in 1987. It quickly became successful with Johnson continuing to lead the company as its chief executive until 2003 when he decided to step back from day-to-day management of Liberty to pursue his other passion of producing films. During the next 14 years, Johnson made more than 30 films including producing films staring Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and others. In 2018, he decided to place his energy back into leading Liberty. He was a two-time All-American tennis player at California State University, Northridge.

Valley 200 – 2024: Mitzi Like

Chief Executive, Managing Partner, LBW Insurance

Like is managing partner and chief executive of LBW Insurance and Financial Services in Valencia. The firm, which has roots that date back to 1922, is an independent insurance agency that offers both personal and business insurance. In her role as chief executive, Like sets growth strategies for the firm, runs its daily operations and works on its book of business. Like, a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley since 1980, has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and is licensed in all 50 states. She got her start at St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Co.’s claims department in 1977. She then founded Like Financial in 1978 with her dad. The company later merged with another firm to create LBW Insurance and Financial Services. LBW is an independent insurance agency offering insurance for both businesses and individuals as well as group benefits, qualified plans and financial planning services. The company, which does everything from auto insurance to worker’s compensation, is based in Valencia.

“We’ve been an independent, family-owned agency for 100 years and have no plans for that to change, ” Like previously told the Business Journal. She added that the company was, however, “paying close attention to developments in areas like cannabis, supply-chain disruption, AI and the metaverse. We have to stay on top of changing legislation and emerging risks. That’s how we’ll continue to be the best trusted advisors to our clients – and that’s how we generate growth.” Outside of work, Like is on the board of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Foundation. She was appointed to the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital board last year. This year she was nominated for Santa Clarita’s Woman of the Year award by both the hospital and College of the Canyons.

Valley 200 – 2024: Lee Kleinman

Senior Vice President, Business Finance Capital

Kleinman serves as senior vice president of Business Finance Capital CDC in Sherman Oaks. BFC facilitates the second mortgage portion of the SBA 504 lending program to assist business owners in refinancing or acquiring commercial real estate. Kleinman is responsible for sourcing new lending opportunities and works to ensure that his clients’ lending needs are met. Prior to joining BFC, Kleinman worked at Wells Fargo for more than 30 years, serving in various roles, including most recently as senior vice president and senior commercial lender. Kleinman has been involved in hundreds of transactions totaling more than $1 billion in loan production volume. Kleinman is an L.A. native and routinely provides SBA 504 training to his industry partners.

Valley 200 – 2024: Steve O’Connell

President, Chief Executive, California Credit Union

O’Connell is president and chief executive of Glendale-based California Credit Union, which has nearly $5 billion in assets and 200,000 members. O’Connell has been president and chief executive since 2017. He was previously president and chief executive of North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. From 2002 to 2012 he served as chief financial officer, interim CEO and chief operating officer of California Credit Union. Last year the financial institution expanded into Ventura and San Bernardino counties. He is on numerous boards including the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens.

Valley 200 – 2024: Patrick Nygren

Senior Vice President, Head of Retail Banking, EverBank

As senior vice president and head of retail banking at EverBank, Nygren brings more than 25 years of experience in retail financial institution leadership and management, including all aspects of consumer and business banking. Prior to joining EverBank, he served as managing director and regional president for Union Bank’s Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast Division and held several leadership roles at Wells Fargo, including regional bank president. He is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School. He is also a member of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association. Nygren also serves on the board and finance committee of Casa Pacifica, which seeks to help young people struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges.

Valley 200 – 2024: Ross Pendergraft

Benefits Consultant, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Pendergraft has been consulting with business owners and their families since 1992. His experience includes employee benefits consulting, business and personal insurance planning and health care reform compliance. Prior to its acquisition by Gallagher last year, Pendergraft served as senior vice president at Woodland Hills-based Leavitt Insurance Services. Pendergraft is a member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals where he was president of the Los Angeles chapter.  He is also a vice chair of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association.

Valley 200 – 2024: Jason Sands

Managing Director, Ameriprise Financial

Sands serves as a managing director and a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial in Westlake Village, working closely with high-net-worth families and endowments. He received the Client Service Award from Ameriprise in 2020 and 2023. Prior to starting at Ameriprise in 2019, he was a first vice president of Wells Fargo Advisors in Beverly Hills and Encino for 20 years. Sands is a resident of Westlake Village and is very active in the community. He is the founder and former chair of the St. Cyril of Jerusalem Dad’s Club and is the current chair of the Park Players Association.

Valley 200 – 2024: David Poms

Founder, President, Poms & Associates

Poms operates his Calabasas-based firm that specializes in independent commercial insurance brokerage and risk-management as its president. The company, which was founded in 1991, has grown to six offices in four states. Poms & Associates today is among the top 50 privately-held brokerage firms in the U.S. with an annual revenue of more than $50 million. Poms was inducted into Insurance Business America’s 2020 Hall of Fame. In addition to his work at Poms & Associates, Poms serves on the board of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation.

Valley 200 – 2024: Jeff Sarti

Chief Executive, Morton Wealth

Sarti is the chief executive of Calabasas-based Morton Wealth, an investment advisor with assets under management of more than $2 billion. Sarti, who earned his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, first joined Morton Wealth as chief investment officer in 2004. He then served as a principal at Crosscourt Capital Management, returning to Morton Wealth in 2011 as vice president. He has also held the titles of co-president and co-chief executive at the company prior to taking on his current role. Sarti is also a member of the Forbes Finance Council.

Valley 200 – 2024: Joseph Seetoo

Partner, Senior Vice President, Morton Capital Management

Seetoo provides financial planning and investment management services to business owners and high-net-worth families. Over the past four years, he’s been instrumental in developing a unique offering for Morton Wealth that helps business owners make strategic decisions and prepares those looking to transition or sell their companies. Seetoo is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Los Angeles and ProVisors. He is the founder and president of the Conejo Valley chapter of the Exit Planning Institute and is a member of the institute’s EPI Thought Leadership Council.