EXECUTIVE TEAM
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NICHOLAS ESAYIAN
CEO
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Nick Esayian has participated in a string of successful entrepreneurial ventures over the last twenty years including founding the major direct response marketing company, Revenue Solutions, which focused on television and digital marketing as channels to promote and sell millions of consumers a wide range of products. He is also the Founder of Direct Path, which is a technology platform specializing in audio recognition, media, traffic, and analytics platform for consumer marketing.
His career began with a sales, marketing, and management foundation at the Xerox Corp, Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Executone Business Solutions (Bain Capital). Esayian transitioned into direct response as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Real Marketing Services, which was an affiliate of Barbour Langley Productions (the producer of COPS) before venturing out on his own in 2000 into the direct response world.
Esayian raced sports cars professionally in the Pirelli World Challenge series and his career spans back to 1989 including four Manufacturer’s Titles in the Pirelli World Challenge Series and multiple race wins. He was a member of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department SAR Unit for ten years and also served on a US Marshall Violent Fugitive Task Force in New Mexico. He has spoken at the Harvard Business School and is a enthusiastic supporter of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. He lives in Encinitas, California and has two sons, ages 15 and 12, who play football, hockey, and lacrosse.
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JUSTIN BERT
COO
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Justin Bert is Chief Operating Officer of LIGHT Helmets and is responsible for all daily operations of the company. Justin has enjoyed a 30-year career in all aspects of real estate operations, investment, development, lending and brokerage. His diverse background includes working for large multi-national corporations, technology start-ups, small private firms and as a sole proprietor entrepreneur.
Throughout his career, Justin has shown a keen ability to adapt to a variety of environments and disciplines including diverse operational and investment strategies. Most recently, Justin was Senior Vice President of Capstone Advisors managing investment activities at the firm including over $250 million in acquisition and lending transactions. Mr. Bert holds a Master's in Business Administration from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Economics and Decision Sciences from the University of California at San Diego.
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KODIAK BRUSH
Engineering Production Manager
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Boasting over a decade of experience in production, engineering, design, and supply chain management, Kodiak Brush is an integral leader at LIGHT Helmets. His innovative drive and detailed planning have been crucial in the lifecycle of products, ranging from medical devices to consumer electronics.
As Engineering Production Manager, Kodiak not only steers the design and production but also spearheads the quality control and supply chain management, ensuring our protective headgear is state-of-the-art. His steadfast dedication to player safety and performance fuels our mission to revolutionize contact sports.
An MIT alumnus with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Kodiak also demonstrated his diverse skill set as a vicious middle linebacker and captain on the Engineer's Varsity Football team.
Outside the office, Kodiak's adventurous spirit shines through. He's currently channeling his inventive prowess into converting a school bus into a custom off-grid camper, reflecting his passion for sustainable and creative design solutions.
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Matt Pennell
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES
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Matt Pennell is the Vice President of Sales for LIGHT Helmets responsible for direct sales, dealer network, oversight for NFL, NCAA, and other key accounts. Matt is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the world of sports and sporting goods to include sales, distribution, and account management with senior management roles within football, golf, SCUBA diving and operational software.
Most recently, Matt handled NFL, NCAA and Key Accounts for Xenith as well as leading their southeastern sales team. Matt’s experience in football is not limited to sales and management as he has enjoyed coaching at the youth, middle and high school levels over the past seventeen years.
Prior to his career in sports, Matt was a United States Marine attending boot camp in Parris Island, SC with duty stations in Okinawa, Japan and Camp Pendleton, CA as well as a middle east deployment.
He lives in Murrells Inlet, SC and has one adult son who is a former college football player.
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JOHN SARKISIAN
Executive Chairman
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John Sarkisian is a successful entrepreneur with a long track record of successful ventures. His list of accomplishments include building and selling the investment services firm Brightscope, restaurant chain Pat & Oscars which he sold in 2002, commercial real estate development firm Del Mar Heritage, Chariman of the Board of computer hard ware manufacturer Semtek Innovative Solutions which was sold to Verifone in 2010, and fitness equipment (SKLZ) where he was the Founder (2002) and CEO through 2014. He received his BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and his MBA from San Diego State.
John has close ties with the fitness and athletic world as well as a significant amount of expertise in corporate development and finance.
ADVISORY BOARD
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DR. TAL S. DAVID
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Tal S. David, M.D. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. His practice focus is arthroscopic and sports medicine surgery.
In addition to his private practice, Dr. David is a Volunteer Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UC San Diego Health and a Faculty Instructor in the San Diego Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Fellowship. He serves on the Board of Editors of the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Orthopedics. Dr. David is an active member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) and a member of the Council of Delegates for the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). He is a Past-President of the San Diego Orthopedic Society and a member of the Board of Directors for the California Orthopedic Association.
Dr. David has authored the textbook “Arthroscopic Techniques of the Shoulder” and is co-editor of the Visual Arthroscopy Series on Arthroscopic Surgery. He has published and lectured internationally on topics related to sports medicine and injuries.
He has been involved in the care of the injured athletes for more than 15 years and has served on the medical staff of various professional sports teams including over 10 years as an NFL team physician.
He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and completed an orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California. Featured in San Diego magazine, Dr. David has been voted by his peers as a “Top Doctor” in orthopedic surgery for the last 6 consecutive years.
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DR. PETER CUMMINGS
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CEO of Veritas Sports Injury Research Network, Inc. Dr. Cummings is board certified in anatomic pathology, neuropathology and forensic pathology. He earned his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland and completed his pathology training at the University of Virginia. He also earned a master’s degree in pathology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine. In his clinical work, Dr. Cummings has performed thousands of autopsies and conducted thousands of brain cuttings. He has been admitted as an expert in 24 States and in 7 different countries. He has authored two textbooks: ‘The Atlas of Forensic Histopathology’ (Cambridge University Press 2010) and ‘Pearls and Pitfalls of Pediatric Death Investigation’ (Cambridge University Press, December 2016).
Dr. Cummings maintains an active interest in different forms of brain injury including concussions. Dr. Cummings research lab was the first to describe CTE-like lesions in the brains of woodpeckers. Dr. Cummings is also the co-author of “Brainwashed: the bad science behind CTE and the plot to destroy football”. Not only is Dr. Cummings a neurotrauma expert, he is a certified youth football coach and has served as a league and team physician in multiple settings. Most importantly, he is the father of a youth football player.
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DR. SHAWN EVANS
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Dr. Evans is residency trained and board certified in emergency medicine. He has practiced for more than twenty years at Scripps Memorial La Jolla. Having managed thousands of concussions including severe head and spinal injury, the importance of optimizing cranial protection is paramount to improving sports, communities, and the survival of contact sports. Dr. Evans founded Physician Outreach in Student Education in 1998 to provide skill-based education dedicated to alcohol and recreational agents. The program continues to expand with topics such as performance enhancing drugs and risk-taking behavior.
He is the recipient of numerous community awards for educational outreach and his commitment to excellence in medicine has resulted in being elected Chief of Staff, Program Lead for the Cerebral-Vascular Team, Quality Council Director, Professional Standards Chairperson and Major League Baseball for ten years. He is the current chairperson of the Appropriate Care Committee ensuring all complex patients receive optimal decision planning.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Evans enjoys “anything with a helmet,” racing off-road motorcycles in the Baja-1000, wake-skating, skateboarding, and camping. With a diverse sports background that includes football, the prevention, recognition and need to prevent concussion are central to his mission in medicine and his work in the community.
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DR. JONATAN SCHLEIMER, M.D.
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A Neurologist at Scripps Mercy Hospital specializing in Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Dr. Schleimer currently practices at the San Diego Nerve Study Center and serves as a Neuology expert for the California State Athletic Commission. He has been involved in the care of athletes and specializes as an Independent Medical Examiner for the NFL Disability and Retirement Plan, Neurocognitive Disability Plan Expert for the NFL and Players Association Board, and as an independent Neurologic Consultant for the San Diego Chargers.
Dr. Schleimer studied at the University of California San Diego as well as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is a Clinical Instructor at the University of California San Francisco, Assistant Clinical Professor in Neurology, and the Neurology Expert of the advisory committee at the California State Athletic Commission. Dr. Schleimer is also part of the California Neurology Society, American Academy of Neurology, San Diego Neurology Society, Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Association of Pro Ringside Physicians.
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DR. NICOLE FRIEDMAN
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Dr. Nicole Friedman is a consulting, clinical health and forensic psychologist licensed in California, New York, and Virginia. Her consulting practice specializes in high performance individuals to deliver and sustain the results required to achieve and maintain world-class status in their respective industries. Dr. Friedman seamlessly works with diverse clientele serving individuals and organizations in entertainment, sports, banking, finance, philanthropy, technology, light industry, healthcare, biotech and genomics, startups, judicial and law enforcement and security. She is well known for her highly regarded skills and expertise in assessment, coaching, change management, succession planning and building value-based cultures.
Dr. Friedman is the chairwoman of Psychology at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA where she is serving her fifth term. She has been a practicing clinical psychologist at Scripps Center for Executive Health for more than a decade. Dr. Friedman earned a doctorate in psychology at California School of Professional Psychology and an American Psychological Association accredited post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. While at Tripler Army Medical Center, she received a Nursing Star of Excellence Award for “her commitment, dedication, and selfless support to the medical nursing services.”
You can read more about Dr. Friedman’s professional background at www.drnicolefriedman.com
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Jordan Palmer
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Jordan Palmer is a former NFL quarterback and currently the “go to” Quarterback Coach for prospective NFL draft picks. His recent trainees include Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Jarrett Stidham, Drew Lock, Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, and Trevor Lawrence. Palmer is also the current Director of Quarterback Development for the XFL. His NFL career began in 2007 when he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. He played college football at UTEP. Palmer was also a member of the Arizona Rattlers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and Tennessee Titans.
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DREW STANTON
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Drew Stanton was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft, following a standout college performance with the Michigan State Spartans. From there, Stanton embarked on a remarkable NFL career playing for several teams including the Detroit Lions (2007-2011), Indianapolis Colts (2012), Arizona Cardinals (2013-2017), Cleveland Browns (2018-2019), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020), where he became a Super Bowl LV Champion.
Beyond the NFL, Stanton's dedication to mentoring young athletes led him to establish the Central Phoenix Colts. He's received numerous accolades, including the Lions Robert Porcher Man of the Year award for three consecutive seasons and the Walter Payton Award for his community service.
Additionally, Stanton is the visionary behind the High Five Foundation, raising over $1,000,000 for organizations like the Special Olympics and Children's Miracle Network.
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ERIK DAVIS
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ERIK DAVIS HAS BUILT MARKET-LEADING ENTERPRISES GENERATING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN VALUE IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES WHICH INCLUDE INSURANCE, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY AND MOTORSPORTS INDUSTRIES. ERIK HAS BUILT AND EXITED MULTIPLE COMPANIES ALWAYS BY CREATING MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS, INVESTORS AND INDUSTRY INSIDERS AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAMS THAT FOCUS ON A SINGULAR VISION.
CURRENT ROLES FOR ERIK INCLUDE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF R-T SPECIALTY INSURANCE SERVICES, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF ALWAYS EVOLVING MOTORSPORT, INVESTOR. AT RT SPECIALTY, ERIK FOCUSES ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LEADING A TEAM OF 200+ INDIVIDUALS THAT GENERATE OVER $2.5 BILLION IN ANNUAL PREMIUM, MAKING RT THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION INTERMEDIARY IN NORTH AMERICA. WITH CLIENTS LIKE GOOGLE, APPLE, PULTE HOMES, SILVERSTEIN PROPERTIES AND MANY OTHERS, ERIK AND HIS TEAM ARE INVOLVED IN THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
DAVIS PROUDLY SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE FOR SIX YEARS AND WAS STATIONED IN COLORADO SPRINGS, LOS ANGELES AND AVIANO, ITALY. DAVIS HAS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FROM THE ACADEMY IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. DAVIS PLAYED FOOTBALL AT AIR FORCE WHERE HE WAS A THREE-YEAR STARTER AT DEFENSIVE TACKLE EARNING ALL-WAC AND ALL-AMERICAN HONORS.
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DR. DAVID STRAIGHT
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David Straight is a doctor of physical therapy, author, speaker, marketing expert, co-owner of E-rehab.com, and marketing director of a 7 location PT private practice. David and his business partner own and operate a digital marketing agency that serves the physical therapy private practice market. He and his company provide custom websites, high-value email marketing, local SEO, reputation marketing (not just management), affordable video marketing and consistent social media marketing for over 1600 locations across North America. He’s the author of Booked Solid The Fast, Easy, & Affordable Way to Use the Internet to Drive More Patients in the Door. He’s presented multiple national, state, and local professional conferences as well. His passion is to help people understand that physical therapy is the best first choice for neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
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Karen Hynes
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Karen Hynes has more than 25 years experience managing the marketing and PR functions at an executive level for a variety of companies, including Companion Medical (Medtronic), Dexcom, UC San Diego Health System and others. She spent the first half of her career on the ad agency side of the business working on large consumer, B2B and defense brands. Some of her clients included Lockheed Martin, Princess Cruises, CIGNA Healthcare, Memorex and Famous Grouse Scotch. Karen holds an MBA from San Diego State University in California, and a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Connecticut.
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Dr. Michael McDermott, M.D.
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Dr. Michael McDermott, M.D. is a neurosurgeon and the Chief Medical Executive of the Miami Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. McDermott is widely known for advancing neurosurgical techniques and is an expert in the treatment of a wide variety of neurological disorders and has published over 430 peer-reviewed articles.
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DR. PAUL GASPER, P.T.
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DR. PAUL GASPER, P.T. is a doctor of physical therapy, cardiac certified specialist and president and founder of Gaspar Physical Therapy. He is also the co-author of a chapter in a clinical textbook on cardiovascular disease PT and is the primary investigator for two orthopaedic research studies. Gasper also developed California Physical Therapy Association standards for practice excellence.
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Alan Ezeir
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Alan Ezeir has established a track record of success in domain names, online commerce, telecommunications, and several other fast-paced entrepreneurial/start-up environments. After over 26 years of startups, Alan has taken the next step in his career by diving into the acquisition world. Circle Square Capital has been formed to acquire businesses that have $2-$10M in EBITDA, with the objective to take the baton from the previous founder and grow them to the next level. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from UCLA.
Alan is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) since 2002 and the founding alumni President of the Southern California Entrepreneurial Academy Alumni Association (SCEAA): an organization that works closely with the development of entrepreneurs in Southern California. SCEAA facilitates mentor relationships by pairing emerging entrepreneurs with established, successful ones.
Over the past several years, Alan has made investments in several industries including high tech and green technology (collectively over 15 investments). He was one of the founding investors of ecoATM which was subsequently acquired by CoinStar for $350M.
A passion for Tequila, Alan became a known collector with over 250 tequilas. He does taste testings and education in the world of tequila and has traveled to the region to learn more about Agave spirits. One day this passion may become a multi-tiered educational platform for the spirit and or a club.
