Supreme Motors in Costa Mesa, formerly CarMart OC since 2013, is under new ownership with Ehren Bragg.
Most recently, Bragg worked at Ally Financial, an automotive finance and insurance company, as marketing director for its insurance division. Before that he was part of Karma Automotive’s launch of its first direct-to-market flagship retail location. His resume also includes working with Jaguar Cars, Ferrari SpA and Automobili Lamborghini SpA.
At Supreme, Bragg says he intends to “change used cars buying from the risky crapshoot it’s traditionally been” and instead offer quality late-model vehicles while disclosing the condition of wear-and-tear parts.
For more information, go to www.suprememotorsoc.com or email [email protected].
Address: 1916 Placentia Ave., Building A
Fitness with a buzz debuts in Costa Mesa
The fitness and wellness studio E20 Training opened this month in Costa Mesa.
The studio offers workout sessions that use electro muscle stimulation. The technology uses special gear the user wears that sends electrical impulses through the skin, making the muscles contract. The company says the technique works for people of all fitness levels.
E20 Training is open seven days a week. Memberships start at around $53.
Address: 230 E 17th St., Suite 110
Law firm merges with new Frost Brown Todd
A team of attorneys from Hess-Verdon in Newport Beach recently joined Cincinnati-based Frost Brown Todd, which is expanding its footprint in California.
The Hess-Verdon lawyers specialize in wealth planning and administration, trust planning and administration, estate, trust and business litigation, in addition to other real estate matters.
They include founding partner Jillyn Hess-Verdon and her legal team: Holly Gilani, Jim Cunningham, Kurt Ketchum, Nadeen Farra, Jeffrey Ogorek, and Keith Van Dyke. They will lead FBT’s Trust and Estates practice in Newport Beach. Jillyn Hess-Verdon is the new team leader of Frost Brown Todd’s Family Office Practice and Verdon is senior director of Strategic Growth.
“California stands out as one of the most vibrant and promising business landscapes in the nation, and we are thrilled to welcome the Hess-Verdon team to strengthen our West Coast presence,” said Robert Sartin, FBT Chairman, in a statement.
Law firm opens in Irvine
The Dallas-based law firm Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC opened its first office in Orange County Jan. 14 in Irvine.
The firm includes five lawyers, three of whom are former partners of Vogt, Resnick & Sherak. The team includes Barry Resnick, Jeff Resnick and Adam Greely from Vogt, and Jerome Busch and Richard Blumenthal.
Cypress High students Valentina Villareal and Genesis Rivera cut the official ribbon marking the opening of the Wellness Room. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Meza, EasyOCPhotos)
Wellness Room debuts at Cypress High
Cypress High School recently opened a unique space aimed at students’ mental health.
The Wellness Room is the creation of Valentina Villareal and Genesis Rivera and three peers at Cypress High students who also are part of the Waymakers Elevate Youth Program. Seeing a gap in mental health resources, the students invested time educating their peers and persuading school administrators to approve a large space for the room.
Elevate, a nonprofit that helps victims of trauma in Orange County, provided a grant to refurbish the space. That work included painting and preparation, decor, comfortable and functional furniture, and relaxation activities.
On the move
Agnes McGlone Swanson is the new senior vice president of Community Relations at Orange County United Way. She has 35 years of experience with local and national nonprofit health organizations and previously was chief philanthropy officer at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano. McGlone Swanson also spent 27 years at the American Heart Association.
Virna Navia is the new vice president of Intermediary Strategy starting this month at Visit Anaheim. She previously worked at Visit Orlando and Four Seasons Hualalai, the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach, and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
Lance Eddy is the new executive vice president of sales at Birdwell Beach Britches in Irvine. Most recently, he was sales director at the surf brand RVCA in Costa Mesa and also spent nearly 20 years at Vans. Founded in 1961, Birdwell makes hand-made boardshorts.
Ameena Maria Khawaja is the new vice president of Education and Community Engagement at Pacific Symphony. She has experience as an arts administrator, educator and performer, and most recently was executive director of El Sistema USA/Salinas (Youth Orchestra Salinas). Khawaja is also the co-founder of the California Orchestra Academy.
Tony Dabbene is the new chief executive officer for both IHI Power Generation Corp. and IHI Power Services Corp., both of which are based in Aliso Viejo. The company provides operations and maintenance, asset management, remote operations and compliance services in the energy sector. Previously, Dabbene was at Ultrasystems and LG&E Energy. Earlier in his career, he was CEO of ExaDigm (now NEXGO). The companies’ parent company is IHI Corp., a heavy industrial manufacturing and services company based in Tokyo.
Coming up
Radiant Futures in Fullerton is hosting its second Dynamic Duo 5K run/walk fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Fountain Valley Sports Park at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley.
The run/walk from 8 am to noon includes a $38.10 fee for participants 11 years and older. Children age 10 and under are free.
Registration is preferred by Friday, Jan. 24 and ends the day of the event at 8:15 am
To register, go to www.radiantfutures.org/5kdynamicduo. Participants can also register and pick up bibs from Sports Basement at 10800 Kalama River Avenue in Fountain Valley.
Good works
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County raised $226,688 at its annual “No Lunch” event held in November at the food bank’s distribution center. The money will go toward food and nutritional security programs for the 442,000 children, families and seniors the nonprofit serves across Orange County.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected] . Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.