As the founder of Francis Development Inc., Mitch developed shopping centers, office buildings and condominium projects. He continues to own and manage commercial properties throughout the US. He was a Real Estate major at the University of Colorado and has a California Real Estate Broker license he doesn’t use, (like everyone in California).

Mitch was the founder, Chairman and CEO of a small publicly-traded company for nearly 30 years. The company was initially involved in creating and operating 3-D motion simulator attractions in the US and Canada, utilizing the most advanced technologies of the day. Subsequently, the company became the largest ticket broker in Las Vegas, selling more than $1 billion in show tickets, attractions and dining.

Mitch is an innovative business leader whose inventions have yielded four United States patents, with another three inventions currently patent-pending. All of these inventions have contributed to the successes of his unique businesses. Mitch believes that the two most important ingredients for success as a serial entrepreneur are superior skills in problem-solving and unshakable tenacity.

Mitch has been a founding director of two charitable organizations and remains on those boards. Though important, neither organization deals with the twenty topics addressed in Bad-Ass Solutions.

Mitch grew up in Denver, Colorado and of course had a love affair with skiing. He was on the Vail ski team specializing in downhill racing. He taught skiing on weekends and holidays while at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Picture him studying on the chairlifts….

Mitch lives in Los Angeles with his amazing wife Sandy. He found her lost, skiing in a white-out. She says he saved her life, so she was obligated to marry him. It’s working out – 41 years!

Emile “Joe” Henwood the oldest of nine children from Southwest Philadelphia. His business career included the founding, development, and successful sale of six diverse companies providing industrial equipment rebuilding services and sales, equipment leasing, property management, software development and fundraising services. He served in the U.S. military as a naval aviator, lieutenant, achieving Pilot In Command designations in several multi-engine anti-submarine warfare and transportation aircraft. He was certified as a cryptology/top secret control officer and programmer/analyst at the Naval Command Systems Support Activity in Washington, D.C. He holds an FAA Commercial Pilot license with single, multi-engine and instrument ratings.

While a member of the crew team at West Philadelphia Catholic Boys High School, he rowed a single scull winning two high school national championships, and as a member of Vesper Boat Club, he repeatedly earned seats on four United States’ National Rowing Team boats representing our country in Canada and Europe, winning two gold and two silver medals in international competition. The recipient of a full scholarship for rowing, he captained the crew team at St. Joseph’s University where he earned a B.S. in Marketing / Management and was inducted into the St. Joe’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He and his wife, Penny, are now “empty-nesters” with two grown sons and four grandchildren. They reside in Upper Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania where he served as Judge of Elections for 10 years.

She is called the “Georgia Gypsy” back home. Up-and-coming country artist Ashley Brooks, hailing from the North Georgia mountains, has been making waves with her distinctive country sound, powerful lyrics, and high-energy performances filled with attitude. Known as a the wild, barefoot, and fishing songwriter from North Georgia, Ashley Brooks is set to captivate audiences with her authentic charm. 

In the past year, Ashley Brooks has demonstrated her talent in over 60 performances in the South and has had the privilege of opening for acclaimed Nashville artists such as Confederate Rail Road, Billy Droze, Gary Nichols, The Oak Ridge Boys and Aaron Tippin. Ashley frequently travels from the Bible Belt of Georgia back to Nashville to collaborate with fellow songwriters and artists, showcasing her dedication to her craft and passion for music.

Having never even seen Waikiki, Jim “Kimo” West came right to the tiny village of Hana, Maui in 1985 and spent much of his time there for many years. It was in Hana where he first heard the music of Gabby Pahinui, Sons of Hawaii, Sonny Chillingworth, and Atta Isaacs. Already familiar with alternate tunings, the sound of ki ho’alu became rooted deep in his musical landscape.

Kimo is regarded as one of the world’s foremost “ki ho’alu” or Hawaiian “slack key” guitar artists and his music has garnered over seventy-five million spins on streaming services. He is a 2021 Grammy Winner for his recent CD, “More Guitar Stories” and a 2019 Grammy nominee for “Moku Maluhia-Peaceful Island”. He is also a 2008 winner of the Hawaii Music Awards and four-time Na Hoku Hanohano (the Hawaiian ‘Grammy’) nominee. He is also a two-time winner of the LA Treasures Award for his efforts in keeping this important acoustic guitar tradition alive. This warm and engaging fingerpicked guitar style has its roots in 1840’s Hawaii, when Mexican vaqueros first brought guitars to the Big Island of Hawaii. If you saw the Oscar-winning film, “The Decendants” you have experienced this great acoustic guitar tradition.
Kimo is a veteran of Hawaii’s famed slack key festivals as well as the So Cal Slack Key Festival every year from 2008 through 2018. He has shared the stage with almost all the world’s top slack key players at one time or another.

His numerous CDs feature many original compositions as well as inventive arrangements of the genres’ classic repertoire. His seventh CD, “Guitar Stories” goes beyond slack key, exploring other genres like West African guitar, Middle Eastern Music, and Americana. “Slackers In Paradise” features duets with slack and steel guitar legend, Ken Emerson, and his latest CD, “Moku Maluhia-Peaceful Island” is a mix of “nahenahe” or very relaxing compositions.

For his work as long-time guitarist with “Weird Al,” he has earned four Grammy’s and a Billboard #1 CD debut for 2015’s “Mandatory Fun.”

Kimo has also worked as a composer for film and TV for many years and maintains a sophisticated private studio in Los Angeles. He has composed music for features films, network TV shows and specials and cable shows. His slack key compositions have been used in many feature films, TV spots, and documentaries.

GREGORY and GAIL HOAG

Gregory Hoag, The Sacred Geometry Divine Toolmaker

Gregory Hoag, scientist, best selling author and artist, has researched Sacred Geometry and consciousness for 47 years. Following a major spiritual awakening (Kundalini) in 1982, he started creating energetic tools through Metaforms, that provide transformative tools to foster spiritual evolution and the expansion of Source. His land in the Colorado Rockies has numerous energy vortexes and strategically placed geometric forms for the purpose of activating the planetary grids and energizing some of the tools produced by Metaforms.

He is recognized as one of the leading experts on Sacred Geometric technologies for improving health, raising consciousness, reducing stress, manifesting intent and clearing emotional and electromagnetic interference.

Gail Hoag, Spiritual Steward

Gail Hoag is a health consultant, accomplished artist, spiritual advisor and businesswoman. Her study of light, color and energy in motion in her paintings, launched a deep understanding for creating transformative fields to expand consciousness. Developing her intuitive gifts as an artist, healer and spiritual counselor, she has assisted many people to embrace life more fully. Gail has also served as a business consultant and team building trainer in corporations.

Gail was an avid student of R. Buckminster Fuller and knew the intrinsic value of sacred geometry when she and Gregory met in 1985 and founded Metaforms, realizing their life’s mission to bring sacred geometric energy tools to the world.