ACORN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Donald Dye, CEO
Trained in the practice of law, Don Dye received his undergraduate education at the University of Redlands and graduating from the University of California, Berkeley and graduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
After admission to the California State Bar, Mr. Dye entered active duty with the United States Air Force as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corp. Upon leaving the Air Force, he entered the private practice of law with Reid, Babbage and Coil. He was partner with that firm from 1975 until he left to form his own firm Dye, Thomas and Luebs in 1982. He left that firm in 1991.
In 1982 Mr. Dye joined Callaway Golf Company, serving as General Counsel and one of the Founding Directors of the company. In 1991, he added the duties of Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. He thereafter became President and Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure as COO and CEO, Callaway Golf Company went from annual sales of $21.0 million to $843.0 million and became the largest manufacturer of golf equipment in the world. In 1992, Callaway Golf Company went public with one of the most successful IPOs for a sports oriented company ever. From an initial capitalization of $250.0 million, Callaway Golf Company reached a market cap of over $3.0 billion during his tenure as CEO. In recognition of his efforts, he received the United States Small Business Administration National Entrepreneurial Success Award in 1996. Mr. Dye left Callaway Golf Company in late 1998.
From 1999-2002 Mr. Dye served as Dean of the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management, University of California at Riverside, and served as a full-time lecturer until 2004. He is currently President and CEO of From The Acorn Corporation, a family owned California Corporation engaged in consultation and investment. He is also President and CEO of Acorn Technology Corporation a technology firm that provides Managed IT Services for businesses throughout the United States and owns and operates a Tier 4, 2N+1, 23,000 square feet data center. From the Acorn Corporation manages Acorn Technology Corporation and is its primary shareholder and creditor.
BALQON
Balwinder Samra, CEO
Balwinder Samra has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Balqon California from May 2005 to the present. Prior to that, Mr. Samra was president and chief executive officer of EVI, a leading manufacturer of electric buses, trucks and trailers. From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Samra was Corporate Vice President of Taylor-Dunn Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of electric industrial vehicles and tow tractors. At Taylor-Dunn, Mr. Samra was responsible for worldwide marketing, dealer sales and operations. Prior to Taylor-Dunn manufacturing Mr. Samra worked for Flextronics, Micropolis and Wangtek in Operations and Quality management positions. Mr. Samra holds a B. S. degree in Chemistry from Punjab University, India.
KRYSTAL ENTERPRISES
Edward Grech, CEO
As Krystal’s President and CEO since its inception, Ed Grech quickly built Krystal from literally nothing to the highly recognized and respected brand that it is today. His bold and decisive management style, combined with his reputation for honesty and his eye for quality propelled Krystal to its current position as a world leader in the limousine, bus and funeral car industry. Over his twenty-eight years at Krystal’s helm, Mr. Grech has capitalized on every imaginable market opportunity, growing Krystal’s revenues and profitability to levels beyond his initial imagination.
METALCRAFTERS
George Gaffoglio, CEO
In the early 70’s, George Gaffoglio, Ruben Gaffoglio and John Gaffoglio emigrated from Argentina to the United States. In 1979 they founded Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, Inc. George Gaffoglio is currently the Chief Executive Officer with over 38 years of experience in the Automotive Industry. Over the years, Mr. Gaffoglio has grown the company from a small shop in a modest building with sixteen employees, to a medium sized company with over 160 employees. GFMI has become world renowned for manufacturing state-of-the-art concept vehicles and specializes in zero emissions, hybrid and fully functional vehicle development using old-world craftsmanship with new-age technology.
MVP RV
Brad Williams, CEO
Brad Williams began his career in the RV industry in 1985. He has over 30 years of management experience in manufacturing. He steadily moved from departmental management to executive leadership positions throughout his career. Mr. Williams currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of MVP RV, Inc. He has been a long-standing member of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and is involved in many industry initiatives.
