John Cox, Chairman John Cox is a businessman and former top-two nominee for California Governor in 2018. Raised by a single mom on the south side of Chicago, John is a Californian by choice, deeply committed to restoring the Golden State. John attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating with honors and a degree in Accounting and Political Science. While attending night school at ITT/Chicago‐Kent College of Law (where he graduated at the top of his class in 1980), John landed his first job as a CPA with the accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand (now PriceWaterhouse Coopers). In February of 1981, he founded his law and accounting firms. He later opened an investment advisory firm (Cox Financial Group, Ltd), a real estate management company (Equity Property Management LLC) and a venture capital firm (Financial Equity Associates, Inc.). He has built these businesses from scratch to having assets of over $200 million with almost 100 employees over the past 35 years. John Cox is active in charitable organizations, and serves as a Board member for the San Diego USO. John also founded an organization that repairs the homes of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Since 1991, that organization has mobilized 20,000 volunteers and repaired over 1,000 homes. John has four daughters and lives with his wife Sarah in San Diego where they are active in and attend Nativity Catholic Church. Daniel P. Kramer, CEO

Dan held leadership positions at several public affairs consulting firms and served as the CEO of a California based statewide trade association for almost a decade.  Prior to that he worked for the California State Legislature and managed numerous political campaigns. He also served as an appointee for two governors and as a Planning Commissioner in the City of Elk Grove, California.

Dan earned his MPA and BA from the University of Southern California and is accredited (APR) with the Public Relations Society of America.

Rear Admiral Russell Penniman, Advisory Board Member

Russ Penniman retired from the United States Navy, with the rank of Rear Admiral, after 35 years of distinguished service.

Following his designation as a Naval Aviator, Penniman served with numerous fleet fighter squadrons, and deployed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Desert Storm.  In 2003, then Captain Penniman served on the Joint Air Component commander’s staff, U.S. Central Command, where he served as Night Director, Combat Plans Division during the opening months of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following multiple command assignments, Penniman was selected to the rank of Rear Admiral. His flag assignments include Deputy Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet & Reserve Deputy Commander and Deputy Commander & Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  During his time in the Navy, Penniman logged in excesses of 3,000 flight hours in various tactical jet aircraft & over 430 carrier arrested landings.

Penniman is currently the managing partner of Penniman & Associates, LLC, a financial services company that focuses on investments in the real estate industry. He was formerly President of the Earth & Materials Sciences Group and a founding partner of Owens Geotechnical, Inc.

Penniman is also an active member of his community serving on a variety of boards including the State of California’s 22nd District Agricultural Association, where he served twice as Board President, Del Mar Race Track Authority, Del Mar Leasing Commission, Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, and The Irvine Museum.

Penniman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Engineering Management. He completed post-graduate studies in business with Chapman University, Aviation Safety at the Naval Postgraduate School, and the program for Senior Executives in National & International Security Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School.