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Meet the 2025 Pacific Southwest winners

Congratulations to the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Pacific Southwest winners, the shapers of our future! These ambitious visionaries are boldly disrupting markets, revolutionizing industries, and transforming lives, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow!

 

Learn more about our winners

 

 

Amish Purohit | Arkos Health | Gilbert, Arizona

Amish is the Co-Founder, President, & Chief Health Officer of Arkos Health.

Arkos Health is a tech-enabled population health company that empowers health care  providers with digital tools and data-driven solutions to improve patient outcomes. It focuses on health care delivery by integrating innovative care management strategies, point-of-care testing and home visits into its comprehensive approach. By leveraging advanced analytics and modern technologies, Arkos Health streamlines care coordination, enhances patient  engagement and supports value-based care initiatives — ultimately simplifying health care delivery and driving efficiency across clinical operations. 

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Jerry Williamson | Arkos Health | Gilbert, Arizona

Jerry is the Co-Founder & CEO of Arkos Health.

Arkos Health is a tech-enabled population health company that empowers health care  providers with digital tools and data-driven solutions to improve patient outcomes. It focuses on health care delivery by integrating innovative care management strategies, point-of-care testing and home visits into its comprehensive approach. By leveraging advanced analytics and modern technologies, Arkos Health streamlines care coordination, enhances patient  engagement and supports value-based care initiatives — ultimately simplifying health care delivery and driving efficiency across clinical operations. 

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Sarah Boyce | Avidity Biosciences | San Diego, California

Sarah  is the CEO of Avidity Biosciences.

Avidity Biosciences is revolutionizing the field of RNA therapeutics to profoundly improve people’s lives. The company is executing potentially registrational development  programs in three rare neuromuscular diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne  muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). With the potential to bring three landmark therapies to market in quick succession, Avidity is  rapidly expanding into a fully integrated commercial organization with a global reach. The company is led by a leadership team that brings proven expertise across rare disease drug development and commercialization. Avidity is exploring opportunities in additional areas of  high unmet medical need, including precision cardiology, with plans to continue to broaden its pipeline. With every stage of growth, the company maintains a consistent focus on delivering unprecedented advances to the RNA field and, most importantly, to patients and families around the world who are impacted by debilitating diseases with significant unmet needs. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, California.

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Jaime Leija | BioLab Holdings, Inc. | Mesa, Arizona

Jaime is the President & Co-Founder of BioLab Holdings, Inc.

Our mission is to manufacture reliable and safe products with the highest quality to help optimize body performance through continuous innovation, education, superior customer service and teamwork.

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Robert Maguire | BioLab Holdings, Inc. | Mesa, Arizona

Robert is the Chairman of BioLab Holdings, Inc.

Our mission is to manufacture reliable and safe products with the highest quality to help optimize body performance through continuous innovation, education, superior customer service and teamwork. 

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Rich Yang | Biolinq Incorporated | San Diego, California

Rich is the CEO of Biolinq Incorporated.

Biolinq Incorporated is a MedTech company developing the first semiconductor biosensor platform designed to measure glucose and other biomarkers just beneath the surface of the skin. The company’s first device is pending FDA approval, and it tracks glucose, activity and sleep on a single wearable placed on the forearm. A novel built-in display provides real-time feedback when glucose excursions are detected. With over a decade of technology development, the company’s core technology platform is designed to deliver multi-analyte sensing capabilities on a silicon chip paired with a noninvasive user experience to help expand the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) market that is expected to exceed $20 billion in five years. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 578 million people will have diabetes worldwide with a growing  demand for CGM technologies to reach more people. 

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David Zhao | Chubby Group | Las Vegas, Nevada

David is the Founder of Chubby Group.

Chubby Group (formerly Chubby Cattle International) is a leading US-based food and  beverage holding company known for pioneering innovative dining experiences. Our diverse restaurant portfolio includes X Pot, Chubby Cattle, Niku X and Mikiya, each offering unique culinary journeys ranging from immersive hot pot and premium Wagyu to authentic Japanese cuisine.

Beyond dining, we extend our expertise into consumer products, featuring Wagyu Rice Bowls and Wagyu Soup Dumplings, allowing customers to enjoy our flavors at home. Additionally, we specialize in the distribution of premium Wagyu and caviar, ensuring top-tier quality in every dish.

Our exclusive Chubby Club loyalty program enhances customer experiences with unique rewards. Looking ahead, we aim to expand to 1,000 locations in five years, leveraging our integrated supply chain to bring world-class dining to a global audience. Chubby Group is redefining culinary excellence — one unforgettable meal at a time.

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Bryan Appio | DryWater® | Newport Beach, California

Bryan is the CEO & Founder of DryWater®.

Rooted in science and ingredient transparency, DryWater® is disrupting the hydration industry. Offering fruit-based hydration sticks formulated to support energy, immunity, rehydration,  performance, recovery and cognition, DryWater® Hydration Powder contains only what your body needs — nothing it doesn’t. Always made with clean, tested ingredients — six key electrolytes, five essential vitamins, one amino acid and real fruit (zero artificial flavors or added sugar) — DryWater® delivers 25 micronutrients and fruits in precise bioavailable doses and three delicious flavors, inspiring every “body” everywhere to put hydration first every day.

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Puneet Nanda | Gurunanda LLC | Buena Park, California

Puneet is the CEO of Gurunanda LLC.

Gurunanda LLC is a wellness-focused company dedicated to providing high-quality natural health products that promote holistic wellbeing. Founded with the vision of making health and wellness products, including, but not limited to, innovative oral care products, accessible and affordable, Gurunanda has become a trusted name in the industry.

Headquartered in California, Gurunanda manufactures its products in California with very rigorous quality and CGMP standards in an FDA-registered facility. It occupies approximately 250,000 square feet of space and manages the end-to-end supply chain to ensure that every item meets the highest quality and safety standards.  

Our mission is “Bridge the Gap“ by providing quality and affordable personal care products to the underserved masses of the country.

Gurunanda has experienced significant growth and expansion, and our products are available in major retailers across the US, as well as through e-commerce portals.

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Troy Wilson | Kura Oncology | San Diego, California

Troy is the President & CEO of Kura Oncology.

Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the  promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates targeting cancer-signaling pathways. Ziftomenib is the first and only investigational therapy to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for the treatment of R/R NPM1-m acute myeloid leukemia. In November 2024, Kura Oncology entered a global strategic collaboration agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize ziftomenib for AML and other hematologic malignancies. Enrollment in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial of ziftomenib in R/R NPM1-m acute myeloid leukemia has been completed, and the companies anticipate submission of an NDA to the FDA in the second quarter of 2025. Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin are  also conducting a series of clinical trials to evaluate ziftomenib in combination with current standards of care in newly diagnosed and R/R NPM1-m and KMT2A-r acute myeloid leukemia. KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyltransferase inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial as a monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies.

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Ryan Chen | Neuro Inc. | Las Vegas, Nevada

Ryan is the CFO & Co-Founder of Neuro Inc.

Neuro Inc. is a nootropics company designing functional gum and mints for energy, calm and sleep. As an alternative in the energy category to options like energy drinks and coffee, Neuro’s products contain natural caffeine for a boost, L-theanine to balance out the jitters and essential B vitamins. Neuro’s form factor and patented cold compression technology allow maximum absorption and bioavailability, and its best-in-class ingredients ensure that users are getting only what they need. Neuro currently has a suite of products that include Energy  & Focus gum and mints, Memory & Focus gum, Calm & Clarity mints, and Sleep & Recharge mints.

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Kent Yoshimura | Neuro Inc. | Las Vegas, Nevada

Kent is the CEO & Co-Founder of Neuro Inc.

Neuro Inc. is a nootropics company designing functional gum and mints for energy, calm and sleep. As an alternative in the energy category to options like energy drinks and coffee, Neuro’s products contain natural caffeine for a boost, L-theanine to balance out the jitters and essential B vitamins. Neuro’s form factor and patented cold compression technology allow maximum absorption and bioavailability, and its best-in-class ingredients ensure that users are getting only what they need. Neuro currently has a suite of products that include Energy  & Focus gum and mints, Memory & Focus gum, Calm & Clarity mints, and Sleep & Recharge mints.

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Greg Ayres | Nox Group, LLC | Phoenix, Arizona

Greg is the COO & President of Nox Group, LLC.

Nox Group, LLC is a people-focused construction enterprise managing the full lifecycle of large-scale industrial projects across the Southwest. Specializing in data centers, manufacturing, and water and wastewater treatment facilities, Nox Group comprises four operating companies: Corbins, an electrical contractor; RMCI, a self-perform water and wastewater general contractor; Nox Innovations, a virtual construction design and fabrication firm; and Construction Labels, a tagging solutions provider.

Nox Group is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with satellite offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Central Texas, with plans to establish a fourth location in Nevada. Committed to being the fastest and safest builder in the nation, Nox Group is on the leading edge of construction leading practices. The company’s specialized services support the growing  demands and dynamic nature of the construction industry — driving innovation forward while allowing economies and society to flourish.

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Bobby Azamian | Tarsus Pharmaceuticals | Irvine, California

Bobby is the CEO of Tarsus Pharmaceuticals.

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals applies proven science and new technology to revolutionize  treatment for patients, starting with eye care. Tarsus is advancing its pipeline to address  several diseases with high unmet need across a range of therapeutic categories, including eye care and infectious disease prevention. XDEMVY® (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25% is FDA approved in the United States for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis. Tarsus is also developing TP-04 for the potential treatment of ocular rosacea and TP-05 as an oral tablet for the potential prevention of Lyme disease. Learn more at TarsusRx.com.

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Sheryl Palmer | Taylor Morrison | Scottsdale, Arizona

Sheryl is the CEO of Taylor Morrison.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation’s leading  homebuilders and developers. We serve a wide array of consumers from coast to coast,  including first-time, move-up, luxury and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under our family of brands — including Taylor Morrison, Esplanade and Yardly. From 2016 to 2025, Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America’s Most Trusted® Builder by Lifestory Research. Our long-standing commitment to sustainable operations is highlighted in our annual Sustainability and Belonging Report.

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Scott McDonald | Wallcor | Gilbert, Arizona

Scott is the CEO & Founder of Wallcor.

Wallcor, The Wall Company, CORE Ready Mix, TWC Contracting, Oh No Plumbing & Air  Conditioning, American Shotcrete, and RISE Lumber & Truss form a powerhouse of integrated construction services. Wallcon specializes in concrete, plumbing, framing, door and trim,  grading and construction disposal, providing a wide range of services for homebuilders. The Wall Company partners with custom homebuilders to create the most prestigious homes in the valley, specializing in basements, retaining walls, site preparation, demolition, concrete slabs, plumbing and waterproofing, ensuring precision and excellence from the ground up. CORE Ready Mix delivers high-quality concrete, slurry and shotcrete. TWC Contracting provides services to land developers, including curb and gutter and masonry solutions. Oh No Plumbing & Air Conditioning specializes in residential HVAC and plumbing installations, upgrades and service repairs. American Shotcrete offers durable and versatile shotcrete applications for commercial and residential projects. RISE Lumber & Truss supplies high-quality trusses and lumber, ensuring efficiency and structural integrity. Together, these companies provide comprehensive solutions that drive excellence across the industry.

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Mandy Fry | Z Supply | Costa Mesa, California

Mandy is the Co-Owner & President of Z Supply.

Z Supply is a women’s lifestyle fashion brand; it epitomizes thoughtful design, unparalleled quality, and a profound commitment to positively impacting individuals and communities. Under the visionary leadership of President Mandy Fry, a globally recognized creative force in women’s fashion, the brand has experienced extraordinary growth, boasting a compound annual growth rate exceeding 40% over the past five years. This success is a testament to a dedicated team, a loyal customer base and robust partnerships with retailers nationwide.

The brand’s commitment to community enrichment is exemplified through the Z Supply  Foundation, established in 2021, which has raised over $1.2 million. The focus is on creating opportunities for the next generation of creatives by providing scholarships to students pursuing degrees in fashion design, art and marketing. To date, 58 scholarships have been created.

As a female-led brand, Z Supply strives to empower women through fashion and serves as a force for good in the community. The company ethos is rooted in the belief that simplicity, comfort and style should coexist in every closet, guiding an innovative approach to design and the customer experience. Through a dedication to excellence, Z Supply is a leader in the fashion industry. 

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