Meet the 2023 Mountain West honorees

Marcus Gerhardt is the Co-Founder and CEO, Florian Solzbacher, PhD is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Blackrock Neurotech.

Blackrock Neurotech is dedicated to the clinical translation of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, brain implants that restore function in people with paralysis by connecting their thoughts directly to digital devices, like computers and mobile phones. The company is responsible for the most-studied brain implant in the world, with nearly three dozen human patients (known as BCI Pioneers) implanted with Blackrock technology since 2004. Blackrock's technology is at the core of many worldwide innovations in BCI, enabling dozens of Pioneers to move, see, hear, and more. Blackrock is now pursuing release of MoveAgain, an implantable BCI that will be the first-ever commercially available BCI device for patients with paralysis. 

Erika Peterson is the Chief Executive Officer and JJ Peterson is the Chief Innovation Officer of Clean Simple Eats.

Frustrated by bland and boring diets, we started experimenting with recipes, substituting more healthful ingredients and before we knew it, Clean Simple Eats® was born! But we didn’t stop there; we created seasonal 7-week macro-balanced Meal Plans filled with hundreds of delicious, family-friendly recipes with just the right amount of protein, fat and carbs to keep your body fueled and satisfied. That’s right, no more counting macros! Aside from our recipes, we’ve also created our own line of clean and tasty protein powders, supplements, and mixed nut butters (aka OffBeat Butters, so yummy you’ll want to eat them #bythespoonful). Our goal was (and is still) to create the best-tasting, highest quality products on the market, and we believe we did just that! Each small-batch flavor combo is unique, crave-worthy, and sure to leave you asking for more!

We believe that healthy habits + consistency over time yield the very best results, which means a sustainable diet is key. We also believe in the importance of a community that supports you. Here at CSE, we have a strong community called the CSE Squad! Our #CSESquad are strong and loyal rock stars who are willing to embrace a challenge—the #CSEChallenge.

Molly Angelo is the CFO and Brian Cook is the CEO of Cook Solutions Group.

Cook Solutions Group (CSG), founded in 2002, is the industry leader in video surveillance products and services. We provide a range of proprietary security products and enterprise security solutions to various industries, financial services, healthcare, educational, arenas, etc., ensuring our clients rest easy knowing their people, property & digital spaces are secure. It’s our highest priority.

We specialize in innovation and conversion, with customer service as our backbone, living the motto "We Make it Happen". We operate by the golden rule, with a focus on solving real-world problems in ways that simplify & increase efficiencies. We listen, innovate, and implement tailored solutions based on our customers' actual needs. 

Kevin Koch, Ph.D. is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Edgewise Therapeutics.

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative treatments for severe, rare muscle disorders for which there is significant unmet medical need. Guided by our holistic drug discovery approach to targeting the muscle as an organ, we have combined our foundational expertise in muscle biology and small molecule engineering to build our proprietary, muscle focused drug discovery platform. Our platform utilizes custom-built high throughput and translatable systems that measure integrated muscle function in whole organ extracts to identify small molecule precision medicines regulating key proteins in muscle tissue, initially focused on addressing rare neuromuscular and cardiac diseases. Our lead product candidate, EDG-5506, is an orally administered allosteric, selective, fast myofiber (type II) myosin small molecule inhibitor designed to address the root cause of dystrophinopathies including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).

Lena Phoenix is the President and Co-Founder,  Steven Sashen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Feel The World, Inc. dba Xero Shoes.

Xero Shoes was founded in 2009 by husband and wife co-founders Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix in a spare bedroom in their house. The company started with a simple “DIY sandal kit”, assembled by Sashen and Phoenix, but today has evolved into a complete line of more than 39 casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals. The co-founders appeared on ABC's hit reality-business show, Shark Tank in 2013, where they turned down a $400,000 offer. Xero Shoes designs barefoot-inspired footwear that lets your feet function the way nature intended while giving you the protection and style you’re looking for. The mission is to help people experience the comfort and benefits of natural movement footwear so they can “Live Life Feet First”. Xero Shoes expanded to Europe in November 2021, and has customers ages 2-92 in 97 countries who wear their shoes for every occasion and activity. 

Jimmy Eberhard is the CEO and Founder of Fluid Truck.

Fluid Truck helps businesses and individuals rent commercial vehicles at the tap of a button. Fluid Truck offers a wide array of trucks, vans, electric vehicles, and more through its mobile app and website 24/7, 365 days a year. Launched in 2016, Fluid Truck is used nationally by businesses of all sizes to flexibly and affordably build their fleet, manage employee scheduling on-the-go, and activate zero-emission last-mile delivery services, free from the hassles of ownership. Fluid Truck serves more than 100k users, supporting customers ranging from local florists and moving companies to national retailers. It operates in 400 cities across the U.S. from Seattle to Miami with customers.

Alan Turanski is the President and Beekeeper of GloryBee.

GloryBee is a honey packer and natural ingredients company founded in 1975 by beekeepers. Based in the Pacific Northwest, GloryBee has production facilities on the West Coast and in the Mid-West providing nation-wide access to premium products. We supply high quality, ethically sourced ingredients that nourish people and the planet, and we believe in using business as a force for good.

Monte Deere, Jr. is the CEO of HandsFree Labs, Inc. (Kizik).

No one likes the hassle of putting on their shoes. Bending, tying, heel-crushing, and finger-smashing have been the name of the put-on-your-shoes game since shoes were invented. Kizik is out to inspire greater joy for life by making the everyday easier. We've changed the way people put on their shoes—and the way they take them off (all it takes is a nudge). And that can make all the difference, whether Kiziks serve as a life hack or actually facilitate someone who struggles finally being able to put on their shoes with ease. Kizik has built a relatable brand, and customers think of their Kiziks as an everyday, go-to shoe. Our parent company, HandsFree Labs®, created a whole new category with its original hands-free technology. It’s revolutionizing the footwear industry.

Samir Bodas is the Co-Founder and CEO of Icertis.

With unmatched technology and category-defining innovation, Icertis pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM). The AI-powered, analyst-validated Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform turns contracts from static documents into strategic advantage by structuring and connecting the critical contract information that defines how an organization runs. Today, the world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators trust Icertis to govern the rights and commitments in their 10 million+ contracts worth more than $1 trillion in 40+ languages and 90+ countries.

Scott Roth is the Chief Executive Officer of Legitscript.

LegitScript is trusted by the world’s largest search engines, e-commerce platforms, payment companies, and regulatory agencies in 80 countries and more than 15 languages around the world. We help companies of all sizes keep their services legal and safe for consumers. To do this, we combine technology, big data, and the world’s leading team of experts skilled in highly regulated and complex sectors, including transaction laundering detection, pharmaceuticals, online gambling, and more. Our multidimensional view across the entire compliance ecosystem provides unique insights from all industries and angles, empowering businesses and governments to stay at the forefront of emerging high-risk trends.

Alex Porter is the CEO of Location3.

Location3 Media run two divisions, Location3 digital transformation, data and analytics, performance media planning and execution agency. LOCALACT is a smb marketing SWAS platform that drives customers to local businesses, with a focus on franchises. 

Greg Bullington is the Co-Founder and CEO of Magnolia Medical Technologies.

Magnolia Medical Technologies develops, manufactures and markets innovative blood collection and diagnostic technologies.

Magnolia’s mission is to eliminate the misdiagnosis of sepsis. Sepsis is the #1 leading cause of death, costs and readmissions in hospitals nationwide.

Diagnosis of sepsis is plagued by false-positive results. On average, 20% to over 50% of positive tests are wrong. This preventable error puts over 2 million Americans at risk and burdens the US healthcare system with $10+ billion in fully avoidable costs each year.

Magnolia’s flagship product, Steripath®, is the only FDA-cleared device on the market indicated to significantly reduce false-positive sepsis test results. Clinically proven in over 20 large-scale studies, Steripath has reduced false-positive sepsis test results by 75% to 100% delivering rates as low as 0.0% across large patient populations (n >10,000).

Clinically adopted by nearly 400 hospitals nationwide to date, Steripath has successfully reduced the risk of false-positive results across nearly 4 million patient sepsis tests.

Magnolia's novel platform is protected by a broad intellectual property portfolio consisting of more than 140 issued patents and 50+ pending patents.

Trevor Farnes is the CEO and Co-Founder of MTN OPS.

MTN OPS is a premier provider of the highest quality energy and nutrition products for the outdoor lifestyle. In everything we do, we improve the lives of individuals and families by inspiring them to achieve their ultimate level of performance through the highest quality energy and nutritional products. Our process is backed by science with a community that unites and educates you to conquer more daily. At MTN OPS, we transform lives.

Clark T. Bell is the CEO and Co-Founder of Nano-Yield.

Nano Yield's purpose is to serve the growers of the world with our nano-liquid technology. Our goal is to improve crop performance by reducing the amount of fertilizer and chemicals that need to go on in crops. Our Technology is superior due to its yield enhancement and waste reduction. The Company headquartered in Sandy, Utah and has operations in nine countries, and has 43 employees. The company is committed to feeding the global population with less agricultural inputs (fertilizers, pesticides etc.) and yearly save farmers millions of gallons of water. The benefits of the technology include improving the bottom line for the farmer, caring for and increasing soil health for the earth, providing first-of-its-kind agricultural technology to feed an ever-growing worldwide population, and creating a meaningful business model for generations to come.

Nicole Mouskondis is the Co-CEO of Nicholas and Company, Inc.

Nicholas and Company is a 3rd generation family owned and operated foodservice distribution company serving the Intermountain West since 1939. Customer segments include restaurants, schools, healthcare, and hotels. Nicholas and Company employs more than 700 team members and operates with a purpose-driven mission centered around the Greek word - "Philotimo", which, loosely translated means "the love of honor; a joyful hospitality that inspires the duty and obligation to one another to make things better..."

Hemanshu Parwani "HP" is the CEO and Owner of Olson Kundig Inc.

Now in its sixth decade of practice, Olson Kundig is a collaborative design practice whose work includes private and multi-family residential, commercial and mixed-use design (including wineries and sports facilities), cultural and museum projects, exhibition design, hospitality projects, places of worship, interior design, product design and landscape design. With offices in Seattle and New York City, the firm and its team of over 250 work with clients around the world.

Doug Pitassi is the President and CEO of Pacific Office Automation.

Since 1976 Pacific Office Automation has maintained year over year growth every year since inception, making us the largest independent solution provider in our industry today. As such, we operate with full service, sales, and technical support. Our equipment and software solutions come additionally backed with outstanding support from the most successful brands in the business. We supply only the best in document imaging, office technology, and software solutions. We’ve partnered with best-in-class manufacturers of technology offerings in every aspect and created a single source solution to make technology work for our customers. We’re a relationship-based company. We build our business on lasting strategic partnerships; choosing POA means you’re partnering with a company that’s dedicated to making your business more efficient and less complicated. We offer our customers the best products, technical service for: managed print services, multifunction printers, production print services, mail & send/ facilities equipment & services. Unified communications, cyber security, IT services, video security, EV car charging stations—all with our guarantee.

Jake Bolling is the CEO and Founder of Skupos Inc.

Skupos drives revenue growth across all segments of the convenience retail industry through technology that connects both retailers and brands to their shoppers. 

With a focus on independent stores and small chains which make up nearly 80% of the market, the Skupos platform enables both retailers and brands to compete through better understanding and serving their customers. 

Founded in 2016, a growing network of 15,000+ customers across all 50 states rely on Skupos to boost sales volume and increase their customer base.

Courtney Dryer Anderson is the Founder and CEO of Spa Trouve.

Spa Trouve is a full-service medical spa offering services such as laser hair removal, CoolSculpting, Botox and fillers, sexual wellness, and advanced medical grade skincare treatments and products. We currently have 5 locations in Utah, with a sixth location coming April 1st, 2023. 

Kate Harris is the President, CEO, and Chair of Stanley Consultants, Inc.

Stanley Consultants is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm known for providing innovative solutions to complex problems ranging from energy and transportation to water and industry. Founded in 1913, the multi-disciplinary firm has provided planning, design, engineering, construction oversight, program management and advisory services to clients in all 50 states and more than 120 countries.

Ranked among the largest engineering firms in the world, Stanley Consultants has nearly 900 employees in more than two dozen offices worldwide. The firm is admired for its customer service excellence, thought leadership, technical acumen, and practical solving skills.

Our commitment to improving lives, putting people first and employee-ownership has been the foundation of the company’s efforts to create a connected, sustainable, and enriched world for over 100 years. We connect with our clients and communities in economically, environmentally, and socially responsible ways. Through our relationships, programs, operations and charitable foundation, our employees hold themselves personally responsible for client success, community outreach and the progress and performance of the firm.

Greg Levesque is the CEO and Co-Founder of Strider Technologies.

Strider is revolutionizing the way companies, government agencies, and research institutions protect their innovation and compete in a new era of global strategic competition. Our strategic intelligence and trailblazing technology solutions enable clients to proactively identify, manage, and respond to state-sponsored IP theft and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Andy Heily is the President and CEO of The Krusteaz Company.

A 90-Year Old Company with the Spirit of a Startup.

What started 90 years ago in Seattle by an entrepreneurial woman named Rose Charters is today one of the most beloved baking mix brands in America, Krusteaz®. Family-owned and operated, we believe in prioritizing people, dreaming big, and always doing the right thing – for our customers and our team members. These are the values that have helped us earn a reputation as a people-first community of makers and innovators, known for integrity, purpose, and a 90-year history of inspiring joyful connections.

The Krusteaz Company headquarters is located in Tukwila, WA, just outside of Seattle, and products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States.

The Krusteaz Company employs 800+ employees, and is committed to addressing food insecurity in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the “Feeding Great Futures” initiative, as well as work with Food Lifeline, Feeding America and other local non-profit organizations. 

Jason Wojahn is the Co-Founder and CEO of Thirdera.

Thirdera is an Elite-level ServiceNow partner, enabling customers to leverage the power of the ServiceNow platform through workflow-enabled services and solutions. Founded in 2021, Thirdera has quickly become an industry leader, evident by its recognition as a Major Contender in the Everest Group ServiceNow Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 and distinction as the 2022 ServiceNow Global Emerging Industry Solutions Partner of the Year. As the largest global pure-play ServiceNow partner, Thirdera offers unmatched industry expertise and world-class innovation to help businesses accelerate growth and productivity via transformation, digitization, and automation.

Steve Nelligan is the Owner and CEO of US Transport, Inc.

US Transport, Inc. is the leading provider of dry and liquid bulk transportation and logistics services across the western US, offering a full suite of transportation, storage, rail transloading, on-site facility and inventory management services under long-term, exclusive contracts. UST’s highly experienced management team, depth and breadth of service capabilities, comprehensive regional footprint and strategic terminal and rail transload locations differentiate UST from its competitors and create high barriers to entry. UST has long-term relationships with its customers, cultivated through high levels of service and an industry-leading safety program. UST handles a broad range of over 40 commodities, such as cement, lime, fly ash, pumice and liquid chemicals, for a diverse customer base and set of end markets that includes international cement producers, mining companies, public utilities, government infrastructure, highway construction and power plant recycling. UST has executed and integrated 15+ strategic acquisitions over and represents an established platform that is primed for future growth through continued consolidation and integration of a highly fragmented market as well as greenfield geographic expansion. 

Seth Anderson is the Chief Executive Officer of Weifield Group Contracting, Inc.

Weifield Group Contracting is a national leader in cutting-edge electrical construction, with more than 90% of the top General Contractors in Colorado, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming relying on our expert services to provide quality projects on-time and in budget. Weifield has performed over $260M of design-assist and design-build projects, to date.  Our commitment is to provide highest quality services through our four main divisions: 1) Service & Maintenance, 2) Special Projects, 3) Construction, and 4) Industrial, Infrastructure & Water & Waste Water. We harness cutting-edge technology to achieve excellence on our projects, including VDC 3D dynamic building modeling software, Trimble Systems Robotic Stations, and more.

Weifield creates an environment where our greatest gift, our people, can continually develop and improve. We ensure this through: building the leaders of tomorrow and attracting the best talent of today, taking proactive courses of action while documenting best practices so we can challenge ourselves to improve, every day, and diversifying our construction vertical markets, businesses, and geographic locations. We continue to grow our relationships, people and processes to impact our community and industry. 

Brandon Newman is the Founder and CEO of Xevant.

Xevant is the first end-to-end SaaS solution at the epicenter of pharmacy analytics and a complete technology partner to PBMs and their end customers. Xevant’s solutions provide automated access to real-time data and insights from dozens of sources that empower healthcare stakeholders to solve the access, quality, and cost issues plaguing the US healthcare system to positively impact over 50 million lives. Xevant is disrupting an antiquated market through its novel approach to transparency and automation, allowing Xevant to become the chassis and engine under the entire Pharmacy Data Analytics market:

• Rather than a fragmented offering, Xevant offers a full spectrum of pharmacy optimization and management
• Xevant is at the forefront of industry change for PBMs, as customers that bear the cost of the drugs are seeking partners that deliver real cost savings
• Xevant partners with some of the largest PBMs, consultants, and brokers, and has successfully penetrated the hospital market, as the only approved inpatient hospital solution