John 2@2x
 

John Morris

Procopio Group • Chair

John has nearly 40 years of diverse executive experience including leadership experience in venture capital, investment banking, corporate and financial management.

  • Renaissance Executive Forums
  • Former Vistage Chair in Los Angeles
  • Tech Coast Angels - LA Chapter Co-Founder
  • Venture capital with GKM Ventures and First Interstate Venture Corporation
  • Investment banking with NewCap Partners, Wedbush Securities and Sutro & Co

    • John Morris - LinkedIn
     

    Procopio
    Multi-Industry


    Procopio Group members come from multiple industries including:

  • Shipping and Logistics
  • Flooring Manufacturing
  • Sporting Goods Manufacturing
  • Premium Fitness Apparel
  • Contemporary Wall Art and Decor
  • Electronic Monitoring
  • E-Commerce Fulfillment
  • Global Travel
  • Consulting, Leadership Coaching
  • Pet Food Manufacturing
  • Health Care - Monitoring
  • Financial Services
  • Specialty Manufacturing
  • Early Education Managed Services
  • Children Learning Materials
  • Holistic, Digital Health & Nutrition
  • Art, School and Office Supplies
  • Software Developers
  • Cybersecurity
  • System Engineering
  • Physical Therapy
  • Craft Brewing

    • Procopio
    Discussion
    Topics


    Discussion topics covered in a CEO Circle

  • How to develop and execute a strategic plan
  • Setting a motivational vision and mission
  • Communication skills for the CEO
  • Optimizing your management team
  • Establishing / protecting company culture
  • Using dashboards for KPIs
  • Business development and strategic alliances
  • Revenue building process, concentration
  • Acquisitions and post-closing integration
  • Exit planning, when and how
  • How to make my company salable
  • Getting the most from a commercial bank
  • Working with an investment banker
  • Best practices for raising outside capital
  • How PE looks at opportunities
  • Managing competitive moves
  • Crisis management practices
  • Employee retention, satisfaction and training
  • Equity compensation for key employees
  • How to build a practice of accountability
  • Cybersecurity -what you need to know as a CEO
  • Risk management strategies
  • Real estate strategies

    • Jason@2x
     

    Jason Femrite

    Procopio • Circle Member

    Partner at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
    Practice focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, securities and corporate law, including the representation of both private and publicly held companies in a wide range of transactions from structure and formation to finance and acquisition.

    Jason Femrite LinkedIn
     
    CEO Procopio Image
    About Procopio
    Procopio is an AmLaw 200 full-service business law firm with more than 180 attorneys based in:
  • San Diego
  • Del Mar Heights
  • Orange County
  • Silicon Valley
  • Las Vegas
  • Phoenix
    • We support small to mid-sized companies and large multinationals at every stage of the business life cycle, with a global reach across Asia, Europe and Latin America.
    Strength in Over 40 Practice Areas
    With over 40 practice areas and a collaborative culture, we can guide you every step of the way for your legal needs across regulatory and compliance issues, licensing and intellectual property, labor laws and executive compensation, tax strategies, real estate, environmental, data privacy & cybersecurity, corporate governance, JVs and M&A transactions, and of course all types of corporate litigation.
    Sharp Focus on M&A
    Procopio’s award-winning corporate attorneys have closed deals totaling billions of dollars for public and private clients. Our Capital Markets & Securities attorneys work hand in hand with our Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Joint Venture attorneys to guide clients through every stage of their transactions. We know our clients’ industries and what is market, and provide dedicated service at rates typically significantly lower than our national and international competitors.
    Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    We seek to reflect our diverse clients through a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and our efforts have earned recognition as a Top Law Firm for Minority Attorneys and a commitment to professional opportunities and growth for female and of color attorneys.
    Specialties
  • Securities Compliance
  • Corporate Governance
  • Licensing & Technology
  • Domestic and International Tax
  • Intellectual Property
  • Financings & Securities Transactions
  • Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Joint Ventures
  • Labor & Employment
  • Latin America & Asia-Pacific Cross Border Expertise
  • Consumer Products
  • Executive and Equity-Based Compensation
  • Negotiation Strategy
  • Valuation
  • Transaction Tax Optimization
  • Real Estate, Construction and Environmental

    • Nominate a CEO

    ACG CEO Circle qualifications

  • Nominees must be a CEO or business owner.
  • Annual revenues in excess of $5 Million.
  • CEOs must commit to attend monthly meetings.
  • Company headquartered in San Diego county


    • CEO Circle policies

  • All communications are confidential.
  • Discussions are facilitated by a moderator.
  • No solicitations.
  • No recording of meetings without permission.
  • Treat fellow attendees like you would want to be treated.
  • Each group is limited to a maximum of 16 - 20 CEOs.
    • Nominating a CEO candidate for the ACGSD CEO Circle

    ACG Members, non-members, sponsors and M&A professionals can nominate a CEO to join the ACG CEO Circle. The CEO Circle is designed for:

  • CEOs or business owners
  • Annual revenues in excess of $5 Million
  • Companies headquartered in San Diego County
  • CEOs who are willing to comply with the rules for sessions
  • Regular attendance of monthly meetings is a requirement

    • CEO candidate interview and vetting

    ACGSD interviews each CEO Circle candidate with the following goals:

  • CEO in a good fit for the CEO Circle
  • CEOs who are aspiring to grow through acquisition, raise capital or plan for an exit
  • Willingness to participate and share best practices with fellow CEOs
  • Non-competing companies

    • ACGSD CEO Circle benefits

    Many CEO’s find themselves unable to get access to other CEOs for advice, strategic discussions and connection. It's lonely at the top. CEOs spend the vast majority of their time managing teams, customers, operations and finances. The CEO Circle provides:

  • Invaluable advice on scaling, access to growth capital and preparation for exit
  • Educational opportunities with expert panels on quarterly basis
  • Candid feedback that often exposes blind spots in a CEO's point of view or belief
  • Peer-to-peer collaboration
  • Non-solicitation policy
  • Ability to sanity check ideas and avoid costly mistakes
  • Confidentiality and unbiased support
  • Fun and friendly interaction
  • Network of fellow CEOs who often become lifelong friends

    • Safely attending a CEO Circle in the age of COVID-19

    ACG San Diego and Procopio are committed to safely navigating the ever-changing waters of Covid 19. The safety of all participants is of critical importance

  • CEO Circles will be held virtually over Zoom until social distancing and mask mandates are lifted
  • Once lifted, CEO Circles will happen in person
  • Vaccination requirements will apply in a similar fashion to airline travel policies
  • CEO Circles will adhere to California and San Diego COVID-19 guidelines and common sense best practices

    • CEO privacy and discretion

    CEO's often complain about being endlessly solicited and tend to avoid public facing events

  • Business matters facing CEOs are sensitive and private
  • CEO Circles participants are required to enter into confidentiality agreements
  • CEOs attending CEO Circles will not be subject to unwanted sales efforts
  • Trust and discretion are cornerstones to a successful CEO Circle

    • Nominate a CEO
     

    How It Works

    Submission

    Nominate

    CEOs who meet the qualifications and have an interest in joining the ACG CEO Circle are nominated.

    Vetting

    Vetting

    CEO candidates are interviewed by two members of the ACG CEO Circle team.

    Approval

    Approval

    Approved CEO invited to attend a one-year session of the ACGSD CEO Circle.