Leadership Team
We Believe In People Planet Profit
Gary L. Polk Sr., MS
Founder / CEO
Gary L. Polk, Sr. is a distinguished Adjunct Professor of Business Management, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship at CSUDH (California State University, Dominguez Hills) located in Carson, CA. He discovered his true passion for teaching in 1991 when he began instructing at CSU, Northridge, and has been an influential figure in the academic community ever since.
Currently, Gary serves as an independent Business Advisor at Pacific Coast Regional (PCR)/SBDC, where he is a well-known figure in the entrepreneur ecosystem that encompasses L.A. County. Moreover, he has served as the Executive Director of two business incubators. Firstly, for two years, he successfully turned around the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center (SBEC), leading it from red ink to black ink. Secondly, Gary was the Founder and first Executive Director of the Innovation Incubator @ CSUDH, where he served for three years before returning to full-time teaching in 2019. Additionally, he also serves as a Coach and CEO / Founder of Polk Consulting. Gary’s background in banking, District Financial Services Sales Management, and Women’s College Basketball Coaching/Recruiting Coordination spans 40 years of practitioner experience.
Gary received his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing/Finance from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and his Master of Science in Administration from CSUDH. His academic areas of research include Strategic Management, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship. Recently, Gary was honored with the NFTE 2020 National Volunteer of the Year Award, along with his wife, Claudine.
Gary has been blessed with a loving family, which includes his wife, five grandchildren, three adult children, and two dogs. He currently resides in the South Bay region of Los Angeles. Gandhi’s quote, “Live as if you were going to die tomorrow, Learn as if you were going to live forever,” encapsulates Gary’s positive outlook on life.
“Pursue your passion”
Claudine P. Polk
Chief of Staff / Director of Cohort Success
Devon Blaine
Co-Founder/Public Relations
Devon Blaine is a professional communicator with vast experience in all aspects of the industry. Formerly an actress, model, and stunt driver, Blaine founded The Blaine Group, Inc., a full-service communications agency based in Beverly Hills, California, in 1975.
The agency specializes in creating comprehensive public relations campaigns and marketing strategies, as well as providing stand-alone services. Blaine has been responsible for overseeing the implementation of consumer, trade, and financial public relations campaigns, investor relations, advertising efforts, and marketing strategy, including conducting market research, for a diverse range of companies and organizations.
Blaine’s agency has an award-winning track record in serving the needs of emerging companies and major corporations alike. In addition to her business achievements, Blaine is also actively involved in entrepreneurial organizations such as LAVA, where she serves as a Director for 18 years.
Blaine is a frequent speaker on topics such as branding, marketing, and public relations. Her agency has created and managed special events, fundraisers, and community relations projects. In 2012, Blaine was named Book Publicist of the Year by Book Publicists of Southern California for her agency’s international campaign on behalf of Abbey Road To Ziggy Stardust by Ken Scott and Bobby Owsinski.
Blaine’s knowledge gained from venture-building is incorporated into the philosophy of The Blaine Group. Her reputation as “the entrepreneur’s entrepreneur” is well-earned, and she continues to provide expert guidance to businesses of all sizes.
Alix Williams II
Director of Talent Acquisition
My passion lies in utilizing my combined experience as a senior recruiter and spiritual leader to help early to mid-career professionals navigate their career, and ultimately experience a meaningful life. Over the course of my career as a recruiter, I’ve succeeded in helping over 700 people to take strides forward in their career. The majority of the people that I have worked with find themselves at a crossroads on their path. The college senior, the recently laid-off young professional who isn’t sure what to do next, the mid-career professional who has been working the same job for eight years and seeks change.
William "Bill" Strickland
Chief Operating Officer
Bill is a transactional attorney, business executive, entrepreneur, and registered sports agent. He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Loyola Marymount University, his master’s in business administration from UCLA, and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. He is an active member in good standing of the Pennsylvania and District of Columbia Bars Associations.
Bill began his professional career working for over 10 years in an array of management positions for several major companies. After finishing law school, he worked as an Attorney-Advisor at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for approximately 4 years before starting his sports career.
During his sports management career, he worked for the then two largest sports management companies in the world, representing primarily NBA and NFL professional athletes for over 25 years. He went on to establish and run his own sports management company, which he sold after 10 years of successful operations.
Bill has also taught at every level of higher education, including stints at UCLA, Cal State Univ. Dominquez Hills, USC Gould School of Law, George Washington University, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Pi Quote
For most of my career, I have enjoyed the privilege of working for and with athletes, who, despite their talents, nevertheless had to work hard to overcome various challenges to succeed.
Given this experience and having been an entrepreneur myself, I thoroughly understand the challenges faced by new business owners. It is now my privilege to be a member of the Pi team, which helps aspiring business owners navigate these challenges. Our collective efforts to provide training, guidance, and support is an important and integral part in the development of aspiring new business owners in helping them become successful social entrepreneurs
© 2020, Company Inc. All rights reserved.