CEO

May 2002 to the present, Michael W. Malott has been the Chief Executive Officer of Forex Direct Trading, DBA Semper Pacific Wealth Strategies, an investment advisory firm. Prior to Semper Pacific Wealth Strategies, Michael served in the United States Marine Corps. During his service and upon leaving active duty earned and received an Honorable discharge. Throughout his time as an active duty service member and combat-related war campaigns, Michael graciously accepted several awards, medals, and citations including those for meritorious service. In 2012, Michael also Founded the award-winning Veterans Green Projects, which strives to create “Work Off The Battlefield" for those who served and families in need. In 2015, Veterans Green Projects was awarded the JP Morgan Chase Mission Main Street Grant where only 20 out of over 35,000 competing businesses were selected. Veterans Green Projects has received Congressional Recognition as well as standout recognition from the Mayor’s Office along with District Senators. As recently as 2019 Michael was awarded, by The Rosie Network, The Military Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year. 1997 (to present), he has been a federally licensed futures broker/commodity trading advisor in good standing with the federal regulatory authorities. As a CTA member, Michael believes the only way to do business is through transparency and maintaining an extremely high level of ethics.

CFO

Sergio M. Santoro, served 20 years honorably in United States Marines Corps. On active duty, Master Sergeant Santoro held numerous positions such as Senior Enlisted Advisor, Resource Evaluation and Analysis Officer, and Citi-bank Credit-Card Program Manager. Also, selected as Chief Instructor for the Formal School Instructors Course; Master Sergeant Santoro was responsible for the seamless and uninterrupted operations of academic instruction provided to 20,000 recruits annually. Finally, he served as an official Marine Corp Certified Curriculum Developer, (instrumental in leading the team that created the Senior Instructors Course for the Marine Corps; used to propagate and enforce positive ethical related behavior) for future Senior Non-Commissioned Officer leaders. Upon separation from active duty, Sergio approached one of his passions he inserted himself into the community by volunteering his time and being selected to consult as a school site council member for Paloma Elementary School, while concurrently holding a board position in the school on the Parent Teacher Organization. (P.T.O.) With the school board confidence, he was asked to represent Paloma Elementary again at the district, as the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) representative. Furthermore, while at Paloma; he introduced, cultivated, and managed the Dads of Great Students (D.O.G.S.) program. Additionally, Dr. Santoro was asked to teach, and lead Paloma’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) program. Dr. Santoro is asked occasionally to consult on products relating to children S.T.E.M. initiatives, by recruiters representing companies with related products. Dr. Sergio Santoro holds a Doctorate in Business from Argosy University, Orange County; Master’s in Business Administration from Walden University, Minneapolis Minnesota; Bachelor Degree in Information Technology from National University, San Diego. 

CIO

Starting in 2009, Laura Vu spent approximately 5 years 6 months with the U.S Army Active Reserve. This is where she states, “I found the place I feel I belonged”. Additionally, this is where she first felt she was accepted as an Asian American. Tragically, her service was cut short and she was released under an honorable medical discharge. Pressing on, Laura finished her Bachelors of Science in International Business and Marketing at Strayer University in Philadelphia, Pa. Later, Laura studied at Rutgers University for her second Bachelor Degree in Nursing, at the New Brunswick, NJ campus. She then subsequently transferred into a Masters in Public Health (MPH) program at National University, San Diego, CA. During her graduate program at National University Laura completed her MPH specializing in Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases Prevention. It was during this time that Laura dedicated countless hours to serving many families. Instrumental in implementing  Live Well San Diego into various at-risk communities; She worked hand-in-hand with and for those socially and economically challenged or dis-advantaged in San Diego County. Her mission and desire was geared towards improving the quality of life for others. Since 2017, Laura has put her talents and passion towards working primarily with Veterans Green Coffee, a “Good Coffee for A Good Cause” company; along with many other projects within Veterans Green Projects Initiative Foundation. VGPI Foundations’ mission is to create meaningful employment for veterans and their families in need. Laura humbly says “When something is meaningful to you, regardless of the fact you are only 5 apples tall like me, it is worth fighting for”.  Laura has a passion for helping others to achieve a better quality of living. Along with helping make the world a better, healthier, and kinder place for Veterans and those who are less advantaged socially and economically. She enjoys helping people reach their full potential.

National Sales Director

Mark McArdle began his professional journey in his father’s food brokerage company as a teenager, fostering a strong work ethic. After high school, he served in the Army, gaining valuable discipline and commitment. Upon returning, Mark resumed work in the family business while attending California State University Northridge, where he earned a marketing degree. He initially specialized in representing candy manufacturers, building a solid reputation over time. Eventually, he took over the brokerage from his father and uncle, expanding its focus to include gourmet foods such as olive oil and specialty biscuits, which proved timely as the candy industry faced consolidations. As larger retailers acquired smaller chains, Mark adapted by redefining his business. He shifted away from retail checks and routine meetings, prioritizing passion over profit. By 2010, he streamlined his company, reducing its workforce significantly, and by 2020, he was operating solo. Today, Mark enjoys the independence to pursue projects that resonate with him, collaborating with people he admires and transforming his work life into something infinitely better.

Purchasing & Supply-Chain Director