Who We Are

Richard Hoag is President and CEO of FIRST Professional Resources, Inc. “FPR” is a professional services resource provider, dedicated to helping companies and their key individuals reach their potential. FPR specializes in personal and transaction negotiations, marketing, sales training, and business development, strategic planning, organizational development, negotiation and communication skills.

Richard, transitioned transactional real estate securities lawyer, to 18 years in the real estate development industry as principal and owner of RSJ Development, J&R Holdings, and United Southern California Builders. In addition he has been President, CEO, COO, and principal of 4 other corporations in the hospitality/entertainment, the IT staffing-professional services, and business advisory services, industries.

Mr. Hoag has authored several publications on Change, Accountability, Leadership, Consultative Selling, and Performance Enhancement. He has developed and conducts a number of workshops and seminars including the highly acclaimed interactive F.I.R.S.T. Method® Workshop, and the ground breaking, peer-driven, CAT Goals and Accountability System® and the timely FIRST CHOICE Re-Employment Workshop.

Richard is a polished keynote speaker who has presented at dozens of national, regional, and local events for organizations including: Financial Women International, 7 national conventions for the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses “NACCB”, November 2008 Keynote for International Counsel of Shopping Centers “ICSC” California Idea Exchange, Western Regional Sales Meeting- Fiserv-ITI, Western Region Convention- CITI Banking Group M&A, Farmerboys National Franchise Convention and dozens of others.

Mr. Hoag is a graduate of California State University Northridge, and the University of Southern California School of Law. A self-described “recovering lawyer” Richard maintains active status as a member of the California State Bar. He is Founder of the Business Resource Group, a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University, and the University of California Irvine. He serves on the Board of Directors of six corporations.

Cassie Hoag has been a senior executive at both Fortune 50 and start-up companies. She is a strategic specialist who is highly skilled at fundraising and merger and acquisition transactions. She's participated in financings - ranging from seed rounds to IPOs and high yield debt instruments - as both an operator and a facilitator. She's also orchestrated the successful integration of over 200 company, product and technology acquisitions in her career. A marketer by education, Cassie is known for developing and implementing highly creative business, marketing and sales plans in resource-constrained environments. Ms. Hoag has managed organizations of 400+ employees and is an effective change agent, particularly adept at facilitating success cultures.

As principal and Managing Director of Equity Architects, LLC, Cassie provides First Professional Resources clients with transactional and financial advisory services. Prior to founding Equity Architects, she was employed as Chief Operating Officer at Imagyn Medical Technologies, Inc., where she was responsible for the development, manufacturing, and distribution of the company's products. Immediately prior to that assignment she served as senior vice president for sales and marketing. Joining Imagyn in October 1994, Ms. Hoag previously held positions as general manager for international sales and market development and as president of Imagyn's gynecology division. Her healthcare management experience includes five years as a division vice president at Curaflex Health Services, Inc., a home infusion therapy company, and four years in several positions, including vice president of central operations, for Foster Medical Corporation and its successor company, Abbey Healthcare Group.

Cassie also has direct-to-consumer marketing and operations experience with Avon Products, Inc., and Strawbridge & Clothier, a privately-held department store chain headquartered in Philadelphia. She has held management positions in a variety of disciplines, including Advertising, Customer Care, Inventory Control, Product Assembly, Logistics and Purchasing.

Ms. Hoag has authored multiple articles for trade periodicals, has served as a board member to several trade associations, and is active in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She is an honors graduate of the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware and holds a BSBA in Marketing.

Originally from Moscow, Russia, Mr. Pochaev has over 10 years of experience in software development, project management, hands-on full life cycle software development, and program management. He has been consistently successful in delivering software products for clients in the Information Technology and Physical Security, industries. Alexander (aka "Sasha") is a specialist in enterprise level systems for integrated Physical Security, Human Resources, Asset Management, and Digital Video Surveillance.

In addition, Mr. Pochaev has made "C" level presentations to international companies throughout the world. He has created and conducted numerous seminars and product training programs, and has organized and led, trade shows and road shows in North America, South America, and Europe.

Alexander currently serves on the Leadership Studies and Management Advisory Committee at Orange Coast Community College as well as several corporate advisory boards.

Mr. Pochaev is a graduate of Moscow State Technological University "STANKIN" and holds a Masters Degree in engineering.

Charles is a Sales and Marketing professional with a strong and proven background in the financial services industry. He has worked with UBS in Chicago, Lightstone Securities, Centaurus Financial, Everbank Advisors in Southern California. Charles’ special skills are derived from his recognition that to be truly effective in the financial service industry you need to have a keen understanding of both your client’s needs and your products capabilities. Charles believes that his real value to his clients is measured by performance and rewarded by Trust. Charles is the director of new products, sales and marketing for First Professional Resources.

Charles graduated with a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Illinois in Chicago. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving his country for four years. He currently resides in Newport Beach CA.

Charles says the he gets up every day with a concrete vision in mind… to help people. “We are all given opportunities to help our economy and I take the steps forward in benefiting peoples financial needs and concerns.”