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Hi, I’m Ric Franzi.
⭐ #1-Ranked Peer Group Facilitator in Orange County & Inland Empire
I help Orange County and Inland Empire CEOs and business owners work on their businesses — not just in them.
For nearly two decades, I’ve sat with hundreds of Southern California leaders who were successful on paper but carrying it all alone. My work is simple: give you a confidential room of peers who’ve been where you are, and the clarity, candor, and accountability to reach your next level — without losing yourself in the day-to-day.
No cost, no obligation — just a 30-minute conversation.
Why I Do This
Years ago, I was the president of a global manufacturing company — plants in the U.S., Mexico, and Asia, and all the pressure that comes with the corner office. From the outside, it looked like I had figured it out. Inside, I was making the biggest decisions of my career with no one to truly think them through with.
Then I joined a peer group. For the first time, I sat in a room with other leaders who understood the weight I was carrying, people with no agenda except to help me think more clearly. One day in a meeting, it hit me: this was the work I was meant to do. I wanted to give other leaders what my chair had given me. So, I left the C-suite to do exactly that.
That was 2007. I haven't looked back since, and I've now led more peer group sessions than anyone in Orange County or the Inland Empire.
What I believe:
• You shouldn't have to lead alone. The best decisions happen in a circle of trust, not in isolation.
• Your business should fuel your life, not consume it. Success that costs you your health, family, or sanity isn't success.
• Honest beats nice. Real growth comes from people who care enough to tell you the truth.
• Lifelong learning is non-negotiable. I ask my members to keep growing, and I hold myself to the same standard.
• Laughing leads to learning. This work is serious, but it should also be fun.
If those beliefs resonate with you, we'll probably get along well.
My Story
From a Pennsylvania steel town to Southern California
I grew up in a small coal mining and steel mill town in Western Pennsylvania. After earning my B.A. in Communications from the University of Pittsburgh, I moved to Southern California and completed my MBA at Pepperdine University.
From the corner office to the facilitator's chair
My corporate career took me to the top of a global manufacturer — but the peer group I joined there changed my path entirely (you can read that story above). Today, I'm REF's Business Partner for Orange County and the Inland Empire, part of a global community of more than 3,000 CEO members. I've hosted Orange County's longest-running business talk show since 2009, written three books, and I lead leadership workshops across Southern California. Everything I do now comes back to one thing: helping leaders like you grow.
Beyond Business
My wife Debra and I have been married since 1986. We have two adult children and three grandchildren, and we feel lucky that the whole family lives nearby in South Orange County. When I'm not with the grandkids, you'll probably find Debra and me at a summer outdoor concert or traveling somewhere far from home, whether that's across the U.S., Mexico, Europe, or Asia.
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What Leaders Say
"It amazes me how perspective from completely different businesses can open my eyes to a solution inside my own company. Without Ric, I'd still have far too many unanswered questions."
"I tried several peer groups before joining Ric's. Unlike the others, there's no pressure to sell — just genuine entrepreneurs who openly share so we all grow. One of the most valuable communities I've joined"
"Each monthly session leaves me with fresh insights I can apply immediately. It's a rare chance to step back, reflect, and engage with leaders who understand the ups and downs of running a business."
"Ric created a safe environment where 200+ CEOs could share their experiences and learn from one another. Participants loved his humor and his approach to facilitating peer learning."
