founders.
Ryan Morgan
Aqua Equity Founder & CEO
Ryan Morgan was supposed to be a product of his environment, and he almost was.
Growing up in the gang-ridden streets of San Bernardino, at nineteen years old, Ryan was sent to federal prison for armed bank robbery, an event that changed his life forever.
Coming from an under-resourced urban community, Ryan felt the true effects of how an under-resourced urban community can depress its citizens.
While being arrested on that bank floor for attempted armed robbery, Ryan promised himself that this wasn’t the end of his story…
Getting out of prison in his mid-20’s, Ryan had a plan set in place.
Ryan attended Laney College in Oakland, then went on to play football at the prestigious University of San Diego under Coach Jim Harbaugh, before receiving his MBA from Concordia University.
Since then, Ryan has spent the last twelve years in the alcohol beverage industry while working for two of the largest suppliers on the globe where he was most recently responsible for net sales of over $34 million.
FOUNDER’S STORY
this is how
Aqua Equity
was born.
Brandon Espy
Founder
Brandon Espy is a Communication Studies graduate from the University of San Diego.
He specializes in content creation where he’s produced and/or directed digital advertisements for the award-winning beauty brand, Beautyblender (where he’s directed Regina Hall, Madelaine Petsch, amongst others), Beautycounter (Fast Company’s 2020 Most Innovative Beauty company in the world), Waba Grill, Finishline Women, Creative Recreation, Governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker, and many others.
Krystal Jackson
Founder
Krystal Jackson is a graduate of Temple University who began her career managing Southern California’s Target headquarters as an Executive Team Leader of Guest Experience.
From there she transitioned to RJ Reynolds Tobacco where she successfully elevated brands such as Newport, Camel, Snus, and Vuse to top performers in their category in over 100 premium accounts, such as 7-Eleven, Sam’s Club, Rotten Robbies, Chevron, and Shell Corporation.
After six years in corporate America, she launched a promotional marketing agency specializing in staffing called “Gala Unlimited” in 2014. From sales teams to sponsorships, influencers to industry trade shows, pop-ups to product samplings, they create experience-based brand interactions that redefine cultural impact while working with clients such as Infuse Spirits, Fair Vodka, Pernod Ricard, Greenbar Distillery, and Ararat Brandy.
J.T Rogan
Founder
J.T. Rogan is a proud graduate of the University of San Diego where he played football and studied business. J.T. remains USD Football’s all-time leading rusher and all-time leading scorer.
Professionally, J.T. has worked in broadcasting for the likes of PAC-12 Networks and Fox Sports. He also worked in college football administration and coaching for Stanford and Michigan.
Presently, J.T. works in fundraising with Snap! Raise, a company that has raised over $350 million for K-12 sports and activities since 2014. J.T. is engaged in ongoing philanthropy work with the Arc of Livingston, a charity for individuals with developmental disabilities, and he continues to support charities associated with ALS and Autism.
In the podcasting world, J.T. has interviewed many prominent, recognizable names like Ford CEO Jim Hackett, Judge Judy, comedian/podcaster Adam Carolla, and Aqua Equity’s own Ryan Morgan.
Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey
Founder
Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey (born July 13, 1983) is an-American rapper, record producer, songwriter, activist, and entrepreneur. Salaam-Bailey, was born and raised in Watts, Ca, having started off as a full-time dancer in 2002, creating one of the most popular dance movements in the world called “KRUMP.” The new dance craze eventually went mainstream after it hit the big screens in a docu-film titled “Rize”.
In 2018, Stix has recently created the Thinkwatts Foundation a 501c3 company Foundation focused on economic development, homeless housing solutions, programming, and financial assistance to underserved and underprivileged communities. To date, the foundation has impacted over 40,000 residents and 7 cities across Los Angeles County. Moreover, Stix is the official ambassador for LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club), LA RAMS, and the LA Clippers. Stix has created the theme song for all 3 teams and has launched multiple community activations over the last year. Furthermore, Stix was awarded 2 CLIO awards for his collaboration with the Rams on a piece titled ‘What’s Watts’.