To empower non-profits to reach their fundraising goals - one organization and one supporter at a time.
Sopaev, Inc. is a national fundraising company that assists non-profits by linking organization supporters with its affiliates in support of their favorite cause.
© 2020 Sopaev, Inc.
Sonny Mehrtash is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sopaev, Inc. He brings more than 20 years of fundraising for non-profits and executive management experience to his role with the company.
Sonny Mehrtash manages corporate direction and strategy at Sopaev, facilitating company activity in consulting, sales, marketing, alliances and support. A seasoned executive, he is also responsible for Sopaev’s national business process, serving specific non-profit markets and industries such as schools, sport teams, universities, and churches with a product designed to help solve the funding needs most non-profits have a challenge with. Since starting Sopaev, Mehrtash has worked to share Sopaev’s strategy and vision with customers, partners and the board.
Previously, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board at Community Connection Fundraising, Inc. where his focus on customers, innovation, improved operational efficiency and execution led to significant company growth. He helped thousands of Non-profits nationwide to achieve their fundraising goals raising millions of dollars for programs supporting children.
A 32nd degree Master Mason, he is a proud member of Fresno Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and the Shrine Temple supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children. He loves to travel, has a passion for cars and horses.
Dr. Michael Synn is one of California's leading obstetric, gynecological and fertility specialists. Among his many accomplishments and awards, Dr. Synn recently received the prestigious VHA Award for physician champion. He joined Community Medical Centers in 1984 when he began his residency at UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program. He currently serves as an assistant clinical professor at UCSF Fresno and also dedicates his time, serving on Community's Board of Trustees, serving as chairman of the Clovis Community Facility Executive Committee and the Quality Patient Safety Committee. In 2007, Dr. Synn was one of three doctors in a six-state region to receive the Physician Champion Award through VHA Inc., which brings together health care organizations in a nationwide alliance to improve health care. He has had significant experience in the field of reproductive medicine and has made multiple contributions in the specialty. He has also served as Chief of Board for a 40-member Obstetrics/Gynecology group for the past 10 years.
Derek A. Taggard, M.D., was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended the United States Air Force Academy where he was a Distinguished Graduate in 1992. After attending the University of Colorado School of Medicine, he obtained his training in spine and neurosurgery at the University of Iowa. While at the University of Iowa, Dr. Taggard also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship. Dr. Taggard is board certified in Neurological Surgery.
David graduated from Pacific Palisades High School in 1976. While at Pacific Palisades David was a Scholar Athelet in football and upon graduation he was inducted into the High School Hall of Fame. After High School, David was recruited by California State University Fresno to play football and became the Starting Right Guard for the Bulldogs. David was again a Scholar Athlete throughout his football career and gdraduated Magna Cum Laude in 1980 with a degree in Business Administration from the Craig School of Business.
Upon graduation, David worked for the Xerox Corporation as a Salesman and eventually becoming a Manager. Afterwards, David joined his father at SCI. SCI sells industrial cleaning equipment, water reclamation systems, and chemical-free weed abatement treatments. In 2000, David became owner of SCI and is proud to continue the commitment to selling environmentally friendly products to industries nation-wide.
David is married to Sloan Dawson (whom he met at CSU Fresno) and will be celebrating their 38th marriage anniversary. Sloan and David share two children and one grandchild. David enjoys the sport of golf and is a three time Club Champion of Sunny Side Country Club.
David was raised in Fresno Masonic Lodge #257 in 1996 and is member of the Tehran Temple. As a Shriner, David is most proud of role with the Shriners Children’s Hospital of Northern California. He served on its Board of Governors for nine years, with the last two as Chairman.
