Josh Pianko

Co-CEO at WAHVE

Josh is the visionary who brings a wide breadth of experience to growing successful companies. He is a skilled executive who knows how to find and keep talent. He is an expert negotiator having negotiated contracts and leases in the U.S. and Asia. As president of BQS, he helped develop Brainwahve Qualifying Solutions to support WAHVE’s unique qualifying process, which enables objectivity in the hiring process by focusing on skills and experience and a detailed position description. Brainwahve provides companies with true blind auditions to increase diversity and decrease turnover.In 1996, Josh founded his first company, KIDSWONDER, a graphical search engine for children. His next ventures were in developing the online strategies and brand images for Maybelline.com and “Design Your Own Engagement Ring” for De Beers. When he moved from NY to Las Vegas he began a new career in wealth management. While building a successful investment practice, his entrepreneurial pursuits led him to Macau, where he started Optica Asia, a leading retailer of luxury eyewear. In 2014, he sold the company to the world’s largest eyewear company, Luxottica. After the sale of Optica, Josh launched a new optical company, Vitra Eyewear, which is devoted to offering the world’s most unique eyewear collections from leading designer brands with locations in Orange County, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and New York. He continues as Owner/Operator of Vitra Eyewear Group. He also is a skilled entrepreneurial investor who has interests in various entertainment, restaurant, real estate, and beverage companies.Josh holds a degree from New York University and is currently attending the YPO’s Harvard Executive M.B.A. Program.Josh and his family live on a horse ranch Las Vegas and is actively involved in his community. He currently sits on Jewish Nevada’s Board of Directors and is the Chair of the Allocations Committee. He is a current member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

Timeline

  • Co-CEO

    Current role