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OC 50

DR. RICHARD F. AFABLE

Chief Executive, President

Covenant Health Network, Irvine

Born in Chicago

Age: 60

Lives in Corona del Mar

WHY: Chief executive of integrated healthcare network created in 2012 by St. Joseph Health System and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. Affiliation intended to solve what Afable has called “pressing problems” of healthcare access, cost and quality.

HOW: Had been Hoag’s chief executive since 2005, when he succeeded longtime leader Michael Stephens. Hoag added the Sue and Bill Gross Women’s Pavilion and converted the former Irvine Regional Hospital into Hoag Hospital Irvine under Afable’s leadership. Vice president and chief medical officer at Catholic Healthcare East prior to Hoag. Also had a private geriatrics and internal medicine practice for 10 years; left it for academia, teaching at Wake Forest University and Northwestern University.

RECENT: Dealt with controversy arising after the creation of Covenant network regarding certain women’s health services being provided at Hoag. Attorney General Kamala Harris investigated affiliation in response to concerns raised by public, doctors affiliated with Hoag and others; Hoag recently extended commitment on women’s health services.

PERSONAL: Undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago. Master’s of public health, University of Illinois School of Public Health. Medical degree from Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. Wife, Sally; three grown children. Likes running, golfing and playing guitar.

―Vita Reed

BYUNG MO AHN

Group Vice Chairman, Chief Executive

Kia Motors America Inc., Kia Motors

Manufacturing Georgia

Age: 63

Lives in Laguna Niguel

WHY: Heads one of fastest-growing auto brands in U.S. Role of group vice chair of Irvine-based Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

puts him in charge of marketing and manufacturing for market that’s increasingly important to parent, Hyundai Motor Group.

HOW: 37-year veteran of parent company, including stints for both Kia and Hyundai brands. Served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at South Korea HQ before being named group president, chief executive of Kia Motors America/Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in 2008. Credited with leading brand during time of rapid growth in U.S., including three straight years of record-breaking sales and some 16 all-new or redesigned vehicles in past few years.

RECENT: Promoted to group vice chair of Kia Motors America, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in March. Company launched flagship luxury sedan, the K900, same month. Capped multiyear revamp of vehicle lineup with April unveiling of redesigned Kia Sedona, set for third- or fourth-quarter rollout.

Kia finished April with sales up 12.9% from year earlier to 53,676 vehicles.

—Kari Hamanaka

BARRY ARBUCKLE

President, Chief Executive

MemorialCare Health System,

Fountain Valley

Born in Kansas City, Mo.

Age: 52

Lives in Laguna Hills (Nellie Gail Ranch)

WHY: Head of Fountain Valley-based health system with six hospitals total in Orange County and Long Beach and track record of aggressive approach to shifting business landscape as federal healthcare reform moves into first full year of operation.

HOW: Joined MemorialCare in 1989 and served as an executive in each of its hospitals, including as chief executive of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center. Became chief executive of system in 2002. MemorialCare has some 11,340 employees, 3,000 affiliated doctors.

RECENT: MemorialCare decided to sell Costa Mesa building acquired as new HQ in early 2013, bought existing offices in Fountain Valley. Added several executives and promoted others in a reworking of MemorialCare’s corporate office. Opened Seaside Health Plan as vehicle for treating Medi-Cal patients. Partnering with insurer Anthem Blue Cross in an accountable care organization that will reward MemorialCare with more compensation by decreasing chronic-disease PPO patient costs based on care improvement. Linked up with UCI Medical Center to open clinics and outpatient centers for primary healthcare.

PERSONAL: Bachelor’s degree, Southwest Missouri State University. Master’s degree, Arizona State University. Ph.D., University of North Carolina. Serves on many boards, including March of Dimes-California, Integrated Healthcare Association. Wife, Gina; four children. Serves on adjunct faculty of California State University-Long Beach School of Nursing; has served as adjunct faculty at CSULB’s departments of psychology and sociology.

―Vita Reed

GEORGE L. ARGYROS

Chairman, Chief Executive

Arnel & Affiliates, Costa Mesa

Founding Partner, Westar Capital LLC,

Costa Mesa

Born in Detroit

Age: 77

Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor Island)

WHY: OC real estate magnate, investor, major philanthropist, force in local, national politics.

HOW: Started selling land to oil companies for service stations in 1962. Bid on state land as freeways were built in OC. Went on to buy land for restaurants, stores. Founded Arnel & Affiliates in 1968. Costa Mesa-based company owns, manages 5,200 apartments in OC, more than 2 million square feet of commercial space. Formed venture firm Westar Capital in 1987. Largest individual shareholder in DST Systems Inc., Kansas City, Mo.-based financial software company. Has estimated worth of $1.8 billion.

RECENT: Taking step back in day-to-day management of family holdings, with wife, Julia, assuming more responsibilities, including the running of Arnel. Nearing deal to sell about $650 million of DST stock, which will cut Argyroses’ stake in company to about 7%. Also stepping down as director after accusing company of “strategic missteps” and “material deficiencies” in its governance. Family continues to be active in philanthropy; recent gifts include $2.5 million for the new science center at Sage Hill School in Newport Coast. Other major beneficiaries include Chapman, CHOC, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Alzheimer’s Association.

PERSONAL: Former owner of Seattle Mariners. Former co-owner of AirCal with fellow OC 50er William Lyon; sold business in 1981 to American Airlines. Second-generation Greek-American. First job was mowing lawns. 1993 winner of Horatio Alger Award; treasurer, chairman emeritus of Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. On numerous local, national boards. Active in politics. Served as U.S. ambassador to Spain from 2001 to 2004. Three children.

—Mark Mueller

COLIN BADEN

Chief Executive

Oakley Inc.

Born in Concord, Mass.

Age: 52

Lives in Irvine

WHY: Oversees OC’s largest eyewear and apparel maker, with more than $1 billion in annual sales and local workforce of more than 2,300. Major contributor in Italy-based parent Luxottica Group SPA’s portfolio, which also includes Ray-Ban, various licenses with fashion labels, and the Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters chains. Oakley gained ground in Europe, emerging markets last year with double-digit growth.

HOW: Former architect got start working on design of Oakley founder Jim Jannard’s home in Washington state. Brought on as an Oakley consultant in 1993. Three years later, hired as Oakley design director. Named president in 1999 and chief executive in 2009.

RECENT: Parent partnered with Google on development and design of Google Glass, which will bring Oakley and Ray-Ban brands into the project. Partnership comes alongside the company’s kickoff of global “Disruptive by Design” campaign, unveiled at RED Studios Hollywood launch event this year.

PERSONAL: Undergrad degree from University of Washington. Graduate degree from University of Arizona. Founder, board president of Infinite Hero Foundation. Big-time traveler, loves ocean activities. Wife, Laura; two sons.

—Kari Hamanaka

SCOTT D. BORAS

Owner, President

Boras Corp., Newport Beach

Born in Sacramento

Age: 61

Lives in Newport Coast

WHY: Baseball’s most powerful agent, represents some 150 clients, many of them the game’s biggest stars, highest-paid players: Los Angeles Angels’ Jered Weaver; Texas Ranger Prince Fielder, Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Davis, Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, and L.A. Dodgers’ Hyun Jin Ryu.

HOW: Left professional baseball after stint in minor leagues due to knee surgeries, completed law degree. Practiced medical litigation at Chicago law firm until former teammate, Bill Caudill, asked him for representation in 1984 in $7.5 million deal. Now has 40 people in local office following player stats. Said to track every pitch in baseball. Has 25 scouts in global operation, covering the U.S. and seven other countries.

RECENT: Latest hot clients include 2013 overall No. 1 draft pick Mark Appel by Houston Astros, 2013 AL Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers, and 2013 NL Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins. This offseason, negotiated a $153 million contract with the New York Yankees for outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and a $130 million contract with the Texas Rangers for outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.

PERSONAL: Boras Foundation held second annual Boras Baseball Classic of California, attracting 32 top teams for state championship. Charity provides scholarships to baseball camps for 13- to 15-year-olds. Family charitable trust works to attract top-level people to teaching. Wife active in charitable causes for Catholic Church, JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, Sage Hill High School in Newport Coast. Grew up on 800-acre farm in Elk Grove near Sacramento. Baseball scholarship to University of Pacific in Stockton. Played in minors for Cardinals, Chicago Cubs. Ph.D. in pharmacology and law degree from University of Pacific. Grown daughter, two sons.

―Chris Casacchia

DONALD BREN

Owner, Chairman

Irvine Company, Newport Beach

Born in Los Angeles

Age: 82

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: County’s dominant landowner, landlord, with estimated 96 million total square feet, including almost 500 offices, more than 40 retail centers, 124 apartment communities with nearly 50,000 units, three golf clubs and three resorts. Irvine Ranch among country’s most successful and most copied masterplanned communities. Sole shareholder of company. Wealthiest U.S. real estate developer. Business Journal estimates wealth at $14 billion.

HOW: Founded homebuilder California Pacific Homes in 1958. In 1963, started Mission Viejo Co. with O’Neill-Moiso family and others; later sold stake to partners. Part of 1977 group that bought Irvine Company. Bought out most partners for $518 million in 1983. In 1991, paid $256 million court award to heiresses Joan Irvine Smith and her mother, Athalie Clarke, for their shares. Became 100% shareholder in 1996.

RECENT: Development push continues in OC and other coastal California markets, particularly Silicon Valley, where several office projects are under way. Also busy in San Diego. Leasing getting started for new tower going up in Newport Beach, upscale 520 Newport Center Drive. Apartment communities being built in OC, other markets; company among state’s largest apartment owners. Subsidiary Irvine Pacific has been OC’s most active homebuilder for four years running. Gearing up from May 31 unveiling of newest village in Irvine, Orchard Hills.

PERSONAL: Bloomberg BusinessWeek puts lifetime giving at $1.3 billion, with UCI, UC Santa Barbara, Caltech, Chapman University, local school districts and Santa Ana nonprofit after-school program specialist Think Together on recipient list. Awarded President’s medal from University of California, another from UCI. Has endowed more UC distinguished faculty chairs than any other individual. Former Marine officer; contributed academic chairs at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va. Contributed more than 50,000 acres—over half of 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch—as parks and open space. Involvement with boards of UCI Foundation, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, OC Museum of Art, Caltech, among others. Accomplished skier; has Sun Valley, Idaho, ranch. Married to entertainment lawyer Brigitte Bren. Splits time between Newport Beach and Los Angeles.

—Mark Mueller

ED CARPENTER

Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive

Carpenter & Co.;

Managing Member, Chief Investment Officer

Carpenter Community BancFund

Born in Salix, Iowa

Age: 66

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Built career as bank adviser. Runs private equity fund that has rare designation as bank holding company. Fund has controlling stakes in five community banks in California, including two in OC.

HOW: Graduated from Loyola Marymount, earned MBA at Cal State Long Beach. Banking career began at Security Pacific National Bank. Founded Carpenter & Co. in 1974. Has advised and raised initial equity for 500-plus startup banking companies. Managed assets for Resolution Trust Corp. during savings-and-loans crisis in 1980s. Established private equity arm, Carpenter Community BancFund, in 2008, in throes of Great Recession.

RECENT: Portfolio banks continue to strengthen. Combined assets were $5.4 billion as of the end of March, up about 35% year-over-year. Shooting for $6.5 billion next year. BancFund is assisting Pacific Mercantile Bancorp, where Carpenter is chairman, sharpen focus on technology banking, including by bringing on “significant tech talent.” Plaza Bank, the other OC holding, is largest community bank SBA lender in Orange and San Diego counties. Carpenter oversaw merger of Mission Community Bancorp into Heritage Oaks Bancorp for about $56 million. BancFund is largest shareholder of combined entity.

PERSONAL: Director of healthcare and relief agency International Medical Corps. Member of World Presidents’ Organization. LMU Alumni Entrepreneurship Wall of Honor. Served as member of review committees for Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington, D.C. Served on California State Banking Department’s advisory board, among other state, federal roles. Grew up on corn farm, moved to California when teenager. Brings “plant, grow, harvest” model into investments.

—Jane Yu

MICHAEL COLGLAZIER

President

Disneyland Resort

Born in Indiana

Age: 47

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Leader of Disneyland Resort, Orange County’s largest employer and tourism destination. Oversees 26,000 employees at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, three hotels and Downtown Disney shopping, dining and entertainment district.

HOW: Twenty-five year company veteran. Began career as corporate analyst before moving to several executive positions, including vice president of operations strategy and technology for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, vice president of Walt Disney Parks and Resort’s Global Development team, and most recently, vice president of Animal Kingdom Park in Florida.

RECENT: In second year as head of Disneyland Resort. Downtown Disney added first Starbucks-operated location at a U.S.-based Disney resort. At Disneyland park, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened with new track, special effects. Park’s private membership restaurant, Club 33, undergoing first major renovation project since 1967 opening. Partnered with Angels Baseball and Anaheim Ducks to establish grant program, ACT Anaheim, focused on encouraging local nonprofit collaborations for services for at-risk Anaheim youth.

PERSONAL: Undergrad in industrial engineering from Stanford University, master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Board member for CHOC and California Travel and Tourism Commission; member of UC Irvine Chief Executive Roundtable. Big on golf, college basketball and mountain biking. Wife, DeAnna; two sons.

—Kari Hamanaka

GREG CREED

Chief Executive

Taco Bell Corp.

Born in Brisbane, Australia

Age: 56

Lives in Coto de Caza

WHY: Oversees multibillion-dollar chain’s nearly 6,000 U.S. restaurants, plus international locations.

HOW: 17-year vet at Unilever, where he oversaw Dove, Wisk, among other brands. Went on to head marketing for KFC Australia between 1994 and 2001. Later served as Taco Bell marketing chief when “Think Outside the Bun” campaign was born. Named chief operating officer for Taco Bell parent Yum! Brands Inc. in Louisville, Ky., in 2005. Appointed Taco Bell president in 2006. Five years later, promoted to Taco Bell chief executive.

RECENT: Set to become chief executive of parent in 2015. That followed addition of international duties at start of year under Yum!’s internal restructuring, which made each of its three brands—Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut—responsible for both U.S. and international operations. International and domestic operations were formerly separate, with international for the three chains previously under parent’s Texas-based Yum! Restaurants International division. Taco Bell launched breakfast nationally in

March. Released next iteration of popular Doritos Locos Tacos this month. Company has publicly stated goal of doubling annual revenue to $14 billion over the next 10

years.

PERSONAL: Bachelor’s degree from Queensland University of Technology. Into

playing golf, flying. Board work includes Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, Fight to Win and UCLA Anderson Business School’s board of visitors. Wife, Carolyn; two children.

—Kari Hamanaka

KIMBERLY CHAVALAS CRIPE

Chief Executive

Children’s Hospital of

Orange County, Orange

Born in Spokane, Wash.

Age: 59

Lives in San Juan Capistrano

WHY: Heads only dedicated pediatric hospital in the county. Has transformed CHOC from community pediatric hospital into one of national recognition during her time as chief executive.

HOW: With CHOC since 1991; in current position since 1997. Serves as head of 279-bed hospital, which has satellite facility in Mission Hospital and about 3,200 workers overall. Led financial turnaround in early 2000s that allowed CHOC’s board to regain control of the hospitals from outside management. With Humana Inc.’s hospital unit—Columbia/HCA—earlier in career.

RECENT: Introduced dedicated pediatric emergency room that’s expected to see over 50,000 patients on an annual basis. Named new chief operating officer, Matthew Gerlach, in September, replacing longtime COO Debra Mathias.

PERSONAL: Undergraduate studies at University of Southern California and University of South Florida. Master’s degree, Golden Gate University. Vice chair, Children and Families Commission of Orange County. Previously board chair for the California Children’s Hospital Association. Champion of Children award from Child Abuse Prevention Center; previous honors from the March of Dimes and Forum for Corporate Directors. Married, three sons. Enjoys horseback riding, hiking, walking, gardening.

―Vita Reed

JAMES L. DOTI

President, Professor of Economics

Chapman University, Orange

Born in Chicago

Age: 67

Lives in Villa Park

WHY: President of OC’s largest private university for 23 years; 12th president in school’s 152-year history.

HOW: Studied economics at University of Illinois-Chicago; earned master’s and doctorate degrees in economics from the University of Chicago. Joined Chapman faculty in 1974, founded A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research in 1978. Appointed dean of Argyros School of Business and Economics in 1985. Became president in 1991. Has held Chapman’s Donald Bren Distinguished Chair in business and economics since 1999. Continues econometrics- and education-oriented research while serving as president.

RECENT: No immediate plans for retirement but recommended Chancellor Daniele Struppa be named president-in-waiting—and trustees agreed. Move seen as way to keep Struppa from being poached, ensure continuity. Doti continues to oversee growth plans, including recent launch of School of Pharmacy, which will offer a five-year, fast-track path to doctor of pharmacy degree. Landed $55 million donation from OCers Ann and Dale Fowler—his name now on law school. Another health science program in works—possibly a medical or veterinary school. School ranked No. 7 by U.S. News & World Report for colleges in Western region. Approved its fifth strategic plan in September, with focus on “moving forward aggressively in curricular development” in the health science area, Doti said.

PERSONAL: Co-author of econometrics textbooks. Co-editor of texts that received the Templeton Honor Award for Scholarly Excellence. Completed 50 marathons. Finished RAGBRAI last summer, a week-long, 500-mile bike ride across Iowa. Founder of Chapman/Toyota of Orange 5K Run. Climbed four of the Seven Summits: Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus in Russia and Mount Vinson in Antarctica. Drives teal 1965 Porsche 356C Cabriolet.

―Mediha DiMartino

ED FULLER

President, Chief Executive, Orange County Visitors Association

President, Laguna Strategic Advisors

Born in Richmond, Va.

Age: 69

Lives in Laguna Hills

WHY: Hotel and tourism guru has

raised OCVA profile, helped unify county’s broad spectrum of destination marketing organizations. Credited with putting OC on

the map with China’s burgeoning tourism trade.

HOW: Marriott veteran got start at company in 1972 as sales director at Twin Bridges Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. Worked his way up through various executive positions for Marriott International. Named president, managing director of Marriott International in 1991. Retired from company in 2012, the same year he started Laguna Strategic Advisors. Following year appointed to lead OCVA.

RECENT: OCVA started off year with announcement of partnership with Anaheim/

Orange County Visitor & Convention

Bureau; launched website aimed at Chinese travelers; opened sales office in Dubai.

Efforts over past year led to recent announcement of Perfect (China) Co. booking set to bring roughly 7,000 visitors from China to OC.

PERSONAL: Bachelor’s in business administration from Boston University School of Management. Advanced management studies, Harvard Business School. Overseer/former trustee International Advisory Board, chairman of Deans Advisory Board School of Hospitality at Boston University. Trustee of Paul Merage School of Business, member of UCI Chief Executive Roundtable; director of Cal State University San Marcos Foundation; advisory board for Collins College at Cal Poly Pomona; director of FBI Academy Foundation, Safe Kids, Mind Research Institute; president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation. U.S. Army Captain; awarded Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam, Germany.

—Kari Hamanaka

MILDRED GARCÍA

President

California State University-Fullerton

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Age: 62

Lives in school’s C. Stanley

Chapman House, Fullerton

WHY: Runs largest college in OC, campus employs about 5,000. First Latina president in CSU system; appointed by President Barack Obama to the Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence of Hispanic Americans. Serves on the boards of directors of Association of American Colleges and Universities, American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, Association of Public & Land Grant Universities and Orange County United Way. Member of the Coalition of Urban & Metropolitan Universities’ executive committee.

HOW: Was California State University-Dominguez Hills president from 2007 to 2012, and president of Berkeley College in New York and New Jersey from 2001 to 2007. Held several positions with Arizona State University, including vice provost for academic personnel and associate vice provost for academic affairs.

RECENT: Oversaw completion of university’s five-year strategic plan and its implementation. University purchased two buildings in Irvine for $30.5 million, where it has kept a branch campus since early 2011. University ranked No. 35 on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 list of universities in the Western region of the U.S., and No. 1 statewide for awarding the highest number of degrees to Latino students. University Advancement raised more than $8.3 million last year, increased endowment to approximately $43 million.

PERSONAL: Parents came to New York from Puerto Rico; first in family to go to college. Works out with a trainer three times a week, loves to dance and read. Fan of Harry Potter books. Has traveled throughout the world, most recently to Vietnam and Hong Kong. Makes time each year for three long weekends to New York City for visits to see family, opera, Broadway plays, and museums.

―Mediha DiMartino

WILLIAM H. GROSS

Cofounder, Chief Investment Officer

Pacific Investment Management Co.,

Newport Beach

Born in Middletown, Ohio

Age: 70

Lives in Laguna Beach

WHY: Icon in fixed-income management. Oversees investments for Pimco, manager of $1.9 trillion in assets. Runs world’s largest bond fund.

HOW: Graduated from Duke University with degree in psychology. Brief stint playing professional blackjack in Las Vegas. Served in Navy before going to University of California-Los Angeles for MBA. Started Pimco in Los Angeles in 1971 as part of Pacific Life Insurance. Firm moved to Newport Beach in 1972. German insurance company Allianz acquired 70% stake in Pimco in 2000, bought remaining interest in 2008.

RECENT: Gross became sole chief investment officer when Co-Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Mohamed El-Erian—a former OC 50er—resigned his posts earlier this year. That touched off a round of critical coverage of Gross and Pimco as the firm added six deputy CIOs and made a push to market new faces prominently. Gross’ $230 billion Total Return Fund had first yearly loss in 2013 since 1999. Fund continued string of outflows for 11 months straight. It has returned 2.17% so far this year, behind more than 80% of other U.S. intermediate-term bond funds.

PERSONAL: Gross and wife, Sue, have been 20-year sponsors of OC Teachers of the Year awards. Couple donated $20 million to Mercy Ships to go toward new hospital ship. Women’s Pavillion at Hoag named for them. Other gifts include $14 million to UCI for stem cell research. Smithsonian National Postal Museum opened William H. Gross Stamp Gallery last year.

―Jane Yu

EMILE K. HADDAD

Chief Executive, President

FivePoint Communities Inc., Aliso Viejo

Born in Beirut, Lebanon

Age: 55

Lives in Laguna Hills (Nellie Gail)

WHY: In charge of developing homes, commercial space at Great Park Neighborhoods at former El Toro Marine base in Irvine.

HOW: Stepped down as Lennar Corp. chief investment officer in 2009 to take top spot at FivePoint, new company in charge of developing some of Lennar’s largest holdings in California, including 3,700-acre El Toro project. Lennar owns majority of FivePoint. Haddad, also an investor, has final management say.

RECENT: Past year has seen string of local successes. Home sales at Pavilion Park—the first residential neighborhood planned around Orange County Great Park—began last September. Seven-hundred-twenty-home development already said to be more than 50% sold, one of the best-selling new communities in the country. Development moving ahead for second batch of Great Park homes. Up to 1,000 homes to be built in second phase, land sales could take place by year-end. Last December saw FivePoint strike deal with Irvine City Council; developer got OK to increase housing from about 5,000 homes to 9,600 at the former base in return for more than

$200 million to build parts of Orange County Great Park. Elected incoming chairman

of University of California-Irvine Foundation last year; three-year term begins next month.

PERSONAL: He and Jonathan Jaffe (see related entry) named Business People of the Year by OCBJ after leading $1 billion buy of former El Toro base in 2005—biggest local real estate deal in recent memory. On board of CHOC, University of California-Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, University of Southern California’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. Civil engineering degree from American University of Beirut; California licenses in engineering, contracting. Member of Urban Land Institute. Left troubled Lebanon with fiancée, now wife, Dina. Daughter, son.

—Mark Mueller

JONATHAN M. JAFFE

Chief Operating Officer

Lennar Corp., Miami

Born in New York

Age: 54

Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)

WHY: Local head of housing giant, whose day-to-day operations are largely run out of Aliso Viejo. Major investor in former El Toro Marine base.

HOW: No. 3 at Miami-based Lennar, second-largest U.S. homebuilder by market value, yearly sales of $5.8 billion. Runs much of Lennar’s daily operations from Aliso Viejo. Miami-based headquarters handles Wall Street. Joined with Emile Haddad (see related entry) in 2005 to lead $1 billion buy of former El Toro base, largest of several deals that propelled Lennar alongside Irvine Company, Rancho Mission Viejo LLC as one of largest developers here.

RECENT: Lennar-backed FivePoint Communities, led by Haddad, in midst of selling 720 homes at Great Park Neighborhoods’ Pavilion Park after years of economy-

driven delays and 2011 refinancing. Lennar has three projects selling at Pavilion Park, has inked the most sales of any builder there so far.

PERSONAL: Led Lennar’s charge into California in 1995. El Toro buy secured place in OC’s tight-knit homebuilding club, where big landowners, home-grown builders dominate. On national advisory board of HomeAid America. Undergrad degree from University of Florida, graduate studies in architecture at Georgia Tech. Joined Lennar out of college. Wife Karen; three sons.

—Mark Mueller

GARY BERNARD JABARA

Founder, Chief Executive

Mobilitie LLC, Newport Beach

Born in Baldwin Park

Age: 52

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Telecom and wireless exec, owner of country’s largest privately held provider of wireless infrastructure, force in OC’s residential, commercial real estate markets.

HOW: Former partner at Deloitte’s telecommunications infrastructure practice, started Mobilitie in 2006. Privately held company quickly grew into one of country’s largest owners of cell towers. Scored $1.1 billion from 2012’s sale of 2,300 cellphone towers to SBA Communications Corp. Deal represented a “portion” of assets of Mobilitie. Using proceeds from 2012’s deal to buy

real estate, primarily in OC, while rolling

out new business lines for his telecom company.

RECENT: Growing business line for Mobilitie is providing upgraded wireless service to sports arenas, concert venues, casinos and other large venues. Recent deals with Honda Center in Anaheim, Churchill Downs, and MGM Resorts in Las Vegas—the latter of which is billed as the hospitality industry’s largest next-generation Wi-Fi network. Largest backer of Villa Real Estate, residential brokerage launched last year that’s targeting high-end coastal properties.

PERSONAL: Named Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013 for real estate. Calls Mobilitie as much a real estate venture as a technology company. Wife, Lisa; two children. Gave $1 million to Sage Hill School for upgrades to sports fields; has also given to Irvine, Newport-Mesa school districts.

―Mark Mueller

JAMES H. JANNARD

Founder, Chief Executive

Red.com Inc., dba Red Digital

Cinema Camera Co.

Born in Alhambra

Age: 64

Lives in Washington, Las Vegas and L.A.

WHY: Built two global brands from the ground up with Foothill Ranch-based Oakley Inc., Red Digital Cinema Camera Co. in Irvine.

HOW: Walked out of pharmacy school to start Oakley in 1975. Sold motorcycle grips out of car. Later made goggles, then sunglasses. Italy-based Luxottica Group SPA paid $2.1 billion in 2007 for Oakley. That same year, 2-year-old Red Digital released its first camera, the Red One. Unveiled with a shocking $17,500 price tag—thousands less than competitors at the time. Bought Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood in 2010, renamed Red Studios. List of films, TV shows shot on Red continues to grow. Credits include “The Hobbit,” along with “Transformers 4: Age of Extinction,” out next month, and the upcoming “Avatar” sequels.

RECENT: Stepped out of limelight in August. Retooling on back end has allowed for same-day shipping and faster processing of camera upgrades for long-awaited Dragon sensor. Opened retail store in New York City earlier this year.

PERSONAL: Studied at University of Southern California. Photography, cinematography fan. Remarried, four kids.

—Kari Hamanaka

JOSEPH E. KIANI

Chairman, Chief Executive

Masimo Corp., Irvine

Born in Shiraz, Iran

Age: 49

Lives in Laguna Niguel

WHY: Entrepreneur and leader of growing patient safety movement in medical device sector.

HOW: Established Masimo, maker of patient monitors, with partner in his garage in 1989. Grew company, attracted more than $80 million in venture capital. Took Masimo public in a 2007 offering that raised $233 million. Company now has yearly sales of $547 million, 3,000 workers, recent market value of $1.5 billion.

Products sold to hospitals, surgery

centers, ambulance companies, fire departments.

RECENT: Building on patient safety movement launched just over a year ago. Held second patient safety summit in January with the return of former President Bill Clinton.

Also has drawn increasing numbers of

medical device makers to commitments to movement, which centers on device

makers sharing data in order to prevent hospital-related patient deaths. Masimo recently bought HQ—which has been featured in movies—in Irvine Spectrum (see related story, page 1).

PERSONAL: Trustee, Chapman University. Dean’s advisory board at alma mater San Diego State University College of Engineering. Holds more than 50 patents related to signal processing, sensors, patient monitoring. Came to U.S. with family at age 9.

Graduated high school at 15. Warm, energetic personality. Subdued sartorial style,

favors dark suits, crisp white shirts, sans tie; plays tennis. Wife, Sarah; two daughters, one son.

―Vita Reed

WING LAM

Cofounder

Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Age: 52

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Hardcore networker who knows how to work his Rolodex as public face of Wahoo’s Fish Taco chain. Has “the more, the merrier” outlook when it comes to brand partnerships for Wahoo’s. Relationships have helped put the brand next to Pepsi, Vizio, Mophie, Olloclip, DC Shoes and Vans, among many others.

HOW: Founded Wahoo’s with brothers Eduardo Lee, Mingo Lee in 1988 with goal of fusing Chinese, Brazilian and Mexican food. Built chain of nearly 70 restaurants with loyal following for company’s tacos and burritos. Locations mostly in California, along with Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas and New York. First international location opened last year in Japan.

RECENT: Wahoo’s set to open first arena restaurant this summer at Honda Center. Location totals nearly 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Second franchised location in Nevada just opened. Other recent additions to chain include San Jose, Woodland Hills and Highlands Ranch, Colo. Wahoo’s Sacramento location, with full bar, set for opening.

PERSONAL: Studied finance at San Diego State University. Board activity includes Orangewood Children’s Foundation, 5 Gyres. Also involved with Laurel’s House, Pediatrics Cancer Research Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Surfrider Foundation. Teaches part time as adjunct professor for Concordia University, Chapman University. Into surfing, golfing, snowboarding. Wife, Kelly Lam, yoga teacher, owner of The Whole Purpose.

—Kari Hamanaka

WILLIAM LINK

Cofounder, Managing Director

Versant Ventures, Menlo Park,

Newport Beach

Born in Morenci, Mich.

Age: 67

Lives in Irvine

WHY: Cofounder and OC-based managing director of $1.6 billion venture capital firm that specializes in biotechnology companies and medical device makers. Has spent more than 30 years in healthcare as entrepreneur and investor. 

HOW: Bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. Got interested in medicine during graduate study. Worked as assistant professor in department of surgery at Indiana University. Came to OC as part of transition from academia into healthcare industry. Started American Medical Optics and sold to Allergan in 1986. Founded Chiron Vision and sold to Bausch + Lomb in 1997. Shifted focus to investing. Worked as general partner at Brentwood Venture Capital before cofounding Versant in 1999.

RECENT: Versant participated in $15 million round for RuiYi, San Diego-based biotech company, earlier this year. Last year co-led $4.7 million round for Inceptus Medical in Aliso Viejo. Also participated in $30 million financing for SF Audentes Therapeutics. Exited Cadence Pharmaceuticals in deal that fetched $1.3 billion from Dublin, Ireland-based Mallinckrodt. Portfolio companies Inogen and Flexion Therapeutics went public this year via IPOs. 

PERSONAL: Received 2014 Catalyst Award from Glaucoma Research Foundation. Chairman of eye device maker Glaukos in Laguna Hills, as well as of Alphaeon, lifestyle-healthcare company of local private equity firm Strathspey Crown. Director of Irvine-based heart valve maker Edwards Lifesciences. Member of UCI Henry Samueli School of Engineering Leadership Council. Wife, Marsha; two children, three grandchildren.

—Jane Yu

ALEJANDRO “ALEX” LOPEZ

Vice President

Boeing Advanced Network & Space Systems

Site Executive, Huntington Beach

Age: 55

Born in Havana, Cuba

Lives in Anaheim

WHY: Top Huntington Beach executive for Chicago-based aerospace and defense contractor with some 6,600 Orange County employees. Vice president of Advanced Network & Space Systems in company’s Phantom Works unit. Huntington Beach operation also includes electronics and information solutions, strategic missile defense systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, global services and support, small satellites, space exploration and launch technologies.

HOW: Joined Rockwell International, later bought by Boeing, in 1981 as communication systems engineer working on GPS satellites. Advanced through ranks, becoming chief scientist for Communication, Tracking and Location Systems. Oversaw numerous programs, including development of Combat Survivor Evader Locator system, which allows rescue teams to locate isolated personnel, including downed pilots, by providing real-time communications and enhanced coordination.

RECENT: Phantom Works developing small satellites, a potential multibillion-dollar market in next decade. Won $30.6 million contract to design new airborne satellite launch vehicle attached to F-15.  

PERSONAL: Serves on the board of Great Minds in STEM, a nonprofit that promotes science, technology, engineering and math careers in underserved communities. Immigrated to U.S. at 2 with his parents, sister. Grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Received Corporate Achievement Award in 2011 from Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Honored in 2009 with Chairman’s Award at the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference. Enjoys family, travel, golf, reading. Bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Princeton, master’s from Stanford.

—Chris Casacchia

PALMER LUCKEY

Founder

Oculus VR

Born in Long Beach

Age: 21

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Founder and original creator of the Oculus Rift, breakthrough virtual reality headset that is the basis of company sold to Facebook earlier this year in $2 billion deal. Aims to deliver affordable and ubiquitous virtual reality to the masses. Grew startup to more than 100 employees, sold more than 75,000 units primarily to developers. Device has wowed audiences around the world, potential applications beyond gaming include education, training, simulation.

HOW: Worked as engineer in Mixed Reality lab at University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies before starting Oculus. Contributed to research and development of virtual reality systems and head-mounted displays there. Brought Brendan Iribe, Nate Mitchell and Michael Antonov aboard to start Oculus VR. Led 2012 Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $2.4 million. Oculus raised $16 million in Series A and $75 million in Series B funding round last year.

RECENT: Facebook sale second-priciest deal in social network’s 10-year history. Aims to launch consumer version of headset next year.

PERSONAL: Known for having world’s largest collection of virtual reality headsets and founding the ModRetro online forum.

―Chris Casacchia 

WILLIAM LYON

Executive Chairman

William Lyon Homes Inc., Newport Beach

Born in Los Angeles

Age: 91

Lives in Coto de Caza

BILL H. LYON

Chief Executive

William Lyon Homes Inc., Newport Beach

Age: 40

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Father-son team that runs namesake housing company, long one of region’s most active homebuilders.

HOW: William Lyon Homes, predecessor companies have built estimated 100,000 homes over past 50 years. Gen. Lyon started Luxury Homes with brother Leon in Fullerton in 1954. Started William Lyon Co. in Newport Beach in 1972, William Lyon Homes in 1993. In 1999 combined with Presley under William Lyon Homes name, just in time for housing boom. Took company private in 2006.

RECENT: Past year one of growth, deal-making for William Lyon Homes. Company went public again last May, raised nearly $250 million in proceeds in its initial public offering. Raised nearly $250 million more from subsequent bond offerings. Much of that money is being used to buy land; in March announced $174.5 million buy of land from Newport Beach-based City Ventures. Deal—William Lyon’s largest land buy in nearly seven years—included land next to St. Regis resort in Dana Point, among other properties. Company is building in Irvine and Ranch Mission Viejo, and is one of the builders selling at first Great Park Neighborhoods development, Pavilion Park.

PERSONAL: Senior Lyon is a retired Air Force major general, has long history in aviation. Served as chief of Air Force Reserve, 1975 to 1979. Pilot during World War II, Korea; 17 combat decorations. Opened Lyon Air Museum in 2010, next to John Wayne Airport. Joined fellow OC 50er George Argyros to pay $62 million to buy airline AirCal in 1981. Sold five years later to American Airlines for $225 million. Wife, Willa Dean; five children. Younger Lyon is a Stanford grad, dual bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering and product design. Worked for homebuilder and its predecessors since 1997. Served on board of Pretend City Children’s Museum since 2005, chair since 2008. Also serves on board of governors of Santa Ana’s Bowers Museum.

—Mark Mueller

SCOTT A. MCGREGOR

Chief Executive, President

Broadcom Corp., Irvine

Born in St. Louis

Age: 58

Lives in San Juan Capistrano

WHY: Third leader in history of company, now world’s eighth-largest chipmaker. Brought in hand-picked execs, standardized accounting, settled stock options litigation, took aggressive legal stance to protect patents from competitors. Positioned Broadcom to greatly benefit from ongoing smartphone war between Samsung and Apple, company’s largest customers.

HOW: Formerly headed Philips Semiconductors, now NXP Semiconductors. Stints with Santa Cruz Operation Inc., Microsoft, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, Digital Equipment. Solidified partnership with Apple in recent years with design wins on iPhones, iPods, iPads and computers. Boosted ties on Samsung’s Android devices, including world’s top-selling Galaxy smartphone line.

RECENT: Broadcom had record revenue of $8.3 billion in 2013. Debuted company’s first LTE chip, taking aim at rival Qualcomm’s stronghold. LTE technology acquired from Renesas Electronics in $164 million deal. Buy brought 1,200 employees—mostly engineers. Received UCLA Anderson IS Associates 2013 Executive Leadership Award. Expanding efforts in China through

Wi-Fi city program and Internet of Things Joint Innovation Center in Shanghai with ShanghaiTech University. Restructuring plan under way to shed as many as 1,150 jobs.

PERSONAL: Broadcom Foundation completed third Broadcom Masters and second Masters International competitions, encourages middle school students to study science, technology, engineering and math courses throughout high school. U.S. class invited to White House, met with President Barack Obama. Likes spending time outdoors with family. Board member of Santa Ana-based Ingram Micro, run by fellow OC 50 member Alain Monié. Bachelor’s in psychology, master’s in computer science and computer engineering from Stanford University. Wife, Laurie, three children.

—Chris Casacchia

ROBERT B. MCKNIGHT JR.

Executive Chair, Founder

Quiksilver Inc.

Born in Pasadena

Age: 60

Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)

WHY: Action-sports apparel vet who helped form an industry. Went from selling boardshorts out of the back of a Volkswagen van to operation with nearly $2 billion in sales and three core brands: Quiksilver, Roxy and DC Shoes.

HOW: Bought U.S. rights for Quiksilver with surfer Jeff Hakman in 1976 and grew a steady following from there. Filed for initial public offering in 1986. Became one of the first brands to tap the female surfwear market with launch of Roxy in 1990. Purchased DC shoes in 2003. Survived disastrous 2005 acquisition of Ski Rossignol and guided company through recession, with stock about double over past five years despite tepid sales.

RECENT: Took on executive chairman post at company last year, yielding primary responsibility for turnaround to Nike vet and

Chief Executive Andy Mooney. Up next

for Quik is launch of AG47 performance

line. DC Shoes hopes to nab more market share with entry-level priced shoe. Focus remains on core brands Quiksilver, Roxy and DC.

PERSONAL: Undergrad in business from University of Southern California. Board member of Ocean Institute, Otis College of Art and Design trustee. Inducted into Huntington Beach Surfer’s Hall of Fame in 2005. Big on sports: surfing, snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, diving. Wife, Annette; three children.

—Kari Hamanaka

PAUL MERAGE

Chairman

MIG Capital LLC, Newport Beach

WHY: Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, among OC’s wealthiest.

HOW: Bachelor’s in economics and MBA from UC Berkeley. Long career in consumer products. Founded Chef America Inc. with brother, David, in 1975. Grew it to major manufacturer of frozen food products, including Hot Pockets. Sold company to Nestlé in 2002 for $2.6 billion. Went on to start MIG, whose affiliates include MIG Advantage, MIG Capital and MIG Real Estate. Donated $30 million in 2005 to UC Irvine’s business school, which bears his name.

RECENT: MIG Real Estate portfolio continues to grow. Last month acquired 510-unit apartment community in Tempe, Ariz., near Arizona State University. Second multifamily-property deal in Arizona, following investment in Scottsdale last year. Also acquired apartment community in Colorado in March. MIG Real Estate has other investment assets spread throughout U.S., including in California, Nevada, Texas and Florida, as well as in Canada. Portfolio has grown since 2009 to about 7 million square feet of property, totaling about $1 billion in assets.

PERSONAL: Born in Iran during WWII. Moved alone to U.S. in early 1960s. Big on philanthropy, with focus on education and immigration issues. Paul & Elisabeth Merage Family Foundation gave $1.6 million in 2012. Beneficiaries included UCI Foundation, Jewish Community Center of Orange County, UCLA Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank. Merage Institute aims to promote trade between U.S. and Israel. Merage is chair emeritus of UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business dean’s advisory board. Serves as chairman of Denver-based Suncore Products, maker of WhoKnew cookies.

―Jane Yu

JULIE MILLER-PHIPPS

Senior Vice President, Executive Director

Kaiser Permanente Orange County, Anaheim

Born in Inglewood

Age: 58

Lives in Anaheim Hills

WHY: Runs health system that serves more than 480,000 members in county, supported by 6,600 staff and 860 affiliated doctors. Kaiser operates county’s largest health maintenance organization. Hospitals in Anaheim and Irvine, medical office buildings throughout area.

HOW: Assumed current position in 2002. Previously director of hospital operations at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center-Baldwin Park. On steady rise with Kaiser since1978.

RECENT: Kaiser expanding its Orange County cancer treatment operations. Spending $25 million on a radiation oncology building on the Anaheim hospital campus to open in 2015. System boosting cancer care in an effort to maximize patient convenience and prevent them from making trips to Los Angeles or Ontario, where Kaiser has

extant cancer care centers. At alma

mater, California State University-Fullerton, helped nursing school get $300,000 grant for its on-campus nursing simulation laboratory.

PERSONAL: Past chair of Orange County Business Council. Chair of Cal State Fullerton’s Philanthropic Foundation board of directors. Immediate past chair of the Girl Scout Council of Orange County. Past recipient of Business Journal’s Women in Business honor. Holds bachelor’s degree from CSUF, master’s in healthcare administration, University of La Verne. Leadership programs at University of North Carolina, University of Southern California. Husband, Michael; daughter, Ashley, is a resident at a Cleveland Clinic hospital.

―Vita Reed

STEVE MILLIGAN

Chief Executive, President

Western Digital Corp., Irvine

Born in Illinois

Age: 50

WHY: Replaced John Coyne, who retired in January 2013, in the top post at world’s largest disk drive maker by units sold

and revenue, with $15.4 billion in annual sales.

HOW: Rejoined Western Digital Corp. as president in March 2012. Previously held president and chief executive titles at San Jose-based Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, which Western Digital acquired in 2012 for $4.8 million in largest deal to date. First joined Western Digital in 2002 as vice president of finance.

RECENT: Western Digital overtook Broadcom Corp. last year as biggest publicly traded technology company in Orange County, with market value of more than $21.7 billion. Rolled out significant TV advertising campaign for My Cloud line of consumer mobile storage devices, a first for company. Led trio of acquisitions of solid-state drive makers, strengthening position in attracting key corporate customers and entree in the growing server and storage market that came with HGST takeover. Helped develop new 6-terabyte helium hard drive, could reshape

industry. Awaiting approval from China

regulators to integrate HGST; would save $400 million in annual costs and add $354 million to bottom line. Business Journal’s 2014 Business Person of the Year in technology sector.

PERSONAL: Garnered Wall Street kudos for reshaping unprofitable, mismanaged unit of Japanese parent Hitachi Ltd. into a thriving global competitor and spinoff candidate. Bachelor’s in accounting from Ohio State University. Low public profile.

―Chris Casacchia

ANTHONY RICHARD MOISO

Chief Executive, President

Rancho Mission Viejo LLC

Born in West Los Angeles

Age: 74

Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)

WHY: Heads development and leasing arm of the Moiso, O’Neill and Avery families; real estate development, leasing, cattle, agricultural operations; OC’s No. 2 landowner after Donald Bren.

HOW: Moiso family traces ties to land to 1882. Ranch once covered 200,000 acres stretching from El Toro Creek in Lake Forest to Oceanside, including all of what’s now Camp Pendleton. Family now owns 23,000 acres in the county’s southeastern corner. Developer behind creation of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores and Ladera Ranch.

RECENT: Sendero, a 690-acre residential project near San Juan Capistrano, opened last June. First new batch of homes for company in more than five years. Some 940 homes are slated to be built in the project, and more than 500 have been sold to date, making it one of country’s top-selling new communities. First of several projects planned for Rancho Mission Viejo, which is slated to hold 14,000 homes upon build-out.

PERSONAL: Longtime supporter of Mission San Juan Capistrano. Well known for his love of horses; hosts annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, which has raised more than $1 million for local charities. Staunch Republican, shared childhood friendship in West Los Angeles with former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. Served two years in Army as infantry officer. Wife, Melinda. Four daughters, Katrina, Cristy, Anne Marie, Francesca; 13 grandchildren. Richard “Dick” O’Neill, Moiso’s uncle, family patriarch, died in 2009. Devoted family man, loyal to friends. Grooming next generation of leadership.

—Mark Mueller

ALAIN MONIE

Chief Executive

Ingram Micro Inc., Santa Ana

Born in Marrakech, Morocco

Age: 63

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Leads Orange County’s largest public company, with more than $42 billion in revenue last year. Tech bellwether biggest distributor of computer, consumer electronics products, software in world. Employs more than 21,000 in 37 countries, serves customers in 170 countries.

HOW: First joined Ingram Micro in 2003 as executive vice president. Appointed president of Asia-Pacific region a year later. Doubled region’s size after acquisition of Tech Pacific, transforming a break-even business into company’s largest growth market. Left in 2010 to head manufacturer in China; returned in 2011 as president and chief operating officer. Named chief executive in January 2012. Later that year spearheaded $840 million buy of BrightPoint Inc., largest in company history.

RECENT: Achieved record gross profits and revenue for second straight year while building higher-margin businesses in mobility, supply chain services and cloud computing. Growth segments buoyed by last year’s buys of Softcom, Shipwire and CloudBlue, which also added IT equipment disposal. Business Journal’s 2013 Business Person of the Year.

PERSONAL: Scuba diving, sports cars and good wines. Director of Amazon.com Inc. Fluent in English, French and Spanish. Has lived and worked in Europe, Mexico, Japan and Singapore. Big execution guy. Driving aggressive merger and acquisition strategy to promote rapid, more profitable growth. Demands accountability, transparency, open communication. Educated in France. Received high honors in automation engineering studies at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Metiers. MBA from Institut Supérieur des Affaires in Jouy-en-Josas. Wife, Dominique, from Bordeaux. Couple has moved 16 times, raised three sons. Three grandchildren.

—Chris Casacchia

ARTURO R. MORENO

Owner

Angels Baseball LP, Anaheim

Born in Tucson, Ariz.

Age: 67

Lives in Phoenix, Corona del Mar

WHY: In 12th season as owner of one of OC’s two big league teams, also owns KLAA 830 AM, Angels’ flagship radio station.

HOW: Bought then-Anaheim Angels in 2003 from Walt Disney Co. Paid $184 million for team, now valued at $775 million by Forbes. Big hike in revenue expected from current cable deal. Built Outdoor Systems billboard company with partner Bill Levine, a minority investor in Angels, sold to Viacom for $8.7 billion in stock in 1999. Forbes puts wealth at $1.3 billion.

RECENT: Ongoing spending spree secured phenom Mike Trout as cornerstone of franchise, with six-year, $144.5 million deal. Team off to bumpy start for third straight season. Focus continues to balance product on field with business operations and fan experience. Pressing for upgrades to city-owned Angel Stadium of Anaheim, fourth oldest in majors. Offer in stalemate to pump $150 million in improvements to Angel Stadium for rights to develop 153 acres of land surrounding park for $1 a year.

Lease opt-out extended from 2016 to 2019. Engaged Tustin officials to explore new stadium in early 2014; more recently has now said to have had talks about Great Park location.

PERSONAL: Started Angels Baseball Foundation with wife, Carole, in 2004, given more than $3.3 million to various charitable programs in Southern California. Fourth-generation Mexican-American. Oldest of 11 kids. Father ran print shop, grandfather published newspaper. Attended Catholic school. Joined Army in 1965, fought in Vietnam. Graduated University of Arizona in 1973 with marketing degree.

―Chris Casacchia

MICHAEL S. MORHAIME

Cofounder, Chief Executive

Blizzard Entertainment Inc., Irvine

Born in Panorama City

Age: 46

Lives in Newport Coast

WHY: Pioneer of multiplayer online games. Key part of 2008 agreement to combine with Santa Monica-based Activision in $18 billion deal, creating Activision Blizzard, largest and most profitable independent game publisher in world with yearly revenue of more than $4.5 billion.

HOW: Started Blizzard with fellow University of California-Los Angeles alumni Allen Adham, Frank Pearce in 1991. Borrowed $15,000 from his grandmother—has handwritten loan contract on office wall. Blizzard’s forerunner bought by Torrance educational software publisher Davidson & Associates in 1994, then sold by predecessor to New Jersey-based Cendant in 1996. Sold to Havas in France in 1998, later bought by Vivendi.

RECENT: Launched first card game, “Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft,” as well as “Diablo III: Reaper of Souls.” Latest expansion sold 2.7 million-plus copies since March release, follows success of Diablo III, fastest-selling PC game with 3.5 million sold copies in first 24 hours. Diablo III now has more than 13 million active players. Hearthstone released on iPad, company’s first tablet game; iPhone and Android versions in development. Free-to-play team brawler, “Heroes of the Storm,” in development for Windows and Mac. “StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm” 2013’s top-selling PC game in North America.

PERSONAL: Donates to Jewish Federation of OC’s Young Leadership Division, Daniel Pearl Foundation. Tennis, racquetball, table tennis, video and computer game fan. Follows professional StarCraft II eSports competition. Played in World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Placed second in 2006 celebrity poker tournament hosted by Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. San Fernando Valley native. Plays bass in Blizzard-themed rock band with other employees. Inducted into AIAS Hall of Fame in 2007. Bachelor’s in electrical engineering, UCLA.

―Chris Casacchia

JAMES T. MORRIS

Chairman, Chief Executive

Pacific Life Insurance Co., Newport Beach

Born in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Age: 54

Lives in San Juan Capistrano

WHY: Chief executive of largest OC-based private company and one of top life insurance companies nationwide.

HOW: Built entire career at Pac Life, starting in 1982 as assistant actuary after graduating from University of Cali

fornia-Los Angeles with bachelor’s in mathematics. Promoted to senior vice president in 1996 and executive vice president in 2002. Became chief insurance officer in 2005, COO in 2006 and chief executive in 2007.

RECENT: Led Pac Life through 2013 to reach “some of our strongest financial results to date.” Assets grew 5% to nearly $130 billion. Net income rose 56% to $720 million. Equity topped $8 billion, highest in company history. Divisional gains: Life insurance sales totaled $290 million, retaining No. 5 status nationwide; retirement solutions sales were up 23% to $9.9 billion; reinsurance group Pacific Life Re had profit of $100 million, up 39%.

PERSONAL: Chairman of Pacific Life Foundation. Gave $5.6 million last year to 273 nonprofits, including $250,000 as part of multiyear pledge to Council on Aging-OC and $1 million to Conservative International, as part of pledge of up to $5 million. Morris serves on board of directors of Hoag Hospital Foundation. On board of visitors of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Immediate past chairman of American Council of Life Insurers. Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Wife, Ann; two children.

―Jane Yu

MICHAEL ALBERT MUSSALLEM

Chairman, Chief Executive

Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Irvine

Born in Gary, Ind.

Age: 61

Lives in Laguna Beach

WHY: Leads largest medical device maker in OC, with $2 billion in annual sales, 2,995 employees here, more than 8,300 companywide.

HOW: Baxter International Inc. veteran was tapped to lead spinoff of Baxter’s cardiovascular business into Edwards Lifesciences Corp. Only chief executive Edwards has ever known in its 14-year history as an independent company. Briefly flirted with diversification but moved to concentrate on cardiovascular disease treatment. Company makes transcatheter heart valves, surgical heart valves, clinical care products.

Recent market value of about $8.7 billion.

RECENT: Edwards’ stock rebounded after a rough 2013 marked by looming competition for Edwards Sapien transcatheter heart valve family and conservative profit guidance. Also got boost from a court ruling granting it an injunction against competitor Medtronic Inc., which is attempting to introduce its Medtronic CoreValve in U.S. Wrote letter to clinicians saying Edwards does not want CoreValve pulled from the market.

PERSONAL: Trustee, UCI Foundation. Board member, Octane. Die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. Wife, Linda. Former Business Journal Businessperson of the Year. Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana. Honorary doctorate from Rose-Hulman. Worked summers at steel mill in hometown to help pay for college; offered full-time job upon graduation but opted for career in newer industry.

―Vita Reed


IGOR M. OLENICOFF

Owner, President

Olen Properties Corp., Newport Beach

Born in Mazandaran, Iran

Age: 71

Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)

WHY: Billionaire real estate developer. County’s second-largest office landlord after OC 50er Donald Bren. Estimated fortune $3 billion.

HOW: Started Olen in 1973. Now owns more than 7.5 million square feet of commercial real estate, about 10,000 apartments in California, Nevada, Florida, and Arizona. Along with office and industrial buildings, owns marinas, airport hangars, restaurants and a golf course. Trophy property: Forty-story One South Dearborn tower in Chicago, bought in 2006 for reported $362 million. Much of portfolio local. Has close to 2,000 tenants, 380 buildings in OC. Area holdings include low-rise offices, pair of office towers near airport, Olen Pointe office campus in Brea.

RECENT: Olen made its largest local buy in years last summer with $73.5 million cash purchase of 16-building Irvine Oaks Executive Park in Irvine Spectrum. Campus is across street from headquarters of Blizzard Entertainment Inc., and Blizzard is large tenant at Olen’s new campus. The company remains active lender to other real estate owners, with recent deals in Los Angeles and Chicago.

PERSONAL: Born in northern Iran, then under Soviet occupation, during World War II. Parents left Soviet Union for Iran after Russian Revolution due to ties with Czar Nicholas II. Went to Iranian mining town, then came to U.S. when Olenicoff was 15. Worked way through USC, where he graduated with multiple degrees. Worked for Shell, Touche Ross, Motown Records, where he was bean counter for Berry Gordy. Founding partner in real estate syndicator Gemini Pacific. VP of operations at Dunn Properties before starting Olen. Wife, Jeanne. Daughter Natalia, USC grad, is Olen vice president and playing larger role in company; she headed negotiations in purchase of Irvine Oaks. Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation, charity for eye health, blindness cure, set up in honor of late son. Also supports Russian orphans, UC Irvine, Second Harvest Food Bank, Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

—Mark Mueller

ROBERT D. OLSON

President

R.D. Olson Development

R.D. Olson Construction

Age: 57

Born in Oakland

Lives in Newport Beach (Balboa Island)

WHY: Most active hotel developer in California. Irvine-based company broke ground on eight hotel projects over past two year years, notable developments in works in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Anaheim and Irvine Spectrum.

HOW: Founded R.D. Olson Development in 1998 after nearly 20 years at helm of contractor R.D. Olson Construction, which builds hotels, offices, restaurants, apartments and other product types. Wanted to develop hotels for own portfolio, started with two in Disneyland Anaheim Resort later sold to Intercontinental Hotels. Remains 100% owner of development business.

RECENT: More than 1,100 hotel rooms in works in California and Hawaii with construction costs valued at more than $200 million. Working with Irvine-based Pacific Hospitality Group for 250-room Pacific City Hotel in Huntington Beach, going alone on eight-story Courtyard Irvine Spectrum. Selected by Newport Beach to build boutique hotel at old City Hall site. Opened two hotels in Tustin last year.

PERSONAL: Received MBA from University of Southern California—convinced school to admit him without undergrad degree. Member of Young Presidents’ Organization, served on board of directors and executive committee of Orange County chapter of American Red Cross. Company hosts annual surf camp at San Onofre. Wife, Christyne; four children.

—Mark Mueller

Ingrid Otero-Smart

President, Chief Executive

Casanova Pendrill, Costa Mesa

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico

Age: 54

Lives in Capistrano Beach

WHY: Hispanic marketing leader with 20 years experience developing Hispanic marketing programs for client roster dotted with Fortune 500 companies. Past president and current board member of Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies. Two-time member of Hispanic Business Magazine’s Most Influential Hispanics in U.S. list, received publication’s Hispanic Advertising Executive of the Year honors in 2009. Received the 2013 Hispanic Achievement Award from Aguilar Productions, publisher of Latino Midwest News, for lifetime contributions to the marketing industry.

HOW: Started career at McCann Erickson in Puerto Rico. Moved to California to work at Mendoza Dillon on brands such as Ford, Kraft, Nabisco, Johnson & Johnson, Sears and General Foods. Three-year stint at Los Angeles-based Anita Santiago, where she worked on IKEA, Wells Fargo, Nielsen, See’s Candies, Compass Bank and United Healthcare. Joined Casanova Pendrill in 2008, has worked with Nestlé USA, U.S. Army, California Lottery, Denny’s, General Mills, California Energy Upgrade, Turbo Tax and Purina.

RECENT: Added big-name brands—Miller Lite, Chevrolet, Janssen—and new assignments from Nestlé to portfolio in past 18 months. The agency opened service offices in Dallas, Detroit and St. Louis. Ranked No. 11 on Ad Age’s list of largest Hispanic agencies nationwide for 2014. Spearheaded launch of two divisions: HumanCareHSP, a joint venture with McCann HumanCare; and Casanova Unlimited.

PERSONAL: Mother of Jordan, a freshman at Cal State Fullerton. Avid movie goer, shoe lover, and social media consumer.

―Mediha DiMartino

JAMES J. PETERSON

Chairman, Chief Executive

Microsemi Corp., Aliso Viejo

Born in Port Jefferson, N.Y.

Age: 58

Lives in Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano

WHY: Tenure at OC’s second largest chipmaker began in 2000 when Microsemi’s annual revenue was $247 million. Has led 21 acquisitions, boosting annual revenue to $1 billion.

HOW: Ran Garden Grove-based LinFinity Microelectonics, unit of Symmetricom in San Jose. Microsemi bought Linfinity in 1999 for $24 million. Ran LinFinity as Microsemi division before promotion to top spot. Earlier held senior worldwide marketing and sales management positions with Silicon Systems Inc. Also held marketing management positions with Rockwell Corp. in Newport Beach and General Instruments Microelectronics in New York.

RECENT: Named chairman of board late last year, also when acquired San Jose-based Symmetricom Inc. for $230 million, solidifying industry’s largest and most complete timing product portfolio. Technology used in military, public networks, GPS, satellites.

PERSONAL: Philanthropic interests in OC include Discovery Science Center, MIND Research Institute, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of OC and Talk About Curing Autism. Staunch supporter of education; serves on UCI’s board of trustees, CEO, Executive Roundtable, Social Ecology Leadership Council, Engineering Industry Advisory Board, and Paul Merage School of Business Advisory Council. Enjoys golf, landscape gardening, driving fast cars, being grandparent. Known for annual Super Bowl bash. Known by many as “Jimmy P.” Friendly, sunny outlook. Jokes with analysts on calls. Wife, Sheila; six children, six grandchildren.

—Chris Casacchia

DEBORAH A. PROCTOR

Chief Executive, President

St. Joseph Health System, Irvine

Born in El Dorado, Ark.

Age: 62

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Leader of Orange-based hospital operator, with three facilities among the county’s top 10 hospitals. Worked in connection with fellow OC 50er Richard Afable to join Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian to create Covenant Health Network.

HOW: Succeeded Richard Statuto as St. Joseph system head in 2004. Previous career includes executive positions at St. Louis-based Ascension Health, Dallas-based Voluntary Hospitals of America. Registered nurse by training. St. Joseph has three hospitals in Orange County: St. Joseph-Orange, St. Jude in Fullerton, and Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, which has satellite in Laguna Beach. Has 14 hospitals in California, Texas, New Mexico, annual revenue of some $4.4 billion, outpatient services, skilled nursing, community outreach. Health system dates to the 1920s, when the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Orange County from earlier base in Eureka.

RECENT: Moving St. Joseph Health in a more “system” direction through new projects and initiatives, such as the Innovation Institute. Innovation Institute is separate company from St. Joseph Health, which launched it last year with $40 million investment and intends to develop products and services generated from inventions and ideas of doctors and health system employees.

PERSONAL: Bachelor’s degree from University of California-Los Angeles. Master’s degree, California State University-Los Angeles. Teaching experience at University of California-Irvine, University of Phoenix. Past winner, Top 25 Women in Health Care. Board chairperson, Catholic Health Association of the United States. Adventure traveler. Widowed, four children, three grandchildren.

―Vita Reed

DAVID E.I. PYOTT

Chairman, Chief Executive

Allergan Inc., Irvine

Born in London

Age: 60

Lives in San Juan Capistrano

WHY: Runs county’s dominant drug maker, most valuable public company, with recent market cap of roughly $50 billion; fixture in county’s corporate scene.

HOW: Became chief executive of Allergan Inc. in 1998 after spending more than 17 years with Sandoz, later Novartis. Allergan now has some $6 billion in annual sales of eye drugs, pacesetter wrinkle remover Botox, other products.

RECENT: Allergan now busy fending off unsolicited $45.7 billion bid from Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., which has OC roots. Reportedly contacted Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi SA in France to see if they would be interested in Allergan buy. Promoted longtime Allergan executive Douglas Ingram to president last summer. Sold lagging Lap-Band obesity intervention business for $75 million in October. Close to deal to buy pair of office properties across the street from Dupont Drive corporate headquarters.

PERSONAL: Director, Edwards Lifesciences, Avery Dennison Corp. Vice chairman, Chapman University board of trustees, on other boards related to medical devices and ophthalmology. Military history buff. Worldly executive with dry sense of humor and refined Scottish brogue. Raised in India, later Scotland. Fluent in four languages. Holds Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth. Diplomas in international, European law from Europa Institute at the University of Amsterdam. Master’s from University of Edinburgh, business master’s from London Business School. Wife, Julianna; four children.

―Vita Reed

MIGUEL GONZALEZ REYNOSO

Co-President

Northgate González LLC

Born in Jalisco, Mexico

Age: 64

Lives in La Mirada

WHY: Growing retail chain ended last year with $700 million in sales.

HOW: Co-president with brother Oscar González Reynoso. Late father, Miguel González Sr., founded company with wife, Teresa Reynoso. He moved to U.S. after shoe shop in Jalisco, Mexico, burned down. Older sons, rest of family followed and settled in La Mirada. González Reynoso and father planned on buying apartment building, instead went for discounted retail space on Anaheim Boulevard in Anaheim. First store opened in 1980, selling Latino products and check-cashing services. Second store in La Habra, opened in 1986. Pico Rivera followed in 1989. Incorporated in 1986. Company entered San Diego market in 2008 with El Tigre Markets buy. First loan recipient of FreshWorks Fund for Inglewood store in 2012. Chain now has nearly 40 stores in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

RECENT: On buying spree. Bought two grocery stores from K.V. Mart Co. in Long Beach in December. Formed Cardenas Northgate Group Ranch partnership with Ontario-based Cardenas Markets in February. Group bought 11-store Pro’s Ranch Markets, based in Phoenix, for reported $55 million. Opened Northgate González Market in South Los Angeles in April.

PERSONAL: Wife, Alicia. Couple has six children, 13 grandchildren.

—Kari Hamanaka

HENRY SAMUELI

Cofounder, Chief Technical Officer

Broadcom Corp., Irvine

Born in Buffalo, N.Y.

Age: 58

Lives in Corona del Mar

WHY: Revered as engineering visionary at Broadcom, one of county’s best-known companies. Owns the Anaheim Ducks and company that runs Honda Center. Had big hand in moving Broadcom headquarters to campus in University Research Park alongside UCI, recruits engineers from school.

HOW: Former UCLA professor. Worked at PairGain, TRW in 1980s. Started Broadcom in 1991 with Henry “Nick” Nicholas, who left in 2003. Each threw in $5,000. Started recruiting best engineering students from UCLA.

RECENT: Accelerated LTE roadmap with turnkey chipset, targeting growing smartphone market under $300. Strengthened 5G Wi-Fi offerings with chip that triples speed, reduces power consumption, extends range. Entered burgeoning wearable electronics segment with new chip line for embedded devices—body sensors, glasses, jewelry, cameras, locks, apparel. Pondering headquarters move.

PERSONAL: Gave $30 million to UCLA, $20 million to UCI, both named engineering schools after him. Also beneficiaries: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OC High School of the Arts, PBS SoCal, Discovery Science Center, Tarbut V’Torah day school, Ocean Institute, Jewish Federation of OC, Shoah Foundation, University Synagogue. Parents, Aaron, Sala, were Holocaust survivors from Poland who met after war, came to America in 1950s and later moved to Southern California. Family ran liquor store on Whittier Boulevard where Samueli worked as teen. Understated, modest. Lifelong hockey, basketball fan. Skis, hikes. Bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate in electrical engineering from UCLA. Jointly runs Corona del Mar-based Samueli Foundation with wife, Susan. Couple has three children.

—Chris Casacchia


HENRY T. SEGERSTROM

Managing Partner

C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, Costa Mesa

Born in Orange County

Age: 91

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Developer of Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza and much of the city’s business district, namesake of county’s arts center.

HOW: Long the public face of family developer, owner of shopping center, office buildings, land in and around Costa Mesa. One of modern OC’s founding fathers. Best known for ritzy South Coast Plaza, first U.S. shopping center to hit $1 billion in yearly sales. Said to have highest sales per square foot of any California retail center. Family part of group that owns, runs Costa Mesa office high-rises, including César Pelli-designed Plaza Tower, considered among county’s premier buildings. Family business dates to 1898. Grandfather C.J. Segerstrom was Swedish immigrant farmer. Family was leading lima bean grower by 1950s.

RECENT: High-end hotels, new location for Orange County Museum of Art proposed for Segerstrom-owned land in city’s arts center, no timetable announced for any development. New leasing team added for high-rise towers in improving office market. Majority of Henry Segerstrom’s time now focused on arts, philanthropy.

PERSONAL: Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa renamed Segerstrom Center for the Arts in 2011. Includes 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall, 250-seat Founders Hall, 2,000-seat Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall that opened in 2006. Has given more than $60 million, land to arts center over years. Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence in 2010 for support of arts. Enlisted in Army, rose from private to field artillery captain in World War II, received Purple Heart in fight to liberate France. Married to third wife, Elizabeth. Daughter, Andrea, sons Anton, Toren, from first wife. Anton, son-in-law David Grant involved in business. Runs company with Sandra “Sandy” Segerstrom Daniels, his second cousin. She, her two sisters, brother are estimated to own half of company.

—Mark Mueller

RONALD M. SIMON

Founder, Chairman

RSI Holding LLC, Newport Beach

Born in Los Angeles

Age: 79

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Head of RSI group of companies, including homebuilder and leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinets.

HOW: Graduated from Los Angeles City College with degree in engineering. Worked at Layne and Bowler Pump Co. as junior engineer for five years before joining father’s medicine cabinet business, Perma-Bilt Industries. Grew it to nation’s largest maker of bathroom medicine cabinets and sold it in 1987. Founded RSI in 1989. Started homebuilding division in 2008. Has built hundreds of homes throughout Orange and Riverside counties.

RECENT: Increasing opportunities on homebuilding front. Changed name to RSI Homes from The New House by RSI Development. Appointed Peter Boutros as division president and COO. Simon has plans to expand RSI Homes throughout Southern California, including into San Fernando Valley. Set to build more than 700 homes in Texas. On cabinets: Simon last year combined RSI Home Products with sister company Professional Cabinet Solutions. Move has allowed for cross-collaboration, sharing management talent and manufacturing resources.

PERSONAL: Simon and wife, Sandi, are active philanthropists. Simon Foundation for Education and Housing runs Simon Scholars Program, which gives scholarships to economically disadvantaged high school students. Program has provided $23 million to more than 700 students over past 10 years. Recently expanded reach into Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Simon also serves on board of Pacific Symphony Orchestra. Trustee of Chapman University. Received Horatio Alger Award in 2005.

―Jane Yu

SCOTT D. STOWELL

Chief Executive, President

Standard Pacific Corp., Irvine

Born in South Gate

Age: 56

Lives in San Juan Capistrano

WHY: Head of largest homebuilder based in Orange County.

HOW: Took over top spot at start of 2012. Steady rise over 25 years at Standard Pacific, whose stock is now worth about $3.2 billion. Replaced former OC50er Ken Campbell, turnaround specialist. Campbell, Stowell helped bring company back from brink of bankruptcy, with latter tapped for homebuilding expertise during restructuring.

RECENT: Standard Pacific financial results improving in choppy national recovery. Last year was fourth most profitable in nearly 50-year history of company, despite being sixth worst year on record for new home sales. $1.9 billion in sales, up nearly 60%. Home orders up 22%. Gross margin of 24.5%, up from 19.7% in 2012. Company says holding line on incentives and that could spend about $2 billion on land, development deals this year. Local projects under way in Rancho Mission Viejo, Amerige Heights in Fullerton and new homes planned at Tustin Legacy development.

PERSONAL: Involved in Pretend City, children’s museum in Irvine Spectrum near builder’s HQ. Also involved in Building Industry Association, Building for America’s Bravest, HomeAid and Brigham Young University Management Society. Named to board of parent company of Pacific Life Insurance Co. in March. Worked on creating master-planned communities, negotiating land sales to homebuilders for Irvine Company. Began at Standard Pacific as project manager for OC. Promoted to OC division president, then put in charge of all of Southern California. Named COO in 2007, president in 2011. Graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University. MBA from UC Irvine. Wife, Adrienne, three children.

—Mark Mueller

DAVID SUN

Chief Operating Officer, Vice President

Kingston Technology Co., Fountain Valley

Born in Taichung, Taiwan

Age: 63

Lives in Irvine

WHY: Co-leader of top memory products maker for computers and consumer electronics. Runs county’s biggest minority-owned company and third-largest private company. 2013 revenue topped $5.4 billion, up $400 million as sales of key memory component rebounded. Kingston employs about 750 local workers, 4,150 worldwide. Plants in Fountain Valley, Taiwan, mainland China.

HOW: Sun started Camintonn in garage with partner John Tu (see related entry) in early 1980s. Became division VPs when former computer maker AST Research bought Camintonn. Left to start Kingston Technology Co. in 1987 after losing millions in stock market crash.

RECENT: 2013 revenue gain fueled by higher prices for third-party DRAM, Kingston’s specialty and primary source of revenue, as supply shortages defined industry following a glut of supply in 2012. Hopes to build on growing gaming business with debut of audio headset at International Consumer Electronics Show.

PERSONAL: Famous for handing out $100 million to workers after selling 80% of Kingston to Softbank in 1990s. Sun, Tu bought back Kingston in 1999 for fraction of what Softbank paid. Came from Taiwan in 1977, was chief engineer at Alpha Micro Systems in Costa Mesa, 1978 to 1982. Lively, unconventional operations man. Kingston culture not big on titles, productivity stats. No reserved parking, corner offices, glitzy conference rooms. Avid golfer. Electrical engineering degree from Tatung Institute of Technology in Taiwan. Married, two children, both work at Kingston.

―Chris Casacchia

JOHN TU

Chief Executive

Kingston Technology Co., Fountain Valley

Born in Chongqing, China

Age: 72

Lives in Rolling Hills

WHY: Leads the top memory products maker for computers and consumer electronics, county’s biggest minority-owned company and third-largest private company. 2013 revenue topped $5.4 billion, up $400 million as sales of key memory component rebounded. Kingston employs about 750 local workers, 4,150 worldwide. Plants in Fountain Valley, Taiwan, China.

HOW: Started Camintonn in garage with partner David Sun (see related entry) in early 1980s. Became division VPs when former computer maker AST Research bought Camintonn. Left to start Kingston in 1987 after losing millions in stock market crash.

RECENT: 2013 revenue gain fueled by higher prices for third-party DRAM, Kingston’s specialty and primary source of revenue, as supply shortages defined industry following a glut of supply in 2012. Hopes to build on growing gaming business with debut of audio headset at Internatonal Consumer Electronics Show.

PERSONAL: UC Irvine cancer diagnostic center named for him, friend Tom Yuen, an AST Research cofounder and president of SRS Labs in Santa Ana. Family fled China for Taiwan in 1949. Sent to Germany as kid to live with uncle who owned Chinese restaurant. Says he “doesn’t like to study.” Expelled from several high schools. Came to U.S. in 1972. Funny, soft-spoken public face of company. Loves Elvis. Heads the JT and California Dreamin’ Band. Tu plays drums. Collects cars. Investor in Yuen’s stem cell startup PrimeGen Biotech. Electrical engineering degree from Technische Hochschule Darmstadt in Germany. Married, two children.

―Chris Casacchia

PETER UEBERROTH

Chairman, Managing Director

Contrarian Group Inc., Newport Beach

Born in Evanston, Ill.

Age: 76

Lives in Laguna Beach

WHY: Runs investment firm focused on hospitality, travel industries. Former commissioner Major League Baseball and chairman of U.S. Olympic Committee.

HOW: Went to San Jose State University on athletic scholarship, played water polo. Graduated with business degree. Moved to Hawaii and worked in travel sector. Started First Travel Corp. in 1962. Built it to second largest travel company in North America before selling in 1980. Served as organizer of 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, managing first privately financed games, which ended with $238 million surplus. Served as MLB commissioner, 1984 to 1989. Orchestrated 1999 acquisition of resort operator Pebble Beach Co.

RECENT: Contrarian invested in Davis-based bio-pesticide company Marrone Bio Innovations, helped take it public. Also invested in cloud computing company Sauce Labs in San Francisco. Chairman of jet-leasing company Aircastle Ltd. Brought in trading company Marubeni as largest shareholder of Aircastle. Contrarian is second largest shareholder of Century Golf Partners in Texas, which has 77 courses and clubs nationwide.

PERSONAL: Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1984. Received Olympics Order in gold, highest award from International Olympic Committee. Received John Wooden Global Leadership Award from Anderson School of Management at UCLA. Chairman of U.S. Olympic Committee, 2004 to 2008. Founded Ueberroth Family Foundation with wife, Virginia, in 1984. Author of bestseller “Made in America.”

—Jane Yu

WILLIAM W. WANG

Founder, Chief Executive

Vizio Inc., Irvine

Born in Taipei, Taiwan

Age: 50

Lives in Newport Beach

WHY: Flat-TV titan battles Samsung for top U.S. market share, leader in 60-inch-and-larger segment. Ranks among county’s top private companies, with 2013 sales estimated at $3.1 billion. Expanded into soundbars, tablets, streaming players, ultrabooks, all-in-one-desktops. Moved company into national spotlight with big endorsement deals, sports sponsorships.

HOW: Started Vizio in 2002. Company designs, markets TVs and other electronics here. Sets made in China, Taiwan, Mexico by Taiwan-based AmTran Technology, a Vizio investor, and others. Forged close partnerships with retailers, suppliers and original design manufacturers. Used similar model for prior companies—monitor sellers Mag InnoVision, Princeton Digital—in 1990s. Both took off early, ended poorly. Started Mag InnoVision at 26 with $350,000 from family, friends, Asian investor. Taiwan-based Mag Technology, which made the monitors, bought business in 1998.

RECENT: Expanding lineup with two new 4K Ultra TVs that won 2014 Best of CES Award. Expanded No. 1 ranked sound bar line with a sound stand to complement 20-inch to 80-inch sets.  

PERSONAL: Board of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, gives to Chapman University, USC’s Viterbi School and Asian Pacific Alumni, and Pacific Club Ronnie Lott Impact Trophy Foundation, among others. Member of Committee of 100, group of distinguished Chinese-Americans. Likes golf, other sports, reading, movies and, of course, TVs. Born in Taiwan. Moved to Hawaii at age 12, California at 14. Big on design, innovation, user-friendliness. Egalitarian. Among 96 survivors from 2000 Singapore Airlines crash that killed roughly half of passengers. Bachelor’s in electrical engineering from University of Southern California. Wife, Sakura; daughter.

―Chris Casacchia

DANIEL H. YOUNG

President, Irvine Community Development Co.,

Newport Beach

Irvine Company, Newport Beach

Born in Orange

Age: 62

Lives in Irvine

WHY: Key Irvine Company executive after chairman and OC 50er Don Bren.

HOW: Irvine Co. veteran became head

of community development in 2007.

Responsible for all residential develop-

ment on Irvine Ranch. Guides com-

munity masterplanning and development process. Oversees Irvine Pacific LP, in-house building division, as well as company’s nearly 50,000-unit apartment portfolio.

RECENT: Irvine Pacific OC’s most active homebuilder for several years running, closed on nearly 1,200 home sales last year. Irvine Ranch has been California’s best-selling masterplanned community for four years in a row, was second-best selling community in country last year. Builders paying top dollar for Irvine Co. land again at projects like Cypress Village, Stonegate, Laguna Altura. Newest community, high-end development called Orchard Hills, slated to open May 31.

PERSONAL: Graduate of Santa Ana High School. Eight years as Santa Ana’s mayor, 11 years on City Council. City’s soccer field named for him. Joined Irvine Co. in 1999. On board of Taller San Jose in Santa Ana, which provides education, job skills for at-risk young adults. Bachelor’s from California State University-Fullerton, completed coursework toward master’s in public administration from USC. Wife, Leslee; three children.

—Mark Mueller

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