GEORGE LEON ARGYROS
Chairman, CEO, Arnel & Affiliates;
Limited Partner, Westar Capital LLC
Born in Detroit, Feb. 4, 1937
Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor Island)
Picked up where he left off.
Starting second year back in OC after serving as ambassador to Spain from 2001 to late 2004. Back at helm of Arnel, his real estate development, management company. But says he’s staying out of way of executives who ran things while he was gone.
Resumed directorship at First American, where he’s an investor. Prior to ambassadorship, spent 13 years on title insurer’s board.
Politics, charitable endeavors back on.
In January, co-hosted Newport Beach meeting with governor’s Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy, local donors. Director of U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C., business group that recently ran ads in support of Arnold Schwarzenegger with money from moderate GOP group New Majority, where Argyros is a member.
Helping wounded Iraq soldiers with $5 million pledge to Military Veterans Scholarship Program.
Longtime force in local real estate. Recent comments have been bearish. At October conference, called market overheated.
Founded Arnel in 1968. Costa Mesa-based company owns, manages 5,200 apartments in OC, more than 2 million square feet of commercial space. Local holdings include Metro Pointe near South Coast Plaza.
Last year, struck deal to buy former Super K site in La Habra, first deal since Argyros’ return. Company plans to turn the site into a 220,000-square-foot shopping center.
Formed venture capital firm Westar Capital in 1987. Holdings include pet products maker Doskocil Manufacturing, cooler maker Igloo Products.
Investments proved successful last year. Owns 12.5% stake in DST Systems, a Kansas City, Mo.-based maker of financial software. Shares up 20% in 2005, boosting value of Argyros’ stake to $540 million.
Has estimated worth of $1.4 billion. About half comes from stocks.
Worked way through school at Mayfair grocery market in Orange. Became assistant manager. Sent to manage Palm Springs store, becoming grocer’s youngest manager.
Says he left grocery business “to make some money.”
In 1962, started selling land next to oil companies for service stations. He’d bid on state land as freeways were built in OC. Went on to buy land for restaurants, stores.
Realized it wasn’t how much money you made, “but how much you kept.” Starting building, owning real estate.
Made initial fortune. In 1981, paid $12 million for Seattle Mariners. Had never been to Seattle before.
Lost $30 million on team in next five years before turning operation around.
Bought AirCal with OC 50er William Lyon for $62 million in 1981. “I thought baseball was nuts. Then I bought an airline,” he says.
Ownership marked by recession, high oil prices, interest rates, air traffic controller strike. Says he happily sold to American Airlines five years later for $225 million. Played reluctant seller in negotiations. Lyon played eager one.
Before becoming ambassador, headed up California fund raising for 2000 Bush campaign, helping to raise $30 million. Was prominent figure in push for El Toro airport in early 1990s.
Major contributor to Chapman University, where business school, student center, Argyros Forum bear his name. Also given to Performing Arts Center. Supported college scholarships to Horatio Alger Association of Young Scholars (designated for Southern Californians).
1993 winner of Horatio Alger Award; association’s treasurer, chairman emeritus. Recent recipient of Norman Vincent Peale Award.
Second-generation Greek-American. First job was mowing lawns. Besides grocery store, early career stops included paperboy, oil sales, food distribution. Earned licenses in securities, insurance, real estate.
Neighbor of Irvine Co.’s Donald Bren on Harbor Island.
Alumnus of Michigan State, Chapman. Majored in Business and Economics. Served more than 26 years as chairman of Chapman’s board. Still a trustee.
Member, Bethesda, Md.-based Chief Executives Organization. Former chairman, Richard Nixon Library; founding chairman of Nixon Center in Washington, D.C.; former chairman, current board member, OC Council Boy Scouts of America. Currently on board of Caltech, chairman, Beckman Foundation.
Wife Judie, went by Julia in Spain. Also known as “Mrs. Ambassadorable.” Has three children, six grandchildren. Enjoys sailing, snow skiing, running, golf, fishing, hunting.
,Mark Mueller
DONALD LEROY BREN
Owner, Chairman
The Irvine Company
Born in Los Angeles, May 11, 1932
Undisputedly OC’s most powerful name.
Driving force behind Irvine Co., largest real estate owner in county. Recent buys have made him a big San Diego landlord.
OC’s richest man at Business Journal estimated $7.5 billion.
Shaped county’s development more than anyone. Has owned, directed company for more than two decades. Estimated empire spans more than 30 million square feet of offices, shopping centers.
Owns more than 400 office buildings, 35 shopping centers, 80 apartment complexes. Rent from offices, apartments, shopping centers at estimated $1.5 billion yearly. Land sales, development push annual revenue to estimated $2 billion.
Moves watched closely for clues about real estate markets. Recent deals show big faith in offices, especially upscale towers.
Early this year, spent close to $1 billion on OC, San Diego trophy towers.
In OC, acquired Newport Gateway, Irvine Towers, where rents already nudging up. In San Diego, bought four of downtown’s premier buildings, including signature tower One America Plaza.
Paid top-dollar for properties, close to $385 per square foot for Newport Gateway, near-record for county. Paid record-shattering $500 per square foot in San Diego.
San Diego moves part of ongoing expansion beyond OC. In 2003, 2004, bought four San Diego towers for about $550 million. In 2000, paid $350 million for Century City’s Fox Plaza, Westside trophy.
Not just buying. Building company’s first office towers in more than 15 years. In April, started construction on 20-40 Pacifica, twin 15-story towers next to Irvine Spectrum Center.
Also readying fifth office building at recently acquired Irvine Towers project, a 10-story, 231,178-square-foot tower.
Recently completed three-year, $240 million renovation of shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, apartments.
Opened first phase of The Village at Irvine Spectrum Center, apartment complex next to shopping center. Seeking to put people next to jobs, shopping in Spectrum.
Hasn’t jumped into high-rise condo craze. Spokesman says “it’s not what we do. We build communities.”
In fall, won approval for developments in Anaheim, east Orange, which faces Sierra Club lawsuit.
Assumed management of company’s The Island Hotel Newport Beach, formerly the Four Seasons.
Started construction of resort next to Tom Fazio-designed golf courses at Pelican Hill. Redesign based on classic Italian architecture. Closed OC’s best, most expensive public golf course during redesign.
Construction continues for 700,000 square feet of buildings at University Research Park for Broadcom. Deal could turn park into research hub it was meant to be.
Woodbury, first masterplanned community in Northern Sphere project, one of Bren’s final big housing developments, off to strong start, earning national award for finest masterplanned community.
In next decade, Northern Sphere should add some 12,000 homes, apartments to Irvine.
Said to be happy with Lennar’s buy of El Toro, which sits amid Irvine Co. developments, land. Lennar known entity, worked on Irvine Ranch for years.
Cited again by BusinessWeek as one of the country’s most generous philanthropists.
In 2004, gave $20 million to UCI for what now is Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.
Given $40 million in all to UCI, mostly for academic chairs. Funded UCI’s Bren Events Center, campus theater named after his stepmother, Claire Trevor Bren, actress who died in 2000. School of Environmental Sciences and Management at UC Santa Barbara bears his name.
Company, Donald Bren Foundation spending $200 million over time to support teachers, principals, schools. Gave $20 million for arts and sciences in Irvine schools in April.
Has donated $50 million to enhance land reserve, created nonprofit Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust to manage open space, improve public access.
Contributed 21,000 acres to Nature Reserve of Orange County.
Avid outdoorsman. Now thinking about conservation legacy. In 2001 moved to set aside extra 11,000 acres as open space. Move cut nearly 8,000 homes from east Orange housing development, some 7,000 from Anaheim project.
More than half of 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch set aside for parks, open space.
Coined phrase “open space is freedom” while riding along Back Bay bike trail.
Twenty years of development left on Irvine Ranch. Evolved company into real estate manager.
Private, some insist shy. Stays out of spotlight. Comes to Newport Center office nearly every day, involved in all details, down to project colors, design. Inspired by coastal Mediterranean hillside towns.
In 1958, founded homebuilder Bren Co., now California Pacific Homes. Later started Mission Viejo Co. with O’Neill-Moiso family, others. Sold stake to partners, who later sold to Philip Morris in 1970s.
Part of 1977 group acquiring control of Irvine Co. Bought out most partners for $518 million in 1983. In 1991 paid $256 million court award to heiresses Joan Irvine Smith, mother Athelie Clarke for their shares. Became 100% owner in 1996.
Oversees team of younger hand-picked lieutenants. Lost head of office operations Bill Halford in January, no replacement named yet.
Sun Valley ski buddy of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Political, personal ally of President Bush, both father, son.
A Caltech trustee. A UC, UCI Medal winner. Former Marine at Camp Pendleton, gave $1 million for two chairs at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va. In 1998 received Semper Fidelis Award for support of Marine Corps University Foundation. Did officer training at Quantico in 1957.
Business administration, economics degree from University of Washington.
Mother Marion Jorgensen was married to movie producer Milton Bren, later steel magnate Earle M. Jorgensen, who died in 1999.
No talk of stepping back. Says Jorgensen, Arnold Beckman are idols. Both worked into 100s.
Married to entertainment lawyer Brigitte Bren, runs international business consultancy. Son born in 2003. Has other children. Last year, family moved to new Harbor Island mansion built on double lot.
Two sons active in local real estate here, head their own companies. Neither holds positions at Irvine Co.
Splits time between Los Angeles, Harbor Island. Accomplished skier. Also windsurfs, sails, plays tennis.
JONATHAN MOSHEIM JAFFE
Chief Operating Officer
Lennar Corp.
Born in New York, Sept. 21, 1959
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
EMILE KHALIL HADDAD
Chief Investment Officer,
President, California Region
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, June 14, 1958
Lives in Mission Viejo
Operations duo behind Miami-based homebuilder, developer.
Jaffe No. 2 exec at Lennar, after CEO. Promoted to COO from Western region president two years ago. Haddad heads massive California operation with 30 homebuilding, land divisions, more than 50,000 lots. Promoted to companywide chief investment officer.
Duo runs day-to-day operations for entire company. Miami HQ handles Wall Street.
Locally, remaking large swaths of Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin. Biggest drivers of higher-density, urban living in OC. Still see themselves as community developers. High-rises near rail links afford families more time at home, Haddad says.
Haddad responsible for finding real estate, managing assets. Over-sees all urban developments. Sees more European-style merging of residential, transit projects.
Works with Jaffe at Lennar’s regional headquarters in Aliso Viejo.
Deals have propelled Lennar alongside Irvine Co., Rancho Mission Viejo, as one of largest, most influential developers. Deals in past 18 months bringing 10,000 homes to county.
Jaffe, Haddad Business Journal’s Businesspersons of the Year for 2005.
Last year, pulled off biggest real estate deal here since Donald Bren bought Irvine Co.: $1 billion buy of former El Toro Marine base.
El Toro zoned for about 3,600 homes. Lennar expects first homes to finish in 2008. Site also includes more than 1,300 acres of public land for Great Park.
Has spent close to $250 million buying industrial buildings near Angel Stadium, as city created special zoning to allow housing with shops, offices. They plan 13 condo high-rises at A-Town development, including one as tall as 38 stories. Would be tallest condo tower in county.
Plan about 3,000 homes in Anaheim in all, plus commercial space. Demolition at A-Town began early this year. Groundbreaking set for this month.
Another $55 million section of Anaheim industrial properties closed this year. A-Town 2 is expected to hold more than 1,000 homes, along with about 50,000 square feet of shops, restaurants.
Bought controlling stake in former Parker Hannifin site in Irvine for about $100 million to develop 1,400 condos, as well as shops, offices at 43-acre site. Central Park West plans include two high-rises. Some homes are due early next year. Towers set for 2007, 2008.
Last February, Lennar got approval to build about 2,000 homes at former Tustin Marine base. Developing two neighborhoods along with William Lyon Homes. First homes under way.
Jaffe led homebuilder’s charge into California in 1995. Had to buy way into OC’s tight-knit homebuilding club, where big landowners, homegrown builders dominate. Good ties with county’s major landowners.
Oversaw combination of Lennar’s homebuilding operations and Los Angeles-based Pacific Greystone. Followed that with U.S. Home deal.
Jaffe oversees 100 homebuilding, land divisions in Arizona, California, Carolinas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia.
Became executive officer with parent Lennar in 1994, vice president in 1999. On national advisory board of HomeAid America.
Sees OC housing market remaining strong due to supply-demand imbalance. But rising interest rates, prices could deter entry buyers.
Undergraduate degree from University of Florida, graduate studies in architecture at Georgia Tech University. Joined Lennar right out of college.
Wife Karen, three sons. Hobbies include tennis, enjoying beach life, coaching kids’ little league teams. Lived in OC for past decade.
Haddad, like boss, has low-key style. Both prefer deflecting praise to other company members. Proud of Lennar’s unique, entrepreneurial management style, which even includes company song, poem.
Haddad led land development in Southern California for Canada’s Bramalea when Lennar bought it in 1996. Became part of executive staff here,common Lennar strategy.
Has civil engineering degree from American University of Beirut, has several California licenses in engineering, contracting. Member, Urban Land Institute.
Says his story is “story of America.” Left troubled Lebanon with now-wife Dina. Couple had engagement party in Lebanon, married in Vegas. Daughter, 15, son, 9. Not big on hobbies, family man.
On board of Home Aid of Orange County, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate.
,Mark Mueller
WILLIAM LYON
Chairman, CEO
William Lyon Homes Inc.
Born in Los Angeles, March 9, 1923
Lives in Coto de Caza
Persistent. For second time in a year, looking to buy what he doesn’t already own of namesake homebuilder, take private.
In March, offered $93 per share for 25% he doesn’t control. Upped offer to $100 in April. Board OK’d higher offer.
A year ago, board with different members rejected offer of $82 a share. Investors, betting Lyon would up ante, pushed shares to around $150. Analysts called episode “fiasco.”
Looking to go private to cut costs of being public. Privatizing also could speed succession plans. Son, William H. Lyon, 32, taking on more responsibility with eye to succeeding father someday, sources say.
Seeing fallout of slowing housing. First-quarter orders down 26%, off 33% in California.
Developing portion of Tustin Marine base with OC 50ers Jon Jaffe, Emil Haddad of Lennar.
In homebuilding for five decades. Started Luxury Homes with brother Leon in Fullerton in 1954. Sold company to American Standard in 1968. Started William Lyon Co. in Newport in 1972.
In 1987, acquired Newport’s Presley Development, ran separately from William Lyon Co. Downturn of early 1990s reduced empire to rubble. Doggedly worked through disaster without resorting to bankruptcy.
Started William Lyon Homes in 1993. In 1999, combined William Lyon, Presley creating William Lyon Homes, just in time for housing boom.
OC’s second-largest builder last year, with 647 homes sold in 2005, up 90% from a year earlier. Building in California, Arizona, Nevada. Has 12 projects in OC.
Owns majority stake in William Lyon Property Management, separate from William Lyon Homes. Company owns, manages about 10,000 apartments, primarily in OC.
In 2003, became chairman of Commercial Bank of California in Costa Mesa. Is major investor, involvement helped bank set record $27 million in startup funds.
Retired Air Force major general, served as chief of Air Force Reserve, 1975 to 1979. Seventeen combat decorations. Pilot during World War II, Korea.
Buddy, fellow OC 50er George Argyros jokes he finally outranked three-star general with ambassador stint in Spain.
Aviation buff: In 1981, he, Argyros paid $62 million to buy AirCal, turned around troubled regional airline. Sold five years later for $225 million.
In late 1980s, formed Air/Lyon with former AirCal exec, provided ground services for commercial airlines, private aircraft. Owned Martin Aviation.
Also an avid car collector: has 95 classic and antique cars, including 10 Duesenbergs (only 480 made). Has collection of old warplanes.
Politically connected. Member of moderate Republican group New Majority. Among top givers to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In January, hosted with Argyros meeting with Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy, donors in Newport Beach.
Attended Dallas Aviation School and Air College, USC. Received honorary doctorate from USC in 2002.
Last year received Chairman’s Distin-guished Public Service Award in Pentagon ceremony for support of Operation Smile, which provides free reconstructive surgery around the world, including in Iraq, Afghanistan.
Also supports Boy Scouts, Performing Arts Center, Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
Last year won an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award. He won for the real estate, hospitality, construction group.
In 2003, received lifetime achievement award from Forum for Corporate Directors.
Known for droll, deadpan sense of humor.
Lives with wife Willa Dean in mansion on 130-acre Coto estate. Five children. Pilots Gulfstream 4 business jet.
HADI MAKARECHIAN
Chairman, CEO, President
Capital Pacific Holdings Inc.
Born in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 30, 1948
Lives in Newport Beach (Big Canyon)
Readying to take on Irvine Co.-size development in Colorado: plans 75,000 homes, 75 million square feet of office, shopping, industrial space in next half-century on 23,000 acres in Colorado Springs.
Makar Properties, Capital Pacific offshoot run by son Paul Makarechian, owns land, managing project. Capital Pacific building homes.
First phase of project approved in February. Some hiccups with neighbors, water utility. Development fee payment of $500,000 in January helped push things along.
Hired former Colorado Springs economic development official as public face of Banning-Lewis Ranch project.
Capital Pacific known for building coastal McMansions. Yearly sales of $670 million. Now privately held. Delisted from American Stock Exchange in 2003, went private to avoid Sarbanes-Oxley compliance costs.
Homebuilding arm, Capital Pacific Homes, builds in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas. Building more affordable offerings in Inland Empire, higher end in Santa Barbara.
Building luxury homes along coastal OC, including Pointe Monarch at St. Regis in Dana Point.
Continues to let Paul take most of limelight. Son, 32, was Capital Pacific senior VP, now CEO, owner of Makar Properties, developer of St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, built in 2001.
Paul looking to build condos, shops, hotel on prime 31-acre site on PCH in Huntington Beach.
In March, Makar bought 238-room Wyndham Orange County Hotel in Costa Mesa. Early plans to renovate with high-rise condos on top of hotel rooms.
Sold chunk of land early this year in San Diego to Hines Interests for office tower development. Still owns 17 acres of land at La Jolla Commons.
Paul is chairman of Generation Next, party-minded young Republicans, youthful counterweight to dad’s New Majority. Used St. Regis resort to host fund-raisers for governor.
Hadi is engineer by training, did rough designs himself for Rancho Palos Verdes homes. Hands-on with company’s pricey homes, commercial projects. Often arrives on site unannounced, directs changes during construction. Has hired helicopter to fly over coast looking for land to build on.
Has lawsuit for $35 million pending after Coastal Commission blocked building of oceanfront Dos Pueblos Golf Links in Santa Barbara County. Issue seen as test for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Big governor supporter, contributor. Also big supporter of solar energy.
Grew up in Iran. Family ran largest construction, development company that built U.S. military bases, other big projects. Came here in 1960s to study civil engineering at State University of New York, Buffalo.
Earned degree, got married, returned to Iran to family business.
Fled to Florida with wife after Islamic revolution. Company nationalized.
Started over from scratch. Couple settled near her relatives. Took construction job. Saved money, began building condos in Florida.
When recession hit Florida in early 1980s, moved to Washington, D.C. Built high-rises along subway line near a regional mall in Maryland. Developed more than 1,000 units. Sold business when others started doing same thing.
Moved to California in 1990 at age 41. Enjoyed several months of early retirement at Big Canyon. In 1991, started Capital Pacific. Bought J.M. Peters in 1992 for $47 million. In 1994 combined Capital Pacific with J.M. Peters to form Capital Pacific Holdings.
Other son, Cyrus, 28, is technology VP with Makar. Wife Barbara. Couple lives in Big Canyon, second home in Montecito.
,Mark Mueller
MICHAEL DALE McKEE
Vice Chairman, COO
Born in Clinton, Ill., Jan. 2, 1946
CLARENCE W. BARKER
President,
Investment Properties Group
The Irvine Company
Born in Tulsa, OkIa., May 27, 1948
Lives in Corona del Mar
JOSEPH DAVID DAVIS
President
Irvine Community Development Co.,
Born in Los Angeles, March 18, 1950
Lives in Rancho Santa Fe
Key players for company that’s as much about management as development these days.
Trio oversees Irvine Co.’s core operations: land planning, development, real estate management, corporate finance, strategy.
McKee is No. 2 to Chairman Donald Bren, standalone OC 50er. Started legal career in 1970s with Latham & Watkins. Worked on some of earliest real estate investment trusts. Provided legal council to Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, headed by OC 50er Peter Ueberroth.
Worked closely with Bren on number of Irvine Co. projects, including Irvine Apartment Communities public offering in 1993. In 1994, was brought in as company’s chief legal officer, Bren’s personal attorney.
Instrumental in deals allowing Bren to buy out minority shareholders, become 100% owner of company, as well as Bren’s 2002 buyback of apartment unit.
Became chief financial officer in 1996. As vice chairman, he, Bren form two-person operations management committee overseeing all aspects of the company.
Not a developer by training, though his real estate background is key to company that’s more financially complex, focused on investment, asset management.
Said to be like Bren: gentlemanly, private.
Board member, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Health Care Property Investors, Donald Bren Foundation. UCLA law degree. Wife, Cindy. Two children, two grandchildren.
Avid golfer. Works out regularly, does yoga.
Barker oversees group that manages estimated 30 million square feet of office, retail space, some 27,600 apartments in 80 communities owned or being built by the company. Empire grown with recent office tower buys in Irvine, Newport, San Diego.
In short term, taking on more day-to-day operations with recent loss of office department president Bill Halford. Replacement yet to be named.
Previously headed office, retail, apartment units. He’s run everything except hotels, golf courses.
Bren’s point man for investment property expansion. “He has one of the toughest, most complex jobs in the company,” colleague says.
Overseeing big return to office development. Three office towers in Irvine totaling 860,000 square feet in early stages of development.
Building 700,000-square-foot HQ for Broadcom at University Research Park, first building opening next year. Another 400,000 square feet of office space being built in Discovery Business Center near Spectrum.
Weathered tough few years in office market at start of decade. Enjoying comeback. Irvine Spectrum, Newport Center nearly full.
Raising rents in marquee spots, including newly acquired properties such as Newport Gateway.
Joined in 1988 as VP, development. Prior to Irvine Co., served as development VP for Williams Realty of Tulsa, Okla., which owned high-rise office buildings, hotels, malls.
Company liaison to UCI. Former member, Urban Land Institute.
Holds a bachelor’s in business, accounting from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.
Wife Eve, three children, one grandson.
Davis directs development of homes on company land,most lucrative side of business in past few years. Gains from 2005 lot sales for homes said to help finance acquisitions in office sector.
Development at Woodbury, first phase of Irvine’s Northern Sphere,one of company’s final big housing projects,continues. Named best masterplanned community in America by National Association of Home Builders. Home sales remain strong, with no unsold homes available in any village.
Lot sales for custom homes at tony Shady Canyon nearing completion. Sales of Crystal Cove custom home sites remains strong.
Eyeing start of long-planned developments east of Orange, east Anaheim.
Newport Coast, Pacific Ridge, Quail Hill also hot spots in supercharged housing market.
Joined Irvine Co. in 1993. Became president of company’s Irvine Community Builders in 1996. Following year promoted to executive VP of newly formed Irvine Community Development Co. Later that year named president.
Worked for Chevron, Watt Land Development, Amfac Properties before joining Irvine Co. Created exclusive Fairbanks Ranch community.
Holds general building contractor, real estate broker licenses. Has bachelor’s, master’s in business administration from USC.
Received the 2002 “Spirit of Life” award from City of Hope. Wife Terri, four children, one grandchild.
ANTHONY RICHARD MOISO
CEO, President
Rancho Mission Viejo LLC
Born in West Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 1939
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Heads development, leasing arm of Moiso, O’Neill, Avery families, longtime ranching clan here. Family owns 22,815 acres in county’s southeastern corner. OC’s No. 2 landowner after Donald Bren.
Big vision for land. Plans call for 14,000 homes, 5 million square feet of commercial development, along county’s southern foothills, largest vacant swath of land left in county.
Last year, settled lawsuit by environmentalists seeking to block development. Pact kept number of homes unchanged, but cut acres to be developed, upped open space.
Compromise means 75% of land now set to be open space, protected habit, from 66% originally approved by county. Development still several years away.
Family set to continue farming, ranching there. They have 500 acres of citrus, barley, other crops. Sprawling ranch owned by family since 1882.
Moiso closing out Ladera Ranch, 4,000-acre masterplanned community near Mission Viejo.
Grooming next generation of leadership, including daughters Katrina, Cristy, Anne Marie, Francesca, as well as other family members.
Says he, uncle Richard O’Neill, 83, talking about future. Family members could run operation or bring in managers overseen by family board.
Along with land, owns shopping centers, apartments, senior complexes, medical, other commercial buildings.
A staunch Republican, shared childhood friendship in West Los Angeles with former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. Two later attended Stanford, joined the same fraternity. Uncle is Democratic bigwig.
Earned history, political science degrees from Stanford. Served two years in Army as infantry officer. Started Mission Viejo Co. with Bren. Revived Santa Margarita Co. in 1973.
In California Building Industry Foundation’s Hall of Fame. President, Mission Preservation Foundation working to maintain Mission San Juan Capistrano. Benefactor, Heart of Jesus Retreat Center, Santa Ana, co-chair with wife Melinda of annual fund-raiser for center in which prominent local men model clothes.
Four daughters, three granddaughters, two grandsons.
Well known for his love of horses. Hosts annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, benefiting charities. Also bikes, hikes, skis, golfs.
,Mark Mueller
IGOR MICHAEL OLENICOFF
Owner, CEO, Olen Properties Corp.
Born near Moscow, Russia,
Sept. 19, 1942
Real estate developer, owner saw another strong year, and family tragedy, in 2005.
Son, heir apparent Andrei killed in auto accident in October. Had been VP, treasurer, extremely well liked in real estate circles. Daughter Natalia now taking more high-profile role in company.
Expanding residential, commercial holdings here, elsewhere. Counts close to 5.3 million square feet of office space, 11,000 apartments.
Plans to develop up to 2,000 apartments near John Wayne Airport. Project could include two eight-story towers. Believes market for apartments is strengthening.
Last year, finished developing 135,000-square-foot office building in Brea. The five-story building is a $20 million-plus final phase of Olen Pointe Brea.
Recently refinanced Olen Pointe Brea for more than $130 million. Deal brings cash for expansion via acquisitions, development.
Paid about $135 million in early 2005 for pair of 13-story office towers on Main Street in Irvine. First big local high-rise office acquisition for company. Wants to own other local towers.
Lost out on bid to buy Newport Gateway this year. Was narrowly outbid by fellow OC 50er Don Bren’s Irvine Co. for twin Newport Beach trophy offices.
Owns 1,400 acres of land in Temecula, Las Vegas, Florida, Arizona. Developing 400 condos, three shopping centers in South Florida. Two office projects in South Florida finished recently.
Big mixed-use development in the works in Florida, near Cape Canaveral. Decided to build another 1,000 homes at site, alongside semi-private, company-owned golf course.
Selling part of Las Vegas holdings to a venture of Harrah’s, Steve Wynn. Faced threat of eminent domain for coveted site. Sale price close to $170 million. Proceeds to be used for acquisition plans.
Earlier this year, bought 18 acres in Phoenix area. Plans 450 hotel rooms, 560 homes, 400,000 square feet of office space.
Owns about 5 million square feet of office, industrial space in OC. Counts close to 2,000 tenants, 380 buildings locally. Also owns vacant land set to house another 1.3 million square feet.
Along with Olen Pointe Brea, other prime holdings include Irvine’s Spectrum Technology Center, Spectrum Pointe in Lake Forest. Four years ago, finished 100,000-square-foot Orchard Technology Park in Lake Forest. Also in 2002, acquired One Venture, Two Venture buildings, both in Irvine Spectrum.
In 2004 cashed out of a big project in Colorado. Was investor partner with fellow OC 50er Hadi Makarechian, son Paul Makarechian to develop masterplanned community on 24,000 acres in Colorado Springs. Makarechians pressing ahead with project.
Sold stake in the project for $90 million, according to newspaper accounts and a source familiar with deal.
Has headquarters in one of more distinctive OC buildings: huge, museum-like structure on Corporate Plaza near Fashion Island. Shrewd businessman, knows how to get around obstacles to get his projects done.
Parents fled Soviet Union due to family ties with Czar Nicholas II. Family went to Iran, came to U.S. in 1957. Attended missionary school where he became fluent in English, Russian, Farsi.
Worked his way through USC where he graduated with four degrees,bachelor’s in finance and engineering, MBA, master’s in statistics, quantitative analysis.
Worked for Shell, Touche Ross, Motown Records. Founding partner in real estate syndicator Gemini Pacific. VP of operations at Dunn Properties before starting Olen in 1973.
Wife Jeanne. Daughter Natalia a USC grad, company’s director of asset management. Joined in 2004.
Enjoys snow and water skiing, off-road motorcycle riding.
STEPHEN JEFFREY SCARBOROUGH
Standard Pacific Corp.
Born in Los Angeles, Oct. 27, 1948
Lives in Irvine (Turtle Rock)
Built more than 11,400 homes in 2005 in record year for company. Got $16 million bonus for effort.
Rode housing boom, seen expansion into other states pay off. Profits last year up 40% to $441 million.
Revenue up 20% to $4 billion.
Broke into Fortune 500 this year at No. 493, up from No. 519 on Fortune 1000 last year.
Now battling investor fatigue. Shares down more than 30% since summer. Stock falling on rising mortgage rates, industry slowing, especially in Southern California. No. 3 homebuilder in OC last year with 488 homes.
In February, says company saw lower demand in some markets, compared to unsustainable pace of past few years.
Company, analysts still expect another year of sales, profit gains in 2006. Counts nearly 6,300 pre-sold homes in backlog, valued at $2.3 billion.
Says company could scale back developments or slow land buying if the market turns dramatically.
Has transformed company from regional builder with operations in California to national player. Now builds homes in 31 major markets.
Recently visited all 24 company divisions, met with leaders, employees to share philosophy, answer questions.
In January, company was only one from OC to make Fortune’s list of “America’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.” Workers given breaks on houses. Company picks up most of healthcare. Rewarded with “Scarbucks” coupons for items at company store.
Big in California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, more recently, Las Vegas.
Vegas getting a big push. Part of a group that bought 2,675 acres for homes in November.
Got in relatively late in Sin City, which some fear is overheated. Others say limited land should spur more growth.
Continues expanding via acquisitions, new divisions. In 2005, bought Bakersfield operations of Probuilt Homes, scooping up 1,000 area lots. Opened division in San Antonio, Texas, a year ago.
Expanded Standard Pacific into new states through acquisitions, including buys in 2002 of three builders in Florida, Carolinas.
In 2003, bought another Florida builder, Coppenbarger Homes.
In the 1990s, when Scarborough was president, company formed venture with Catellus Residential Group, Starwood Capital Group to develop San Clemente’s Talega. Move assured lots at one of OC’s largest projects. Also building at South County’s Ladera Ranch, Irvine.
Been with company for nearly 25 years, in homebuilding industry entire career. Started with company in 1981 as president of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside counties. In 1996 elected president. Appointed CEO in 2000, chairman in 2001.
Graduated from USC in 1970, bachelor’s in business. Attended UCLA but transferred to USC, got business master’s there in 1971. While doing MBA, exposed to OC real estate and Irvine Co.
Inducted into California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2000. Past chairman of board of Boy Scouts of America’s OC Council, on board of City of Hope Construction Industries Alliance, on National Advisory Board for HomeAid America, which constructs temporary housing for poor families.
Wife Trish. Two daughters, son. Family lives in Standard Pacific-built home in Turtle Rock.
,Mark Mueller
HENRY THOMAS SEGERSTROM
Managing Partner
C.J. Segerstrom & Sons
Born in Orange County, April 5, 1923
Lives in Newport Beach
South Coast visionary. Turned family farmland into hub of shopping, business, arts.
South Coast Plaza, first U.S. shopping center to hit $1 billion in yearly sales, could grow to $1.5 billion this year, Segerstrom says.
Lap of luxury: shopping center’s top stores by sales per square foot are jewelers. Top selling Tiffany, Chanel stores are at South Coast. Recently awarded trademark to “ultimate shopping resort.”
Early on, lured Nordstrom to open first Southern California store at South Coast. Today, Costa Mesa store is chain’s top performer.
September set to see debut of $200 million Ren & #233;e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, part of Performing Arts Center expansion. Along with 2,000-seat concert hall, includes 500-seat Samueli Theater, an education center, outdoor plaza.
Segerstrom, deceased wife Ren & #233;e gave $40 million to begin fund raising for the hall. Money raising since then has lagged expectations. Serves as founding chairman of Performing Arts Center.
Facility is “establishing a level of performance that you would have to go to New York or London to even come close to what we have here,” Segerstrom says.
Public face of family business, which also owns office buildings, develops communities. Says he’s “thrilled that we’re able to have these marvelous buildings that will last hundreds of years.”
Family owns Costa Mesa office high-rises, including Plaza Tower, Center Tower, Park Tower.
Now planning high-rise condos near South Coast Plaza. Two towers, with 275 condo, hotel units, could be built on Bristol. Early stage planning, construction most likely in 2007. One of six developers planning condo towers in Costa Mesa.
Honored last year by Orange County Tourism Council for lifetime contributions to tourism.
Sprawling Home Ranch project calls for 200 homes, 1 million square feet of office, industrial space on some 93 acres of farmland. Already lured Ikea, Emulex to Home Ranch.
In 2001, Segerstroms won 15-year battle with opponents, Costa Mesa’s stringent zoning rules to get Home Ranch approved.
Armstrong Ranch project in Santa Ana includes high school bearing Segerstrom name, cathedral for Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Shea Homes built 156 homes there.
Grandfather C.J. was Swedish immigrant farmer. By 1950s family was leading lima bean grower. Henry influential in changing family’s focus from farming to development.
Cousin-in-law Jeanette Segerstrom, former co-managing partner, died in 2001.
Enlisted, rose from Army private to field artillery captain. Received Purple Heart in World War II.
Business bachelor’s, master’s from Stanford. Honorary doctorates of law from Western State, Whittier Law School.
In 2003, received inaugural lifetime achievement award from OC Business Council, which named award after the family.
Married to Elizabeth, third wife, naturalized U.S. citizen. Says he enjoys spending time with her. Likes shopping. Has membership No. 1 at Center Club.
Daughter Andrea, sons Anton, Toren from first wife. Anton, son-in-law David Grant involved in business.
HONORABLE MENTION
ROBERT “BOB” A. ALTER
CEO, president, founder
Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc.
Natale “Nat” Bosa
President
Bosa Development Corp.
BERT E. DEZZUTTI
Senior vice president
Equity Office Properties Trust
William “Bill” Halford
CEO, president, Bixby Land Co.
MICHAEL K. HAYDE
CEO
Western National Group
FRANK JAO
Chairman, CEO, founder
Bridgecreek Group Inc.
DONALD MILTON KOLL
Principal, The Koll Company
MELINDA MASSON
CEO, president, founder
The Merit Cos.
JOHN B. PARKER, RUSSELL J.
PARKER, LEE REDMOND
Chairman; vice chairman; CEO
Parker Properties LP
TUSHAR PATEL
Chairman, Tarsadia Hotels Inc.
JANA LYNN TURNER
President, asset services
CB Richard Ellis Group Inc.
H. LAWRENCE WEBB
CEO, WL Homes LLC (John Laing Homes Inc.)
