SCOTT DEAN BORAS
Owner, president
Scott Boras Corp.
Born in Sacramento,
Nov. 2, 1952
Lives in Newport Coast
Baseball’s super agent, considered one of most powerful in U.S. sports.
Offseason headlines included New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez remaining with team after flirting with free agency. Negotiated details for $275 million, 10-year contract after Rodriguez met privately with owners. Boras’ original $252 million deal with A-Rod set record at the time.
Represented Colorado Rockies’ Matt Holliday in re-signing for $23 million, two-year deal. Landed Boston Red Sox outfielder Jake Ellsbury as client. Won arbitration for New York Met Oliver Perez worth almost $2 million.
In 20-plus years, has negotiated more than $3 billion in contracts.
Represents 85 major leaguers. Current roster includes Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran, Manny Ramirez, Magglio Ordonez, former Angels pitcher Jarrod Washburn. Angels clients include pitchers Chris Bootcheck, Jared Weaver, minor leaguers Nick Adenhart, Terry Evans.
For Los Angeles Dodgers, represents pitcher Derek Lowe, minor leaguers Tony Abreu, Chin-Hui Tsao.
His Newport Beach company also runs Impact Marketing, Impact Consulting, Boras Sports Fitness Institute. About 40 people in local office work on player data; has 20 scouts, operations in Japan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Mexico.
Company has donated baseball fields, field improvements, equipment to area schools, money for baseball programs to UC Irvine, University of Pacific. Through family charitable trust, he, wife Jeanette working on efforts to attract more top-level people to teaching.
Grew up on 800-acre farm in Elk Grove near Sacramento. Earned baseball scholarship to University of Pacific in Stockton. Signed with St. Louis Cardinals organization. Played in minors for Cardinals 1974 to 1977, Chicago Cubs 1977 to 1978. Left after knee surgeries to complete law degree at McGeorge School of Law at University of Pacific.
Practiced medical litigation at Chicago law firm until old friend from Elk Grove asked him if he’d represent former teammate Bill Caudill in 1984. That first contract,with Toronto Blue Jays,was worth $7.5 million.
Married, daughter, 19, two sons, 18, 15. Sons play high school baseball. Wife active in charitable causes for Catholic church, Sage Hill High School. He, wife are arts patrons, support other OC charities, community programs.
Says Angels’ bid for upcoming 2010 All-Star game would boost national attention, visitors if chosen. Angels last hosted game in 1989.
,Sandi Cain
KIM PATRICK BURDICK
President
Bank of America Orange County
Southwestern premier banking
and investments division executive
Bank of America Corp.
Born in Montebello, Feb. 25, 1957
Lives in Tustin
Top local banker for BofA, pushing for more investment business with everyday rich.
Runs Charlotte, N.C.-based bank’s premier banking, investments for Southwest region, Southern California to Texas. Some 1,500 employees. One of BofA’s four regional divisions for customers with $100,000 to $5 million to invest.
Oversees 150,000 clients, $75 billion in assets. Manages 650-member team.
Wealth management operation expanded in 2006 when BofA bought US Trust from Charles Schwab for $3.3 billion.
Few years ago, set up Newport Beach hub for private banking arm that serves Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire. Number of local workers has more than doubled in past four years, set to continue growing.
Hires, trains, rather than recruits money managers with clients.
Works on local retail banking with Lloyd Parker, consumer executive for branches. Last year focused on adding customers. This year looking to extend relationships beyond checking, savings accounts to investments.
Bank considers OC among top 10 markets. Plans to open four local branches, add workers this year.
OC deposits down 1% to $13 billion for 12 months ended June 30. Number of branches, workers flat at about 5,000. Looking to lure business customers from rivals, faces challenge from Wachovia, Wells Fargo.
Opened bank’s West Coast credit card service center in Brea after 2005 buy of MBNA.
BofA’s reduced mortgage business, quit making home loans through brokers. Other areas absorbed mortgage jobs.
Going after county’s Hispanics. In 2006, opened branch on Santa Ana’s Fourth Street, city’s Hispanic center.
Joined as management trainee at 23. Took over OC market for second time in 2003.
Named consumer region executive in 1987 for Los Angeles County, later OC. In 1995, headed up grocery store branch rollout. In 1998, took over premier banking. Two years later, promoted to consumer planning, integration executive. Moved to bank’s North Carolina headquarters for a time.
Close ties to BofA small business, consumer banking chief Liam McGee.
Big on philanthropy. Brings senior OC executives together to award nearly $1.5 million annually to local up-and-coming nonprofits. Neighborhood Excellence, Think Together, Mind Research Institute among them. Expects every executive to have community participation.
Challenger Classic, partnership between Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, BofA helps disabled children, brings them to Angel Stadium of Anaheim to play baseball.
Named after father’s beloved high school teacher, Kimball. He got shortened version.
Graduated from UCLA, majored in history. Earned graduate certificate in banking from Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Was drum major for UCLA band,only drum major to serve all four years.
On boards of Performing Artscenter, Chapman University, Mind Research Institute.
Personal interests include marathons, competitive rowing (a state champion), cycling. Inspired son Adam to row, now rowing for Orange Coast College.
Likes eating at Gulfstream in Newport Beach for ambiance: Two sculls donated from rowing club at UC Irvine hang overhead.
Enjoys spending time with family. Wife of 27 years Dawn. Son Adam 23, daughter Danielle, 19, sophomore at Loyola Marymount.
,Dan Beighley
GREG N. CREED
President, Taco Bell Corp.
Born in Brisbane, Australia,
July 16, 1957
Lives in Coto de Caza
Consumer products veteran looking to jump-start sales at nation’s largest Mexican fast food chain.
Taco Bell slumping since 2006, when East Coast food scares dampened already slowing same-store sales.
Looking to smoothie-type beverages, breakfast, global expansion for growth.
Not above old-fashioned marketing: Web site features Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Daniella Sarahyba. Company calls it one of most successful Web efforts.
Appointed el presidente in 2006. Served as chief operating officer for parent Yum Brands before. First came to Taco Bell in 2001 after serving as chief marketing officer for Yum predecessor Tricon Restaurants. Spearheaded Taco Bell’s “Think Outside the Bun” campaign, developed Taco Bell in native Australia.
Helped company get past 2006 E. coli outbreak, which sickened more than 70 people on East Coast. Chain first blamed onions, then lettuce. Settled a string of lawsuits. Still in arbitration with Oxnard-based Boskovich Farms, which sued in 2007.
Closed New York KFC/Taco Bell last February when rat video hit Web.
Rebuilt brand through marketing, radio, TV commercials. Now boasts “farm to fork” on Web site, video clips on Taco Bell’s food safety.
Health shift: launch-ed fresco style menu. Cheese replaced with salsa to cut fat.
Taco Bell sales more than $6 billion annually at more than 5,900 restaurants. Company restaurants do about $2 billion, rest from franchises. Locations in U.S., Australia, China, Mexico, Canada, Britain, Germany, South Korea, other countries.
Before Taco Bell, worked for PepsiCo, which spun off Tricon as Yum. Spent 17 years with Unilever. Headed brands such as Dove, All, Wisk, Surf from offices in Australia, London, New York.
Bachelor’s from Queensland University of Technology. Wife, Carolyn. Children, Tim, Lauren. Hobbies include golf, flying.
,Jessica Lee
SCOTT NELSON FLANDERS
Chief executive, president
Freedom Communications Inc.
Born in Indiana, Dec. 26, 1956
Lives in Shady Canyon
Heads county’s dominant media company.
Steering Freedom into new phase after 2004 sale to private equity firms Blackstone Group, Providence Equity Partners. Deal, worth $2 billion, ended feuding among descendants of founding Hoiles family who sold about 45% of shares. Firms capped at a 49.9% voting stake. Investors expected to cash out by 2009.
Looking to refinance company, restore full family ownership. Saw $500 million deal scuttled late last year amid credit crunch. Now targeting 2009 for buyout of Black-stone, Providence.
Has history with Blackstone: oversaw firm’s sale of Columbia House to Bertelsmann in 2005.
Has driven big changes at flagship Orange County Reg-ister, other publications. Longtime Reg-ister publisher Chris Anderson, who shared this spot with Flanders a year ago, replaced late last year by Terry Horne, former head of Phoenix area’s East Valley Tribune.
Scaled back ambitious OC Post, shorter, livelier second daily paper. Post, launched in 2006, now part of Irvine World News, distributed three times a week. Seen as model for Freedom’s community papers.
Cost savings were part of change as Freedom deals with higher print costs this year.
Folded Register business section into main part of paper. Separate business section still runs on Sundays. Stock charts moved online.
Freedom owns 33 dailies, 88 weekly newspapers, magazines, other publications, eight television stations, various Web sites. Company has $900 million in yearly revenue, Register about a third.
Wants to transform old media company for digital age. Seen “tremendous growth” in online ad revenue, he says, albeit from small starting point.
Gains still not making up for fast-dropping print ad sales.
Freedom director since 2003.
Before running Columbia House, was president of Macmillan Publishing, now part of Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck.
Cofounded Telstreet.com in 1998, Indianapolis Web site for wireless products, services. Chairman until company bought by Aliso Viejo-based Buy.com in 2000.
Elected to Newspaper Association of America’s board in 2006.
Has economics degree from University of Colorado, law degree from University of Indiana. CPA.
Loves sports, including Indiana basketball, football, running, golf. Likes reading nonfiction books. Also into politics, domestic, international policy. Misses late meals in Manhattan after working until 11 p.m.
Married, three daughters.
,Michael Lyster
EDDIE ARTHUR GRIER JR.
President, Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Co.
Born in Atlanta, Feb. 15, 1955
Lives in Tustin
In second full year as president of Disneyland Resort, county’s largest employer.
Joined in mid-2006 after former OC 50er Matt Ouimet’s departure for Starwood Hotels.
Grier oversees operation, management, growth of two theme parks, three hotels, Downtown Disney shopping center, planning for 75-acre third park. Reports to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks, Resorts.
Came to Anaheim from Japan, where Grier was executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan for two years.
Last year was in local political tussle over adding homes to Anaheim Resort District, 2.2-square-mile part of city set aside in 1994 for tourism. Led effort to place issue on ballot. Referendum rendered moot when Irvine developer SunCal lost option on parcel.
In March, Anaheim council voted to adopt rule that future housing proposals within district go before voters. Disney subsequently settled lawsuit against city over housing.
Oversaw debut of Finding Nemo Submarine Adventure ride at Disneyland last year. New Playhouse Disney program, Pixar Parade debuted at Disney’s California Adventure in March. Readying to launch Toy Story Mania at California Adventure this summer, first of $1 billion, multiyear makeover of struggling second park. Grier calls Toy Story “a 4-D ride-through attraction.”
Expansion of Disney’s Grand Californian hotel, including 50 vacation club timeshare units, under way. First vacation club effort on West Coast for company. Says Disney in negotiations to potentially manage two hotels being built by Prospera at Anaheim GardenWalk, shopping, entertainment complex across from Disneyland.
Promoted fellow operations guy Michael O’Grattan to senior VP of operations to help with expansion.
Grier hands-on, no-nonsense guy. Likes to get in trenches with workers, promotes high level of employee interaction with guests. Big on park appearance.
Born, raised in Atlanta, earned bachelor’s in business from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. CPA, worked for Ernst & Young prior to joining Disney in 1981 as senior auditor at Walt Disney World Florida. Held other executive positions in Florida, at Disneyland Resort Paris in France.
From 1992 to 2004, was general manager of Walt Disney World’s Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios before taking on Tokyo project.
Wife of 27 years, Valerie. Three sons.
,Sandi Cain
WILLIAM HUNT GROSS
Founder, managing director,
co-chief investment officer
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in Middletown, Ohio,
April 13, 1944
Lives in Laguna Beach
WILLIAM SAMUEL THOMPSON
Managing director, co-chief executive
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in St. Louis, Aug. 7, 1945
Lives in Shady Canyon
MOHAMED ALY EL-ERIAN
Managing director, co-chief executive,
co-chief investment officer
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in New York, 1959
Lives in Newport Coast
Three bosses of big bond fund manager.
El-Erian returned in December to share duties with Gross, Thompson as part of succession plan. Gross, Thompson haven’t indicated timetable for retirement.
El-Erian was Pimco managing director, senior portfolio manager until 2005. Left to run Harvard’s $35 billion endowment fund for two years.
Came back in part to be closer to family. Son of Egyptian diplomat, also has French heritage. Described as well mannered, good sense of humor.
In 1999, joined Pimco as managing director, senior member of portfolio management, investment strategy group. Earned reputation as savvy emerging-market in-vestor.
Calls concern about foreign government investment funds buying stakes in U.S. companies overblown, though sovereign funds should become more transparent.
Spent 15 years at International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., before moving to private sector where he served as managing director at Salomon Smith Barney/Citi-group in London.
Served on Emerging Markets Traders Association, IMF’s Committee of Eminent Persons.
Board member, International Center for Research on Women, Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Member of U.S. Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, IMF’s Capital Markets Consultative Group. Chairs Microsoft’s investment advisory committee.
Earned bachelor’s in economics from Cambridge, doctorate, master’s in economics from Oxford.
Married to wife Jamie, lawyer. Daughter Samia.
Gross, bond guru, oversees nearly $750 billion in investments for institutions, individuals. His $125 billion Total Return Fund, Pimco’s largest, earned 10.7% in past year, besting 94% of peers.
Said to be highest paid executive in OC.
Thompson, runs business side. Global minded, has pushed expansion in Europe, Asia, Middle East.
Pimco started in 1971 as subsidiary of Pacific Life Insurance. Became Pimco Advisors in 1994 after split from Pacific Life, which sold remaining $288 million stake earlier this year. Pacific Life held as much as $2.1 billion in 2002.
Thompson, Gross sold majority stake eight years ago to Allianz to create global powerhouse with more than $1.5 trillion under management, half managed by Pimco.
Gross widely quoted on interest rates, economic issues. Predicted credit crisis, interest rate cuts. Broadcasts market commentaries from Pimco’s TV studio in Newport.
Pens widely read column on company Web site. Commentaries also podcasted, some in Japanese.
Sees nearly yearlong Treasury bond rally fading. Moving money from T-bills, corporate debt into municipal, government agency bonds. Eyeing healthy mortgage bonds.
Slave to routine. Checks data from home before sunrise, eats breakfast, heads to office. Digests morning’s economic news. Tries to keep information flow to minimum. Limits calls, e-mails. No Blackberry, cell phone. Breaks for gym, yoga, meditation.
Honed blackjack skills as a professional player in Las Vegas. Learned how to play after car crash put him in hospital during college. Served in Vietnam as patrol boat operator for Navy.
Humble, almost shy. Jogger, stamp collector. Selling off Scandinavian portion of collection for $1 million for charity. Sold British collection last year for $9.1 million for charity.
Bachelor’s from Duke, business master’s from UCLA.
Philanthropic: with wife Sue, gave $23.5 million to Duke to endow scholarships, support faculty. Gave $20 million to Hoag for hospital’s Women’s Pavilion bearing their names. Funded James Hines Foundation, which contributes $100,000 annually to OC Teachers of the Year. Donated $1.5 million to Sage Hills private school for minority scholarships. Donated $10 million for Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UC Irvine in 2006.
Two grown sons, daughter.
Thompson oversees 1,000 people in U.S.,600 in Newport Center,as well as at eight global offices.
Chairs Pimco’s compensation, executive, partners committees. Sits on management board, executive committee of Allianz Global Investors, as well as international executive committee of Allianz.
Disciplined, straight shooter, responsible for expanding business worldwide. Targeting growth in deregulating Asian, European pension markets.
Quarter of clients outside U.S., sees that growing to half.
Visits each office annually. Serves hot dogs to workers every year on his birthday.
Prior to joining Pimco in 1993 as chief executive, spent 18 years with Salomon Brothers including two in Tokyo as chairman, Salomon Brothers Asia.
On Pacific Life board. Involved with Hoag Hospital Foundation, now chairman emeritus.
Regularly contributes to Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Orangewood Children’s Home. Instrumental in setting up $30 million Pimco Foundation, funded by managing directors, gave away more than $1 million in grants in 2007 to 68 charities, community groups.
Married to Nancy for 38 years. Couple into yoga, physical training, local charities. Gave $1 million to high school where they met. In 2005, gave $8.5 million to University of Missouri-Columbia for autism treatment, research center.
Graduated from University of Missouri in 1968 with civil engineering degree. Business master’s from Harvard.
Three children: William III, 35, works for Citigroup; Emily, 32, Bucknell University, Chapman U alum, works with autistic children; Brad, 29, attended University of Oregon, lives in Los Angeles.
Raised in Midwest. Owns home in Lake Tahoe, cabin near Lake of Ozarks in Missouri where he, wife go bass fishing. Likes reading, golf (15 handicap). Loves vintage American cars.
,Dan Beighley
PARKER STEVEN KENNEDY
Chairman, chief executive
First American Corp.
Born in Orange, Feb. 18, 1948
Lives in Orange Park Acres
FRANK VINCENT McMAHON
Vice chairman, chief financial officer
First American Corp.
Age 48
Lives in Manhattan Beach
DENNIS J. GILMORE
Chief operating officer
First American Corp.
Age 49
Lives in Coto de Caza
Kennedy heads county’s No. 2 public company by revenue. McMahon, Gilmore on deck to lead company, spinoff later this year.
Big shake-up announced in January. Company plans to separate main business providing title insurance for homes, other real estate from growing data division. Both companies set to stay in Santa Ana.
Plan in works for more than a year. Deal done to boost value of what First American calls its “information solutions” business.
Title insurance business to spin off as First American Financial. Gilmore to become its chief executive once deal is done, likely in third quarter. Should have market value of more than $2 billion.
Remaining businesses, including property, mortgage information services, First Amer-ican’s 75% stake in St. Petersburg, Fla.-based First Advantage set to stay with existing holding company, which will be renamed.
McMahon will be holding company chief executive. Company should have market value of about $1 billion.
Kennedy to remain as executive chairman of both companies, step back from day-to-day operations. Move clears up succession for business that has been family-run since its founding in 1889.
For now, Kennedy in charge, running big title insurer that writes policies to protect buyers of homes, other real estate from contested claims. Fortune 500 company.
McMahon now chief financial officer. Responsible for financial reporting division, capital markets activities, investor relations.
Gilmore chief operating officer, newly created position. Heads up technology initiatives, manages offshore operations.
First American feeling effects of housing market slump, mortgage crash. Sales down 4% to $8.2 billion in 2007. Company’s core title operations saw 9% revenue drop.
Posted net loss of $3.1 million last year, compared to profits of $288 million year earlier. Cutting costs, including job, salary, bonus cuts. Sending some operations offshore.
Shares off some 30% in past year. Recent market value of about $3 billion.
Kennedy represents fourth generation to run business founded in 1889 by great-grandfather C.E. Parker. Went public in 1964, family led since then. Succeeded dad Donald Kennedy as chairman in 2003.
Recently changed board makeup at behest of big shareholder.
Before joining First American in 1977, Kennedy spent four years with Beverly Hills law firm Levinson & Lieberman. Became First American vice president in 1979, executive vice president in 1983. Became president in 1993 (company didn’t use chief executive title back then). Gave up president’s title in late 2004.
Bachelor’s in economics from University of Southern California; law degree from Hastings College of The Law, San Francisco.
Wife of 28 years, Sherry. Two grown children. Enjoys running (including Los Angeles Marathon), fly-fishing, golf.
Gilmore started career in lending. In 1988 joined TRTS Data Services, acquired by First American in 1991. Named vice president, area manager. Moved up ranks, became first president of First American Real Estate Solutions in 1998.
His office is in different building from other executives, in one of newer additions to company’s Santa Ana campus. His building houses more techies than real estate types.
Bachelor’s in business from San Diego State University. Business master’s from Loyola Marymount University.
Wall Street veteran McMahon newest addition to First American’s exec team, joining two years ago, after early 2006 death of former financial chief Thomas Klemens.
Previously served as managing director with Lehman Brothers, managed company’s West Coast financial institutional practices for six years. Managed similar group for Merrill Lynch. Go-to guy for finance, acquisition issues.
Holds business master’s from Fuqua School of Business at Duke. Bachelor’s in economics from Villanova University.
,Mark Mueller
THOMAS VINCENT McKERNAN
Chief executive
Automobile Club of Southern California
Born in Alexandria, La., June 20, 1944
Lives in Arcadia, Newport Beach
Auto Club lifer, oversees AAA clubs in 15 states. Stars in club’s public service commercials.
Club known to everyday folks for towing service. Auto Club is big insurer, travel services company. Yearly revenue of $3.8 billion. Run as not-for-profit mutual benefit corporation on behalf of members.
Started as service representative in 1966 at Pasadena office. Finished college courses at night. Worked in data processing for 14 years.
Named chief financial officer in 1985, when club was heading toward financial disaster. Made executive vice president in 1990, then president, chief executive in 1991. Joined board in 1996.
Brought on hand-picked team of executives, oversaw turnaround.
Has doubled membership to 6 million members. About 65% of OC homes have Auto Club membership.
Made big strides gaining market share for insurance,homeowner, auto policies brought in about $2.5 billion in revenue in 2007. Auto Club is fourth-largest auto insurer in state. Insures about 2 million vehicles in Southland, 15% market share. Sixth-largest homeowner’s insurer in state.
Has worked to boost travel services. Business had $900 million in revenue last year. Put travel agencies in every Auto Club office in late 1990s, pushes services through direct mail, club magazine, Westways.
Appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force last year to find fixes to state’s water issues. In 1990s, appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson as chair of School-to-Career Advisory Council. Also served on Welfare to Work Task Force.
Chairs Orange County Chapter of New Majority, moderate GOP group.
Also co-chairs with Leon Panetta new California Forward Leadership Council for more responsive, cost-effective government.
Serves on several boards: Performing Artscenter, California Chamber of Commerce, California Business Roundtable, Payden & Rygel Investment Group, Blue Shield of California, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks Association.
Lakers fan. Collects classic muscle cars. Brings them out for Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance show, charity events. Earlier this year, Auto Club signed on as name sponsor of California Speedway in Fontana.
In late 1980s, was mentored by management guru Peter Drucker, founder of graduate business program at Claremont College, where McKernan attended. At one point, considered leaving AAA for career as academic.
Earned bachelor’s in business, information systems, business master’s from Cal State L.A. Holds advanced MBA from Drucker Management Center at Claremont. Won outstanding alumnus awards from both schools.
Married to wife, Judy, 37 years. Two daughters: Megan, received physics master’s from University of Southern California; Shannon, earned doctorate in physical therapy from Chapman University.
,Sherri Cruz
ARTURO RICARDO
“Arte” Moreno
Owner, Angels Baseball LP
Born in Tucson, Aug. 14, 1946
Lives in Phoenix, La Jolla
In fifth year as leader of county’s first professional sports team. Hopes to recapture World Series six years after team won baseball championship.
Lifelong baseball fan bought then-Anaheim Angels in 2003. Built winning team, packed stadium, bolstered business side. Fan’s owner, though still lingering resentment over 2005 name change to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Team favored to win American League West division. Landed All-Star centerfielder Torii Hunter, who signed five-year, $90 million free-agent contract in November. Traded popular shortstop Orlando Cabrera to Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Jon Garland.
Worked wonders at front office. Bought team from Disney for $184 million. Now worth more about $430 million, according to Forbes. Broadcast deals now worth more than $40 million a year, up from $12 million in 2003. In the middle of 10-year, $500 million TV deal with Fox Sports West.
Team had strong 2007, winning American League West. Lost in division series to Boston Red Sox, eventual World Series champion.
Angels drew 3.3 million fans last year, slightly below 2006’s record of 3.4 million. Season ticket sales up this season, despite some softness in corporate suite sales.
Has infused cash into Angels. Opening day payroll of $119 million sixth in baseball. Owns KLAA (830 AM), Angels’ flagship radio station in Orange.
After home opener earlier this month, said to have treated group of fans to shopping spree at team store.
Spent 2005, early 2006 battling Anaheim in court. Jury found he didn’t violate Angel Stadium of Anaheim lease with name change. Case on appeal. Relations with Mayor Curt Pringle, fellow OC 50er, strained since.
Lives in tony part of Phoenix near Arizona Biltmore hotel. Family spends summers at La Jolla home. Says he loves OC, stays at local hotel during home games. Travels via private jet.
Goes by “Arte.” Focused, laconic. Enjoys watching baseball over beer with buddies.
Made fortune in billboards. With partner Bill Levine (minority investor in Angels) built Outdoor Systems, sold to Viacom for $8.7 billion in stock in 1999. Forbes puts wealth at $1.2 billion.
Former owner of minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City. Had been minority owner of Arizona Diamondbacks. Owned stake in NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
Fourth-generation Mexican-American, role model for OC, other Hispanics. Oldest of 11 children. Speaks fluent Spanish, often to fans, workers.
Father ran print shop, grandfather published newspaper. Attended Catholic school, worked in dad’s print shop during high school. Joined Army in 1965, fought in Vietnam.
Graduated University of Arizona in 1973 with marketing degree. Activities included Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
Republican. With wife Carole (prominent in Phoenix social circles), spent honeymoon driving West Coast attending baseball games. Son, two daughters. Enjoys spending time with family. Longtime Little League coach.
,Vita Reed
JAMES THOMAS MORRIS
Chief executive, president
Pacific Mutual Holding Co.,
Pacific Life Insurance Co.
Born in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Jan. 11, 1960
Lives in Laguna Niguel
Starting second year as chief executive. Took over from former OC 50er Tom Sutton, who held the job for 17 years up until early 2007. Sutton remains chairman.
Morris 14th chief in company’s 140-year history. Company sells life insurance, annuities, investments for individuals, businesses, pension plans.
Pacific Life owned by policyholders. County’s largest private company with 2007 revenue of $5 billion. Has $111 billion in assets under management.
Company considered one of top in insurance industry.
Aviation Capital Group unit buys planes, leases to airlines. Counts 211 aircraft worth more than $5.3 billion.
Premiums make company big investor in mortgages, bonds, venture funds, real estate. Pacific Life spawned bond fund manager Pimco.
Earlier this year, company sold remaining interest in Pimco for $288 million. Held as much as $2.1 billion in 2002. Pimco continues to act as adviser to Pacific Select Fund.
Company started in 1868 in San Francisco. First chief was railroad tycoon Leland Stanford, who went on to found Stanford University.
Has 2,100 workers in the county. Aliso Viejo office building finished earlier this year, home to company’s life insurance division, which has some 1,000 people who moved from Foothill Ranch, Newport Center headquarters.
In March, company sold brokerage M.L. Stearn & Co. In 2007, sold United Planners’ Financial, Mutual Service Corp., Waterstone.
Local real estate holdings include Newport Center headquarters, Aliso Viejo building, Tijeras Creek Golf Club, which it bought in 1990s from OC 50er Anthony Moiso. Owns about dozen properties outside county.
Morris oversees donations for Pacific Life Foundation, set to give $5.3 million to nonprofits in 2008.
Title sponsor of Pacific Life Open, Indian Wells tennis tournament in March. Also title sponsor of Pacific Life Holiday Bowl in San Diego, Pacific Life Pac-10 Men’s Basketball tournament in Los Angeles.
Career company guy. Was summer actuarial student from 1981 to 1982 with Transamerica Occidental before joining Pacific Life in 1982 as assistant actuary. Promoted to assistant VP, product research, development in 1986. Rose through ranks to department VP by 1990. Six years later became senior VP.
In 2002, promoted to executive VP of life insurance division. In 2005, role expanded to include annuities and mutual funds division. Oversaw company’s brokerages as chief operating officer.
Fellow, Society of Actuaries. Member, American Academy of Actuaries. Graduated from UCLA with bachelor’s in mathematics, 1982.
Serves on board of American Council of Life Insurance. Member of California Business Roundtable.
Director, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Junior Achievement of Orange County.
Married to Ann, two children.
,Dan Beighley
PETER VICTOR UEBERROTH
Managing Director, Contrarian Group Inc.
Chairman, U.S. Olympic Committee
Born in Evanston, Ill., Sept. 2, 1937
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Man of hour in global sports circles as four-year reign at U.S. Olympic Committee comes to head this year with summer Olympics in Beijing.
Rejects calls for a U.S. boycott over human rights issues in China: “Boycotts do one thing very well and only one thing: They punish athletes.” Sees games playing diplomatic role, helping to boost ties with China. Advises U.S. athletes to focus on sports, not politics.
Seeking proposals for new Olympic Committee headquarters. Possible cities include current home Colorado Springs, Colo., Chicago, U.S. candidate city to host 2016 Olympic summer games. HQ decision could come next month.
Runs local office near John Wayne Airport that’s hosted international visitors.
Chairmanship up later this year after Beijing games. Newport Beach’s Bob Ctvrtlik, committee’s international VP, possible successor.
Ueberroth likely to stay involved in Chicago’s bid for 2016. Decision due in 2009. Rivals include Madrid, Milan, New Delhi, Prague, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Tokyo and Doha, Qatar.
Has brought same pragmatic approach to committee as he did as head of 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Seen as white knight after Olympic scandals of past few years, infighting at committee.
Enjoys lasting fame from role organizing 1984 Olympics. Turned around near-bankrupt operation by bringing in corporate sponsors. Left $200 million-plus surplus, which continues to back youth sports programs today. Time magazine’s Man of the Year for 1984.
Republican, mounted bid as independent for governor in 2003 recall vote, later threw support behind Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Returned campaign contributions after calling it quits.
Managing director of Newport’s Contrarian Group, which brings together investors to buy stakes in turnaround candidates, then puts one of them in charge.
Classic case: 1999 buy of Pebble Beach for $820 million. Buyout team included Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood, Richard Ferris. Ueberroth’s co-chairman of Pebble Beach Co.
Baseball commissioner, 1984 to 1989. Oft-quoted on steroids scandal, takes hard line on usage.
Created First Travel in 1962, sold in 1980 as second-largest U.S. travel company. In 1990s, started company that bought Doubletree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn. Later sold to Hilton, where he’s a director. Also director of Coca-Cola, Adecco.
Director, Newport Beach-based travel company, meeting plan-
ner Ambassadors Inter-national. Son Joseph is chief executive. Irvine Co. director, friend of OC 50er Donald Bren. Wife Brigitte Bren is Ambassadors director.
Business degree from San Jose State Uni-
versity, attended on water polo scholarship.
Moved around several times as child. At 16, moved into an orphanage for children of broken homes. Became home’s recreation director, earning $125 a month.
Wife Virginia, goes by Ginny. Chairs Ueberroth Family Foundation. Director, First American, along with OC 50ers Parker Kennedy, George Argyros, Jim Doti.
Couple owns Paso Robles winery, organically produces zinfandels. Has three daughters, son. Eight grandchildren.
,Michael Lyster
HONORABLE MENTION:
LARRY DODGE
Majority owner, chief executive
American Sterling Corp.
MICHAEL FLYNN
Executive committee chair
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
ROBERT “BOB” HOFF
General partner
Crosspoint Venture Partners
MICHAEL HORNAK
Managing partner, Rutan & Tucker LLP
FLETCHER “TED” JONES JR.
Chief executive, president
Fletcher Jones Management Group
GEORGE KAYE
Senior vice president, group
manager of retail banking
Washington Mutual Inc.
MAURICE McALISTER
Cofounder, chairman
Downey Financial Corp.
STUVU NATAUPSKY
Managing partner
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP
BYRON ROTH
Chairman, chief executive
Roth Capital Partners LLC
RON SIMON
Owner, chairman, chief executive
RSI Holding Corp.
DAVID WILSON
Owner, president
David Wilson Automotive Group
RICHARD “RICK” WARREN
Senior pastor, Saddleback Church
MARK WETTERAU
Chairman, chief executive
Golden State Foods
KIM YOUNG,
DAVID RITCHIE,
JOHN EVANS
Executive vice president, regional president,
Wells Fargo Community Bank
Executive vice president, regional manager,
Wells Fargo Commercial Banking
Senior vice president, regional manager private client services
Wells Fargo
