Herberts’ Triple Play; Allergan Name Game; Bully for Campbell

It seemed altogether fitting that three generations of Herberts—all Gavins, by the way—were on hand for the Business Journal’s 15th annual Family-Owned Business Awards last week (see related item, page 8; profiles of winners in next week’s edition). The Herberts represent the founding family behind Allergan, which had agreed to a sale valued at about $67 billion two days earlier. Allergan went public long ago, and the family has other businesses to run, including Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar … The family still takes an interest in Allergan, though, something made clear when the middle Gavin Herbert delivered the luncheon keynote, which included an aside to cheer the drug maker’s sale to Actavis. The buyer is expected to retain much of Allergan’s operations—and culture—in Irvine. The Herberts see the deal as a relatively pleasant outcome compared to the hostile takeover attempted by Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Bill Ackman … Don’t be surprised if Actavis goes against the grain and takes on the Allergan name. The brand started in 1948 and is attached to a product lineup ranging from eye drops on retail shelves to therapeutic treatments recommended by family physicians. A move to retain the Allergan name would bring Actavis a portfolio of brand equity built on decades of product development, performance and advertising. Turn to page 1 for more on the pending integration … Chapman U President Jim Doti has long offered the maxim that “people give to people” when explaining his extraordinary track record as a fundraiser. The theme carried over to a note he sent to the Chapman community on last week’s passing of a scion of another family-owned business—Marion Knott, whose name is on the film studio at Chapman. “Great communities are made by great people,” wrote Doti. “So too, great universities are made by great people—people whose vision makes dreams come true” (see related item in Addendum, page 19) … UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman was engaging in a bit of self-deprecating humor before recent ceremonies to honor Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Mark and Kathleen Santora, who gave more than $1 million for the school’s attractive new “Elite Training Center,” which bears their family name. “I’m still new enough that people cheer whenever I show up and make some comments,” kidded Gillman, named chancellor in September. Then a couple of hundred student athletes did just that, sounding sincere as Gillman smoothly emceed the thank-you to the Santoras, who watched their son play soccer for the Anteaters and now have a daughter at UCI … Congressman John Campbell apparently didn’t get his fill of bull during his 10 years in Washington. He’s trading his spot in the Capitol and passing on job offers and board seats to raise a herd of cattle on a family ranch in east Kansas. Campbell recently told the Lincoln Club that his proudest achievement in Congress angered many fellow conservatives but brought a congratulatory call from President George W. Bush—his role in helping to pass the TARP bank bailout. … Mimi Walters, recently elected as Campbell’s replacement in the Irvine-based 45th Congressional District, is off to a fast start: She was elected to serve as the freshman class representative to House leadership. That weighs a bit more than usual, given the big gains the GOP made in the mid-terms.