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.
Completed $380 million in contracts during offseason, including $180 million deal that sent free agent Mark Teixeira to New York Yankees after Los An-geles Angels of Ana-heim dropped out of bidding.
Represented Manny Ramirez in protracted talks with Los Angeles Dodgers leading to $45 million, two-year deal.
Also represents former Colorado Rockies all-star outfielder Matt Holliday earning $13.5 million this year with Oakland Athlet-ics, becomes free agent next year.
Represents about 75 major leaguers. Roster includes Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady; New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, pitcher Mike Pelfrey; Angels pitcher Jared Weaver; Barry Zito of San Francisco Giants; Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Represented Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart before tragic auto death earlier this month. Broke down in tears at Angels news conference.
Advises top pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State, first college player on U.S. Olympic Team, member of Team USA national collegiate team that was undefeated last year.
Says economic slump created a “slow developing market” for players this year and “definite hesitancy in the marketplace” as owners looked for indications of 2009 revenue.
About 40 people in local office work on player data; has 20 scouts, operations in Japan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Mexico.
Launched charity arm of company, Homeruns for Humanity, last year to provide scholarships to baseball camps for 13- to 15-year-olds in Southern California. Charity also assists in development of youth baseball efforts with “broad-based contributions.” Through family charitable trust, he, wife Jeanette working 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 friend from Elk Grove asked him if he’d represent former teammate Bill Caudill in 1984. That first contract,with Toronto Blue Jays,worth $7.5 million.
Married, daughter, 20, two sons, 19, 16. One son plays baseball at USC; other at JSerra High School. Daughter at Arizona State, studying journalism. Wife active in charitable causes for Catholic church, Sage Hill High School. He, wife are arts patrons, support other local charities, community
programs.
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Sandi Cain
Greg N. Creed
President, chief concept officer
Taco Bell Corp.
Born in Brisbane, Australia, July 15, 1957
Lives in Coto de Caza
Aussie heading largest Mexican fast food chain in U.S.
Fast-food veteran doing well in down economy after two-year struggle. Taco Bell on rise with strong same-store sales as consumers trade down from sit-down restaurants to fast food.
Taco Bell saw 3% sales gains in fourth quarter with “Why Pay More” value menu, “Fourthmeal” marketing efforts, new products.
Profits took hit in 2008 due to higher prices for beef, chicken, cheese.
Looking to value menu, smoothies, breakfast, global expansion for growth.
Appointed president in 2006. Previously served as chief operating officer for parent Yum.
Oversees Yum’s OC operations, which also include Pizza Hut, KFC.
Arrived at Taco Bell in 2001 as chief marketing officer after working at Yum predecessor Tricon Restaurants. Instrumental in delivering record KFC sales growth for three years with Tricon. Spearheaded Taco Bell’s “Think Outside the Bun” campaign, developed Taco Bell in Australia.
Helped company get past 2006 E. coli outbreak, which sickened about 70 people on East Coast. Chain blamed onions, then lettuce. Settled string of lawsuits. Still in arbitration with Oxnard-based Boskovich Farms.
Rebuilt brand through marketing, radio, TV commercials. Boasts “farm to fork” on Web site, video clips on Taco Bell’s food safety.
Oversaw resolution over dispute with the creators of 1990 Chihuahua mascot campaign in 2008. Taco Bell originally blamed Los Angeles-based TBWA Chiat/Day, sued in 2003. Expected to pay out this year.
Moving headquarters from John Wayne Airport area to Irvine Spectrum to former North American headquarters of Ford’s Pre-mier Automotive later this year. Says he’s looking to “shock” employees with office de-sign, perks including daycare, restaurant, gym.
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., 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, Surf, All, Wisk from offices in Australia, London, New York.
Bachelor’s from Queensland University of Technology. Wife, Carolyn, two children, son, daughter. Funnyman with self-effacing, casual, Australian sense of humor. Business card, like all at Taco Bell, is image of hot sauce pack. Just like actual hot sauce packs, each has funny saying. Creed’s: “Left of center feels right!”
Hobbies include golf, flying.
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Michael Volpe
SCOTT NELSON FLANDERS
Chief executive, president
Freedom Communications Inc.
Born in Indianapolis, Dec. 26, 1956
Lives in Shady Canyon
Steering through challenging times at county’s dominant media company.
In September, Freedom went into technical default on terms agreed to with lenders. Falling profits for prior 12 months put Freedom’s debt at more than five times its profits.
Company continues to make debt payments, Flanders says. Working with 26 banks on new credit deal that better reflects difficult operating environment. Banks cooperative, he says.
Debt ratings in March slipped further into junk status. Freedom not as indebted as some other newspaper companies, Flanders says. Calls bankruptcy “possible, but unlikely.”
Company owns 33 dailies, 88 weekly newspapers, magazines, other publications, eight television stations, various Web sites. Has estimated $600 million to $700 million in yearly revenue.
Flagship Orange County Register seeing ongoing declines in advertising, circulation. Flanders pared some subscribers to focus on readers advertisers most care about.
Brought back Register business section after folding it into main part of paper in 2007 as part of cost cutting. Separate business section now runs Thursday through Sunday.
As director, worked on 2004 company 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. Investment firms capped at a 49.9% voting stake.
Blackstone, Providence unlikely to cash out this year as originally planned; finding replacement investors, financing difficult.
Has history with Blackstone: oversaw firm’s sale of Columbia House to Bertels-mann in 2005.
Wants to transform media company for digital era with “Web-first” philosophy where stories appear online before in print. Invested about $40 million in technology, partnerships, programs.
Seen “double digit growth” in online ad revenue, even in down economy, he says. But gains still not making up for fast-dropping print ad sales.
Freedom director since 2001.
Before running Columbia House, was president of Macmillan Publishing, now part of Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck.
Cofounded Telstreet.com in 1998, Indi-anapolis Web site for wireless products, services. Bought by Aliso Viejo-based Buy.com in 2000.
In 2008, appointed independent director of eHealth, online provider of health insurance. On Newspaper Association of America’s board.
Active investor in technology, media companies. Director at Orange County Technology Action Network, vice chairman of John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Orange County Museum of Art trustee.
Economics degree from University of Colorado. Law degree, University of Indiana. CPA.
Loves sports, including Indiana basketball, football, running. Says his golf game more frustrating than even worst day at job. Likes reading on his Kindle. Also into politics, international policy. Married, three daughters.
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Michael Volpe
EDDIE ARTHUR GRIER JR.
President, Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Co.
Born in Atlanta, Feb. 15, 1955
Lives in Yorba Linda
In third full year as president of Disneyland Resort, county’s largest employer. 2009 looks to be challenging with tourism downturn, com-panywide layoffs that have touched Anaheim.
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.
This year working with company mandate to consolidate, streamline back operations. Says changes are “essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today’s economic realities.”
Still plans to hire seasonal employees “based on overall demand.” Disneyland Resort seen about 200 layoffs, 100 positions that won’t be filled.
Came to Anaheim from Japan, where Grier was executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan for two years.
Last year, worked on plans for restructuring Disney’s California Adventure, second Ana-heim theme park that is remaking itself into a more Disneyesque park. Oversaw launch of Toy Story Mania at California Adventure last summer, first salvo in $1 billion, multiyear project.
This year plans to reopen giant Ferris wheel, now called Mickey’s Fun Wheel, as well as Disney-themed carnival games at Paradise Pier. New, improved parades, fireworks, shows, barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch on tap for this summer.
This fall, 250 extra rooms, including 50 timeshare units, will open at Disney’s Grand Californian hotel. First vacation club effort on West Coast for company. Says Disney is “still in discussions” with developers to operate two hotels at Anaheim GardenWalk, shopping, entertainment complex across from Disneyland.
Grier, former operations guy, is hands-on. Likes to get in trenches with workers, promotes high level of employee interaction with guests. Conducts employee events such as special breakfast with night-shift workers. Goes by “Ed.”
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, DisneyMGM Studios before taking on Tokyo project.
Wife of 27 years, Valerie. Three sons.
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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
MOHAMED ALY EL-ERIAN
Managing director, chief executive,
co-chief investment officer
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in New York, Aug. 19, 1958
Lives in Laguna Beach
Duo runs bond fund manager with nearly $750 billion in assets, playing lead role in government effort to shore up mortgages, corporate debt.
El-Erian became chief executive at start of 2009. Made triumphant return to company last year as heir apparent to massive bond fund empire.
For part of 2008, shared CEO title with Bill Thompson, former OC 50er who retired in February.
Runs business side, overseeing 1,000 peop-le in U.S.,600 in Newport Center,as well as at eight global offices.
Self-described “player-coach,” leads by example.
Worldly profile fits Pimco’s strategy of global expansion. Quar-ter of clients outside U.S. with goal of growing that to half.
Shares company’s investment decisions with Gross, longtime “king of bonds.” Both are regular market commentators on TV, Web, newspapers.
El-Erian’s book “When Markets Collide: Investment Strategies for the Age of Global Economic Change” won 2008 Financial Times, Goldman Sachs Business Book of Year award.
Joined Pimco in 1999 as managing director, senior member of portfolio management, in-vestment strategy group. Earned reputation as savvy emerging market investor.
Was Pimco managing director, senior portfolio manager until 2005. Left for two years to run Harvard’s $30 billion endowment fund, which grew, then fell with investment downturn last year.
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.
Spent 15 years at International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., before moving to private sector where he earlier was managing director at Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup 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, master’s, doctorate in economics from Oxford.
Humble. Humorous. New York Mets fan. Married to wife, Jamie, lawyer. Couple has daughter.
Gross, bond guru, oversees nearly $750 billion in investments for institutions, individuals. His $140 billion Total Return Fund, lar-gest mutual fund in world, earned 4.8% in past year, besting 64% of peers.
Hasn’t indicated any plans to retire.
Pimco’s funds had good year in what was an awful 2008 for investing. Suspended dividends on three of 66 bond funds due to rules pertaining to industrywide problem with auction rate securities.
Company shunned mortgage bonds at height of their popularity a couple of years ago, spent much of 2008 buying them at fire sale prices. Missed out on Treasury bond rally as investors flocked to government debt amid Wall Street’s fall meltdown.
Federal Reserve hired Pimco, others to manage buying of $500 billion in mortgage-backed bonds in a bid to bolster housing market.
Also tapped Pimco to manage buying of corporate debt.
Pimco started in 1971 as subsidiary of Paci-fic 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.
Gross, with Thompson, sold majority stake nine years ago to Allianz to create global powerhouse with more than $1.5 trillion under management, half managed by Pimco.
Widely quoted on interest rates, economic issues. Predicted credit crisis, interest rate cuts. Broadcasts market commentaries from Pimco’s TV studio in Newport.
Pens well-read Web column. Commentar-ies also podcasted, some in Japanese.
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 professional player in Las Vegas. Learned how to play after car crash hospitalized him during college. Served in Vietnam as Navy patrol boat operator.
Humble, almost shy. Stamp collector. Last year sold Scandinavian portion of collection for $1 million for charity. Sold British collection for $9.1 million two years ago for charity.
Bachelor’s from Duke, business master’s from UCLA.
Philanthropic: with wife, Sue, gave $23.5 million to Duke for scholarships, 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 private school Sage Hill’s minority scholarships. Donated $10 million for Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UC Irvine in 2006.
Two grown sons, daughter.
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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
Executive vice president,
First American Corp.
chief executive, information solutions group
Born Sept. 1, 1960
Lives in Manhattan Beach
DENNIS J. GILMORE
Executive vice president, First American Corp.
chief executive, financial services group
Age 50
Lives in Coto de Caza
Kennedy top executive for county’s largest publicly traded real estate-related company. McMahon, Gilmore run largest divisions, public CEOs in waiting as part of plan to split First American in two.
First American has two businesses: title insurance, growing business information services unit.
Plans call for spinning off title insurance as First American Financial with Gilmore at helm. Parent company to keep data business, take on new name. McMahon to be chief executive.
Both companies to stay in Santa Ana.
Split on hold amid tough real estate market, poor Wall Street conditions. Will take months or more of stability before spinoff is completed, executives say.
Kennedy to remain as executive chairman of both companies, step back from day-to-day. Move clears up succession for business that has been family run since 1889 founding.
Split designed to boost value of what First American calls “information solutions” business providing real estate-related data to businesses.
Executive trio now managing combined business during extended housing, mortgage slump.
Saw another drop in business last year. Revenue down 24% to $6.2 billion. Sales at company’s title division,which makes up two-thirds of business,down nearly 30% in 2008.
Shares off some 20% in past year. Lost $500 million in market value. Could be worse,other title insurers closing, going bankrupt.
Slashing costs, reducing staff, getting leaner. Cut some 5,700 jobs during the past year, about 20% of workforce. Some 500 offices closed across the country, about quarter of operations.
Execs feeling pain, too. Bonuses, salaries cut.
Expecting things to remain challenging this year. Seeing uptick in title orders, hopeful government moves to shore up housing market will result in more homebuying, mortgage refinancing.
Kennedy fourth generation to run business founded 120 years ago by great-grandfather C.E. Parker. Likely oldest company in county. Went public in 1964, kept family feel.
Succeeded dad Donald Kennedy as chairman in 2003. Changed board makeup last year at behest of big shareholder. Donald Kennedy retired from board.
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 USC. Law degree from Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco.
Wife of 29 years, Sherry. Two grown children, neither works for company. Enjoys running (including Los Angeles Marathon), fly-fishing, golf. Goes by “Park.”
Gilmore, McMahon saw changes in titles last year to reflect roles expected once spinoff completed.
Gilmore previously served as chief operating officer. Headed up technology initiatives, managing offshore operations.
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.
Office is in different building than other executives’, in one of newer additions to Santa Ana campus. His building houses more techies than real estate types.
Bachelor’s in business from San Diego State. Business master’s from Loyola Marymount University.
Wall Street veteran McMahon had served as chief financial officer. Was responsible for financial reporting division, stock, debt dealings, investor relations.
Joined company three years ago, after 2006 death of former financial chief Thomas Klemens.
Previously served as managing director with Lehman Brothers, managed West Coast financial institutional practices for six years. Managed similar group for Merrill Lynch. Go-to guy for finance, acquisition issues.
Business master’s from Fuqua School of Business at Duke. Economics bachelor’s from Villanova University.
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Mark Mueller
THOMAS VINCENT McKERNAN
Chief executive
Automobile Club of Southern California
Born in Alexandria, La., June 20, 1944
Lives in Arcadia, Newport Beach
Busy guy, even by OC 50 standards.
Day job running big insurer, travel, auto services business. Side projects in politics, government reform, business issues, arts.
Best known as public face for Auto Club, known to everyday folks for towing service. Roadside help serves as entry point for club’s dominant insurance, travel services businesses.
Oversees clubs in 15 states. Run as not-for-profit mutual benefit corporation on behalf of members. Yearly revenue of $4 billion.
In April, cut insurance premiums by $100 million, average 5% reduction for members.
Club boosted profile last year, tracking rising gas prices. Double-edge sword: higher fuel prices boosted costs of 6 million roadside assistance calls in 2008.
Auto Club lifer. 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 under financial stress. 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 in California, 11 million in 15 states. About 60% of OC homes have membership.
Made big strides gaining market share for insurance,homeowner, auto policies brought in about $2.5 billion in 2008 revenue. Fifth-largest auto insurer in California, insuring about 2 million vehicles in Southland, 15% market share. Sixth-largest homeowner’s insurer in state.
Worked to boost travel services. Business had $1 billion in sales last year. Put travel agencies in every Auto Club office in late 1990s. Pushes services through direct mail, club magazine, Westways, with circulation of 3.7 million.
Big in politics, government reform. Played large role in state government last year as co-chair of California Forward Leadership Council, which advocates cost-effective government.
Group supported Proposition 11 redistricting plan. Co-chairs council with Bob Hertzberg, former Assembly speaker who replaced Leon Panetta, now Obama administration’s CIA director.
Appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneg-ger to Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force two years ago to find fixes to water issues. Task force ended last year with strategic plan. In 1990s, appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson as chair of School-to-Career Advisory Council. Also served on Welfare to Work Task Force.
Chairs OC chapter of New Majority, moderate GOP group.
On several boards. Late last year, became Performing Arts Center chairman. Also on boards of 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. One daughter races dragster as hobby. Last year, signed on as name sponsor of what’s now Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in Fontana.
In late 1980s, was mentored by Peter Drucker, founder of graduate business program at Claremont College, where McKernan attended. At one point, considered leaving Auto Club for career as academic.
Earned bachelor’s in business, information systems, MBA from Cal State L.A. Holds advanced MBA from Claremont’s Drucker Management Center. Won outstanding alumnus awards from both schools.
Married to wife, Judy, 38 years. Two daughters: Megan, received physics master’s from USC; Shannon, earned doctorate in physical therapy from Chapman University.
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Sherri Cruz
Arturo Ricardo “Arte” Moreno
Owner, Angels Baseball LP
Born in Tucson, Aug. 14, 1946
Lives in Phoenix, La Jolla
Brought businessman’s savvy, fan’s heart to baseball team.
Goal to recapture World Series seven years after pre-Moreno team won baseball’s championship. In sixth year as leader of Anaheim’s seminal professional sports team.
Lifelong fan bought then-Anaheim Angels in 2003 from Disney. Built winning team, packed stadium, bolstered business side.
Business push clashed with fans in 2005 when name changed to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Long-running court case brought by city of Anaheim closed in February, with team keeping adopted name.
Like other owners, faces challenging 2009 season.
Some businesses hesitant to spend on luxuries such as baseball. Season ticket sales well short of 30,000 cap at about 25,000 at opening day. Hopes to hit 27,000 mark, sell rest for single games, discount packages.
Says he’d rather sell discounted tickets to bring in fans, hit goal of 3 million attendees this season. Drew 3.3 million fans last year, among best in baseball.
More conservative payroll this year, $112 million at opening day, down from $120 million a year ago. Changed from past pattern, spent less on free agents. New Angels include closing pitcher Brian Fuentes, outfielder Bobby Abreu.
Lost several stars. Closer Francisco Rod-riguez now with New York Mets. Veteran outfielder, designated hitter Garret Anderson signed with Atlanta Braves. Outbid by free-spending New York Yankees for slugger Mark Teixeira.
Favored to again win relatively weak American League West. After strong preseason, off to sluggish start. Revived Seattle Mariners could be toughest competition.
Moreno, whole team stunned by tragic auto death of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart earlier this month.
Has worked wonders on business side. Spent $184 million to buy team. Now worth more than $500 million, according to Forbes. Broadcast deal now worth more than $40 million a year, up from $12 million in 2003. Has 10-year, $500 million deal with Fox Sports West.
Owns KLAA (830 AM), Angels’ flagship radio station in Orange. Simulcasting some games on KFWB (980 AM) in Los Angeles.
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.
Goes by “Arte.” Focused, laconic. Enjoys baseball, beers 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 last put wealth at $1.1 billion. Says wealth has taken “whipping” in recession.
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. Alpha Tau Omega fraternity member.
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.
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Vita Reed
JAMES THOMAS MORRIS
Chairman, chief executive, president
Pacific Mutual Holding Co.,
Pacific Life Insurance Co.
Born in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Jan. 11, 1960
Lives in Laguna Niguel
In third year at helm of big life insurer, county’s largest private company.
Fourteenth chief in company’s 140-year-plus history.
Company sells life insurance, annuities, investments for individuals, businesses, pension plans.
Considered one of top in industry. Owned by policyholders. 2008 revenue of $4 billion. Has $97 billion in assets under management, down from $111 billion year earlier as investments shrink in market turmoil.
Premiums make company big investor in bonds, private equity, real estate. Stayed clear of heavy investments in mortgages, derivatives that crippled some insurers.
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 a dozen properties outside
county.
Aviation Capital Group unit buys planes, leases to airlines. Counts more than 230 aircraft, valued at more than $5 billion last year. Leases to 92 customers in 40 countries.
Pacific Life spawned bond fund manager Pimco. Last year, company sold remaining Pimco stake for $288 million. Held as much as $2.1 billion in 2002.
Company started in 1868 in Sacramento. First chief was railroad tycoon Leland Stanford, who went on to found Stanford University.
Has 1,950 workers in the county, mostly working out of Newport Center headquarters, Aliso Viejo office, which finished construction last year, home to life insurance division.
In July, purchased international reinsurance operations of Scottish Re. Rebranded
insurance provider to insurers as Pacific Life Re.
Last year, sold stock brokerage M.L. Stern & Co. In 2007, sold brokerages United Planners’ Financial, Mutual Service Corp., Waterstone.
Oversees donations for Pacific Life Foun-dation, set to give $5.5 million to nonprofits in 2009.
Big sports backer as way to reach customers. Title sponsor of Pacific Life Holi
day Bowl in San Diego, Pacific Life
Pac-10 Men’s Basketball tournament in Los Angeles.
Company guy. Was summer actuarial student in early 1980s 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.
Took over from former OC 50er Tom Sutton, who held job for 17 years up until early 2007. Sutton remains on the board.
In 2002, promoted to executive VP of life insurance division. In 2005, role expanded to include annuities, mutual funds division. Oversaw brokerages as chief operating officer.
Fellow, Society of Actuaries. Member, American Academy of Actuaries. Bachelor’s in mathematics, UCLA, 1982.
Serves on board of American Council of Life Insurance. Member of California Business Roundtable.
Director, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Junior Achievement of Orange County, current board chair.
Married to Ann, two children.
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Dan Beighley
PETER VICTOR UEBERROTH
Managing director, Contrarian Group Inc.,
director, honorary president, U.S. Olympic Committee
Born in Evanston, Ill., Sept. 2, 1937
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Stepped down as U.S. Olympic Committee chairman in October after four years at helm. Finished with bang: U.S. had impressive showing in summer Olympics in Beijing, grabbing most medals, stealing spotlight with record-breaking Mi-chael Phelps.
Now honorary U.S. Olympic Committee president, non-voting board member. Still key player, particularly with Chicago’s push to land 2016 games. Host city to be decided in October. Rivals are Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo.
Hand picked current committee chairman, Electronics Arts Chairman Larry Probst.
In final address as chairman, fired back at global leaders who’ve called for U.S. committee to share more revenue.
“Who pays the bill for the world Olympic movement? Make no mistake about it,” Ueberroth said, referring to U.S. corporate support as justification for committee’s revenue share.
In early 2008, Ueberroth, other board members opted to keep committee headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. Local office near John Wayne Airport hosted steady stream of international visitors in run-up to Beijing.
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 for first privately financed Games. Left $200 million-plus surplus, which continues to back youth sports programs. Time magazine’s 1984 Man of the Year.
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 enlists 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., operator of hotels, links, golf, tennis clubs, spa.
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 Double-tree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn. Later sold to Hilton.
Longtime Coca-Cola director. Also on board of aircraft lessor Aircastle.
In November, stepped down as director of Ambassadors International, cruise company that’s moving from Newport Beach to Seattle. Remains key shareholder, but longtime Ueberroth family dominance fading. Son Joseph stepped down as CEO earlier this year.
Business degree from San Jose State University, attended on water polo scholarship.
Moved around several times as child. At 16, moved into orphanage. Became home’s recreation director, earning $125 a month.
In 1986, was grand marshal with Rosa Parks in Atlanta Martin Luther King Day parade. Calls it one of most touching, consequential moments of his life.
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
KIM BURDICK
Orange County market president
Bank of America Corp.
LARRY DODGE
Majority owner, chairman, chief executive
American Sterling Corp.
MICHAEL FLYNN
Executive committee chair
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
L. Ski Harrison
Managing partner, Rutan & Tucker LLP
FLETCHER “TED” JONES JR.
Chief executive, president
Fletcher Jones Management Group Inc.
Steven NATAUPSKY
Managing partner
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP
RON SIMON
Chairman, chief executive
RSI Holding Corp.
DAVID WILSON
Owner, president
David Wilson Automotive Group
MARK WETTERAU
Chairman, chief executive
Golden State Foods Corp.
Hector Retta, DAVID RITCHIE,
JOHN EVANS
Wells Fargo Orange County regional president; executive vice president, regional manager, Wells Fargo commercial banking; Senior vice president, regional manager
Wells Fargo private client services
