This past spring, the top spot at Goodwill of Orange County opened. That’s the Yankee manager job of nonprofits—top spot at the top charity, tops 1,500 employees, nearly $125 million annual revenue, over 22,000 folks helped each year—veterans, disabled—to become self-sufficient and join the workforce, always a good thing.
It took six months for Goodwill’s board and search firm to find its new boss.
As our OC Philanthropy special report detailed last week, the area has so many talented folks in all sectors, including nonprofits and civic associations, and beyond the Orange Curtain, well, everyone’s so mobile looking within or locally is never automatic. I’d met Nicole Suydam, then-CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, just as I’d rejoined the real economy last summer. You know the adage, “You can’t kid a kidder?” There’s a converse. “Be the person others root for.” That’s Nicole. What energy! Props to this Vanguard Lion … humble, smart and genuine. Good hire, Dick Trueblood (see story, page 1).
President George W. Bush’s Homeland Security chief, Michael Chertoff, is in town Thursday, Hotel Irvine, guest of World Affairs Council of OC …
Look for rising prices on Nike sneaks to make up for the $3 billion in lost market value since its Colin Kaepernick ads debuted Labor Day weekend … Bo knows. Phil Knight would not approve …
My ole friend Kristina Dodge is now a full-fledged Realtor at Harcourts Prime Properties in Dana Point. What a long, strange trip it’s been. In 2005, we’re heading up to L.A., Kristina and husband, Larry, are the main honorees—big-time event, Japan America Society of Southern California’s Anniversary Dinner & Gala Celebration. I’d written and produced the tribute video, “Dodge City,” shot and edited by sublimely talented former student Jeff Cole of Idea Hall. Got a few belly laughs and an ovation from a stilted Hilton audience. Phew.
What I recall most vividly from that night is an impulse buy in Laguna Beach on the way up—to-go trays of Japanese burritos from Hapi Sushi … Kristina’s call, seconded by Larry … Larry’s in heaven today, you likely know. Kristina is starting over with four daughters. “Luckily, I get to do it in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” she said.
Crush ’em, K-Dog.
Deliverance from sadness please: lost Burt Reynolds, 82 … one of the last likeable movie stars and Rasputin till he wasn’t. Thank you for the Bandit films, for “Longest Yard,” “Boogie Nights,” that laugh and easy smile.
