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Government & Institutions

RALPH J. CICERONE

Chancellor, University of California at Irvine

Born in Newcastle, Pa., May 2, 1943

Lives in Newport Beach

DAVID H. BLAKE

Dean, UCI Graduate School of Management

Born in Rumson, New Jersey, June 5, 1940

Lives in Belcourt, Newport Beach

THOMAS R. MOEBUS

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, UCI

Born In New York: Sept. 14, 1948

Lives in Laguna Beach

Three key figures in UCI’s drive to build its reputation for academic excellence, raise Orange County’s profile as a national center for technology and to strengthen town-gown ties. Blake and Moebus took current assignments in 1997 under then-chancellor Laurel Wilkening, who Cicerone succeeded in 1998.

Lots of work ahead for Cicerone: UCI the fastest-growing campus among the nine in the University of California system–expects to grow about 5% a year this decade, with accompanying capital works projects. Received a record 29,435 applications for its 2000 fall semester.

Cicerone was the first in his family to earn a college degree. Graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, master’s and Ph.D. from University of Illinois. Specialist in chemistry, physics and geosciences. Former dean of physical sciences at UCI, joined UCI (1989) as a professor in the Department of Earth System Science.

Last month received alumni award from University of Illinois for his leadership in higher education and pioneering research in atmospheric chemistry and its application to global warming. Received the United Nations Environment Programme Ozone Award in 1997 and advised VP Al Gore on global warming.

Wife Carol, UCI professor of cognitive sciences; daughter Sara. Also basketball, golf.

Rainmaker Moebus leading the development of the 185-acre Research Park, key to enhancing UCI’s profile internationally; also potential revenue stream. Leading tech players have a home there; Cisco, AOL and Telecore the latest move-ins. Oversees the university’s fundraising efforts, the Alumni Association, government and public relations.

Degreed from MIT in engineering and industrial management. Oversaw staff of 55, $5.5 million budget as director of corporate relations for MIT. Wife Lorraine Remby, three grown children. Hobbies include blues guitar, photography, cooking, walking.

Blake showing results, with B-school moving up in the rankings in the past year: Named one of the top 25 business schools in North America, Europe and Asia by Financial Times of London, and one of top 50 U.S. B-schools by both U.S. News & World Report and Business Week.

Business school has 950 students; added nine faculty last year. Working with McKinsey & Co. in analyzing and planning GSM’s future.

Former leader at Southern Methodist University’s business school, Blake has been paving the way for increased tech focus at GSM. New Technology Information program has earned national recognition (10th in U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Information Technology for Management programs); school placed fifth in Computerworld’s survey of top techno-MBA programs.

Wife Mary, three grown children. Hobbies include travel, athletics, reading, politics.

, Sherri Cruz

CHRISTOPHER COX

47th District of California, U.S. House of Representatives

Born in St. Paul, Minn., Oct. 16, 1952

Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor View)

Legislative champion of high-tech and other business interests, thorn in the side of Clinton Administration. Named to chair a commission reviewing administration’s policy on Russia. Sometimes mentioned as possible veep candidate for George W. Bush (as he was for Bob Dole in ’96), but privately doesn’t expect the offer. Fifth ranking member and highest-ranked California member of the House.

Chaired select committee that investigated technology transfer to the People’s Republic of China, garnering unanimous, bipartisan 9-0 approval of a comprehensive report. Resulted in most significant Cabinet department restructuring in two decades, with the National Nuclear Security Administration taking over nuclear weapons responsibility from the Department of Energy.

Influential: chairman of House Republican Policy Committee, also on the Steering Committee that doles out committee assignments. Sits on the House Commerce Committee, including the telecommunications subcommittee, which is significant for burgeoning OC industry.

Scored huge legislative victory in 1995 when Congress overrode President Clinton’s veto of his bill to limit securities fraud suits. Co-authored the Internet Tax Freedom Act for a three-year moratorium on new Internet taxes. Is seeking a permanent ban. Co-author of Global Tax-Free Internet bill approved last October on a 423-1 vote. Called on President Clinton to negotiate with foreign governments for a permanent ban on tariffs on electronically delivered products, and for a permanent ban on special, multiple, and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Co-authored bill to limit Y2K lawsuits. PC Computing magazine selected Cox as a “Person of the Year” for 1999 and gave him a Special Achievement MVP Award for his efforts to protect the Internet from taxation.

Active on possible Social Security reforms. Authored bill approved last year to permit families who live in cooperative housing communities (co-ops) to put their homes in trusts. Photogenic. Friends call him brilliant, critics an egghead.

District includes Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach. Has walked tightrope on El Toro controversy, criticizing the county process and suggesting the site be sold to the highest bidder.

Elected to Congress, 1988; senior associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan, 1986-88; partner Latham & Watkins, 1984-86; with father Charles published independent English translation of Pravda, 1984-88; lecturer on business administration, Harvard Business School, 1982-83; associate Latham & Watkins, 1978-82 (he worked on Don Bren’s acquisition of the Irvine Company); clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Judge Herbert Choy, 1977.

Graduated magna cum laude, USC, 1973; law degree and MBA from Harvard, where he served as editor of Harvard Law Review, 1976-77; wife Rebecca (Gernhardt), international counsel for Continental Airlines; children Charles (7), Kathryn (5), and Kevin (18 months). Enjoys tennis, skiing, swimming, surfing the Internet.

, Peter Brennan

MILTON ANDREW GORDON

President, California State University, Fullerton

Born in Chicago, May 25, 1935

Lives in Fullerton

Head of the fastest-growing college in the 23-campus Cal State system and in charge of a vast labor pool for area businesses. Spring enrollment was a record-setting 27,263 students.

CSUF is furthering its ties with OC business. With Walt Disney Co. and other firms, launched the Center for Entertainment and Tourism, an undergraduate program to prepare students for careers in the hospitality industry; the curriculum is undergoing a review and approval procedure and is expected to launch in the fall.

Recently named charter member of the Orange County Workforce Investment Board, to establish a federally funded workforce development system for the county. Other directorships include Orange County Business Council, South Coast Repertory, El Dorado Bank and Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

Has served as CSUF’s president since 1990. Like fellow academician and OC 50er James Doti, is Chicago-bred. Has a doctorate in mathematics from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Was vice president for academic affairs at Sonoma State University (1986-90), dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Chicago State University, (1978-86), math professor and director of Afro-American Studies Program, Loyola of Chicago, (1966-77); secondary-school teacher in Chicago public schools, 1961-66.

Noted author on diversity, education. Wife Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon, dean of the College of Extended Education at CSU, Dominguez Hills. Lives in historic Chapman House in Fullerton.

Gordons have grown sons Patrick, Vincent, Michael. They enjoy travel, have visited over 30 countries. He enjoys walking, movies, photography, sports.

MARK P. ROBINSON JR.

Partner, Robinson, Calcagnie & Robinson

Born in Pasadena, March 10, 1945

Lives in Marbella, San Juan Capistrano

Tenacious trial lawyer and political kingmaker who is on a roll in both arenas.

Along with brother Jeoffrey, a key lawyer for plaintiffs in last year’s $4.9 billion verdict against General Motors for explosion of a gas tank on ’79 Chevrolet Malibu. Plaintiffs were badly burned in car fire. Robinson told the jury, “What do we remember Joan of Arc for? Not for leading a French army, but for being burned.”

Past president of Consumer Attorneys Association of California. During GM trial, would fly to Sacramento to lobby and testify on behalf of bill to reinstate third-party lawsuits against insurance companies. “I was working 100-hour weeks, 70 on the trial and 30 on political issues.” Legislature and Gov. Gray Davis approved bill, but insurance industry-sponsored Props. 30 and 31 passed in March, nullifying it.

Raised millions for Davis and other winning Democrats in ’98 elections. Winners included a member of Robinson’s firm, Joe Dunn, who upset small business champion Rob Hurtt; Dunn has been an active and publicity-garnering lawmaker, in contrast to Hurtt’s aloofness and low-profile.

Robinson became prominent in late 1970s for winning a $128 million judgement (later reduced to $7.5 million) in punitive and compensatory damages against Ford for its Pinto’s exploding gas tank. Represented LA County in tobacco settlement; his firm could pull in over $100 million in fees. Also involved in class action lawsuits for plaintiffs against manufacturers of diet drug fen-phen and breast implants. Brother Jeoffrey, a former deputy DA, won in March a $10.6 million jury verdict against CalTrans for victims injured on Interstate 15 between Baker and Las Vegas. Another brother, Greg, is defensive coach for Denver Broncos.

Represented then-Lt. Gov. Davis in a lawsuit against tobacco companies in 1997.

Received bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and graduated cum laude from Loyola School of Law. Member of American Board of Trial Advocates.

Divorced; three children, Rob, Daniel, Amanda. Enjoys jogging, tennis and flower gardening. Avid Angels fan.

, Sherri Cruz

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