So far, so good for Chris Cox at the Securities and Exchange Commission. He got a Christmas present from Fortune,a flattering story by Nicholas Varchaver in the Dec. 26 issue: “The critics were sure that new SEC head Christopher Cox would be a disaster for investors. So far they’ve been wrong.” In a recent speech to the Economic Club of New York, Cox declared a “War on Complexity,” outlining a plan to make disclosures clearer, more relevant and immediately available to investors, while reducing paperwork for corporations. Cox suggests that the more than 800 forms currently used by the SEC might be reduced “to no more than a dozen.” The biggest gripes about Cox have been from business interests disappointed that he hasn’t quickly pushed for modifications of Sarbanes-Oxley. The former OC congresssman hasn’t been home much,prior to the holidays, only two nights in OC since he took over the SEC in early August. But he, Rebecca and the kids got to spend time with relatives last week …
Mike Lefkowitz has left the Samueli Foundation, sort of, to form his own philanthropic advisory firm, the SEMEL Group. He’s still in the foundation’s Corona del Mar building and he says he’ll continue to consult for the Samuelis, who have given away more than $200 million …
What’s Carol Hoffman been up to? For one thing, she’s not Carol Hoffman anymore. Five years ago she resigned as VP of entitlement and community relations for The Irvine Company,one of the highest ranks ever held by a woman in Donald Bren’s organization,to start a consulting firm, Government Solutions. Now, there’s another real estate bigwig in her life,John McDermott, regional manager for commercial broker Sperry Van Ness. They married recently and she changed her name to Carol Mentor McDermott “using both my new married name and my maiden name.” As always, she’s setting an example: “As a women-owned-and-staffed small firm, we may have more name changes in the future to contend with, but we are willing to handle the transition” …
Anointed: New York Times advertising columnist Stuart Elliott observes, “Orange County in Southern California has become a part of the popular culture” …
Tommy Tune stars in “Dr. Dolittle” at the OC Performing Arts Center March 21 to April 2 …
William C. “Bill” Turner just won’t let go of the El Toro airport. Turner, a social services worker in Costa Mesa, pens pro-airport letters and operates a Web site, www.eltorotoday.com. He’s been writing to the attorney general’s office seeking an investigation of “an alleged 20-year-long conspiracy” to close the Marine base. No response yet. Turner concedes his airport bid is a “way long shot,” but says he and a few supporters were encouraged when they visited lawmakers’ offices in Sacramento a few months back and “nobody called us conspiracy kooks.”
