Compiled by Purnima Mudnal
CSUF’s Gordon: Leadership Award
The Council for the Advancement and Support of Higher Education honored California State University, Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon with the Chief Executive Officer Leadership Award. Gordon was recognized for his ability to inspire others and to establish a positive image for the university. Gordon, who has a doctorate in mathematics, has been with Cal State Fullerton for 16 years.
Four partners at Costa Mesa-based law firm Rutan & Tucker LLP were named to the list of best lawyers by Best Lawyers in America magazine: Michael Hornak and John Hurlbut Jr., both in commercial litigation; David Larsen, labor and employment law; and Paul Marx, trusts and estates.
Four OC lawyers were among 134 selected nationwide as BTI Client Service All-Stars for performing extraordinary service. They are Todd Wulffson of Irvine-based Carlton DiSante & Freudenberger; Jeffrey Thomas of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Irvine; most valuable player mention for Cary Hyden of Costa Mesa-based Latham & Watkins LLP; and Jonathan Hersey of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in Costa Mesa. Clients nominated the lawyers.
University of Cali-fornia, Irvine research-er Dr. Tallie Z. Baram received the Epilepsy Research Recognition Award from the American Epilepsy Society for her studies on childhood seizures. Baram, the Danette Shepard chair in neurological sciences at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, is founder and executive committee chair of its Epilepsy Research Center.
The local Chapter of Society for Advancement selected Mel Rogers, KOCE-TV president and Orange County Business Council board member, as the 2006 Orange County Manager of the Year.
The city of Anaheim received the Planning Implementation Award from the American Planning Association’s California chapter for the Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan. The project, surrounding Angel Stadium of Anaheim and the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, is set to include up to 9,500 homes plus shops, restaurants and offices.
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. was named “America’s Most Admired” health insurance company for the 23rd year in Fortune’s 2006 annual survey of industry professionals and analysts. Managing partner Bob Waltos of the Waltos Group, the Newport Beach office of Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual, said the honor was “a testament to the hard work of representatives across the country and especially here in Orange County.”
Boeing Co. senior engineer David Blanding was honored with the national 2006 Black Engineer of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to technology and for serving as exceptional role models. Blanding has helped develop electric actuators for unmanned air systems. He works in Huntington Beach with Boeing Phantom Works, the company’s advanced research and development unit.
For National Philanthropy Day, the Coastline Community College Foundation nominated board members and community leaders Chuck Straub, Tony Aguilar and Neel Beuell for the Orange County Volunteer of the Year award.
Santa Ana law firm Callahan & Blaine’s six attorneys were voted as 2006 Southern California Super Lawyers by Southern California Super Lawyers magazine, a joint publication of Law and Politics and Los Angeles magazines. They are Jim Mahacek, James Rouse, Edwards Susolik, Daniel Callahan, Brain McCormack and Stephen Blaine.
Kelly Kilpatrick of Mission Viejo was one of eight winners out of 600 candidates to win Hewlett-Packard Co.’s national Top Technology Producers contest.
Deborah Brooks, owner of Newport Beach-based Arose Recruiting Co., received the Women’s Business Enterprise of the Year award from the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West in partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Skill Craft Body Shop Inc. of Huntington Beach received an Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence Award from the Collision Industry Conference in Las Vegas.
Brand development and marketing company Epic Brand Communications of Aliso Viejo won an award of excellence at the RX Club Show for its work on Zonare, a new ultrasound technology.
Newport Beach-based architectural design firm H. Hendy Associates Inc. received an honorable mention in the Doc Awards, a competition recognizing achievement in the design community and considered a benchmark of success. H. Hendy’s winning entry was its interior design work for a Japanese restaurant in Beverly Hills.
Susan Montoya, vice president and corporate officer of First Bank, received the Get Checking Recognition of Excellence Award for demonstrating leadership, dedication and outstanding contribution to First Bank’s program. Montoya lives and works in Huntington Beach.
