OC 50 – GOVERNMENT and INSTITUTIONS
RALPH JOHN CICERONE
Chancellor,
University of California, Irvine
Born in New Castle, Pa., May 2, 1943
Lives in Irvine
State budget cuts putting up tough hurdles to ambitious, long-term vision of making UCI world-class school. Financial crunch “will most likely delay the target date for us to reach our goals,” he says.
Postponed rollout of 30-year “Vision for the Future,” citing need for more time to consult with faculty amid funding cuts.
Last year hired vice chancellor for advancement, Tom Mitchell, former president of Iowa State University Foundation. Looking nationwide for new MBA school dean since David Blake’s contract wasn’t renewed last year.
Colleagues cited him as possible replacement for retiring UC President Richard Atkinson, said he didn’t want the job running nine-campus system. “I am happy to be chancellor of UC Irvine,” he says.
Current UCI enrollment is almost 23,000 students, record. For fall undergraduate admissions, had more than 40,000 applicants, fifth largest in the U.S. Grad school applications up 25%, after 20% jumps each of past two years.
Earth System Science, where Cicerone is professor, made top five (of 100) nationwide in terms of “research impact.” Department building $19.6 million, 68,000-square-foot earth sciences research center. National player in environmental debate over global warming. Clashed with White House over how to handle issue.
UCI Medical Center planning state-of-art expansion in Orange. New tower set to replace main building, which has “unacceptable” seismic rating. Fundraising campaign planned.
Hired new director of intercollegiate athletics, Robert Chichester, from University of Colorado, replacing Dan Guerrero (now at UCLA).
Put off bid for law school after getting UC resistance. Along with UC San Diego, school heading up state’s Institute for Telecommuni-cations and Information Technology. On Conexant board of directors since 2001.
First in his family to earn college degree. Graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, master’s, doctorate from University of Illinois. Specialist in chemistry, physics, geosciences.
Former UCI dean of physical sciences. Joined UCI in 1989 as chemistry professor, founded Department of Earth System Science.
Elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences, 1990. Received the 1999 Bower Award and Prize for achievements in science, public policy. Received U.N. Environment Program Ozone Award in 1997, 2002 Roger Revelle Medal of the American Geophysical Union.
Wife Carol, UCI professor of cognitive sciences. Daughter Sara. Interests include chemistry research, basketball, golf.
,Chris Cziborr
CHARLES
CHRISTOPHER COX
48th District of California,
U.S. House of Representatives
Born in St. Paul, Minn., Oct. 16, 1952
Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor View)
Highest ranking Californian in Congress. Jokes: “That’s like being the tallest building in Topeka.”
A House leader, helping to guide national policy in several areas. Most notably: Legislating war against terrorism, related civil rights issues as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, which oversees largest bureaucracy created since World War II, new Homeland Security Department.
Other causes he is championing in Congress: ban on new Internet taxes, elimination of inheritance taxes, eliminating “double taxation” of dividends, tort reform. On local level, working to extend flight restrictions at John Wayne Airport, get federal reimbursements for added security at John Wayne, reopen commissary at El Toro. Also playing leading role in base’s conversion to park, houses, etc.
For 2003, helped land more than $40 million in water projects, including Santa Ana River’s Prado Dam, Upper and Lower Newport Bay, Big Canyon Reservoir, San Diego Creek Watershed.
Upside: Close to VP, former House colleague Dick Cheney. Downside: Withdrew from consideration for federal judgeship in 2001 because of opposition from Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Fiscal conservative, civil libertarian, intellectual. Occasionally pens articles for Wall Street Journal (and the Business Journal). Graduated magna cum laude, USC, 1973; law degree, MBA from Harvard, where he served as editor of Harvard Law Review, 1976 to 1977. With father Charles, published independent English translation of Pravda, 1984 to 1988.
Sits on House Energy and Commerce Committee, including telecommunications subcommittee. PC Computing magazine’s “Person of the Year” for 1999.
Elected to Congress, 1988; senior associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan, 1986 to 1988; partner Latham & Watkins, 1984 to 1986; lecturer on business administration, Harvard Business School, 1982 to 1983; associate Latham & Watkins, 1978 to 1982 (worked on OC 50er Donald Bren’s acquisition of The Irvine Company); clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Judge Herbert Choy, 1977.
Wife Rebecca Gernhardt Cox, VP with Continental Airlines. Children Charles, 10, Kathryn, 8, and Kevin, 4. Enjoys tennis, skiing, swimming.
,Rick Reiff
JAMES LOUIS DOTI
President, professor of economics,
Chapman University
Born in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1946
Lives in Villa Park
Academic overachiever. Has overseen Chapman’s graduation from sleepy private school to growing university with prominent community ties.
Construction of Wallace All Faiths Chapel, Oliphant Hall, Leatherby Libraries and new residence hall begins in June. New parking structure will be complete in June. Owns some 200,000 square feet of nearby real estate for future expansion.
Recently completed projects include Kennedy Hall housing law school, Beckman Hall housing, fellow OC 50er George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics. Last year, paid $8.9 million for 200,000-square-foot Orange industrial park for future expansion.
Will mark 12th year as president come June. 2002-2003 marks 11th straight year of higher average SAT score for incoming freshman.
Continues to bring down the house at annual economic forecast, which celebrated 25th anniversary past year.
Sent minor shock waves through Sacramento with research contending Gov. Gray Davis exaggerated budget deficit projections.
Presented Arnold Schwarzenegger with an honorary doctorate degree. Continues strategy of gaining national recognition through national accreditation of programs.
Announced plan to study feasibility of merger with Western University of Health Sciences.
Seen growing pains: law school finally fully accredited last year by American Bar Association, seven years after it was founded. 2001, jury found that Chapman deceived students about state of fledgling law school, but didn’t award damages, just tuition payback.
Economist by training; entertainer by nature. Expanded his KOCE-TV show beyond economics. “Dialogue With Jim Doti,” guests include Chris Matthews (MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews”), second lady Lynne Cheney, British journalist Robert Fisk, one of a few to have interviewed Osama bin Laden. Made bid to buy KOCE, later withdrew.
Ran marathons in Chicago, Sacramento, Las Vegas, coming within two minutes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Learned tap dancing to perform with university’s nationally honored dance students in fundraiser “American Celebration.”
Delighted in celebrating Angels’ World Series victory, which he had predicted in his forecast for the New Millennium in 1999.
Still sits in dunk tank at campus spring sizzle party; serves up lasagna at Chapman’s International Food Fair; flips, serves pancakes for students at finals week midnight breakfast.
Chicago-bred. Undergraduate degree from University of Illinois, master’s, doctorate in economics from University of Chicago, where he trained under Milton Friedman, George Stigler. Joined Chapman faculty in 1974, was appointed dean of School of Business and Economics in 1985.
Wife Lynne Pierson Doti is Chapman economics professor. Couple has two grown children, Adam, Cara. Hobbies: cooking, skiing, reading, bicycling. Enjoys mountain climbing with son Adam. Two conquered Mt. Rainier last summer.
,Chris Cziborr
MILTON
ANDREW GORDON
President,
California State University, Fullerton
Born in Chicago, May 25, 1935
Lives in Fullerton
Leads growing campus with 1,900 faculty, more than 31,500 students. University, students generate $829 million in economic activity annually, support 11,679 jobs.
Campus continues to be ranked in the top 10 of “Top Public Western Universities-Master’s” by U.S. News & World Report. Education Department statistics last year ranked CSUF sixth nationally for baccalaureate degrees awarded to minorities, tops in 23-campus Cal State system.
Trailblazer: School opened branch campus in August at the former El Toro Marine base, where 2,255 students now attend classes. School’s first online master’s degree program debuted in September.
Hard hat U: spring groundbreaking for $45 million Performing Arts Center, fall ribbon-cuttings for a $24 million student housing complex, $2.3 million expansion of Student Health and Counseling Center, $19 million Physical Education Building under construction.
Also planned: two parking structures, student recreation center, Children’s Center expansion.
Boosting town-gown ties. Rudy Hanley, president, CEO of Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union newly installed chair of University Advisory Board. Transportation Corridor Agencies CEO Walter Kreutzen president of Alumni Association.
Hosts Front & Center gala each year to build community ties, raise scholarship money, most recent event featured Natalie Cole, tribute to Anaheim Angels.
Building partnerships: Saluted in April by Business Council with inaugural Education Partnership Award. In cooperation with Ambling West, city of Buena Park, Flood Control District, OC Affordable Housing Homeownership Alliance, opened University Gables, an eight-acre, 86-homes development for professors, workers.
Joining with UCI to develop joint doctoral program in educational leadership. Joined with Latino Advocates for Education to host sixth annual Veteran’s Day Celebration, honoring 200 Korean War veterans.
Offers research, outreach through Institute for Gerontology, Center for Demographic Research, Social Science Research Center, Institute for Economic and Environmental Studies, Center for Public Policy and Center for Community Collaboration, Family Business Council.
Globalizing curriculum, establishing, enhancing ties with universities in Vietnam, China, Tibet, Taiwan, India, Wales, Ecuador, Australia, Thailand, Lithuania. In February launched master’s degree program in communications in China. Chinese managers, Vietnamese officials on campus this fall for accelerated MBA program. Recently cancelled faculty trip to Shanghai because of SARS.
On Army ROTC Program Subcommittee, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Governing Board, NCAA Task Force, vice chair of American Association of State College and Universities International Committee. Charter member, Orange County Workforce Investment Board. Other directorships include Business Council, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, World Affairs Council.
CSUF’s president since 1990. Born, raised in Chicago. Doctorate in mathematics from Illinois Institute of Technology. Was vice president, academic affairs at Sonoma State University, dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Chicago State University; math professor, director of Afro-American Studies Program, Loyola of Chicago. Mathematician in Laboratories of Applied Sciences at University of Chicago. Secondary-school teacher in Chicago public schools.
Oft-cited author on diversity, education. Wife, Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon, dean of extended education at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Couple lives at El Dorado Ranch, hillside Fullerton estate once home to city pioneer C. Stanley Chapman Sr., donated to the California State University in 1989.
Gordons have grown sons, Patrick, Vincent, Michael. They enjoy travel, have visited more than 30 countries. Enjoys walking, movies, photography, sports.
,Chris Cziborr
LORETTA LYDIA SANCHEZ
46th District,
U.S. House of Representatives
Born in Anaheim, Jan. 7, 1960
Lives in Santa Ana (Floral Park)
JOSEPH LAWRENCE DUNN
34th Senate District,
State of California
Born in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 8, 1959
Lives in Santa Ana (Floral Park)
OC’s most influential Democratic lawmakers.
Sanchez recently named to new House Homeland Security Committee, chaired by OC colleague, fellow OC 50er Chris Cox. Asked federal government to study feasibility of moving thousands of Camp Pendleton Marines to vacant housing at closed El Toro base.
Breezed to re-election to fourth term last November. Linda Sanchez won as well in new 39th District, setting up Congress’ first “sister act.”
Not seen as legislative heavyweight, but works her district, valuable to Democrats as a symbol of diversity and a “safe seat” in GOP-dominated OC. Vivacious, often tapped for TV interviews. Her holiday card featuring herself, husband Stephen Brixey (a securities trader) and their cat Gretzky, mailed to 300,000 “close friends,” an annual hit in the capital. A good “Friend of Bill” (Clinton).
Burnishing her image as business-savvy, business-friendly “moderate.”
Member of the House Armed Services Committee, touts her ability to bring defense contracts to her district,one of few traits she shares with “B-1 Bob” Dornan, the combative former Congressman she upset in 1996.
Sanchez previously a financial manager with the Orange County Transportation Authority, assistant VP at Fieldman Rollap & Associates, associate at Booz Allen Hamilton; also had own consulting practice.
Trustee (along with fellow OC 50er George Argyros) of her alma mater, Chapman University, where she earned bachelor’s in economics, was voted “Business Student of the Year.” MBA from American University. Belongs to the Hispanic Caucus, Blue Dog Democrats, New Democratic Coalition, Women’s Congressional Caucus. Past-president, National Society of Hispanic MBAs.
State Sen. Dunn eyeing attorney general’s office in 2006. Smart, charismatic, hard-working.
Employing trial lawyer skills in leading state Legislature’s probe into irregularities by power wholesalers. Recently introduced bill to overturn California’s seven-year experiment with deregulation,electric customers’ bills would be pegged to production costs, not open-market pricing. Says “deregulation in any form simply will not work.” Energy producers call the bill a step backward.
Noted for independent stances; so at odds with fellow Dem Gray Davis during 2001 power crisis, governor accused him of betrayal. In January, broke ranks with most state, local officials by criticizing the OC Transportation Authority for spending $207 million to buy a “white elephant”,the 91 toll road.
Asserts he’s business-friendly, recently debated the issue with Assemblyman John Campbell, R-Irvine, in spirited letters to the Orange County Business Council. Doesn’t back wholesale reworking of consumer protection law that’s led to runaway suits against businesses, saying result of few bad law firms.
Chairs Senate Budget Subcommittee, Select Committee on Mobile and Manufactured Homes. An upset winner over incumbent Rob Hurtt four years ago, won re-election handily last fall.
Bachelor’s with honors from College of St. Thomas, law degree from University of Minnesota. Joined Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi in St. Paul, Minn., in 1983, moved west two years later to OC office. Joined Robinson, Calcagni & Robinson in 1996, where he is partner. Wife, Diane, children Sarah, 11, John, 9.
,Rick Reiff
HONORABLE MENTION
WYLIE A. AITKEN
Partner, Aitken,
Aitken & Cohn
GARY HUNT
Partner,
California Strategies LLC
MARK CHAPIN
JOHNSON
Chairman, CEO,
Chapin Medical Co.
STAN OFTELIE
CEO, President,
Orange County Business Council
LARRY AGRAN,
CURT PRINGLE,
MIGUEL A. PULIDO
Mayors, Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana
MARK P. ROBINSON JR.
Senior Partner, Robinson,
Calcagnie & Robinson
