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)
Influential Cal-
ifornia Republican in Congress.
Easily won ninth term last fall. Fre-quently mentioned, but not yet chosen, for big administration posts,most recently when key security posts were filled.
Chairs powerful House Homeland Security Committee (when post became permanent in January, had to give up chairmanship of House Policy Committee). Also sits on House Energy and Commerce Committee telecommunications and energy/air quality subcommittees. Part of congressional delegation to funeral of Pope John Paul II; in 1997 led delegation to Mother Teresa’s funeral.
Has worked closely with Navy to facilitate Great Park at El Toro, including the recent $650 million auction of base parcels to Lennar (see fellow OC 50ers Jon Jaffe, Emile Haddad).
Pro-business, pro-budget reform, pro-tort reform, anti-tax. Recently proposed another permanent tax ban on Internet, issue he’s pushed since 1997. Current moratorium expires in 2007.
Conservative intellectual. Appears on talk shows, pens national opinion pieces, hosts a program for OC cable channels. PC Computing magazine’s “Person of the Year” for 1999.
Also a press critic: no action on his call for congressional investigation of CBS for its discredited “60 Minutes” story on President Bush’s National Guard Service.
Close to VP Dick Cheney. Blocked by California Sen. Barbara Boxer for a federal judgeship in 2001.
Graduated magna cum laude, USC, 1973, law degree, MBA from Harvard, where he served as editor of Harvard Law Review, 1976-77. Associate, then partner at Latham & Watkins, 1978-86, with year off to lecture at Harvard Business School; at Latham worked on OC 50er Donald Bren’s acquisition of the Irvine Co. Senior associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan, 1986-88. With father Charles, published independent English translation of Pravda, 1984-88.
Wife Rebecca Gernhardt Cox, VP with Continental Airlines. Two sons, daughter. Enjoys tennis, skiing, swimming. Big fan of “Anaheim” Angels.
,Rick Reiff
JAMES LOUIS DOTI
President, Economics Professor
Chapman University
Born in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1946
Lives in Villa Park
Economist by training, uses right side of his brain, too. Has overseen Chapman’s graduation from sleepy private school to growing university with prominent community ties.
Seen physical growth with nearby building buys, doubled “land-locked” campus from 38 to 75 acres since start of presidency in 1991. Increased academic space from 362,000 to almost 1 million square feet.
Recently completed four buildings: Leatherby Libraries, Oliphant Hall, Wallace All Faiths Chapel at Fish Interfaith Center, new residence hall. Westward expansion with acquisition of Villa Park Orchards Association packing plant in Orange.
Will mark 14th year as president in June. Continues to bring down house at annual economic forecast, which celebrated 27th anniversary past year.
Marked 50th anniversary in 2004-05 school year of Chapman’s move from campus in Los Angeles to current location in Old Towne Orange.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in groundbreaking ceremony for new Marion Knott Studios. Now under construction, will be home to Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Doti promised Schwarzenegger first star in the film school’s future walk of fame.
Governor came to Chapman by way of friendship with Doti, Chapman trustee, OC 50er Paul Folino. Also part of governor’s effort to promote filming in Southern California
So far has raised $30 million of $35 million to $40 million needed to build the school. Larry, Kristina Dodge donated $20 million. Another $5 million from Marion Knott, whose family founded Knott’s Berry Farm.
Serves on the Schwarzenegger Economic Advisory Council beside two of his heroes, Warren Buffett, George Schultz.
Last year added seven endowed chairs, professorships. Chapman’s total now 42, 41 of which have been established during his presidency. Increased school bond rating from A3 to A2.
Some snags here and there. Last year called off combination talks with Pomona’s Western University of Health Sciences after two schools couldn’t agree on name, board make up, presidency. Rejected proposed “Chapman Western” as too regional for school with national ambitions.
Law school finally fully accredited in 2002 by American Bar Association, seven years after it was founded. In 2001, jury found that Chapman deceived students about state of fledgling law school, but didn’t award damages, just tuition payback.
Good news, too: Princeton Review selected Chapman’s law school and university for inclusion in Best Colleges and Best Law Schools guidebooks.
Enrollment reached 5,100, including nearly 500 law students whose combined average LSAT placed them in 77th percentile nationally. More than 30 faculty members serve as editors or on editorial boards for 31 different scholarly journals.
Expanded his KOCE-TV show beyond economics. “Dialogue With Jim Doti” guests have included Chris Matthews, second lady Lynne Cheney, British journalist Robert Fisk, numerous OC CEOs. One of few to have interviewed Osama bin Laden.
Along with professor Esmael Adibi expanded economic forecast research to include Coachella Valley.
Climbed Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua, ran Boston Marathon last month. Was matador, fighting “baby bull” in La Savoia Bullring in Madrid.
Achieved national accreditation for the athletic training program. Chapman now has six nationally accredited programs,law, business, physical therapy, food science, music, athletic training. Working toward three more: chemistry, theater, dance.
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 who holds newly established Stone Professorship in Economics. Couple has two grown children, Adam, Cara. Became a grandfather when son Adam had a son, Parker James. Hobbies: cooking, skiing, reading, bicycling. Enjoys mountain climbing with son Adam.
,Chris Cziborr
MILTON ANDREW GORDON
President
California State University, Fullerton
Born in Chicago, May 25, 1935
Lives in Fullerton
Now in his 15th year as president of county’s biggest university by students at more than 33,000.
Celebrating record enrollment, number of degrees offered. Last year, landed $3 million gift for new business school building.
Baseball team is dynasty: fourth college baseball World Series win last year. Gordon, team set to be honored at the White House this month.
Ambitious plans to grow student body 20% in next decade. Still must contend with state budget woes: student body growing, funding not. Last year school hiked tuition fees 8%.
Building new business school to turn out better-prepared graduates, offer executive MBA program. Personally pushed for Proposition 55, $12.3 billion state bond measure that gives $47.4 million for new College of Business & Economics building.
Passage last year proved tougher than expected with competition from governor’s $15 billion state bailout proposition. Building set to break ground 2006.
Accepted $3 million pledge, largest gift in university history, from Inter-Tel CEO, business graduate Stephen Mihaylo, who will see his name on the new business building.
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 CSU system.
Trailblazer: An online master’s degree program in information technology debuts in August as the university’s third online degree program.
Enrollment at the university’s branch campus, now in third year of operation, continues to grow. At former Marine base, El Toro Campus counts more than 3,200 students. Seeking permanent status for branch on the former Marine base. In talks with Lennar over plans for campus there.
Hard hat U: Major physical expansion of the campus is under way. Campus parking crunch eased in the fall with opening of five-level parking structure for 2,500 vehicles; construction of 1,500-space parking structure begins this spring. $45 million Performing Arts Center continues to take shape (opening 2006) after steel topping-off ceremony last year. Early stages of Fullerton Arboretum visitor center now visible on northern edge of campus.
All are part of master plan Gordon had approved in 2003 for major, long-term expansion.
University continues to oversee the U.S. Small Business Administration’s development centers for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. College of Business and Economics runs centers in Fullerton, Santa Ana, Riverside.
University operates Small Business Institute, Center for Entrepreneurship, Center for the Study of Emerging Markets, Center for International Business. International High-Technology Business Partnership Project focuses on developing global trade program for area businesses.
New this spring: African-American Resource Center.
Boosting town-gown ties.
Awarded Titan Award to fellow OC 50er Paul Folino of Emulex at annual Front & Center gala featuring Doobie Brothers, raising $80,000 for student scholarships.
Chairs American Association of Colleges and Universities Committee on International Education, led 18-member delegation to Morocco in January to develop educational programs for group’s 430-member colleges and universities.
Is newly appointed member of California Council on Science and Technology. Serves on CSU Trustees’ subcommittee on honorary degrees. Is member of governing board of Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Serves on the National ROTC Program Subcommittee.
Locally, is charter member of the Orange County Workforce Investment Board. Other directorships include Orange County Business Council, Pacific Symphony Orchestra.
CSUF’s president since 1990. Born, raised in Chicago. Doctorate in mathematics from Illinois Institute of Technology.
Was vice president, academic affairs, math professor at Sonoma State University; dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Chicago State University; director of AfroAmerican Studies Program, Loyola University of Chicago; mathematics instructor, Illinois Institute of Technology; mathematician in Laboratory of Applied Sciences at University of Chicago. Elementary and secondary school teacher in Chicago public schools.
Oft-cited author on diversity, education.
Wife, Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon, dean of extended education at CSU, Dominguez Hills. Couple lives in El Dorado Ranch, hillside Fullerton estate once home to city pioneer C. Stanley Chapman Sr., donated to the California State University in 1989.
Langsdorf Hall office overlooks campus, decorated with memorabilia from championship Titan baseball team, family photos. Couple has grown sons, Patrick, Vincent, Michael. Couple enjoys travel, has visited more than 30 countries. Likes walking, movies, photography, sports.
LORETTA LYDIA SANCHEZ
47th District of California
Born in Lynwood, Jan. 7, 1960
Lives in Santa Ana (Floral Park)
OC’s highest-ranking Democrat.
Symbol of county’s growing diversity, both ethnic, political. Deposed “B-1” Bob Dornan in 1996, won re-election to a fourth term last fall.
She, Rep. Linda Sanchez (south Los Angeles County) are Congress’ first “sister act.”
Busy on House Homeland Security Committee (chaired by fellow OC 50er Chris Cox), House Armed Services Committee. Ranking Democrat on Homeland subcommittee (chaired by California Republican Dan Lungren) that deals with protecting financial systems, Internet, infrastructure from terrorists.
Member of the moderate Blue Dog Democrats, New Democrat Coalition in Congress. Couldn’t stop OC’s GOP delegation from killing federal support for Centerline light rail project. But sometimes can get bills passed, such as improved benefits for National Guard and Reserves.
Represents part of Little Saigon, has spoken against human rights violations in Vietnam. Has twice toured communist country,and twice been denied a travel visa by the regime, most recently last December.
Energetic, often tapped for TV interviews. Touts finance, business background. Was a financial manager with 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 a bachelor’s in economics and was voted “Business Student of the Year.” MBA from American University. Belongs to the Hispanic Caucus, Women’s Congressional Caucus. Past president, National Society of Hispanic MBAs.
Her Christmas card, an annual hit on Capitol Hill, was minus Stephen Brixey last year,the couple divorced. But as always, card featured cat Gretzky, now under joint custody.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
RICCHARD Ackerman
State Senator, District 33, Senate Republican leader
LARRY AGRAN,
CURT PRINGLE,
MIGUEL A. PULIDO
Irvine councilman; Anaheim mayor; Santa Ana mayor
WYLIE A. AITKEN
Partner, Aitken, Aitken & Cohn
SCOTT BAUGH
Partner, Mayer, Brown, Rowe &
Maw LLP;
chairman, Republican Party Central Committee
JOSEPH DUNN
State Senator, District 34
GARY HUNT
Partner, California Strategies LLC
STAN OFTELIE
CEO, President, Orange County Business Council
AndREW Policano
Dean, Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine
