ANNE ELIZABETH B & #201;LEC
CEO, President
Volvo Cars of North America LLC
Born in St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 14, 1962
Lives in Coto de Caza
MIKE PATRICK O’DRISCOLL
President
Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover
North America
Born in Coventry, England,
April 6, 1956
Lives in Irvine
Euro car execs for Ford’s Irvine-based Premier Automotive Group.
B & #233;lec heads Volvo, biggest piece of import group. Replaced former OC 50er Victor Doolan, who retired last year. Took over at difficult point for Swedish brand. Has made her mark in local business circles, one of few women leaders in auto industry. Called rising star at Ford.
British-born O’Driscoll heads Premier’s other luxury brands, English icons Jaguar, Aston Martin, Land Rover.
As with rest of Ford, struggling with sales.
Volvo sold 139,076 vehicles last year in North America, down 10%. Sales for March off 4%, though decline not as steep as prior months. Decline not unexpected, she says, as Volvo gears up for 2007 push.
Expects flat 2006, rising sales in 2007 with all-new S80 luxury sedan, XC90 SUV, C30,first compact car in decades. C30 to compete with BMW Mini Cooper, Volkswagen GTI.
2006 lineup includes S40 sport sedan, V50, a wagon counterpart, C70 hardtop convertible. Brand known for reliable, safe cars. B & #233;lec’s task: boost sales in warmer areas. Came out with remodel for U.S. dealerships.
Strong marketing background. Was sales VP for Volvo in Sweden, 2003 to 2005. Prior to Volvo, worked at Ford in OC. Was general marketing manager for Lincoln Mercury, 2001 to 2002. Network business development manager for Lincoln Mercury, 1999 to 2001.
First automotive job: correcting dealer orders at Ford assembly plant in Canada.
Business master’s from Fuqua School of Business at Duke. Emphasis on global business. Has business bachelor’s from University of Ottawa.
Trustee, Marketing Science Institute, director of Volvo Cars of North America, Volvo Cars of Canada, Volvo Monitoring & Concept Center. In 2005, named to Automotive News’ “100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry.”
Serves on advisory board at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. Nominated for Business Journal’s Women in Business award, 2002.
Co-chair, along with Maria Shriver, of Best Buddies, group that works with people with mental disabilities.
Fluent in French, her native tongue. Born in America, grew up in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Holds dual citizenship.
Not married, no children. Enjoys tennis, hiking with golden retriever Murphy, gourmet cooking, canoeing on lake at her Canadian cottage. Drives 2005 Volvo XC90 T6.
O’Driscoll’s Land Rover on upswing after few years of lackluster sales. Sales up 34% to 11,299 autos for year ended March 31.
Jaguar still a drag. Ford blames weak dollar.
Sold 5,124 Jaguars for 12 months through March 31, 41% drop. Bid to appeal to younger drivers not getting much traction.
Jaguar still important, won’t be sold, company says.
Premier Group doesn’t break out Aston Martin sales, considered high-end “boutique” car.
Joined Jaguar Rover Triumph in 1975 as business student, held number of positions before taking over marketing, planning for Jaguar Cars North America in 1987. Prior to current position, was president of Jaguar North America.
Oversees more than 400 people, travels 300,000 miles or more yearly. Came to U.S. in 1987. Moved to Ford in 1995, spent five years in Dearborn, Mich., New Jersey. Moved to OC, took over three brands in 2001 when office relocated here.
Passionate about cars. Likes speed, excitement, design, style, performance. History, tradition separate brands from others. “Aston Martin was James Bond’s first and favorite car,” he says.
Business master’s from University of Warwick in Coventry, his hometown.
Irish father, American mother. Don’t call him Michael. Hobbies: sailed British Virgin Islands. When not traveling, spends time with family. Likes books the way he likes cars: page-turning thrillers by Nelson DeMille, James Patterson.
Wife Maureen, three children, 24, 23, 17. Has white dog “so small that you could put batteries in him,” a Bichon Frise named Shamrock, 7.
,Sherri Cruz
EMIL JOHN BROLICK
President, Chief Concept Officer
Taco Bell Corp.
Born in Grand Haven, Mich.,
Oct. 26, 1947
First revamped taco chain. Then led it on a tear.
Getting ready for next phase: opening nearly 400 U.S. restaurants by 2008.
Has led Taco Bell on four straight years of same-store sales growth. Handpicked for job in 2000 by David Novak, boss at parent Yum Brands.
Saw bonus double last year to $1.1 million, up from about $614,500 in 2004.
Turned Taco Bell from dog to Yum darling. First-quarter same-store sales at Mexican chain jumped 8%, outpacing siblings KFC (up 5%), Pizza Hut (down 1%).
Says brand fuels some 52% of domestic sales for Yum, compared with 28% for Pizza Hut, 19% at KFC.
Last year, Taco Bell reported total sales of $6 billion, with $1.8 billion from company restaurants, $4.4 billion from franchisees. More than 5,900 restaurants in chain.
Using tactics honed at Wendy’s International. Revamped menu, boosted quality, service.
Redid restaurant design with more modern interior, bold colors, comfortable seating.
Pushes Taco Bell name through “subtle things,” from taco-shaped door handles to bell logo on backs of chairs. Says restaurants no longer are just a place “for cheap food.” Still offers cheap items so there’s something for everyone, he says.
Admired by franchisees for dedication to fixing problems, smoothing relations. Yum spent millions few years back to bail out indebted, struggling franchisees. Demeanor described as one of “great humility.”
Calls himself “deep believer in consumer research.” Upped food quality after surveys showed customers had concerns. Launched profitable premium items. Shaved closed to a minute off drive-through times.
Considering upgrading drive-throughs by putting in better speakers, adding canopies to shield rain. Testing simplified menu to remove slow-moving items. Says he’s being methodical about it.
Pushing new items: 10-ounce Crunchwrap Supreme, a stuffed hexagon-shaped tortilla sealed at edges. It’s portable for drive-through buyers, bulk of Taco Bell’s business.
Brolick’s favorite: bean burritos, Fresco style (uses salsa instead of sauce and cheese) with a splash of “fire” Border Sauce.
Says he eats them “virtually every single day at the office” in sleek Irvine tower that houses a Taco Bell.
Known for marketing twists. Giving away a million pesos (about $94,000), a year of free food, trip to headquarters in promotion for Mountain Dew Baja Blast. Winner gets to be “el presidente.”
Did taco poll during 2003 California recall election. Candidates represented by different menu items (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was a crunchy beef taco).
Prior to Taco Bell, was 12-year Wendy’s vet, directing planning, research, new product marketing. Earlier, served for seven years as vice president of marketing, concept development at Ponderosa. Also held various senior financial, product development positions at Copeland, Chrysler, where he did mergers, acquisitions.
Bachelor’s, master’s degrees in economics from University of Detroit Mercy. Originally attended in 1960s wanting to be a lawyer. Got hooked on business.
On board of governors for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Wife Maureen, three children. Hobbies include golf, running, travel, cross country biking.
,Jennifer Bellantonio
KIM PATRICK BURDICK
Bank of America Orange County;
President, California Premier Banking
Born in Montebello, Feb. 25, 1957
Lives in Tustin
Local BofA fixture for more than quarter century. Wears two hats with Charlotte, N.C.-based bank: public face in OC, oversees banking for well-off clients.
Joined as management trainee at 23. Took over OC market operations for second time following 2003 exit of former OC 50er Tara Balfour.
Heads up premier banking, investments division for customers with balances of $250,000 to $3 million. Oversees 150,000 clients, $52 billion in balances. Manages 650-member team that helps rich clients build, keep wealth.
Far reach,handles OC, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Nevada. In November, BofA created new management team by taking five premier banking executives. Put them in charge of geographic areas. Burdick got Southwest division.
OC one of BofA’s top 10 markets. Overseeing regulatory shift for banks concerning privacy of clients, compliance with federal rules.
Grown branches. OC deposits up 11% to $13.1 billion for 12 months ended June 30. Looking to lure business banking customers from other banks.
Plans to open a banking center in heart of downtown Santa Ana, at Fourth and Main Streets, later this year.
Takes philanthropy seriously. Expects executives to be involved with community, which helps expand personal ties. BofA contributed more than $1.5 million in OC last year.
Named after his father’s beloved high school teacher, whose name was Kimball. He got shortened version.
Named consumer region executive in 1987 for Los Angeles County, later OC. In 1995, headed up grocery store branch rollout. In 1998, took over premier banking. Two years later, promoted to newly created position of consumer planning, integration executive. Moved to bank’s North Carolina headquarters for a time. Close ties to BofA consumer banking chief Liam McGee.
Graduated from UCLA, majored in history. Earned graduate certificate in banking from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Was a drum major for UCLA band,only drum major to serve all four years.
On boards of Performing Arts Center, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, United Way. New Majority member.
Avid rower, single scull: “I love being in the water first thing in the morning when the sun comes up.”
In 2005, won a gold medal in rowing double sculls for California. Rows in Newport Harbor with other executives. Rowed at UCLA. Competes in masters competitions. Inspired his son to row, now rowing for Orange Coast College.
Enjoys eating at Gulfstream along Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. Likes ambience: Two sculls donated from rowing club at UC Irvine hang overhead.
Likes spending time with his family, boating, water-skiing. Wife of 25 years Dawn, two children, son, 21, daughter, 17.
,Pat Maio
SCOTT NELSON FLANDERS
Freedom Communications Inc.
Born in Indiana, Dec. 26, 1956
Lives in Newport Beach (building in Shady Canyon)
N. CHRISTIAN ANDERSON III
Publisher, CEO
The Orange County Register;
President, Metro Information Division;
Senior Vice President
Born in Idaho, Aug. 4, 1950
Lives in Coto de Caza
Flanders took top spot at OC’s dominant media company in January after former OC 50er Allen Bell retired.
Since then, been crisscrossing country, meeting with workers, talking strategy.
Steering Freedom into new phase after 2004 company sale to private equity firms Blackstone Group, Providence Equity Partners. Deal, worth $2 billion, ended feuding among descendants of founding Holies family, who sold about 58% of shares. Firms are capped at a 49.9% voting stake. Expected to want to cash out around 2010.
Has history with Blackstone: Oversaw firm’s sale of Columbia House to Bertelsmann last year.
Former Freedom director, oversees some 70 newspapers,including Santa Ana-based Orange County Register,eight television stations, magazines.
Has big plans for OC. More local Web sites, magazines, maybe a TV station. (Would be second go-round after failed Orange County NewsChannel in 1990s.)
Wants to snag largest share of advertising dollars spent in OC on all media. Considering launching or buying magazines.
Putting more resources into Web. Wants to make it a major focus. Scouting for president of interactive development.
Told Wall Street Journal: “If we’re going to get growth, it will come from capturing new readers, being able to segment them and being able to let advertisers target audiences.”
Former New Yorker, likes broadcast. Could buy more newspapers in 100,000-circulation range.
Battling long running decline in readers. Flagship Register holding up, beating national averages.
Wants to make Freedom more profitable, reduce debt, which was $792 million in September.
Before running Columbia House, was president of Macmillan Publishing, now part of Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck.
Not big on mentoring, micro managing. Rather would give employees leeway, correct mistakes when they happen.
Has an economics degree from University of Colorado, law degree from University of Indiana. CPA.
Loves sports, including Indiana basketball, football, running, hiking, reading nonfiction books. Also into politics, domestic, international policy. Misses late meals in Manhattan after working until 11 p.m.
Married, three daughters.
Anderson top man at flagship Register since 1999. Heads other OC ventures under Freedom Orange County Information, Freedom Metro Information, which includes company’s biggest papers: Register, Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., Phoenix-area papers.
Fought,and won,block-by-block war with Times for OC readers that ended around 2000, when Tribune bought Times. L.A. paper couldn’t “outlocal the locals,” Anderson says.
Continues to fine-tune Register to appeal to more readers. Most recently replaced business with “Marketplace” section, redid local coverage.
Employs about 2,000 workers at Santa Ana newsroom, printing plant. Celebrated paper’s 100th anniversary last year.
Joined Register as editor in 1980 from Seattle Times. Pushed reader-friendly graphics, shorter stories, upgraded editorial content.
Named 1988 editor of the year by National Press Foundation, 1993 California newspaper executive of the year by California Press Association. Reassigned in 1994 as publisher of Colorado Springs Gazette, Freedom’s third largest paper. Returned to Register in 1998.
Past president of American Society of Newspaper Editors. Director, KOCE-TV Foundation, Orange County Community Foundation.
Wife Aletha, four kids. Likes reading, skiing.
WILLIAM HUNT GROSS
Founder, Managing Director,
Chief Investment Officer
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in Middletown, Ohio,
April 13, 1944
Lives in Laguna Beach
WILLIAM SAMUEL THOMPSON
Managing Director, CEO
Born in St. Louis, Aug. 7, 1945
Lives in Shady Canyon
Up to their necks in debt at world’s largest manager of bond funds.
Gross is star fund manager, sought out for opinions on interest rates, economy, other matters. Thompson is global-minded executive looking to conquer opening markets in Europe, Asia.
Hot topic these days for Gross: interest rates. Predicted in December Fed would stop hikes at 4.5%, missed mark by quarter point so far. Bond king now podcasting monthly “Investment Outlook” column, which has huge following among finance types.
Challenges at hand: rising interest rates, inflation, deficits,all impacting bonds. Sought to diversify with currency, commodity, other funds.
Key rival BlackRock combining with asset-management arm of Merrill Lynch, would leapfrog Pimco as biggest bond fund manager.
Thompson unfazed: “Our goal is not to be the biggest but the best.”
Company has $610 billion in assets under management. World’s largest bond fund, Gross’ Pimco Total Return Fund, has $93 billion in assets.
Last year, Pimco lost key emerging markets guy when Mohamed A. El-Erian left to manage Harvard University’s $26 billion endowment.
Thompson, Gross skillfully pulled off majority sale six years ago to Allianz to create global powerhouse with more than $1 trillion under management, more than half managed by Pimco.
Were leaders in forming Pimco Advisors in 1994 after split from Pacific Life, which still retains $368 million stake as of Dec. 31, down from $1.5 billion in late 1990s.
Thompson chairs Pimco’s compensation, executive, partners committees. Sits on management board, ex-ecutive committee of Allianz Global Inves-tors, as well as international executive committee of Allianz. At Pimco, oversees 800 people in U.S.,500 in Newport Center,seven global offices.
Disciplined, straight shooter, responsible for expanding business worldwide (manages people, business while Gross manages money). Targeting growth in deregulating Asian, European pension markets. A quarter of clients outside U.S., sees that growing to half.
Visits each office annually.
Serves hot dogs to workers every year on his birthday. Prior to joining Pimco in 1993 as CEO, spent 18 years with Salomon Brothers including two in Tokyo as chairman, Salomon Brothers Asia.
Personal mantra: Reward people on merit, not hierarchy. Don’t let head get too big.
Thompson, Gross emerged stronger from mutual fund scandal couple of years ago. Pimco’s funds drew attention from regulators, but no charges.
Thompson, Gross used episode to wrest control of Pimco name from parent company’s troubled East Coast stock funds, which settled illegal trading charges
Last year, Allianz locked Gross into new two-year contract after his $200 million, five-year retention bonus from 2000 ran out. Said to be highest paid executive in OC.
Gross tweaking bond strategy as deficits widen, dollar falls. Been big buyer of TIPs,treasury inflation protected bonds.
No stranger to controversy, Gross has taken on hedge funds, GE, government inflation trackers. Called hedge funds overpriced, too leveraged (though he’s used some of their investing tricks amid low bond returns). Blasted way government tracks inflation. Said the consumer price index is really 1% higher than official figures, real GDP is 1% less. A Republican, came out against invading Iraq in 2003.
Broadcasts market commentaries from Pimco’s own TV studio in Newport. In 1997 wrote, “Everything You’ve Heard About Investing is Wrong.” “The Bond King: Investment secrets of Pimco’s Bill Gross,” by Tom Middleton, out in 2004.
Slave to routine. Checks data terminals from home at 4:30 a.m., eats breakfast, heads to office. Digests morning’s economic news. Tries to keep information flow to a minimum. Limits phone calls, e-mails. No Blackberry, cell phone. At 8:30 a.m., breaks for gym for exercise, yoga.
Feared blackjack player. Learned how to play after a car crash put him in hospital during college. Honed skill in Las Vegas.
Humble, almost shy. Jogger, stamp collector. Last year, became second person to have complete 19th century U.S. stamp collection. To complete collection, acquired rare “1-cent Z Grill” from 1868, depicting Benjamin Franklin. Got stamp after paying $3 million at auction for 1918 24-cent airmail stamps known as “Inverted Jenny,” then trading for Franklin stamp.
Bachelor’s from Duke, MBA from UCLA. Philanthropic: with wife Sue, gave $23.5 million to Duke to endow scholarships, support faculty. Also gave $20 million to Hoag for hospital’s Women’s Pavilion bearing their names. Funded James Hines Foundation, which contributes $100,000 annually to OC Teachers of the Year. Donated $1.5 million to Sage Hills private school for minority scholarships. Couple supports Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Clubs.
Children: Jeff, 32, Jennifer, 29, Nick, 17.
Thompson on Pacific Life board. Involved with Hoag Hospital Foundation, now chairman emeritus.
Regularly contri-butes to Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Orangewood Children’s Home. Instrumental in setting up $15 million Pimco Foundation, funded by managing directors.
Married to Nancy for 38 years. Couple into yoga, physical training, local charities. Gave $1 million to high school where they met. Last year, gave $8.5 million to University of Missouri-Columbia for autism treatment, research center.
Graduated from Missouri in 1968 with civil engineering degree. Business master’s from Harvard.
Three children: William III, 33, works for Citigroup; Emily, 30, Bucknell University, Chapman U alum living in Newport Beach, works with autistic children; Brad, 27, attended University of Oregon, lives in San Francisco.
Raised in Midwest. He, wife own home in Lake Tahoe, cabin near Lake of Ozarks in Missouri where they go bass fishing. Likes reading, golf (15 handicap). Has played in Toshiba Pro Am, AT & T; Pebble Beach Classic. Also loves vintage American cars.
PARKER STEVEN KENNEDY
Chairman, CEO
The First American Corp.
Born in Orange, Feb. 18, 1948
Lives in Orange Park Acres
Leading charge to diversify nation’s No. 2 title insurer. Despite efforts, Wall Street continues to value on core business of writing policies to protect buyers of homes, other real estate from contesting claims.
Spent 2005 buying, diversifying, grabbing market share from rivals in industry that’s slowed from 2003 peak. In fourth quarter, First American said it’s buying Clearwater, Fla.’s Trans-Continental Title Co.
Also buying non-title companies at rapid pace. Moving deeper into data services for lenders, real estate agents, appraisers.
Company boasts of nation’s largest, most comprehensive property database. Has 35,444 workers, including 2,395 in OC. Recently undertook major expansion of Santa Ana campus, added nearly 300,000 square feet of space.
More acquisitions could be in the works: looking at “quite a few fairly expensive acquisitions” Kennedy says.
Title insurance remains largest source of business at 72% of 2005 revenue, nearly same as in 2000. Five-year goal: title at half of sales.
Title industry seeing continued troubles with refinancing, housing slowdown.
Industry as a whole could be off by 10% in 2006, company projects, with housing slowdown.
Kennedy is fourth generation to run business founded in 1889 by great grandfather C.E. Parker. Went public in 1964, family run since then. Succeeded dad Donald Kennedy as chairman in 2003.
Shareholders, directors call shots.
“I could be fired tomorrow,” Kennedy says. “I think that’s a very good thing.”
Runs OC’s No. 2 public company with 2005 sales of $8.1 billion, after Ingram Micro, following Fluor’s move to Texas. Net income up 39% to $485 million last year.
Before joining First American in 1977, spent four years with Beverly Hills law firm Levinson & Lieberman. Became First American vice president in 1979, executive vice president in 1983. Became president in 1993 (company didn’t use chief executive title back then).
Gave up president’s title in late 2004, named Craig DeRoy to spot. DeRoy company insider, but not member of Kennedy clan. Succession not being discussed yet. Both men in their 50s.
Title insurance industry under increasing scrutiny. First American, others being investigated by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Follows California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi’s probe into title insurer payments to lenders, agents, homebuilders for referrals.
In July, First American, other title insurers agreed to pay $37.8 million to settle charges with Garamendi. Followed $24 million settlement in 2004 with Colorado over similar charges.
Diversification key for growth. In 2004, acquired Experian Real Estate Services from Costa Mesa’s Experian Group, run by OC 50er, former employee Don Robert. Along with Experian, bought Transamerica Finance’s tax, flood business for $375 million in 2003, one of company’s largest buys for Kennedy.
After more than 50 acquisitions in past two decades, company now does credit reporting, flood zone insurance, property valuation, worker screening, automotive credit, other services.
Current market value at $4 billion. Kennedy contends company should be valued closer to $6 billion, with its more profitable data services, 77% stake in St. Petersburg, Fla.-based First Advantage, holding company for businesses outside real estate.
Fortune 500 company (No. 284 this year, up from No. 309 in 2004). Perennial Fortune “Most Admired,” Forbes 400 company. Parker ranked fifth “Best Boss” in nation in 2003 by Forbes. One of the Business Journal’s fastest-growing companies.
Personable, remembers employees’ birthdays.
Involved with many groups. Serves on board of Boy Scouts of America’s OC Council, received group’s Distinguished Citizen Award in 2004. Past chair of Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, Bowers Museum. Has bachelor’s in economics from USC; law degree from Hastings College of Law, San Francisco.
With wife of 27 years, Sherry, have two grown children. Hobbies include running (including Los Angeles Marathon), fly-fishing, golf.
,Mark Mueller
ARTURO RICARDO
“ARTE” MORENO
Owner, Angels Baseball LP
Born in Tucson, Aug. 14, 1946
Lives in Phoenix, La Jolla
Started 2006 season with big court win over Anaheim in battle over team name.
City still could appeal. Moreno could play hardball, press for legal fees.
Prevailed in early February when jury found he didn’t violate team’s lease at Angel Stadium of Anaheim when he added Los Angeles to name. Got another victory in March, when judge rejected city request for injunction against Los Angeles name.
Fans seem to be staying above the fray, though many still refer to team as “Anaheim Angels.” Season ticket sales at 30,000, up from last year’s record 28,387.
In February, struck $500 million, 10-year TV deal with Fox Sports West after breaking off talks just days earlier.
Efforts paying off: Forbes just valued team at $368 million, twice $184 million Moreno paid to buy from Disney in 2003.
Angels had strong 2005, winning American League West with 95-67 record. Beat pricey New York Yankees in first round playoffs. Lost American League championship to eventual world champs Chicago White Sox. Team drew 3.4 million fans last season.
Has opened wallet to bring competitive team to Orange County. Opening day payroll of $103.6 million ranked third in baseball.
Unloaded veterans in offseason. Pitcher Jarrod Washburn went to division rival Seattle Mariners. Veteran catcher Bengie Molina signed with Toronto Blue Jays, took parting shots at Angels.
Aggressive marketer. Adding Los Angeles touted as way to expand team’s appeal to advertisers, TV.
Even with name controversy, enjoyed favorable local, national coverage. Came across as likeable during trial, sarcastic at times.
Says he loves OC. Looking for coastal home in Newport or Laguna so he doesn’t have to put up family in hotels during homestands.
Moreno, other investors, bought Spanish language Radio 830 KMXE for $42 million. Station to do Spanish broadcasts of Angel games.
Insists on being called “Arte.” Focused, laconic. Enjoys watching baseball over beer with buddies.
Made fortune in billboards. With partner Bill Levine (minority investor in Angels), built Outdoor Systems into player, sold to Viacom for $8.7 billion in stock in 1999. Forbes puts wealth at $940 million.
Former owner of minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City, had been minority owner of Arizona Diamondbacks in native Arizona. Owned stake worth some $30 million in NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
Fourth-generation Mexican-American, semi-reluctant role model for OC, other Hispanics. Oldest of 11 children. Speaks fluent Spanish, often to fans, workers. Thanked Hispanic juror with “muchas gracias.”
Father ran print shop, grandfather published newspaper. Attended Catholic grammar school, worked in dad’s print shop during high school. Joined Army in 1965, fought in Vietnam.
Returned to Tucson, enrolled at University of Arizona. Graduated in 1973 with marketing degree, activities included Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
Staunch Republican. Met with President Bush at December fund-raiser in Phoenix. Lives in tony part of town near Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. Family spends summers at La Jolla home. Travels via private jet.
With wife Carole (who’s prominent in Phoenix social circles), spent honeymoon driving the West Coast attending baseball games. Son, two daughters. Enjoys spending time with family. Longtime Little League coach.
,Vita Reed
MATT ANTHONY OUIMET
President, Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Co.
Born in Augsberg, Germany,
March 16, 1958
Master of ceremonies for Disney’s ongoing 50th anniversary.
2005, actual anniversary year for Disneyland Park, was a smash, best since 2000. Seeking to keep crowds coming by stretching anniversary marketing push through September
Says 2006 could be even better than last year, when Disneyland hit 14.5 million visitors, Disney hotels were 96% full.
Heads OC’s largest private employer at about 20,000 “cast members.” Manages two theme parks, three hotels, Downtown Disney. Works from office with view of Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Has new boss. Ouimet (pronounced “we-met”) had reported to Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in Burbank. Now falls under Al Weiss, former head of Walt Disney World in Orlando, now president of worldwide operations under Rasulo
Company centralizing command of parks with executive committee headed by Rasulo.
Likes new Disney boss Robert Iger: “Bob has laid out something that’s really good for us.”
Appears relaxed, comfortable. Frequently walks parks. Puts emphasis on detail, recognizes employee efforts. Last year, served breakfast to 1,500 night shift custodians.
Disney’s California Adventure, which opened in 2000, remains work in progress. Drew nearly 6 million visitors last year, helped by overflow crowds at Disneyland. Has added rides based on movies “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc.” to revitalize second park.
In October, went to Australia to pitch Aussies on visiting. Says he “can go to Finland and have people instantly recognize the place I work. That doesn’t happen to very many people.”
As part of bid to keep attention on Disneyland, relaunching Pirates of the Caribbean ride to coincide with movie this summer. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage to open in 2007 at Disneyland with flashy technology. Disneyland started podcasts showcasing rides last fall with 65,000 downloaded so far.
Says anniversary was “chance to show the economic impact of the Disneyland Resort on Orange County.”
Gratified to see how global spotlight was turned on OC, creating greater awareness for area, benefiting other businesses.
Charitable giving,financial, in-kind, scholarships, volunteer efforts,source of pride for Disney, Ouimet. Donated $1 million to Anaheim Boys & Girls Club. Three-quarters of Disneyland execs involved in area nonprofits.
Oversaw strong Southland debut of Disney cruises last summer. Trips to Mexico from Los Angeles nearly sold out. Ships now set to tour Mediterranean for first time in 2007.
Ouimet was president of Disney Cruise Line, Disney’s Port Canaveral cruise terminal before joining Disneyland Resort.
Life before Disney: worked in auditing, commercial real estate development. Came to Disney in 1989 via real estate department of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Became senior vice president of finance, business development at Walt Disney World.
Also served as senior vice president of finance, chief financial officer at Walt Disney Imagineering. Was executive general manager of Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
Held position of executive vice president of new business initiatives for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, developed new ways to target core Disney vacationers.
Grew up in upstate New York with two brothers, one a twin. Mom was cashier, father built roads, did other jobs. Instilled work ethic in kids. Friends from college say he hasn’t changed, despite coming a long way.
Graduated from Binghamton University, where he was a wrestler. Wife Kathleen, two children. Says family enjoying life here. Likes to golf, studies history in spare time.
,Sandi Cain
DONALD AUSTIN ROBERT
CEO, Experian Group
Born in Portland, Ore., May 15, 1959
Lives in Newport Coast
Preparing to lead independent company after it cuts apron strings from British retailing parent.
Built up credit reporting company under Britain’s GUS. Within next year, GUS plans to spin off Experian to shareholders with London Stock Exchange listing.
Independent Experian bound for London HQ. Small staff expected in London with listing there. Operational headquarters set to stay in Costa Mesa, Nottingham, England. Costa Mesa now de facto HQ with Robert, other top brass.
Robert still deciding where he’ll end up. Could split time.
Arguments on both sides. Robert has said he could lead from Costa Mesa, but would rack up more air miles. In London, would be closer to shareholders, analysts, rest of top brass making move.
Company is hard-charging unit alongside more sluggish GUS retail siblings, home improvement chain HomeBase, general merchandiser Argos.
Experian has yearly sales of $3 billion. North American sales up 35% through the six months ended March 31.
Separation stands to boost Experian’s identity, bring investors. Market value of company could reach $12 billion or more.
Robert loves idea of heading up new independent company with own board: “We’ll be better able to tell our story.”
Has pushed global expansion, including in China, Russia, India.
Joined Experian in 2001 as president of Experian Credit Services. Rose to CEO of Experian Group a year ago. At same time was named to board of GUS, one of Britain’s largest companies.
Guided company through acquisition binge to grow quickly with financing help from parent.
Wanted to expand beyond credit reporting business. Spent hundreds of millions on companies that did everything from help with financial planning to comparison shopping online.
Company now has 12,000 employees in 29 countries.
Banker’s mentality: Worked at U.S. Bancorp for 15 years. Titles included vice president of emerging business until mid 1990s.
Later joined Santa Ana-based First American, built up, managed consumer information and services group from 1995 to 2001. Still has ties: sits on board of First Advantage, First American’s Florida holding company for non-title insurance business.
Leader who doesn’t demand spotlight. Informal. Focused.
Oregon State University alum. Fan of the Beavers’ football team.
Member of the board of counselors for Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics.
Avid wine collector. Plays golf.
Good-size family: Wife Jennifer, four children.
,Brian Womack
THOMAS COLE SUTTON
Pacific Mutual Holding Co.,
Pacific Life Insurance Co.
Born in Atlanta, June 2, 1942
Lives in Corona del Mar
JAMES THOMAS MORRIS
Chief Operating Officer
Born in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Jan. 11, 1960
Lives in Laguna Niguel
Life insurance lifer Sutton nearing retirement sometime next year. Heir apparent Morris taking on more responsibilities.
At January reception where nonprofits were given $3 million by Pacific Life, Sutton made a point to introduce affable Morris to crowd.
Morris not officially named as Sutton’s successor yet. But slew of management changes at Newport Beach-based insurance company make him CEO-in-waiting. In January, Morris named chief operating officer.
Sutton heads parent company Pacific Mutual Holding, primary operating unit Pacific Life. County’s largest private company with 2005 sales of $4.6 billion. Owned by policyholders.
Calls management style “laid back.” Often foregoes tie.
Has overseen big diversification beyond Pacific Life’s traditional life insurance into broader financial services.
Last year, paid $2.6 billion for Bellevue, Wash.-based aircraft leasing company Boullioun Aviation Services. Move doubled Pacific Life’s Aviation Capital Group, launched more than a decade ago. Now has 220 planes worth more than $5 billion.
In 2004, paid $40 million for 49% stake in New York’s Asset Management Finance, a financier of money managers.
Parent owns brokerages M.L. Stern & Co., Associated Securities, Mutual Service Corp., United Planners’ Financial Services of America, Waterstone Financial Group. Premiums make company big investor in mortgages, bonds, venture funds.
Last month, Pacific Life unveiled plans to develop building in Aliso Viejo, move 1,000 employees from Newport Beach, Foothill Ranch once eight-story story offices are done in 2008. Plans to keep headquarters at company-owned Newport Center building.
Employs 2,500 workers in OC, down 8% from 2004 levels with shift of work to regional business center in Nebraska, 2004 sale of health insurance unit to PacifiCare.
Princeton-based College Savings Bank, college savings plans acquisition made in 2002, may go on block. Sutton says he’d consider selling $800 million-in-asset thrift because lacks strategic purpose.
Company spawned bond fund manager Pacific Investment Management. Still retains investment tie to Pimco. Stake fell to $366 million in 2005, down from $1.5 billion in the late 1990s. Germany’s Allianz, which bought most of Pimco in 2000, could exercise option to buy remaining Pacific Life stake this year. Pimco boss, OC 50er William Thompson on Pacific Life board.
Big sports backer as way to reach new customers, connect with existing ones. Title sponsor of Pacific Life Open, an Indian Wells tennis tournament. Also, title sponsor of Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Pacific Life Pac-10 Men’s Basketball Championship, Pacific Life Yacht Club Challenge.
Company owns Tijeras Creek Golf Club, which it bought in the 1990s from OC 50er Anthony Moiso.
Big community benefactor. Committed $3.6 million this year. Beneficiaries include: Performing Arts Center, Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Tiger Woods Learning Center Foundation, KOCE, UCI Foundation, Ocean Institute. Gave $1 million to UNICEF for tsunami relief.
Long-running local CEO, now in 16th year at helm of Pacific Life. Worked summers with the company during college, stayed on as an actuary.
Earned bachelor’s in mathematics, physics from University of Toronto. Completed Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.
Director, the Irvine Co., Southern California Edison. Member, UCI Chief Executive Roundtable. Chairman, Public Policy Institute of California, Association of California Life & Health Insurance Cos. Member of California Chamber of Commerce board. Past chairman, American Council of Life Insurers, Health Insurance Association of America.
Last year, saw OC 50er David Pyott of Allergan join Pacific Life’s board.
Wife, high school sweetheart, Marilyn, English professor. Three grown sons, one grown daughter.
Skis, golfs, travels, reads. Recent nightstand reading, “Warped Passages: Unrav-eling the Mysteries of the Universe’s Hidden Dimensions.” Says he could go back to school to study physics upon retirement.
Morris was summer actuarial student from 1981 to 1982 with Transamerica Occidental before joining Pacific Life in 1982 as assistant actuary in marketing.
Promoted to assistant VP, product research, development in 1986. Rose through ranks to department VP by 1990. Six years later became senior VP.
In 2002, promoted to executive VP of life insurance division. A year ago, role expanded to include annuities, mutual funds division, Pacific Select Group, which oversees brokerages. Named chief operating officer in January.
Oversees donations for Pacific Life’s political action committee.
Fellow, Society of Actuaries. Member, American Academy of Actuaries. Graduated from UCLA with bachelor’s in mathematics, 1982.
Married to Ann Morris, two children. Couple supports Court Appointed Special Advocates, nonprofit mentoring group.
,Pat Maio
ROSEMARY LOLITA TURNER
Vice President,
Southern California District
United Parcel Service Inc.
Born in Houston, May 10, 1961
UPS lifer, heads Brown’s largest market with $1.4 billion in yearly sales.
Oversees 7,000 workers. Operation ex-tends from Long Beach to Mexico border. Serves 178,000 customers a day, in-cluding Ingram Micro, Target, Beckman Coulter, Oakley.
Public face. Regular at business, community events. Management philosophy: teach, lead, motivate. Has about 18 managers.
Air of determined professionalism with flashes of casual, endearing personality.
With company for 24 years. Worked at UPS part-time during college, drove truck. Still carries trucker’s drivers license. Formerly VP of northern plains district, made up of 3,400 workers, 120,000 customers daily in Nebraska, Dakotas. Was a California girl up until then. Calls time in bone-chilling Omaha a shock.
Hits home gym before daybreak. Runs five miles a day on treadmill while watching CNN. Spends much of day in field drumming up business.
One of most prominent women in business in OC, along with OC 50er Anne B & #233;lec. Business Journal women in business award winner, 2003. Named one of 10 women making a difference by OC Metro two years ago.
Credits mother, single parent who held down multiple jobs, stressed education, as inspiration. Has bachelor’s in accounting from Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Recipient of 2005 William Strickland Award for Excellence from her alma mater. Last year was keynote speaker at school fundraiser for African American Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.
On boards of Orange County United Way (heading 2005-2006 campaign), Orange County Business Council, Performing Arts Center. Founding member of Orange County Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Gave $80,500 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County this year on behalf of UPS.
Member, UPS’ strategic planning committee responsible for company’s role in Black Executive Exchange Program sponsored by National Urban League. Volunteer, Juvenile Diabetes, March of Dimes. Mentors upcoming professionals.
Hobbies include golf, jogging, reading, shopping. Jazz enthusiast. Husband Robert.
PETER VICTOR UEBERROTH
Managing Director
Contrarian Group Inc.
Chairman, U.S. Olympic Committee
Born in Evanston, Ill., Sept. 2, 1937
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Making rounds of cities hoping to host 2016 Olympic games as chairman of U.S. Olympic Committee.
Seen as white knight after Olympic scandals of past few years, infighting at committee. Colorado Senator recently introduced bill “congratulating and commending” Ueberroth, others for transforming group.
Recently appointed Newport Beach’s Bob Ctvrtlik as committee’s international VP. Ctvrtlik possible successor to Ueberroth, whose term ends in two years.
Enjoys lasting notoriety from role organizing 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Turned around near-bankrupt operation by bringing in corporate sponsors. Left $200 million-plus surplus, which continues to back youth sports programs today. Time magazine’s Man of the Year for 1984.
Supported Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after own bid for governor in 2003 recall vote fizzled. A Republican, ran as independent focused on jobs.
Managing director of Newport’s Contrarian Group, which brings tougher investors to buy stakes in turnaround candidates, then puts one of them in charge.
Classic case: 1999 buy of Pebble Beach for $820 million. Group entered bidding late, bypassed auction by forging ties with Japanese owners. Buyout team included Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood, Richard Ferris. As CEO, put in Bill Perocchi, who worked with Ueberroth in hotel business in early 1990s.
Now faces fight with environmentalists over plans for 18-hole golf course, driving range, horse park, homes, hotel in Monterey Peninsula’s fabled Del Monte Forest. Offering to preserve some 850 acres. Has county approval. Voters passed project a few years ago. Issue rests with California Coastal Commission, which is holding hearings.
Ueberroth, co-chairman of Pebble Beach Co., Eastwood waited for hours to speak before commissioners at a peaked March meeting. Commission decision due in June.
Baseball commissioner, 1984 to 1989. Boasts all teams were profitable when he left. Picked to head Rebuild L.A. committee after 1993 riots. Resigned when he couldn’t raise enough corporate funds.
Created First Travel in 1962, sold it in 1980 as the second-largest U.S. travel company. In 1990s, started company that bought Doubletree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn. Later sold to Hilton, where he’s a director. Also director of Coca-Cola, with Warren Buffett. His pay, that of other Coke directors, now tied to financial results.
Chairman, Newport Beach-based meeting planner Ambassadors International. Son Joseph is CEO. Friend of OC 50er Donald Bren. Wife Brigitte Bren is Ambassadors director.
Company just bought American West Steamboat, which runs two cruise ships in the Pacific Northwest.
Business degree from San Jose State University, attended on water polo scholarship.
Moved around several times as child. At 16, moved into an orphanage for children of broken homes. Became home’s recreation director, earning $125 a month.
Wife Virginia, goes by Ginny. Chairs Ueberroth Family Foundation, trustee Hoag Hospital Foundation. Director, First American, along with OC 50er Parker Kennedy. Couple owns Paso Robles winery, organically produces zinfandels.
Couple has three daughters, son. Eight grandchildren.
,Michael Lyster
HONORABLE MENTION
Roland Arnall, ASEEM MITAL
U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands,
owner, Ameriquest Capital Corp.;
CEO, ACC Capital Holdings Corp.
Robert Cole, Brad Morrice
Chairman, CEO, cofounder;
Vice chairman, president,
COO, cofounder (set to
become CEO in July);
New Century Financial Corp.
ROBERT HOFF
General partner
Crosspoint Venture Partners
Fletcher “TED” Jones Jr.
CEO, president, Fletcher
Jones Management Group
GEORGE KAYE
Senior vice president, group
manager of retail banking
Washington Mutual Inc.
O.S. “Owen” Koh, LEN HUNT
CEO, president
Hyundai Motor America Inc.;
Executive vice president, COO
Kia Motors America Inc.
MAURICE L. McALISTER
Cofounder, chairman,
Downey Financial Corp.
Thomas McKernan
CEO, president, Automobile Club
of Southern California
BYRON ROTH
Chairman, CEO,
Roth Capital Partners LLC
DAVID WILSON
Chairman, CEO,
David Wilson’s Automotive Group
Mark Wetterau
Chairman, CEO
Golden State Foods
NICK E. YOCCA
Cofounder, president
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
KIM YOUNG, DAVID RITCHIE
Executive vice president,
regional president;
executive VP, regional manager
Wells Fargo Community Bank
