GEORGE LEON ARGYROS
Chairman, CEO Arnel & Affiliates;
Limited Partner, Westar Capital LLC
Born in Detroit, Feb. 4, 1937
Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor Island)
Back in OC real estate, no big moves yet. Stepped down as ambassador to Spain after George Bush won re-election.
Back at helm of Arnel & Affiliates, where he is chairman, CEO (kept oversight while ambassador, but wasn’t active day-to-day). Company owns, manages 5,400 apartments in OC, more than 2 million square feet of office, industrial, retail space. Local holdings include Metro Pointe near South Coast Plaza.
Longtime force in local real estate. Sees high-rise condos, more density as inevitable next phase of development here.
Getting back into politics: among those who helped raise $3 million for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during March visit to Irvine.
Recently spoke at UC Irvine with former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar. Had difficult final year in Spain. Took part in protest over Madrid subway bombings, saw key U.S. ally in Iraq shift stance after terrorist attack.
Spanish political upheaval at tail end overshadowed work to promote trade, warm diplomatic ties during his four-year stint as ambassador. Blended well with Madrid’s corporate elite.
Before becoming ambassador, headed up California fund-raising for 2000 Bush campaign, helping to raise $30 million. Was prominent figure in push for El Toro airport in early 1990s.
Formed venture capital firm Westar Capital in 1987. Holdings include pet products maker Doskocil Manufacturing, cooler maker Igloo Products. Former portfolio company, Santa Ana chip gear maker Verteq, recently bought by Akrion. This year saw sale of Irvine’s Consolidated Fire Protection.
Major contributor to Chapman University, where business school, student center, Argyros Forum bear his name. Also given to Performing Arts Center. Supported college scholarships to Horatio Alger Association of Young Scholars (designated for Southern Californians).
1993 winner of Horatio Alger Award; association’s treasurer, chairman emeritus. Recent recipient of Norman Vincent Peale Award.
Second-generation Greek-American. First job was mowing lawns. Early career stops included paperboy, grocery stores, food distribution. Earned licenses in securities, insurance, real estate.
Former owner of Seattle Mariners. Former co-owner of AirCal with OC 50er William Lyon.
Alumnus of Michigan State, Chapman. Served more than 26 years as chairman of Chapman’s board. Still a trustee.
Member, Bethesda, Md.-based Chief Executives Organization. Former chairman, Richard Nixon Library; founding chairman of the Nixon Center in Washington, D.C.; former chairman, current board member, OC Council Boy Scouts of America. Currently on board of Caltech, chairman, Beckman Foundation.
Wife Judie; three children, six grandchildren. Recently underwent double-knee surgery. Enjoys sailing, snow skiing, running, golf, fishing, hunting.
,Mathew Padilla
DONALD LEROY BREN
Owner, Chairman, The Irvine Company
Born in Los Angeles, May 11, 1932
Lives in Newport Beach (Linda Isle)
OC’s “The Donald.”
Driving force behind Irvine Co., largest real estate owner here. Has owned, directed company for more than two decades. Oversees team of younger handpicked lieutenants.
OC’s richest man at Business Journal-estimated worth of $7.5 billion. Undisputedly shaped county’s development more than anyone.
Ranked No. 8 on Builder magazine’s December list of 50 most influential in homebuilding, behind Alan Greenspan, President Bush, execs at D.R. Horton, KB Home.
Estimated empire spans 30 million square feet of offices, shopping centers. Owns more than 400 office buildings, 35 shopping centers, 80 apartment complexes. Rent, development, land sales generate an estimated $2 billion in yearly revenue.
In final stages of three-year, $240 million renovation of shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, apartments.
Moves watched closely for clues about real estate markets. Jumping back into office development with 270,000 square feet of buildings under construction at Irvine Technology Center. Hadn’t green-lighted anything more than 100,000 square feet in about four years.
Scored one of OC’s largest office leases in December with Irvine chipmaker Broadcom, which is set to move headquarters to Irvine’s University Research Park, taking 700,000 square feet in eight buildings being built. Deal could turn park into research hub it was meant to be.
Last year launched Woodbury, first phase of Northern Sphere project, one of Bren’s final big housing developments. In next decade, should add some 12,000 homes, apartments to Irvine. Eyeing start of long-planned developments east of Orange, east Anaheim.
Said to be happy with Lennar’s buy of El Toro, which sits amid Irvine Co. developments, land. Lennar known entity, worked on Irvine Ranch for years.
Of late, made news as much for possible buys as development. Looked at, passed on 30 office buildings in five states put up for sale by CommonWealth Partners, reportedly for $1.5 billion or more. Last year, was said to be top bidder for high-rise office building in Irvine. Former tenant Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP exercised lease term to match bid, paid $106.5 million for tower.
Has bought outside OC: paid estimated $134 million in 2003 for Symphony Towers, downtown San Diego trophy. In 2000, paid $350 million for Century City’s Fox Plaza, Westside trophy.
Sun Vally ski buddy of Gov. Schwarzenegger. Attended New Majority fund-raiser for governor in 2003 at Shady Canyon. Leader in Bush re-election bid. Political, personal ally of President Bush, both father, son. Recently gave to L.A. mayor bid of Bob Hertzberg, moderate Democrat.
Longtime philanthropist, getting even more generous in golden years. Last summer, gave $20 million to UCI for what now is Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.
Given $40 million in all to UCI, mostly for academic chairs. Funded UCI’s Bren Events Center, campus theater named after his stepmother, Claire Trevor Bren, actress who died in 2000. School of Environmental Sciences and Management at UC Santa Barbara bears his name.
Company, Donald Bren Foundation spending $200 million on schools, teachers. Contributed 21,000 acres to Nature Reserve of Orange County.
Avid outdoorsman. Now thinking about conservation legacy. In 2001 moved to set aside extra 11,000 acres as open space. Move cut nearly 8,000 homes from East Orange housing development, some 7,000 from Anaheim project.
More than half of 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch set aside for parks, open space. Coined phrase “open space is freedom” while riding along Back Bay bike trail.
Twenty years of development left on Irvine Ranch.
Big projects face opposition: Northern Sphere under way, but critics say will have more impact than El Toro airport would have. Environmentalists still decry east Orange project, even after scaling back.
Private, some insist shy. Stays out of spotlight. Comes to Newport Center office nearly every day, involved in all details, down to project colors, design. Inspired by coastal Mediterranean hillside towns.
In 1958, founded homebuilder Bren Co., now California Pacific Homes. Later started Mission Viejo Co., which he sold to Phillip Morris in 1970s. Part of 1977 group acquiring control of Irvine Co. Bought out most partners for $518 million in 1983. In 1991 paid $256 million court award to heiresses Joan Irvine Smith, mother Athelie Clarke for their shares. Became 100% owner in 1996.
A Caltech trustee. Former Marine at Camp Pendleton, gave $1 million for two chairs at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va. In 1998 received Semper Fidelis Award for support of Marine Corps University Foundation. Did officer training at Quantico in 1957. Business administration, economics degree from University of Washington.
Mother Marion Jorgensen was married to movie producer Milton Bren, later steel magnate Earle M. Jorgensen, who died in 1999.
Married to entertainment lawyer Brigitte Bren. Son born in 2003. Has other children. Splits time between Los Angeles, Newport. Building home on Harbor Island. Accomplished skier. Also windsurfs, sails, plays tennis.
,Mathew Padilla
MICHAEL FREDERICK
HARRAH
Owner, President
Caribou Industries Inc.
Born in Los Angeles, March 25, 1951
Lives in Newport Beach (Lido Isle)
Tower is a go, if he can get it leased.
Decisively won April vote on planned 37-story office building in downtown Santa Ana. Focus on absentee voters helped nab 56% margin. Sent out mailers in English, Spanish, Vietnamese.
One Broadway Plaza would be county’s tallest building, Harrah’s crowning achievement after years of buying, redeveloping in Santa Ana.
Residents, preservationists forced vote over traffic. Easily outspent opponents in campaign at $370,000.
Promised city he would lease half of building before building. Said to be in talks with SBC Communications for a big chunk of it. Has to pay $12 million for traffic upgrades.
Envisions five-star French restaurant on top floor, Fortune 500 companies, big law firms below.
In past decade, has redeveloped much of Santa Ana. Supporters call him savior for restoring old buildings, reviving city. Critics say he’s changing historic downtown for worse with tower.
Owns 3 million square feet of space downtown, near Civic Center. Downtown now an arts hub with trendy restaurants, lofts. Honored by Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society as Preservationist of the Year for 2003.
Paid $2.8 million in 2003 for two more downtown buildings, including historic former OC main branch of Bank of America. Set to open Performing Arts Pavilion there next month.
Recently opened Original Mike’s, auto-themed restaurant in historical car dealership building downtown.
Sold three office buildings last year. Tenants at sold buildings are government agencies with long-term leases and were unlikely to move to new tower, his broker says.
Owns Caribou Industries, development, construction, property management company with offices on Main Street.
Building tower with no opposition in Hawaii: 35-story luxury condo high-rise in downtown Honolulu.
Something of an eccentric. Sports ZZ Top beard, 6 feet 6 inches tall, 280 pounds. Piloted Cobra helicopter in aerial stunts for movies “Austin Powers: Goldmember,” “The Hulk,” “The Siege.” Offered helicopter services to Sheriff Mike Carona in case of terrorist attack, disaster. One of 600 deputized reserves. Had motorcycle accident in 2003. Recovered.
Born in Los Angeles, grew up in Whittier. Son of machinist and Whittier High School teacher. Attended Rio Hondo College, Cal State Long Beach. At 19, started working as framing carpenter, then general contractor by 21, building Riverside apartments. Made small fortune by 25.
Developed resort at Lake Havasu over 10 years while a national top water ski racer, boat racing contender. Development of shopping centers, hotels, golf courses, condominiums, marinas earned him millions.
Another large Havasu deal pushed him to bankruptcy in 1990. Had to rent room from mother-in-law in Garden Grove. Emerged from bankruptcy, turned to Santa Ana at a time when city was left for dead.
Hard-driving. Works seven days a week, 16-hour days, very hands-on. Steady focus on business. Push to get projects going, keep them on track, leaves some with aggressive impression.
Supports community charities, including education, arts groups such as Orange County High School of the Arts, Boys and Girls Club.
Not married. Likes to ride Harley, smoke cigars.
,Mathew Padilla
JONATHAN MOSHEIM JAFFE
Chief Operating Officer
Lennar Corp.
Born in New York, Sept. 21, 1959
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
EMILE KHALIL HADDAD
President, California Region,
Lennar Corp.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, June 14, 1958
Lives in Mission Viejo
Top local execs for Miami-based homebuilder. Made themselves at home.
Jaffe No. 2 exec at Lennar, after CEO. Promoted to COO from Western region president last summer. Only company officer on West Coast.
Haddad heads California operation with 22 homebuilding and land divisions, more than 50,000 lots. Handles acquisitions with Jaffe.
In February, duo pulled off biggest real estate deal here since Donald Bren bought Irvine Co.: $1 billion buy of former El Toro Marine base.
Lennar topped bidding, paying $650 million to Navy, $400 million to Irvine to develop Great Park, which includes homes, offices.
Recently bought 30 properties near Angel Stadium as city created special zoning there to allow housing with shops, offices. They plan six condo high-rises, including one as tall as 35 stories. Would be tallest residential tower in county. Plan about 3,000 homes in Anaheim in all.
Bought controlling stake in former Parker Hannifin site in Irvine for about $100 million to develop 1,400 condos, as well as shops, offices. New name is Central Park West, plans include two 16-story high-rises.
Teamed last year with LNR Property to buy Valencia-based Newhall Land & Farming. Buy gives Lennar, LNR control of 47,000-acre Newhall Ranch, making it Irvine Co. of Los Angeles County.
Leading Lennar’s expansion into urban development, denser housing. Learned ropes in San Diego, San Francisco.
Also focusing on Inland Empire, pushing into Central Valley. In 2003, bought Coleman Homes, largest builder in Bakersfield. Biggest builder in Sacramento, controls three Naval bases in the Bay area: Treasure Island, Mare Island, Hunters Point.
Jaffe led homebuilder’s charge into California in 1995. Had to buy way into OC’s tight-knit homebuilding club, where big landowners, homegrown builders dominate. Good ties with county’s major landowners.
Oversaw combination of Lennar’s homebuilding operations and Los Angeles-based Pacific Greystone. Followed that with U.S. Home deal.
With promotion, oversees 100 homebuilding and land divisions in Arizona, California, Carolinas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia. Builds, sells homes mainly for entry-level, move-up, active seniors.
Became executive officer with parent Lennar in 1994. On national advisory board of HomeAid America.
Sees OC housing market remaining strong due to supply-demand imbalance. But rising interest rates, prices could deter entry buyers.
Undergraduate degree from University of Florida, graduate studies in architecture at Georgia Tech University.
Wife Karen, three kids. Hobbies include tennis, enjoying beach life, coaching kids’ little league teams.
Haddad, like boss, has low-key style. Led land development in Southern California for Canada’s Bramalea when Lennar bought it in 1996. Became part of executive staff here,common Lennar strategy.
Has civil engineering degree from American University of Beirut, has several California licenses in engineering, contracting. Member, Urban Land Institute. On Board of Home Aid of Orange County.
Wife Dina, daughter, 14, son, 8. Not big on hobbies, family man.
,Mathew Padilla
WILLIAM LYON
Chairman, CEO
William Lyon Homes Inc.
Born in Los Angeles, March 9, 1923
Lives in Coto de Caza
Homebuilding icon, helped shape Southern California suburban landscape.
Looking to buy what he doesn’t already own of namesake homebuilder. Late last month, offered $82 per share for 28% held by others. Offer worth $200 million.
Investors since have bid up shares beyond Lyon’s offer. Eastside Investors sued company last week calling buyout unfair.
Looking to go private to avoid costs of being public. Upped control earlier this year by buying another 1 million shares. Controls 72%.
Homebuilding company humming but coming off peak. Number of homes finished this year, revenue expected to drop 10% to 15% from last year.
Orders for homes declining due to cooling in OC, Las Vegas. Fewer communities to build at.
2004 was banner year: Profits more than doubled from 2003 to $171 million, revenue doubled to $1.8 billion.
Developing portion of Tustin Marine base with OC 50ers Jon Jaffe, Emil Haddad of Lennar.
In 2003, became chairman of Commercial Bank of California in Costa Mesa. Is major investor, involvement helped bank set record $27 million in startup funds.
In homebuilding for five decades. Started Luxury Homes with brother Leon in Fullerton in 1954. Sold company to American Standard in 1968. Started William Lyon Co. in Newport in 1972.
In 1987, acquired Newport’s Presley Development, ran separately from William Lyon Co. Downturn of early 1990s reduced empire to rubble. Doggedly worked through disaster without resorting to bankruptcy.
Started William Lyon Homes in 1993. In 1999, combined William Lyon, Presley creating William Lyon Homes, just in time for housing boom.
OC’s third-largest builder last year, with 340 homes sold in 2004, down 16% from a year earlier. Building in California, Arizona, Nevada.
Once favored buying large parcels for development. Has evolved strategy. Now follows more conservative approach, 100- to 200-unit subdivisions. William Lyon Homes consistent developer on Irvine Ranch.
His connections are one of William Lyon Homes’ most intangible assets: “His reputation carries weight with land sellers,” President Wade Cable says.
Owns majority stake in William Lyon Property Management, separate from William Lyon Homes. Company owns, manages about 10,000 apartments, primarily in OC.
Retired Air Force major general, 17 combat decorations. Fighter pilot during World War II, Korea. Served as chief of Air Force Reserve, 1974-1979.
Aviation buff: In 1981, he, OC 50er George Argyros paid $62 million to buy AirCal, turned around troubled regional airline. Sold five years later for $225 million.
In late 1980s, formed Air/Lyon with former AirCal exec, provided ground services for commercial airlines, private aircraft. Owned Martin Aviation.
Also an avid car collector: has 95 classic and antique cars, including 10 Duesenbergs (only 480 made). Politically connected. Hosted Karl Rove for GOP fund-raiser at Coto de Caza home.
Attended Dallas Aviation School and Air College, USC. Received honorary doctorate from USC in 2002.
In 2003, received lifetime achievement award from Forum for Corporate Directors. Had crowd in stitches with speech. Droll sense of humor.
Lives with wife Willa Dean in mansion on 130-acre Coto estate. Five children.
,Mathew Padilla
HADI MAKARECHIAN
Chairman, CEO, President
Capital Pacific Holdings Inc.
Born in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 30, 1948
Lives in Newport Beach (Big Canyon)
Letting son take most of limelight here while he works on projects outside OC.
Owns bulk of Capital Pacific. Company delisted from Amex in 2003. Asked to be removed partly because of higher costs of Sarbanes-Oxley.
Pioneer in developing coastal homes for rich based on set floor plans, dubbed “McMansions.” Oceanfront development in Rancho Palos Verdes caters to busy, wealthy executives with motion-sensor lights, iris-scanner entry, doors that lock automatically.
Develops various projects as head of Capital Pacific. Homebuilding arm, Capital Pacific Homes, builds in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas. Building more affordable offerings in Inland Empire, higher end in Santa Barbara.
Building luxury homes along coastal OC, including Pointe Monarch at St. Regis, a Dana Point project.
Son Paul Makarechian, 31, was Capital Pacific senior VP, now CEO of spinoff Makar Properties, developer of St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. Paul looking to build condos, shops, hotel on prime 31-acre site on PCH in Huntington Beach.
Paul is chairman of Generation Next, a club of heavy-hitting young Republicans, youthful counterweight to dad’s New Majority.
Hadi Makarechian is engineer by training, did rough designs himself for Rancho Palos Verdes homes. Hands-on with company’s pricey homes, commercial projects. Often arrives on site unannounced, directs changes during construction. Has hired helicopter to fly over coast looking for land to build on.
Has lawsuit for $35 million pending after Coastal Commission blocked building of oceanfront Dos Pueblos Golf Links in Santa Barbara County. Issue seen as test for Gov. Schwarzenegger. Big governor supporter, contributor.
For now, Coastal Commission agreed to let Makarechian apply to county to build 12 homes on 208 acres. Golf course subject of lawsuit.
Grew up in Iran. Family ran largest construction, development company that built U.S. military bases, other sizeable projects. Came here in 1960s to study civil engineering at State University of New York, Buffalo.
Earned degree, got married, returned to Iran to family business.
Fled to Florida with wife after Islamic revolution. Company nationalized.
Started over from scratch. Couple settled near her relatives. Took construction job. Saved money, began building condos in Florida.
When recession hit Florida in early 1980s, moved to Washington, D.C. Built high-rises along subway line near a regional mall in Maryland. Developed more than 1,000 units. Sold the business when others started doing same thing.
Moved to California in 1990 at age 41. Enjoyed several months of early retirement at Big Canyon. In 1991, started Capital Pacific. Bought J.M. Peters in 1992 for $47 million. In 1994 combined Capital Pacific with J.M. Peters to form Capital Pacific Holdings.
Now developing some 80 projects. Makar owns several office buildings, massive landholding in Colorado where plans call for 70,000 homes, more than 60 million square feet of commercial space.
Other son, Cyrus, 27, is technology VP with Makar. Wife Barbara. Couple lives in Big Canyon, second home in Montecito.
,Mathew Padilla
MICHAEL DALE McKEE
Vice Chairman, COO
The Irvine Company
Born in Clinton, Ill., Jan. 2, 1946
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
CLARENCE W. BARKER
President, Investment Properties Group
The Irvine Company
Born in Tulsa, OkIa., July 27, 1948
Lives in Corona del Mar
JOSEPH DAVID DAVIS
President, Irvine Community
Development Co.
The Irvine Company
Born in Los Angeles, March 18, 1950
Lives in Rancho Santa Fe
Trio overseeing Ir-vine Co.’s core operations: land planning, real estate management, corporate fi-nance, strategy.
McKee is No. 2 to Donald Bren, chairman, OC 50er. Started legal career in 1970s with Latham & Watkins. Worked on some of earliest real estate investment trusts.
Worked closely with Bren on number of Irvine Co. projects, including Irvine Apart-ment Communities public offering in 1993. In 1994, was brought in-house as company’s chief legal officer, Bren’s personal attorney.
Instrumental in deals allowing Bren to buy out minority shareholders, become 100% owner of the company, as well as Bren’s 2002 buyback of apartment unit.
Said to be like Bren: gentlemanly, private. “He’s not a bomb-thrower,” colleague says.
Became chief financial officer in 1996. As vice chairman, he, Bren form two-person operations management committee overseeing all aspects of the company.
Not a developer by training, though his real estate background is key to company that’s more financially complex, focused on investment, asset management.
Board member, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Health Care Property Investors, Donald Bren Foundation, Mandalay Resort Group. Provided legal counsel to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, headed by fellow OC 50er Peter Ueberroth.
UCLA law degree. Wife, Cindy. Two children, two grandchildren. Avid golfer. Works out regularly, does yoga.
Barker oversees group that manages estimated 30 million square feet of office, retail space, some 27,600 apartments in 80 communities owned or being built by the company. Previously headed office, retail, apartment units. He’s run everything except hotels, golf courses.
Making sizable return to office development with 270,000 square feet of buildings at Irvine Technology Center. Construction under way on five low-rise buildings.
Building 700,000-square-foot HQ for Broadcom at University Research Park. Chipmaker plans to move in two years.
Weathered tough few years in office market, enjoying comeback. Irvine Spectrum 90% full, Newport Center more than 90%. Raising rents in marquee spots, such as Newport Center.
Joined in 1988 as VP, development. Prior to Irvine Co., served as development VP for Williams Realty of Tulsa, Okla., which owned high-rise office buildings, hotels, malls.
Company liaison to UCI. Former member, Urban Land Institute.
Holds a bachelor’s in business, accounting from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.
Wife Eve, three children, one grandson.
Davis directs development of homes on company land,most lucrative side of business in past few years. Phenomenal 2004.
In fall launched Woodbury, first phase of Irvine’s Northern Sphere,one of company’s final big housing projects. Should add some 12,000 homes, apartments to Irvine in next 10 years. Eyeing start of long-planned developments east of Orange, east Anaheim.
Shady Canyon, Newport Coast, Pacific Ridge, Quail Hill hot spots in supercharged housing market.
Joined Irvine Co. in 1993. Became president of company’s Irvine Community Builders in 1996. Following year promoted to executive VP of newly formed Irvine Community Development Co. Later that year named president.
Worked for Chevron, Watt Land Development, Amfac Properties before joining Irvine Co. Created exclusive Fairbanks Ranch community.
Holds general building contractor, real estate broker licenses. Has bachelor’s, master’s in business administration from USC.
Received the 2002 “Spirit of Life” award from City of Hope. Wife Terri, four children, one grandchild.
,Mathew Padilla
ANTHONY RICHARD MOISO
CEO, President
Rancho Mission Viejo LLC
Born in West Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 1939
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Started publicity push for development of last big piece of family land here, after county in summer released its environmental report.
Project would span 23,000 acres rising along OC’s southern foothills below Miss-ion Viejo. Pledged to set aside 65% as open space.
Still, project has fueled sparring with environmentalists. Sure to be long battle.
Runs Rancho Mission Viejo, manager of Moiso-O’Neill family’s development, leasing, farming operations in South County. Family traces ties to land back to 1882. OC’s No. 2 landowner after Donald Bren.
Twenty-five year plan for land calls for 14,000 homes, 5 million square feet of commercial development.
Environmentalists propose buying land to keep it empty. Moiso interested in developing with open space, not selling.
Closing out Ladera Ranch, 4,000-acre masterplanned community near Mission Viejo. Looking to lure luxury buyers inland with last village there.
Grooming next generation of leadership, including daughters Katrina, Cristy, Anne Marie, Francesca, as well as other family members.
Says he, uncle Richard O’Neill, 82, talking about future. Family members could run operation or bring in managers overseen by family board.
Along with land, owns shopping centers, apartments, senior complexes, medical, other commercial buildings.
A staunch Republican, shared childhood friendship in West Los Angeles with former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. Two later attended Stanford, joined the same fraternity. Uncle is Democratic bigwig.
Earned history, political science degrees from Stanford. Served two years in Army as infantry officer. Started Mission Viejo Co. with Bren. Revived Santa Margarita Co. in 1973.
In California Building Industry Foundation’s Hall of Fame. President, Mission Preservation Foundation working to maintain Mission San Juan Capistrano. Benefactor, Heart of Jesus Retreat Center, Santa Ana, Co-Chair with Wife Melinda of annual fund-raiser for center in which prominent local men model clothes.
Four daughters, three granddaughters, two grandsons. Well known for his love of horses, also bicycles, hikes, skis, golfs.
,Mathew Padilla
IGOR MICHAEL OLENICOFF
Owner, CEO, Olen Properties Corp.
Born near Moscow, Sept. 19, 1942
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Entered airport of-fice high-rise derby in January with buy of two 13-story towers in Irvine for $100 million. Deal was his first buy of a high-rise in popular commercial hub near John Wayne Airport. Said he plans several more.
Developing five-story, 130,000-square-foot-office building at Olen Pointe Brea,was largest office building under construction in county in fourth quarter. Should be done late this year. Subprime lender Residential Mortgage Assistance Enterprise taking entire building.
Commercial operations span more than 5.4 million square feet in OC, 2,000 tenants, 380 buildings. Also owns vacant land set to house another 1.25 million square feet.
Redeveloping four office and industrial projects in Irvine into some 2,000 apartments.
Along with Olen Pointe Brea, other prime holdings include Irvine’s Spectrum Technology Center, Spectrum Pointe in Lake Forest. Three years ago, finished 100,000-square-foot Orchard Technology Park in Lake Forest. Also in 2002, acquired One Venture, Two Venture buildings, both in Irvine Spectrum.
Diversified into residential in 1980s. Total portfolio nearly doubled in the past four years.
Now owns more than 10,000 apartments, another 1,000 or so being developed annually. Has entertainment, retail center development in Florida as part of venture with Canadian partner. Also doing golf course and 1,400 residential lots in Northern Florida.
Last year cashed out of big project in Colorado, where he had teamed with fellow OC 50er Hadi Makarechian, Makar Properties.
Olen Properties has headquarters in one of more distinctive OC buildings: huge, museum-like structure on Corporate Plaza near Fashion Island. Shrewd businessman, knows how to get around obstacles to get his projects done.
Parents fled Soviet Union due to family ties with Czar Nicholas II. Family went to Iran, came to U.S. in 1957. Attended missionary school where he became fluent in English, Russian, Farsi.
Worked his way through USC where he graduated with four degrees,bachelor’s in finance and engineering, MBA, master’s in statistics, quantitative analysis.
Worked for Shell oil, Touche Ross, Motown Records. Founding partner in real estate syndicator Gemini Pacific. VP of operations at Dunn Properties before starting Olen in 1973.
Wife Jeanne. Son Andrei is playing a bigger role in company. A USC grad, treasurer, vice president at Olen. Daughter Natalia, USC grad.
Enjoys snow and water skiing, off-road motorcycle riding.
,Mathew Padilla
STEPHEN STEPHEN JEFFREY
SCARBOROUGH
Chairman, CEO
Standard Pacific Corp.
Born in Los Angeles, Oct. 27, 1948
Lives in Irvine (Turtle Rock)
After record 2004, company’s stock falling since late February on rising mortgage rates, de-cline in orders for new homes.
Builder took 2% less orders for homes in the first quarter, versus a year earlier. Behind slowdown: cooler demand in Southern California, fewer communities to sell at, decision to temper sales in Florida.
Company eyeing more gains this year, says ready for pullback if market turns dramatically.
Profits last year up 50% to $315 million from 2003. Revenue up 42% to $3.4 billion. Still optimistic, says large backlog of homes sold should lead to high numbers again this year.
Paid $11.5 million bonus on top of $956,000 salary for 2004.
Continues expanding via acquisitions, new divisions. In March, bought Bakersfield operations of Probuilt Homes, scooping up 1,000 lots in the area. Opened division in San Antonio, Texas, in March.
Now fourth-largest builder in California, 12th largest nationally by revenue.
Expanded Standard Pacific into new states through acquisitions, including buys in 2002 of three builders in Florida, Carolinas.
In 2003, bought another Florida builder, Coppenbarger Homes. Company also in Texas, Arizona, Colorado.
Topped this year’s Business Journal ranking of local builders, despite a 22% drop in homes sold in 2004 in OC to 590 units. Common scenario as builders had fewer developments to build at, some buyers balked at high prices.
In the 1990s, when Scarborough was president, company formed venture with Catellus Residential Group, Starwood Capital Group to develop San Clemente’s Talega. Move assured lots at one of OC’s largest projects. Also building at South County’s Ladera Ranch, Irvine.
Along with geographic expansion, also eyeing senior buyers with condos, two-story homes with master bedrooms downstairs. Also wants to do more infill.
Been with company for nearly 24 years, in homebuilding industry entire career. Started with company in 1981 as president of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside counties. In 1996 elected president. Appointed CEO in 2000, chairman in 2001.
Graduated from USC in 1970, with bachelor’s in business. Attended UCLA but transferred to USC, got business master’s there in 1971. While doing MBA, exposed to OC real estate and Irvine Co.
Inducted into California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2000. Past chairman of board of Boy Scouts of America’s OC Council, on board of City of Hope Construction Industries Alliance, on the National Advisory Board for HomeAid America, which constructs temporary housing for poor families.
Wife Trish. Two daughters, son. Family lives in Standard Pacific-built home in Turtle Rock.
,Mathew Padilla
HENRY THOMAS SEGERSTROM
Managing Partner
C.J. Segerstrom & Sons
Born in Orange County, April 5, 1923
Lives in Newport Beach
Construction well under way, big-ticket names hired for $200 million Ren & #233;e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, part of Performing Arts Cen-ter expansion, set to open in September 2006.
Should be crowning achievement for Segerstrom in his promotion of Costa Mesa as hub of shopping, business, arts. Facility is “establishing a level of performance that you would have to go to New York or London to even come close to what we have here,” Segerstrom says.
He, past wife Ren & #233;e donated $40 million to begin fund raising for the hall.
Serves as founding chairman of Performing Arts Center. Public face of family business.
Heads C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, developer, owner of South Coast Plaza, most successful shopping center in the county, some say U.S. Major tourist draw. Segerstrom honored earlier this year by Orange County Tourism Council for lifetime contributions to tourism.
Planning 21-story tower at site of current Sumitomo building on Bristol. Sprawling Home Ranch project calls for 200 homes, 1 million square feet of office, industrial space on some 93 acres of farmland. Already lured Ikea, Emulex to Home Ranch.
In 2001, Segerstroms won 15-year battle with opponents, Costa Mesa’s stringent zoning rules to get Home Ranch approved.
Armstrong Ranch project in Santa Ana includes high school bearing Segerstrom name, cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Shea Homes built 156 homes there.
Family owns Costa Mesa high-rises, including Plaza Tower, Center Tower, Park Tower.
Grandfather C.J. was Swedish immigrant farmer. By 1950s family was leading lima bean grower. Henry Segerstrom seen as influential in changing family’s focus from farming to development.
Cousin-in-law Jeanette Segerstrom, former co-managing partner, died in 2001.
Enlisted, rose from Army private to field artillery captain. Received Purple Heart in World War II.
Bachelor’s, master’s in business from Stanford. Honorary doctorates of law from Western State University, Whittier Law School.
In 2003, received inaugural lifetime achievement award from OC Business Council, which named award after the family.
Married to Elizabeth, third wife, naturalized U.S. citizen. Daughter Andrea, sons Anton, Toren from first wife. Anton, son-in-law David Grant involved in business.
,Mathew Padilla
PETER OWEN SHEA JR.
CEO, J.F. Shea Co.
Born in Farmington, N.M., Feb. 17, 1967
Lives in Newport Beach
ROBERTO FRANCISCO SELVA
CEO, Shea Homes
Born in San Francisco, Jan. 2, 1962
Lives in Newport Coast
WALTER WILLIAM GABOURY
CEO, Shea Properties
Born in St. Clair, Mich., Jan. 17, 1945
Lives in Laguna Niguel
Family member, extended family members running OC real estate empire that includes homebuilding, apartments, offices, land.
Peter Shea Jr. gradually taking over family company based just over county line in Walnut. Picked up CEO title a few months ago, was chief operating officer. Uncle John Shea is chairman.
Homebuilding arm, headed by Selva, one of most active in OC. Like others, sold fewer homes last year. Largest privately held homebuilder in the nation, annual revenue of more than $3 billion.
Gaboury oversees unit that owns office buildings, apartments. Portfolio valued at more than $1.6 billion.
Other businesses include Shea Financial Services, J.F. Shea Construction.
Peter Shea is family member most closely tied to OC. Runs company with uncle in democratic style. Family, department heads discuss big development deals, vote.
Worked up company ranks. Got his start as a laborer in Shea’s rock, gravel quarry in Redding.
During 17 years, worked as project manager, project engineer, field engineer, VP of construction division.
Family business is 120 years old. Sheas worked on some monumental projects: Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam, building tunnels, stations for San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit System, Washington, D.C., Metro.
Peter Shea oversaw the Congress Heights stations, tunnels for Washington subway.
Earned bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of California, Berkeley.
Serves on boards of Harbor Day School District, Beaver’s, nationwide construction industry group. Previously served on board of Association of General Contractors.
Wife Debbie, four children. Golf enthusiast.
“Bert” Selva runs family’s housing arm. Building homes at former Tustin Marine base with Dallas-based Centex.
Selva low-key, easy-going executive, gets along well with Shea family. Worked way up company ranks.
Joined Shea in 1996, hired to set up, grow Colorado division. Previously did stints with the Colorado division of KB Homes, OC office of Signature Homes.
Adjusted company’s strategy in Colorado while developing 22,000-acre Highlands Ranch. Kept more lots to build on, sold less to other builders, also sold raw land, instead of doing all prep work.
Diverse career. Previously international banker in Hong Kong, South Korea, Tokyo. Also was management consultant with Arthur Andersen.
Holds bachelor’s in business from USC, master’s in business from UCLA.
Serves on national advisory board of HomeAid America. Is board trustee of Regis University in Denver. Board member, Mercy Housing California. Previously served as president of the Homebuilders Association of Metro Denver. Member, Young Presidents’ Organization.
Hobbies include golf, cars. Prominent local Hispanic exec, fluent in Spanish. Wife Cindie, three children.
“Bill” Gaboury oversees 7,500 apartments, 5.4 million square feet of office, industrial, retail space. Spent 20 years working for the Sheas.
Has been upstaged by Shea Homes in recent years amid housing boom, commercial lull. Team player: rezoning commercial land to residential, turning it over to Shea Homes.
Made a splash with Aliso Viejo’s Vantis, currently includes a 177,000-square-foot office building finished in 2003 and 70% leased to Seattle-based Safeco. At Vantis, working on 75,000-square-foot office building, 1,006-unit parking structure, homes to be built by housing arm.
Known for cautious, well-planned projects. Avoids glitzy high-rises. Tall, amiable.
Building apartments, rezoning some commercial land to residential at Baker Ranch in Lake Forest,2,500 homes in all. Developed City Lights, an 800-unit luxury apartment complex in Aliso Viejo. About 95% full.
Oversees office, industrial buildings elsewhere in California, Colorado. Set up Phoenix division, working on first shopping center of about 130,000 square feet.
Working on commercial development at former Tustin Base in partnership with Selva.
Got foothold in OC when J.F. Shea bought Mission Viejo Co. in late 1990s. Family picked up Denver assets in deal, which yielded 3,000 homes. Deal brought Shea Properties from Walnut to Aliso Viejo, where the commercial arm is based in a building built on land acquired in deal.
Gaboury was back seat driver in F-4 fighter jet during Vietnam War. Bachelor’s in business from Michigan State University in 1967.
Wife Marcia, two daughters, Adrienne and Claire. Hobbies: fly-fishing, golf.
,Mathew Padilla
HONORABLE MENTIONS
ROBERT A. ALTER
CEO, president, founder
Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc.
Natale “Nat” Bosa
President, Bosa Development Corp.
BERT E. DEZZUTTI
Senior VP, Equity Office Properties Trust
MICHAEL K. HAYDE
CEO, Western National Group
FRANK JAO
Chairman, CEO, founder
Bridgecreek Group Inc.
DONALD MILTON KOLL
Principal, The Koll Company
MELINDA MASSON
CEO, president, founder,
The Merit Cos.
JOHN B. PARKER,
RUSSELL J. PARKER
Principals, Parker Properties LP
TUSHAR PATEL
Chairman, Tarsadia Hotels
JANA LYNN TURNER
President, asset services, CB Richard Ellis Group Inc.
H. LAWRENCE WEBB
CEO, WL Homes LLC (John Laing Homes Inc.)
