OC 50 – REAL ESTATE
GEORGE LEON ARGYROS
U.S. Ambassador to Spain
Owner, Arnel & Affiliates
Limited Partner, Westar Capital LLC
Born in Detroit, Feb. 4, 1937
Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor Island)
Poured himself into broad interests: development, venture investing, philanthropy, politics.
Since President Bush named him ambassador to Spain in 2001, has focused on boosting trade, diplomatic ties,a weighty post with U.S.-Spanish alliance on Iraq, terrorism.
Major diplomatic challenge: Spanish government backed U.S. war in Iraq, most Spanish didn’t. In February, offered to host talks on Iraq with Spain’s bickering political parties. Opposition officials declined, saying it makes ambassador’s home “alternative parliament.”
Opened first permanent U.S. trade office in Madrid in January. Office aims to help U.S. companies, visitors who take part in Madrid trade shows. Last year, promoted use of BuyUSA, Web site for Spanish companies to find U.S. partners, vice versa.
Oversees 400 workers at Madrid embassy, Barcelona consulate (also ambassador to Andorra, tiny principality between France, Spain).
In recent years, political fundraising ($30 million to Bush campaign), failed push for El Toro airport took precedence over real estate.
Big real estate owner through Arnel & Affiliates, where he was chairman, CEO until his appointment. Company owns, manages 5,400 apartments in OC, more than 2 million square feet of office, industrial, retail properties. OC holdings include Metro Pointe retail, office complex near South Coast Plaza. Took public knocks last year over Yorba Linda’s Bryant Ranch home development, built on earthquake fault.
Formed venture capital firm Westar Capital in 1987. Holdings include pet products maker Doskocil Manufacturing, cooler maker Igloo Products, Santa Ana chip gear maker Verteq.
Major contributor to Chapman University, where business school, student center, Argyros Forum bear his name. Donated $5 million to South Coast Rep, $1 million for college scholarships to Horatio Alger Association of Young Scholars (designated for Southern Californians). 1993 winner of Horatio Alger Award; association’s treasurer, chairman emeritus.
Second-generation Greek-American. First job was mowing lawns. Early career stops include 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. He’s 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, Orange County Council Boy Scouts of America. Currently on board of Caltech, chairman of the Beckman Foundation.
Wife Judie now goes by Julia, more Spanish sounding version of birth name Julianne. Three children, six grandchildren. 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)
More in charge than ever.
Driving force behind Irvine Co., has owned and directed company for past 20 years. After two-year shakeout, now rules over team of handpicked lieutenants.
Recently finished buying back last shares of apartment unit after taking it public in 1993. Paid $150 million in December to close books on Irvine Apartment Communities. Spent $570 million in all taking it private.
OC’s richest man at estimated worth of about $6 billion. Undisputedly shaped county’s development more than anyone else.
Empire spans 28 million square feet of investment properties. Owns 350 office buildings, 32 retail centers, 82 apartment complexes. Assets, development, land sales generate more than $1 billion in yearly revenue.
More than half of 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch set aside for parks, open space. Twenty years of development remains.
Avid outdoorsman. Now thinking about legacy as much as development. In 2001 moved to set aside 11,000 Irvine Ranch acres as open space. Scaled back Orange housing development to include more open space. Coined phrase “open space is freedom” while riding along Back Bay bike trail.
Big projects face opposition: massive Northern Sphere in Irvine is a go, but critics say will have more impact than El Toro airport would have. Environmentalists still decry Orange project, even after changes.
Oversaw restructuring in 2001 with Gary Hunt, Dick Sim moving on, Bill McFarland’s earlier departure. Fellow OC 50ers Michael McKee, Clarence Barker as well as Dan Young, Joe Davis, Monica Florian moved up to top ranks.
Private, some insist shy. Stays out of spotlight. Comes to Newport Center office nearly every day, involved in all details of business, down to project colors, design. Inspired by grand old European cities. Paid estimated $134 million in March for Symphony Towers, downtown San Diego trophy. In 2000, paid $350 million for Century City’s Fox Plaza, Westside trophy.
Has hit rough patch in office business, along with rest of industry. Conservative, minimal-debt strategy said to be key to weathering storm. Putting up 50,000-square-foot office building in Newport Center. Selling 38 Spectrum acres. Poised for rebound in OC, expands selectively beyond. Biggest tenant Cisco Systems leased but never occupied high-profile Silicon Valley campus.
In 1958, founded homebuilder Bren Co., now California Pacific Homes, and later Mission Viejo Co., which he sold to Phillip Morris in 1972. 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, Athelie Clarke for their shares. Became 100% owner in 1996.
Political, personal ally of President Bush,both father and son. Big giver: more than $20 million donated to UCI for academic chairs. His Donald Bren Foundation matching up to $700,000 in donations to Irvine schools. Contributed 21,000 acres to Nature Reserve of Orange County.
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. A Caltech trustee.
Former Marine at Camp Pendleton, plans to give $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 degrees from University of Washington.
Mother Marion Jorgensen was married to movie producer Hilton Bren, later steel magnate Earle M. Jorgensen, who died in 1999.
Married to entertainment lawyer Brigitte Bren, splits time between Los Angeles, Newport. Building new home on Harbor Island. Four children with previous wives. 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 (Linda Isle)
Single handedly redeveloped much of Santa Ana in past decade. Working on crowning achievement: 37-story downtown tower, would be OC’s largest.
Project delayed by city scrutiny, fate of historic buildings at One Broadway Plaza site. Envisions five-star French restaurant on top floor, Fortune 500 companies, big law firms below.
Loved, hated in Santa Ana. Supporters call him city’s savior. Critics say he’s driving out Hispanics, changing historic downtown for worse with tower.
Has painstakingly restored Masonic Temple, Santora Building, other landmarks. Downtown now an arts hub, with trendy restaurants, artists lofts going up. Recently honored by Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society for efforts.
Earlier this year, paid $2.8 million for two more downtown buildings, including historic former OC main branch of Bank of America. Plans theater there.
Owns Caribou Industries, construction, property management firm with offices on Main Street. Counts 2 million square feet of Santa Ana real estate. Properties are 90% leased.
Something of an eccentric. Wears ZZ Top beard, weighs 300 pounds. Piloted helicopter stunts for third “Austin Powers” movie and for “The Hulk,” due out this summer. Offered helicopter services to Sheriff Mike Carona in case of terrorist attack, disaster. One of 600 deputized reserves. Recently in a motorcycle accident. Recovering well.
Grew up in Whittier, son of machinist, teacher. Attended Cal State Long Beach, didn’t graduate. Started working as carpenter, building Riverside apartments. Made small fortune by 25. Developed resort at Lake Havasu, earned him millions.
Another 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. Steady focus on business, push to get projects going leaves some with abrasive impression. Says he plans to move to Santa Ana’s French Park, a bastion of opposition to his tower. “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” he says.
Wife Melanie, no children. Likes to ride Harley, smoke cigars.
,Mathew Padilla
JONATHAN
MOSHEIM JAFFE
Vice President, Western Region President,
Lennar Corp.
Born in New York, Sept. 21, 1959
Lives in Emerald Bay
Regional president for Miami based-Lennar. Led homebuilder’s charge into California in 1995. Has had to buy way into OC’s tight-knight homebuilding club, where big landowners, homegrown builders dominate.
Leads third largest home-building operation in OC, one of largest in California. Going after El Toro land, already has chunk of former Tustin Marine base, vying for largest piece of Tustin base.
In past years, Mission Viejo-based Lennar Homes of California lead the pack of OC builders. Despite 20% gain in OC last year, was outgunned by Standard Pacific, Shea Homes. Lennar, along with others, focusing on Inland Empire, pushing into Central Valley with Cambridge Homes buy.
Came to California from Florida in 1995. Starting from the ground up, has built Lennar into one of the three largest builders in the state, with strong emphasis on buying other builders. Oversaw combination of Lennar’s homebuilding operations and Los Angeles-based Pacific Greystone. Followed that with U.S. Home deal.
Under his watch, company has done more than $1.5 billion in buying since 1995. Lennar’s Western region controls more than 50,000 lots, 11 homebuilding operations in four states: California, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona. Builds and sells homes primarily for entry-level, move-up, active adult buyers.
Became executive officer with parent Lennar in 1994. On national advisory board of HomeAid America.
Sees housing market in OC remaining strong due to supply-demand imbalance. Rising interest rates, prices could deter entry-level buyers, but remains optimistic about the health of housing industry.
Leading way with company’s strategy to redevelop former defense facilities: redeveloping 500-acre Mare Island facility near San Francisco. (Former sister company, now independent LNR Property also big on bases, led locally by VP Dave Team).
Undergraduate degree from University of Florida, graduate studies in architecture at Georgia Tech University.
Wife Karen, three kids. Hobbies include tennis, enjoying the beach life, coaching kids’ little league teams.
,Mathew Padilla
DONALD MILTON KOLL
Principal, The Koll Company
Born in Santa Monica, March 29, 1933
Lives in Beverly Hills (Trousdale Estates)
Busy these days scouting out commercial properties in OC, Southland to buy. Has been key player in developing commercial side of county.
In November, refinanced $100 million airport industrial portfolio. Plans to use proceeds as part of bid to buy $200 million worth of Southland real estate in next two years. Last year sold two Newport office buildings owned with Aetna Life Insurance. Recently advised RREEF on buy of 203,000-square-foot Cypress Corporate Park.
2001 was pivotal year: left company that bears his name, Koll Development, to launch another, Koll Company. Tapped former Koll Development execs Jerry Yahr, Bryan McGowan, Alan Airth formerly of Grubb & Ellis, for new venture.
Sold Newport Beach-based Koll Construction, now Arris Builders, to company’s managers in September.
Since 1962, has developed more than 85 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and entertainment space. In 1972, partnered with Tim Strader to design, develop 100-acre Koll Center Newport at Jamboree Road, MacArthur Boulevard. Today, the site counts 13 buildings and nearly 1.5 million square feet of office space. OC 50er Dwight Decker’s Conexant Systems is main tenant. In 2001 sold stake in Koll Center South to Strader.
In 1998, New York-based NorthStar Capital Investment Co. financed the Don Koll-led buyout of Koll Development. But two had differences. Koll stepped down as chief executive in 2001.
Before leaving, completed two eight-story, 187,000-square-foot office buildings at the northern end of what’s now Irvine Concourse at Main and MacArthur.
Says he’s busier now than ever.
Developing, selling land in Los Cabos. Holds 500 acres of land surrounding Palmilla resort community, which is being subdivided and sold to individuals, developers. Has stake in Los Angeles-based CB Richard Ellis. Director, along with OC 50ers Bill Foley, William Lyon, at Fidelity National. Repaid $150,000 Fidelity loan (as did Lyon) in November.
Is buddies with fellow OC 50er Don Bren, sat on Bren’s Irvine Company board for 20 years. Also on advisory board of CB Richard Ellis (whose CEO is former Koll general Ray Wirta).
Partner with Bren’s brother Peter Bren, Chuck Schreiber in Koll Bren Realty Advisors, an asset manager with 66 million square feet of space.
Contributor to the Washington, D.C.-based Prince of Wales Foundation. Late in 2001 went to Scotland to dine with Prince Charles at Edinburgh castle. Also in 2001 hosted former Gov. Pete Wilson, Buzz Aldrin, former ambassador to Mexico John Gavin and others at a party for release of “Villard,” a biography of Civil War journalist and industrialist Henry Villard.
Earned bachelor’s in economics from Stanford. Former Air Force fighter pilot. Second wife Kathi, one son, five daughters.
,Mathew Padilla
WILLIAM LYON
Chairman, CEO,
William Lyon Homes Inc.
Born in Los Angeles, March 9, 1923
Lives in Coto de Caza
Has built homes for five decades. Company bearing his name doing flourish of homes in Southland amid housing boom, though did less in OC in 2002 than prior year. Has survived plenty of market downturns. Developing portion of Tustin Marine base with Mission Viejo-based Lennar Homes, OC 50er Jonathan Jaffe.
Chairs new venture this year: Commercial Bank of California. Bank set to open in Costa Mesa this month. Is major investor. Bank set to make loans of up to $5 million to smaller businesses, offer other services, ranging from real estate lending, banking services for rich clients.
Started out with brother Leon in the 1950s. Currently grooming son Bill Lyon. In all, has put up more than 100,000 homes. Helped create Southern California suburban landscape.
His connections are one of William Lyon Homes’ most intangible assets: “His reputation carries weight with land sellers,” President Wade Cable says.
In 1999, Lyon engineered troubled Presley’s buy of William Lyon Homes for $48 million. Combined company renamed William Lyon Homes, itself a product of hard times. Lyon saw his empire reduced to rubble by the late-1980s downturn with lenders taking nearly all assets of William Lyon Co. Doggedly worked through disaster without resorting to bankruptcy. Started William Lyon Homes in 1993.
Revenue topped $613 million for 2002, a 31% rise. OC’s fifth-largest builder last year with 457 homes. Building in California, Arizona, Nevada. Counts 42 sales locations.
Once favored buying large parcels for development. Has evolved strategy along with changing landscape. Now follows more conservative approach, 100- to 200-unit subdivisions. William Lyon Homes consistent developer on Irvine Ranch, recently tapped by Irvine Co. to build in Quail Hill.
Owns majority stake in William Lyon Property Management, separate from William Lyon Homes. The property management company owns or manages 10,000 apartment units, primarily in OC.
Aviation buff. Owns Martin Aviation. Previous owner (with fellow OC 50er George Argyros) of AirCal. Also an avid car collector: has 95 classic and antique cars, including 10 Duesenbergs (only 480 made). His 1931 Duesenberg J Speedster took best of show at 2000 Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance and his 540 K Special Roadster won best of show there in 2002.
Retired Air Force major general, 17 combat decorations. Chief of the Air Force Reserve, 1975 to 1979. Attended Dallas Aviation School and Air College, USC. Last year received honorary doctorate from USC.
February recipient of lifetime achievement award from Forum for Corporate Directors. Had crowd in stitches with acceptance speech.
Lives with wife Willa Dean in mansion on 130-acre estate in Coto de Caza. 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)
Iranian immigrant who’s directed various real estate entities, now rides the housing boom as head of Capital Pacific Holdings. Homebuilding arm, Capital Pacific Homes, builds in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas.
In California, building multimillion-dollar homes along the coast, dubbed “McMansions.”
Oceanfront development in Rancho Palos Verdes caters to busy, rich executives with motion-sensor lights, iris-scanner entry, doors that lock automatically.
Building more affordable offerings in Inland Empire.
Engineer by training, did rough designs himself for Rancho Palos Verdes homes. Hands-on with company’s pricey homes. Often arrives on site unannounced, directs changes during construction. Has hired helicopter to fly along coast looking for lots to build on.
Grew up in Iran. Parents ran a big construction company that built U.S. military bases, other sizeable projects.
Was 16 when he came to the U.S. in the 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 his wife after Islamic revolution.
Couple settled near her relatives. Took construction job. Saved money, began building condos along Fort Myers Beach. When recession hit Florida in early ’80s, moved to Washington, D.C.
Built townhouses there along subway line near a regional mall in Maryland. Developed more than 1,000 units. Sold 1,100-square-foot units for $250,000.
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 with minority partner Dale Dowers for $47 million.
Company involved in projects to build 115 homes in Orange and Riverside counties, but also in default on $200 million debt.
Sold properties, settled pending legal cases.
In 1994 combined Capital Pacific with J.M. Peters to form Capital Pacific Holdings.
Now developing colossal masterplanned community on 24,000 acres in Colorado. Plans for 70,000 homes, more than 60 million square feet of commercial space.
Capital Pacific is majority owner, partners are son Paul’s Makar Properties, fellow OC 50er Igor Olenicoff.
Paul, 29, is Capital Pacific senior VP, CEO of Makar and making a name for himself as developer, real estate buyer, operator of St. Regis resort in Dana Point. Other son, Cyrus, 26, is vice president of technology with Makar. Wife is Barbara. Just bought second home in Montecito.
,Mathew Padilla
MICHAEL DALE McKEE
Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer,
The Irvine Company
Born in Clinton, Ill., Jan. 2, 1946
Lives in Emerald Bay
CLARENCE W. BARKER
President, Investment Properties Group,
The Irvine Company
Born in Tulsa, Okla., July 27, 1948
Lives in Corona del Mar
Key duo running Irvine Co. under direction of owner, fellow OC 50er Donald Bren.
Along with Joe Davis, president of Irvine Community Development, two oversee company’s core functions of real estate management, development, corporate operations.
McKee is second-in-command to Bren. Kicked off real estate career in the 1970s, early ’80s as attorney with Latham & Watkins. Worked on some of the earliest real estate investment trusts. Worked closely with Bren on a number of Irvine Co. initiatives, including the Irvine Apartment Communi-ties public offering in 1993. In 1994, was brought in-house as Irvine Co.’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 buyback of apartment unit.
Said to be like Bren: gentlemanly, private. “He’s not a bomb-thrower,” colleague said.
Became chief financial officer in 1996. Now oversees all non-operational functions of the company,legal, finance, government, community relations. As vice chairman, he and Bren form two-person operations management committee overseeing all aspects of the company. Focused on “managing effectively through difficult times.”
Not a developer by training, though his background is key to company that’s more financially complex, focused on real estate investment and becoming an ever larger asset manager.
Weathered tough couple years: there’s 2 million square feet of vacant commercial space in Irvine Spectrum. Irvine Co. has also lowered lease rates in many of its facilities. But major parts of business,office, retail and apartments,have done better than local market averages.
Board member, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Health Care Property Investors, Realty Income, Mandalay Resort Group. Provided legal counsel to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.
Wife, Cindy. Two children, one grandchild. Avid golfer. Works out regularly, taken up yoga. Was Episcopal priest before becoming lawyer.
Barker oversees investment properties group’s day-to-day activities. At different times, directly headed all of the company’s income properties. Now responsible for managing about 28 million square feet of office, retail property (including the 5,000-acre Spectrum) and some 26,000 apartments in 75 communities owned or being built by the company.
Weathering office slump. Reduced rents, landed new tenants, filled empty buildings. But vacancies still high.
Joined in 1988 as vice president of development for the Irvine Office Co. Prior to Irvine Co., served as vice president of development for Williams Realty. of Tulsa, Okla., whose portfolio included high-rise office buildings, hotels, shopping malls.
Member of the Urban Land Institute; director, United Way of Orange County. Company liaison to UCI.
He holds a bachelor’s in business, accounting from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.
Wife Eve, three children.
,Mathew Padilla
ANTHONY
RICHARD MOISO
CEO, President,
Rancho Mission Viejo LLC
Born in West Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 1939
Lives in Emerald Bay
OC’s second-biggest landowner after Don Bren.
Runs Rancho Mission Viejo, manager of Moiso-O’Neill family’s development, leasing, farming, cattle operations in South OC. Controls 25,000 acres of undeveloped land with big plans.
Thirty-year vision calls for 14,000 homes, 5.1 million square feet of development on 23,000 acres. Faces big challenge: plan has drawn fire from environmentalists, some officials, even though it sets aside roughly 14,000 acres as open space. Some environmentalists propose buying land to keep it empty. Moiso interested in developing, not selling.
Grooming next generation of leadership, including daughters Katrina, Cristy, Anne Marie, Francesca, as well as other family members.
Had struggles while overseeing Rancho Santa Margarita masterplanned community, a casualty of last California recession. Has rebounded with the success with Ladera Ranch, a 4,000-acre masterplanned community near Mission Viejo. Seeing record sales so far this year.
A staunch Republican, shared childhood friendship in West Los Angeles with Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. The two later attend Stanford and joined the same fraternity. Uncle Richard O’Neill, 80, is Democratic bigwig.
Earned history, political science degrees from Stanford. Served two years in Army as Infantry officer. Along with fellow OC 50er Bren, started Mission Viejo Co. Revived Santa Margarita Co. in 1973.
In California Building Industry Foundation’s Hall of Fame. Chairman of directors of the Mission Preservation Foundation working to maintain Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Wife Melinda, 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, Russia, Sept. 19, 1942
Lives in Emerald Bay
One of OC’s most successful developers. Portfolio stretches from Southern California to Florida.
Commercial operations span more than 4.5 million square feet in OC, 2,000 tenants, 380 buildings. The company also owns vacant land set to house another 1.25 million square feet. Set to start this year on five-story, 135,000-square-foot building at Olen Pointe Brea.
Last year, landed Ventura Foods, maker of Hidden Valley salad dressing, for 130,000 square feet at Olen Pointe Brea, filling hole left by Ericsson.
Along with Olen Pointe Brea, other prime holdings include Irvine’s Spectrum Technology Center, Spectrum Pointe in Lake Forest. Last year finished 100,000-square-foot Orchard Technology Park in Lake Forest. Also this past year, acquired One Venture, Two Venture buildings, both in Irvine Spectrum.
Diversified into residential in the 1980s. Owns more than 10,000 apartments, another 1,000 or so being developed annually. Added Phoenix area to established Las Vegas, South Florida portfolio in recent years. Development of apartments, especially in Florida, Las Vegas, received stronger focus in recent years due to slower commercial sector. Total portfolio nearly doubled in the past three years, now stands at more than 11,000 apartments.
Currently in midst of major entertainment, retail center development in Florida as part of venture with Canadian partner.
Partner in venture with fellow OC 50er Hadi Makarechian’s Capital Pacific Holdings, affiliate Makar Properties to develop 21,000-acre masterplanned community in Colorado. Partnership plans to sell lots to homebuilders, while retaining land for commercial, industrial, apartments.
Olen Properties headquartered in one of the 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, including using shell companies to buy land.
Parents fled Soviet communism due to family ties with Czar Nicholas II. Family fled 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, an MBA, and master’s in statistics and 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, USC grad and treasurer, vice president at Olen. Daughter Natalia, USC student.
Hobbies: snow and water skiing, off-road motorcycle riding.
,Mathew Padilla
STEPHEN JEFFREY
SCARBOROUGH
Chairman, CEO, Standard Pacific Corp.
Born in Los Angeles, Oct 27, 1948
Lives in Irvine (Turtle Rock)
Heads largest homebuilder in OC. Expanded Standard Pacific into new states through acquisitions, including buys last year of three builders in Florida, Carolinas. Company also in Texas, Arizona, Colorado.
Expects to sell 8,000 homes nationwide this year. Last year did 6,300 homes, revenue of nearly $1.9 billion.
Beat out rivals Lennar, Shea last year for top spot in OC’s hot housing market. Sold 836 homes here last year, a 57% rise. While many decried a lack of lots to build on, saw earlier moves, cultivated relationships pay off.
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, Newport Coast, Tustin Ranch, Fullerton.
First-quarter results showed decline in California numbers, but total is up thanks largely to Florida, Carolinas acquisitions. Lower California figures related to timing of new home openings, he says.
Along with geographic expansion, also eyeing senior buyers with condominiums, two-story homes with master downstairs. Also wants to do more infill.
Been with company for 21 years, in home building industry entire career. Started with company in 1981 as president of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside counties. In 1996 elected president of company. 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 the Irvine Co.: “It was a tremendous time.”
Inducted into California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2000. Chairman of the Board of Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council, on the Board of the City of Hope Construction Industries Alliance, on the National Advisory Board for HomeAid America, which constructs temporary housing for under privileged families.
Wife is Trish. Three kids: Jennifer, Jeff, and Kristin. 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
Shaped Costa Mesa’s development in past four decades. Now guiding city’s growth as urban arts hub, complete with grand concert hall, skyscrapers.
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 some 93 acres of farmland.
Given $40 million, land for Performing Arts Center expansion
Heads C.J. Seger-strom & Sons, developer, owner of South Coast Plaza, most successful retail center in the county, major tourist draw. Public face of family business.
Cousin-in-law Jeanette Segerstrom, former co-managing partner, died in 2001. Henry Segerstrom’s stake in company said to be around 25%, smaller than that of Jeanette’s estate.
The family’s crown jewel is South Coast Plaza, considered the first retail center in the country to have topped $1 billion in sales in a single year. Celebrating 35th anniversary this year. Company’s retail holdings exceed 2.7 million square feet.
Also owns high-rises,including Plaza Tower, Center Tower, Park Tower,in the Town Center business district of Costa Mesa.
Home Ranch project also includes high school bearing Segerstrom name, cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Shea Homes broken ground on 156 homes. Segerstroms won 15-year battle with antigrowth crowd, Costa Mesa’s stringent zoning rules to get project approved in 2001.
Fellow OC 50er Paul Folino’s Emulex plans to relocate to new headquarters being built there.
Fashion Square Ventures, a separate entity of Henry, other family members and other parties, had minority stake in MainPlace mall in Santa Ana, now owned by Australia’s Westfield Holdings.
Has completed major revamping of former Crystal Court retail complex across from South Coast Plaza, including footbridge between two centers.
Faced off in probate court last year with free-spirited stepdaughter Mikette von Issenberg over assets related to death of prior wife Renee M. Segerstrom three years ago. Issenberg’s claim recognized by judge, amount settled privately, rumored to be anywhere from $1 million to $10 million.
Grandfather C.J. was Swedish immigrant farmer. By 1950s family was leading lima bean grower. Took over from Uncle Harold T., changed focus from farming to development.
Rose from Army private to field artillery captain; received Purple Heart in World War II. Bachelor’s, master’s in business from Stanford. Honorary doctorate of law from Western State University.
Last month received inaugural lifetime achievement award from OC Business Council, which named award after the family.
Married to Elizabeth, third wife, recently naturalized U.S. citizen. Sons Anton, Toren from first wife. Anton, son-in-law David Grant involved in business.
,Mathew Padilla
HONORABLE MENTION
ROBERT A. ALTER
Chairman, CEO, President,
Sunstone Hotel Investors LLC
BERT E. DEZZUTTI
Senior VP, Equity Office
Properties Trust
MICHAEL K. HAYDE
Owner, CEO,
Western National Group
MELINDA MASSON
Owner, CEO, Merit Property Management Inc., Merit Association Services Inc.
JOHN B. PARKER,
RUSSELL J. PARKER
Principals, Parker Properties LP
TUSHAR PATEL
Chairman, Tarsadia Hotels
KENNETH B. ROATH
Chairman, CEO, President,
Health Care Property Investors Inc.
LES THOMAS
President, Shea Homes
Southern California
JANA LYNN TURNER
President,
Management Services,
CB Richard Ellis Inc.
H. LAWRENCE WEBB
CEO, WL Homes LLC
(John Laing Homes Inc.)
