GEORGE LEON ARGYROS
Chairman/CEO, Arnel & Affiliates
General Partner, Westar Capital
Born in Detroit, Feb. 4, 1937
Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor Island)
One of Orange County’s foremost retail developers, investors, philanthropists and political forces; major benefactor of Chapman University, where business school is named after him. Has taken controversial political stands in favor of El Toro commercial airport and, not surprisingly, in favor of Wal-Mart in Huntington Beach, a project his firm is spearheading.
OC holdings include Metro Pointe retail-entertainment-office complex across from South Coast Plaza. Holds slightly more than 5% stake in Costa Mesa-based Apria Healthcare Group Inc.
Second-generation Greek-American. First job was mowing lawns, moved up to paperboy, later worked his way through college in grocery industry. Briefly studied food distribution. Received licenses in securities, insurance and real estate. Ultimately chose real estate.
Today through Arnel & Affiliates owns, manages 5,400 apartments in OC, and more than 2 million square feet of office, industrial and retail properties.
Formed Westar Capital, a prominent investor in companies with high-growth potential; holdings include USCS International, DST Systems, Doskocil Manufacturing Co., Tecstar Cinetech, Verteq and Scripps Clinics.
Previously owned Seattle Mariners baseball team and, with fellow OC 50er William Lyon, AirCal.
Directorships include Rockwell International, DST Systems, First American Financial Corp., Newhall Land & Farming Co., Doskocil Manufacturing Co., Tecstar, All-Post Inc., Harper Leather Goods and Verteq.
Alumnus of Michigan State, Chapman University. Chairman of Chapman’s board of trustees since 1976, top benefactor: student center, Argyros Forum, named after him. Member of the board of CalTech, Independent Colleges of Southern California, steering committee of Independent Higher Education Network. Chairman of Beckman Foundation, Argyros Foundation, founding chairman Nixon Center, vice chairman Doheny Eye Institute, board member Orange County Council Boy Scouts of America.
1993 winner of the Horatio Alger Award of Distinguished Americans, serves as chairman. Wife Judie, a fixture in OC society scene; three children. Enjoys sailing, snow skiing, golf, fishing and hunting.
,Nidal M. Ibrahim
DONALD LEROY BREN
Owner/Chairman, The Irvine Company
Born in Los Angeles, May 11, 1932
Lives in Newport Beach (Linda Isle)
Orange County’s most dominant land baron. His Irvine Co. is developer and investor, with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. Owns 25 million square feet of income properties and more than 50,000 acres, roughly 10% of OC’s land.
Was still county’s wealthiest man by Forbes’ reckoning last fall ($3.2 billion), but has arguably since lost the title to fellow OC 50ers Henry Samueli and Henry Nicholas of Broadcom. But who knows for sure?
Shy and private, he ended a six-year experience in the public markets last year by completing buyback of Irvine Apartment Communities, at a time when Southern California apartment rents began sharp rise. Recently announced sale of homebuilder Capital Pacific Homes to son Cary.
Taking advantage of hot economy to geographically expand holdings, pushing into San Diego County and Silicon Valley. Recently scored coup in Silicon Valley by signing Cisco Systems Inc. to 572,000-square-foot lease. IAC just broke ground on construction of North Park, a 60-acre, 2,400-unit apartment community in San Jose. Holdings in Silicon Valley now total 2 million square feet of office and R & D; space and another 5 million square feet planned or under development.
Moving forward on various development activity on Irvine Ranch holdings. Later this year plans to start on 450,000-square-foot Irvine Spectrum Center third phase. Office and industrial construction ongoing in the 5,000-acre Irvine Spectrum.
Storm clouds: Company withdrew plans for expansion of Fashion Island shopping center pending outcome of Newport Beach slow-growth initiative; company granted delay on state Coastal Commission hearing so it can look for alternatives to controversial holding basin and culvert plan.
Pal of former Gov. Pete Wilson. Large booster of UC system: Bren has endowed more chairs than any other single donor, given more than $20 million to UCI. Contributed 21,000 acres to Nature Reserve of Orange County, UCI’s Bren Events Center named after him, serves on the school’s board of overseers. Namesake of renamed Bren School of Environmental Sciences at UCI. Also a trustee for CalTech.
Son of real estate investor/Hollywood producer Milton Bren and Marion Bren, who divorced. Personal losses: stepdad, industrialist Earle Jorgensen, died last August; stepmom, actress Claire Trevor Bren, died earlier this year. Business administration and economics degrees from University of Washington.
Founded homebuilder Bren Co. in 1958, and 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. Assumed 100% ownership of the Irvine Co. in 1996.
Married for third time last year, to Brigitte Bren. Four children. Avid (and accomplished) skier. Also windsurfs, sails, plays tennis.
JONATHAN MOSHEIM JAFFE
President, Western Region, Lennar Corp.
Born in New York, Sept. 21, 1959
Lives in Emerald Bay
Aggressive dealmaker who has spent roughly $1.5 billion since 1995 in acquisition binge to build developer and homebuilder Lennar Corp.’s California operations. Most recently helped in acquisition of major national builder U.S. Home. Oversees Lennar’s homebuilding operation in three states that now comprises more than 50,000 lots, 11 homebuilding units and employs roughly 1,000 in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Came to California from Florida in 1995. Two years ago was point man on merger between Lennar’s homebuilding operations with that of Los Angeles-based Pacific Greystone Corp., creating one of the biggest homebuilding operations in the country.
Key exec in helping Lennar win the contract for Mare Island, a 500-acre redevelopment project of the former U.S. Navy base near San Francisco, where firm is currently leasing space and has opened Toro University. Plans to expand to bring university to local Marine base? “Not at the present.” Still, eyeing similar reclamation and redevelopment projects for El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin Marine Air Corps and San Diego Naval Training Center.
Has been with Lennar for 16 years, seven of them overseeing several divisions in Florida which built 10,000 homes. Undergraduate from University of Florida, graduate studies in architecture at Georgia Tech University.
Wife Karen, a housewife. Three kids. Hobbies include tennis, enjoying the beach life and coaching kids’ little league teams.
,Nidal M. Ibrahim
FRANK JAO
Chairman, Bridgecreek Group Inc.
Born in Haiphong, Vietnam, June 1949
Lives in Huntington Beach
Major developer of Little Saigon in Westminster, helped define ethnic building niche. Company in transition, abandoning projects in Southern California and Las Vegas, focusing on Northern California. For now, has given up plans to form real estate investment trust or merge with a REIT, preferring to go it alone in hot real estate market.
Quiet on Southern California front, content to manage existing properties as real estate continues to appreciate. Abandoned plans to enter senior housing niche in Southern California with 300-unit project in Westminster because “too cumbersome.” Had plans for major commercial project in Las Vegas, but pulled out because of fears of overheated market.
Making major push in Northern California: Currently developing $50 million, 40-acre mixed-use project in San Pablo, north of Berkeley. Looking for additional opportunities, in negotiation on 43-acre mixed use commercial and residential project in Daly City, immediately south of San Francisco.
Barely escaped from Saigon with his life in 1975, with Communists shooting at Air Force jet lifting him, 400 other refugees to safety. Arrived in Westminster’s Vietnamese community with $50, began selling Kirby vacuum cleaners, studying real estate. Earned license in 1976, founded Bridgecreek two years later.
Ethnic Chinese born in Vietnam. Loathes stereotypes. Changed spelling of name, pronounced “chow,” to Americanize it.
Bachelor’s in business from Vietnam, has done graduate work at Harvard University’s School of Design. Speaks fluent English, Vietnamese and Chinese. Wife Cathie; two daughters.
DONALD MILTON KOLL
Chairman/CEO, Koll Co.
Born in Santa Monica, March 29, 1933
Lives in Newport Beach (Balboa Island)
One of the nation’s most prolific and aggressive developers, 67-year-old Koll seems reinvigorated by recent real estate boom. Despite recent losses of several top executives, shows no sign of slowing down, saying he is afflicted with the “disease”: “I like to build and have a lot of fun at it.”
Heads Koll Development Co., Koll Construction LP, Koll Resorts and KollStar Golf, all based in Newport Beach. Current activity includes about 80 commercial projects totaling more than 14 million square feet and $1.2 billion in construction costs. Umbrella Koll Co. one of largest private companies based in OC, with annual revenue exceeding $400 million.
Recently divested himself of major hotel stakes in resort properties in Los Cabos, but retains 500 acres of land surrounding Palmilla resort community.
With partial funding from NorthStar Capital, has been pursuing aggressive building plan. Recently completed construction and lease-up of 8-story Koll Center Irvine North building in Irvine Concourse; began demolition of 40,000-square-foot Dellarobbia building across the street at Main Street and MacArthur Boulevard, where construction plans call for second 8-story, 187,000-square-foot building. Also planning Koll Center South at Campus and Jamboree in Irvine; initial plans call for half a million square feet of campus style office development, a 200,000-square-foot parking structure, support retail, residential, and a restaurant on 28 acres. “Orange County is the hottest place in the country, I think.”
Koll Development on national expansion drive , added five offices last year to bring total to 13, plus one office in Shanghai, China.
Working in Asia to develop retail and industrial projects. Has offices in Hawaii.
Since its founding in 1962, Koll Development has developed more than 70 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and entertainment space.
Sits on buddy (and OC 50er) Donald Bren’s Irvine Co. board. Also on boards of CB Richard Ellis (whose CEO is former Koll general Ray Wirta) and OC 50er Bill Foley’s Fidelity National Financial.
Partner with Bren’s brother Peter Bren and Chuck Schreiber in Koll Bren Realty Advisors, an asset manager that has 66 million square feet of space.
Earned bachelor’s in economics from Stanford. Former Air Force fighter pilot. Wife Mary “Kathy,” one son, five daughters.
,Nidal M. Ibrahim
WILLIAM LYON
Chairman/CEO, William Lyon Homes Inc.
Born in Los Angeles, March 9, 1923
Lives in Coto de Caza
Like Douglas MacArthur, “The General” has returned. Former Forbes 400 member and charter member of the OC 50, fell off both lists during early ’90s real estate recession, which hit him harder than most. But has staged spectacular comeback: Not back on Forbes’ list, but has returned to OC 50 for first time since 1994. “I’m not a quitter. I’ve never walked away from anything in my life.”
Legendary OC homebuilder began with brother Leon in 1950s, has put up more than 75,000 homes. Is training son Bill Lyon to take over firm.
Held 43% stake in former Presley Homes; recently completed reverse acquisition of Presley Homes, renamed it William Lyon Homes. Ranked sixth on Business Journal list of most active homebuilders, fifth if sales of Presley Homes are included. Pushing into Northern California. Owns majority stake in William Lyon Property Management and the 10,000 apartment units it owns or manages.
Aviation buff. Owns Air Lyon, partial owner of Martin Aviation. Previous owner (with fellow OC 50er George Argyros) of AirCal.
Retired Air Force major general, 17 combat decorations. Chief of the Air Force Reserve, 1975-1979. Attended Dallas Aviation School, Air College, also USC.
Major fundraiser, philanthropist: Reagan Library, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, OC Performing Arts Center and USC, where athletics complex is named for him.
Avid car collector: has 52 antiques, including 10 Duesenbergs (only 480 manufactured). Lives with wife Willa Dean in mansion on 130 acres in Coto de Caza. Five children.
MICHAEL McKEE
Vice Chairman/Chief Financial Officer
The Irvine Company
Born in Clinton, Ill., Jan. 2, 1946
RICHARD GEORGE SIM
Group President, Investment Properties
Born in Phoenixville, Pa., Aug. 2, 1936
Lives in Irvine
GARY H. HUNT
Executive VP, Corporate Affairs
The Irvine Company
Born in Los Angeles, Nov. 2, 1948
Lives in Corona del Mar
The Irvine Co.’s powerful troika of lieutenants. The three serve as OC 50er and Irvine Co. Chairman Don Bren’s main conduits, overseers of the giant landowner’s operations in the financial, commercial and governmental realms.
McKee, a lawyer, has been key person in Irvine Co.’s restructuring and strategy planning. Recently appointed to vice chairman post in addition to his CFO duties, leading some to speculate he is clearly Bren’s second in command. Oversees Irvine Co.’s Finance and Corporate Administration group and chairs the Strategic Planning Committee.
Last year brought back in-house Irvine Apartment Communities, which he helped to roll out to the public back in his days as Bren’s lawyer at Latham & Watkins. Started with Latham in 1979, became managing partner in 1993 before joining Irvine Co. in 1994.
Board member of Hoag Hospital Foundation, Health Care Property Investors Inc, Realty Income Corporation and Mandalay Resort Group. McKee provided legal counsel to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.
Wife, Cindy; two children and one grandchild. Avid golfer.
Sim oversees Bren’s more than 25-million-square-foot commercial empire, including the technology beehive Irvine Spectrum, with 2,200 companies at last count. Responsible for management and marketing of company’s office, industrial, retail, hotel and golf portfolio.
Came to company in 1981 from Kacor Development Co., where he was responsible for managing development of 100,000-acre Rancho California project in Riverside County. Holds bachelor’s in economics from Villanova University, has completed advanced management program at Harvard University Graduate School of Business.
Company bulldog, community cheerleader. Charitable causes include St. Joseph Ballet and Human Options. Also active with UCI Chief Executive Roundtable and recipient of UCI Medal, the school’s highest honor.
Wife, Ann; five children and five grandchildren.
Hunt is the influential voice to government; his political relationships span the spectrum from Dan Lungren to Willie Brown. Was key figure behind OC bankruptcy recovery efforts, helping formulate investor pool settlement and recovery plan.
Most recently helped stave off efforts to fire county CEO Jan Mittermeier. Had a tough go in this year’s spring elections, with state- and Irvine-voter rejections of education-related tax issues. Has aided executive-led New Majority’s challenge to OC GOP Chairman Tom Fuentes.
Began career as political and legislative aide; was deputy director of 1980 Republican National Convention, group vice chairman of President Reagan’s first Inaugural Committee. Worked for Bren’s homebuilding company in late 1970s, came over to the Irvine Co. with Bren in 1977. Rose to executive VP of corporate affairs and corporate secretary; elected to board in 1993. Serves on Governor’s Infrastructure Task Force and Commission on Local Government Finance Reform.Serves on California Business Roundtable executive committee.
Wife, Joanne Jameson, church volunteer; sons Patrick, Nicholas. Enjoys golf, tennis, skiing, fishing, refereeing soccer.
,Nidal M. Ibrahim
ANTHONY RICHARD MOISO
CEO/President, Rancho Mission Viejo LLC
Born in West Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 1939
Lives in Emerald Bay
Orange County’s cowboy landowner. Runs Moiso/O’Neill family’s development, farming and cattle raising operations here (Rancho Mission Viejo LLC) and in North Fork, Nev. The family controls 30,000 acres of undeveloped land in South Orange County, making it one of the two biggest landholders in the county, the other being OC 50er Donald Bren.
Latest endeavor: 4,000-acre Ladera Ranch masterplanned community. Caught hot real estate market; since August Ladera has sold 450 homes. Teamed up with Phoenix-based DMB Consolidated Holdings LLC to develop Ladera; retained managing partner role in 50-50 deal with DMB. Ladera to include 8,100 homes, commercial and retail. 1,000-unit Phase two lot sales to builders scheduled to begin this September. Project completion expected in 2010 or so.
Success to date of Ladera is marked departure from Moiso’s struggles while overseeing Rancho Santa Margarita masterplanned community. Lost operational control during early ’90s recession. Project now run by RSM Management Co., with RMV owning 30% stake.
Well-connected. Uncle Richard O’Neill, 77, a Democratic Party bigwig; Tony’s a Republican.
History and political science degree from Stanford. Served two years in the U.S. Army as infantry officer. Along with fellow OC 50er Donald Bren, started the Mission Viejo Co. Revived Santa Margarita Co. in 1973. In California Building Industry Foundation’s Hall of Fame.
Wife Melinda, four grown daughters and two granddaughters. Well known for his love of horses, he also bicycles, hikes, skis and golfs.
,Nidal M. I brahim
IGOR OLENICOFF
Owner/CEO, Olen Properties Corp.
Born near Moscow, Russia, Sept. 19, 1942
One of Orange County’s more powerful, but quiet, landlords. Has reputation of being savvy and tough businessman. Holds extensive portfolio of office, industrial and apartment properties; on major expansion drive. “Busy, busy, busy.”
Olen Commercial Realty Corp. owns 70 commercial properties in Orange County, totaling 4.4 million square feet.
Launched new Olen Development arm, joint venturing with Canadian company to develop $250 million entertainment center in Florida; additional ones planned. New office buildings and apartment complexes under construction or planned in Orange County, Nevada and Florida. Total apartment portfolio expected to almost double to 11,000 units by end of the year.
Headquartered in huge, museum-like building on Corporate Plaza near Fashion Island.
Son of Russian & #233;migr & #233; parents who he said fled communism to Persia because of family ties to Tsar Nicholas II. Family immigrated to United States in 1957. Attended missionary school where he became fluent in English, Russian and Farsi.
With money from odd jobs while attending school, purchased small rental properties. Graduated from USC with four degrees,bachelors in business and engineering, MBA in finance and master’s in quantitative analysis. Worked for Shell Oil Co., Touche Ross and Motown Records.
Founding partner in real estate syndicator Gemini Pacific; VP of operations at Dunn Properties before starting Olen 1973.
Wife Jeanne; 29-year-old son Andrei, USC grad who works as treasurer and vice president at Olen Properties; Daughter Natalia, 19, sophomore at USC. Hobbies: snow and water skiing and off-road motorcycle riding.
HENRY THOMAS SEGERSTROM
Managing Partner, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons
Born in Orange County, April 5, 1923
Lives in Newport Beach
Commercial developer, owner of South Coast Plaza and other retail centers, and leading patron of the arts.
Redeveloping and re-merchandising center formerly known as Crystal Court into a home center, extending South Coast Plaza brand and building bridge to renovated center. Firm in beginning stages of processing entitlements for major new Home Ranch office and retail campus; 10 to 15-year project; already successfully lured away Ikea from Tustin Marketplace; looking to reconfigure and add to Towne Center office complex holdings across from South Coast Plaza; in planning process with Armstrong Ranch, a residential community in Santa Ana.
Crown jewel of holdings, South Coast Plaza, expected to be first shopping center in country to top $1 billion in sales this year; it’s a major tourist attraction. Retail holdings,comprising expanded South Coast Plaza and South Coast Village center,total in excess of 2.7 million leaseable square feet. Owns two of most distinctive office towers in Orange County: Plaza Tower and Center Tower.
Most business enacted through C.J. Segerstrom & Sons. With passing of his mother, Nellie Ruth, the firm has become a partnership of Henry and Jeanette, widow of deceased cousin Harold Jr. (Henry and Jeanette both have managing partner title). CJS & S; a partner with IBM in Plaza Tower. Fashion Square Ventures, a separate entity of Henry, other family members and other parties, has minority stake in MainPlace mall in Santa Ana.
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. Bachelors and MBA from Stanford. Honorary doctorate of law from Western State University.
Active in the arts: Family donated six acres (latest of several family land contributions) at Town Center Drive and Avenue of the Arts for additional concert hall and art museum near Orange County Performing Arts Center. Earlier donated $6 million to get OCPAC going.
Wife Renee, sons Anton and Toren. Anton and son-in-law David Grant involved in business. Harold Jr.’s son, Theodore, and daughter, Sandra Segerstrom Daniels, also work for company.
,Nidal M. Ibrahim
JANA LYNN TURNER
President, Management Services Division
CB Richard Ellis
Born in Long Beach, July 15, 1955
One of the top female execs in male-dominated real estate industry. Recently expanded responsibilities with CB’s reorganization, overseeing Assets Services, Facilities Management and Project Management divisions. Oversees one of biggest portfolios in the country with more than 340 million square feet domestically and 200 million square feet internationally.
Was part of fellow OC 50er Don Koll’s empire before joining CB Richard Ellis as part of its acquisition of Koll Real Estate Services.
As part of reorganization, relocated office back to Newport Beach from Los Angeles, but rarely spends time there because of constant travel. Aggressive networker, shows no sign of slowing down: “I go big or I go home.”
Graduate of Northern Arizona University with bachelors in Business Administration. Prior to CB takeover managed KRES’ West Division. Prior to that was with IDM Corporation as senior VP of Leasing, overseeing 3 million square feet of retail, office and industrial space.
Energetic and exuberant, hobbies include golf and fitness. Best friend is Cash , not the green kind, but her cat. “You know why I named him Cash? It’s because I spend so much money on him. He’s king of the house.”
Single, “but always looking for a merger or joint venture partner.”
Donates to Hollygrove orphanage in Hollywood and Olive Crest in Long Beach.
