SPECIAL REPORT: OC 50 – Government & Institutions
Profiles of the County’s most influential business people
RALPH J. CICERONE
Chancellor, University of California, Irvine
Born in New Castle, Pa., May 2, 1943
Lives in Irvine
And then there was one.
Last year, UCI boss shared this space with fundraiser Thomas Moebus (stepped down late last year), business dean David Blake (contract not renewed this year).
Cicerone facing tough times for fast-growing school: hiring freeze, facing UC budget cuts of up to 15% in 2002-03. Has to find new business dean, rainmaker.
UCI still fastest-growing campus among the nine in UC system. Expects to meet projected growth of about 5% a year this decade, with accompanying capital projects. Current enrollment is record 21,885 students.
Made news last year as chair of National Academy of Sciences panel advising White House on global warming. Expressed support for Robert Watson, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, though Bush administration, energy industry opposes him. Says scientific uncertainty no reason to be lax about emissions, global warming. School wading into water runoff, other hot environmental topics.
Earth Systems Sciences department, where Cicerone is a professor, building $19.6 million, 68,000-square-foot earth sciences research center.
Put off bid for law school after getting UC resistance, competition from UC Riverside. Along with UC San Diego, school heading up state’s new Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology. Elected to newly created board seat at Conexant.
First in his family to earn a college degree. Graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, master’s, doctorate from University of Illinois. Specialist in chemistry, physics, geosciences.
Former dean of physical sciences at the school. Joined UCI in 1989 as a professor in chemistry and founded the Department of Earth System Science, one of the most highly rated in the nation. Elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences, 1990. Received the 1999 Bower Award and Prize for his achievements in science, public policy leadership. Received the U.N. Environment Program Ozone Award in 1997 for researching ozone layer, 2002 Roger Revelle Medal of the American Geophysical Union.
Wife Carol, UCI professor of cognitive sciences; daughter Sara. Interests include chemistry research, basketball, golf.
,Chris Cziborr
CHRISTOPHER COX
47th District of California,
U.S. House of Representatives
Born in St. Paul, Minn., Oct. 16, 1952
Lives in Newport Beach (Harbor View)
Highest-ranking Californian in the House majority and key architect of GOP legislation. Withdrew from consideration for a federal judgeship last year because of opposition from Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
Pushed through two-year extension of the moratorium on Internet taxes, and President Bush’s tax cut last year partially realized Cox’s dream of eliminating inheritance tax: The tax is phased out over 10 years, then reinstated in 2011; Cox will try in meantime to kill it for good.
As representative of both Newport Beach and Irvine, Laguna Beach, walked political tightrope during El Toro controversy by advocating sale of the base to the highest bidder; now working to pave way for Navy’s disposal of land “consistent with” park-oriented Measure W.
Close to VP, former House colleague Dick Cheney. Conservative, free marketer, tech-savvy, brainy: Occasionally pens articles for Wall Street Journal (and the Business Journal). Sits on House Energy and Commerce Committee, including telecommunications subcommittee. PC Computing magazine’s “Person of the Year” for 1999.
His landmark 1995 bill limiting federal securities-fraud suits, which survived President Clinton’s veto, has caused many plaintiffs to seek a friendlier haven in state courts.
Elected to Congress, 1988; senior associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan, 1986-88; partner Latham & Watkins, 1984-86; with father Charles published independent English translation of Pravda, 1984-88; lecturer on business administration, Harvard Business School, 1982-83; associate Latham & Watkins, 1978-82 (worked on OC 50er Donald Bren’s acquisition of The Irvine Company); clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Judge Herbert Choy, 1977.
Graduated magna cum laude, USC, 1973; law degree and MBA from Harvard, where he served as editor of Harvard Law Review, 1976-77; wife Rebecca Gernhardt Cox, VP with Continental Airlines; children Charles, 9, Kathryn, 7, and Kevin, 3. Enjoys tennis, skiing, swimming.
, Rick Reiff
JAMES LOUIS DOTI
President, professor of economics,
Chapman University
Born in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1946
Lives in Villa Park
Academic overachiever. Has overseen Chapman’s graduation from sleepy private school to growing university with prominent community ties.
Nearing end of $200 million capital campaign, which was upped from $160 million after money kept coming in. Set to fund new library, aquatics center, music facility, film, television studio. Recently completed projects include Kennedy Hall housing law school, Beckman Hall housing, fellow OC50er George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics.
Down the road, looking to build an all-faith chapel. Recently bought 200,000-square-foot Orange industrial park for future expansion, possibly student housing.
Will mark 11th year as president come June. Since becoming president in 1991, average SAT test scores at school have gone from 997 to 1174. Student retention has grown from 62% to 85%.
Particularly proud of Chapman being named to Yahoo!’s top 50 “Wired Colleges.” His hero, Nobel prize winning economist Milton Friedman, featured in bronze campus statue.
Continues to bring down the house at annual economic forecast. Landed Michael Eisner for 36th annual Chapman University Economic Forum. In 1999, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas helped dedicate new law school.
Seen growing pains: law school accredited by American Bar Association in 1998 on third try. Last year, jury found that Chapman deceived students about state of fledgling law school, but didn’t award damages, just tuition payback.
Economist by training; entertainer by nature. Expanded his KOCE-TV show beyond economics. Now called “Dialogue With Jim Doti,” guests include space-tourist Dennis Tito, second lady Lynne Cheney, British journalist Robert Fisk, one of a few to have interviewed Osama bin Laden.
Was nominated for Horatio Alger award.
Added fellow OC50er Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (described as one of his favorite students) to board of trustees. Paul Folino, another OC50er, added as chair of film school campaign.
Still sits in dunk tank at campus spring sizzle party; serves up lasagna at Chapman’s International Food Fair; flips and serves pancakes for students at finals week midnight breakfast.
Chicago-bred. Undergraduate degree from University of Illinois, master’s, doctorate in economics from University of Chicago, where he trained under Friedman, George Stigler. Joined Chapman faculty in 1974, was appointed dean of School of Business and Economics in 1985. Wife Lynne Pierson Doti is Chapman economics professor. Couple has two grown children, Adam, Cara. Hobbies: cooking, skiing, reading, bicycling. Enjoys mountain climbing with son Adam. Two conquered Mt. Whitney, plan to scale Mt. Rainier this summer.
,Chris Cziborr
MILTON ANDREW GORDON
President,
California State University, Fullerton
Born in Chicago, May 25, 1935
Lives in Fullerton
Leads growing campus with 1,900 faculty, more than 30,000 students. University and students generate $829 million in economic activity annually, support 11,679 full-, part-time jobs, according to recent school study.
Campus ranked in the top 10 of “Top Public Western Universities-Master’s” by U.S. News and World Report. Education Department statistics last year ranked CSUF seventh nationally for baccalaureate degrees awarded to underrepresented minorities, tops in Cal State system.
Trailblazer: school set to offer courses this fall at new branch campus at former El Toro Marine base.
Looking to boost business ties. Two years ago, launched Center for Entertainment and Tourism, as well as an undergrad program to prepare students for careers in those fields. Also set up graduate business emphasis in e-commerce, special physics program for entrepreneurs. Hosts Front and Center gala each year to raise scholarship money, most recent event featured Christopher Reeve
Offers research through Center for Demographic Research, Social Science Research Center, Institute for Economic and Environmental Studies, Center for Public Policy and Center for Community Collaboration. Made strides but still playing catch-up to UCI, Chapman, in outreach.
Globalizing curriculum, establishing, enhancing ties with schools in Vietnam, China, Tibet, Taiwan, India. Opened Center for the Study of Emerging Markets in Santa Ana. In March, set up three global cooperation pacts with institutions in Wales, Ecuador, Australia. This month, College of Business and Economics hosts business seminars, talks by Chinese government officials.
This year school settled second lawsuit by former personnel director David Losco and sister for a to-date total of nearly $1 million. Lawsuit alleged harassment over Losco’s audit results in 1999 that claimed university misspent about $1 million. Six former Hispanic employees suing school over alleged discrimination.
Creating University Gables, in neighboring Buena Park, to provide affordable housing for professors, other staff members.
Charter member of the Orange County Workforce Investment Board, which seeks to establish a federally funded workforce development system for OC. Other directorships include OC Business Council, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, World Affairs Council of OC. Was elected in November to a three-year term on the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Governing Board. On four-member search committee for new NCAA president.
Has been CSUF’s president since 1990. Born and raised in Chicago. Has doctorate in mathematics from Illinois Institute of Technology. Was vice president, academic affairs at Sonoma State University; dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Chicago State University; math professor, director of Afro-American Studies Program, Loyola of Chicago; mathematician in Laboratories of Applied Sciences at University of Chicago; and secondary-school teacher in Chicago public schools.
Noted author on diversity, education. Wife, Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon, dean of extended education at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Couple lives in The El Dorado Ranch, hillside Fullerton estate once home to city pioneer C. Stanley Chapman Sr., donated to the California State University in 1989.
Gordons have grown sons, Patrick, Vincent, Michael. They enjoy travel, and have visited more than 30 countries. He enjoys walking, movies, photography and sports.
,Chris Cziborr
LORETTA LYDIA SANCHEZ
46th District,
U.S. House of Representatives
Born in Anaheim, Jan. 7, 1960
Lives in Santa Ana
JOSEPH LAWRENCE DUNN
34th Senate District,
State of California
Born in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 8, 1959
Lives in Santa Ana
JOSE LUIS CORREA
69th Assembly District,
State of California
Born in East Los Angeles, Jan. 24, 1958
Lives in Santa Ana
Trio of lawmakers solidifying much of North County as a Democratic stronghold.
Sanchez stresses her Hispanic heritage, professional background in municipal finance, burnishing her image as a business-friendly, political “moderate” with broad appeal. Helped secure Spanish ambassadorship for Republican, fellow Chapman University alum (and OC 50er) George Argyros in December; was made a university trustee at same time, though all involved said it was not a quid pro quo.
Member of the House Armed Services Committee, touts her ability to bring defense contracts to her district,one of the few traits of the bubbly Sanchez that draw easy comparison with “B-1 Bob” Dornan, the combative congressman she upset in 1996. Re-elected handily twice since. Looking to make further electoral history this fall: If Linda Sanchez wins in the new 39th District, they’ll be the first House “sister act.”
Sanchez previously a financial manager with the OC Transportation Authority, assistant VP at Fieldman Rollap & Associates, associate at Booz Allen Hamilton; also had own consulting practice. Bachelor’s in economics from Chapman, where she was voted “Business Student of the Year.” MBA from American University. Belongs to the Hispanic Caucus, Blue Dog Democrats, New Democratic Coalition, Women’s Congressional Caucus. Past-president, National Society of Hispanic MBAs. Husband Stephen Brixey, a securities trader.
Joe Dunn, an upset winner over incumbent Rob Hurtt four years ago, a heavy favorite to win re-election this fall. Hard-working, omnipresent. Using trial lawyer skills in leading state Legislature’s probe into alleged price-gouging by power wholesalers during electric crisis. Recently testified at U.S. Senate hearing on Enron’s role.
Such exposure could help: has made no secret of interest in running for attorney general in 2006. Chairs the state Senate Housing & Community Development Committee and Select Committee on Mobile and Manufactured Homes.
Bachelor’s with honors from College of St. Thomas, law degree from University of Minnesota. Joined Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi in St. Paul, Minn. in 1983, moved west two years later to open OC office. Joined Robinson, Calcagni & Robinson in 1996, where he remains of counsel. Wife, Diane, children Sarah, 10, John, 8.
Lou Correa, favored to win re-election for a second time this fall, is interested in running for county supervisor in 2004. Like Sanchez, brings finance background to politics,economics degree from Cal State Fullerton, law degree, MBA from UCLA, experience as investment banker, real estate broker.
Chairs Assembly Committee on Business and Professions, sits on Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. Regarded as a political moderate but his business sympathies sometimes questioned: His recent hearing into accounting reforms was criticized by many in the industry as showboating, pandering to trial lawyers.
A product of the Anaheim public schools,Ben Franklin Elementary, Fremont Junior High, Anaheim High. Taught in Rancho Santiago Community College District.
Wife, Dr. Esther Reynoso-Correa, an OB-GYN with Kaiser Permanente; children Alejandro, 9, Andres, 7, Adan, 5, and Emilia, 2.
, Rick Reiff
