SPECIAL REPORT: OC 50 – Industry & Services
Profiles of the County’s most influential business people
Tara OWENS Balfour
Market President, Orange County,
Commercial Banking Executive, California,
Bank of America Corp.
Born in Peoria, Ill., Dec. 5, 1962
Lives in Newport Beach
Statewide commercial banking boss based in OC. After three years in San Francisco, came back to OC to head up local operations, too. Oversees 80 banking centers here.
Looking to boost BofA in more profitable areas,investment services, asset management, mortgage lending. Seeking to get more out of existing customers; don’t look for a rush of new branches. Doing her bit to steer BofA from brick-and-mortar bank to financial services company. Expects to hire more brokers, financial advisers in next year or so.
Big corporate citizen: BofA Foundation set to invest $1.2 million in OC groups this year. Gave $2 million to Performing Arts Center capital campaign. Balfour serves on Performing Arts board, UCI Chief Executive Roundtable.
Knows the bank, its culture inside out. Started career with BofA 17 years ago.
Two big career breaks: in 1992, offered job building, leading West Coast middle market leveraged finance group in Los Angeles. Led team for six years, doing leveraged buyouts, employee stock option programs, acquisition financing, recapitalizations for mid-market companies.
Second break came in 2000, when promoted as commercial strategies executive for California, having statewide oversight of bank’s largest mid-market commercial accounts. Went from managing Bay area commercial banking team in one location to five, with about five times the revenue and profit impact.
Assignment positioned her for present role, landed in December. Responsible for statewide commercial banking business with yearly revenue of more than $400 million and worker base that is more than twice the size of her previous job.
Grew up in OC, went to school in Irvine, graduated from USC. Took a job at the bank as a loan officer in 1985 in OC. Got MBA in 1995 from Cal State Fullerton while working at bank.
Married to William, who also works for BofA as senior vice president, manager of Southern California Metro Homebuilder Division. Two children, 6-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son. Enjoys golf, reading, hanging out with kids.
,Rajiv Vyas
Alan L. Boeckmann
Chairman, CEO,
Fluor Corp.
Born in Bisbee, Ariz., June 15, 1948
Lives in San Juan Capistrano
Easy-going career engineer with experience in the field and boardroom. Took over as chairman, CEO in February. Not into hierarchy: one of his first tasks was to paint over “reserved” parking signs in company lot.
Less formal than predecessor Philip J. Carroll Jr., former Shell Oil exec who became first outsider to lead Fluor in 1998 and who retired a year early saying work was done. Groomed by Carroll for about a year while serving as president, chief operating officer.
Has extensive industry experience, knowledge of Fluor’s operations. Plans to direct focus back to mainstay engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance. Will continue Carroll’s strategy of divesting non-core assets, buying companies.
Heads third-largest OC public company with $9 billion in revenue last year. Construction backlog recently reached new high of $11.5 billion, 15% jump.
Joined Fluor in 1974 as a field engineer, held various management jobs, including assignments in California, Texas, South Carolina, South Africa, Venezuela.
Before becoming president, COO in January 2001, was president, chief of Fluor Daniel, company’s engineering, construction behemoth. Previously headed several Fluor Daniel units, including energy & chemicals. Prior to that, served as vice president of business unit that formed DuPont alliance.
Director, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, American Petroleum Institute, Business Council for International Understanding. Member, National Petroleum Council, Business Roundtable. Graduated from University of Arizona with bachelor’s in electrical engineering. First job was as paper boy.
Wife Judy, four children. Enjoys spending time with family, golf, reading, visiting art galleries.
,Chris Cziborr
Emil John Brolick
President, Chief Concept Officer,
Taco Bell Corp.
Born Oct. 26, 1947
Lives in Coto de Caza
Named president in 2000 with marching orders to reverse declining sales. Took better part of a year, but showing progress.
Irvine-based Mexican fast-food chain saw glimmer of turnaround for four weeks ended Dec. 1,posted same-store sales jump of 8%. Trend held in March with another 8% gain. Big switch from a year ago, when same-store sales fell by 10%.
Recruited from We-ndy’s, bent on repositioning brand. Using tactics honed at Wendy’s: upped yearly spending by $15 million to boost quality, making restaurants cleaner, bettering service, launching new products, raising prices. “Price alone has never worked,” he says, using Yugo car as example.
Bailing out hurting franchisees: financially reworked more than 700 of Taco Bell’s 4,000 franchised restaurants as of third quarter. Company, which has 6,700 U.S. restaurants, also bought 120 franchise stores.
Bosses at parent Tricon Global Restaurants are happy; say they’re seeing a “turnaround for the brand.” Credit Brolick’s changes, catchy ads focused on food. FCB Worldwide, which last year replaced TBWA/Chiat/Day (creators of the talking Chihuahua), has led charge. Tapped Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos for an ad, made splash by teaming with Microsoft and its Xbox console in November.
Brolick himself went on “Today” show last year to tout free taco offer if Mir space station hit floating target company set up off Australia (it didn’t).
No time for relaxation: pressure on to keep upping food quality, delivering on operations. Teaming with Back Yard Burgers in the South. Testing new “fresh mex” dishes, flavors at Garden Grove research restaurant.
Occasional lightning rod for tomato pickers, other protesters. Dealt with PR nightmare over Taco Bell brand taco shells containing genetically altered corn.
Prior to Taco Bell, was 12-year Wendy’s vet, directing planning, research, new product marketing. Prior to Wendy’s, served for seven years as vice president of marketing, concept development at Ponderosa Inc. Also held various senior financial, product development positions at Copeland Corp., Chrysler Corp.
Hobbies include golf, reading, travel, fitness activities. Wife Maureen.
,Jennifer Bellantonio
WILLIAM PATRICK FOLEY II
Chairman, CEO,
Fidelity National Financial Inc.
Chairman, CKE Restaurants Inc.
Co-Chairman, Micro General Corp.
Born in Austin, Texas, Dec. 29, 1944
Lives in Santa Barbara
Fidelity made way onto Fortune 500 list for the first time in 2002 at No. 426. Has catapulted Fidelity National to top tier of title insurers after Chicago Title buy two years ago. Deal doubled the size of Fidelity, which last year leapfrogged rival First American, run by OC 50ers Parker and Donald Kennedy. Fidelity’s $3.87 billion in 2001 revenue exceeded First American’s by $123 million.
Fidelity has more than 1,200 offices, 8,100 agents, 30% market share. On heels of Chicago deal, refinancing boom, 2001 profit of $305 million was up 182%. Revenue up 41%.
Investors less concerned about title business than a year ago. Stock is up 20% this year with continued real estate boom.
Been upping stake in CKE Restaurants (Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s chains), betting on turnaround. Recently moved company HQ from Anaheim to Santa Barbara after folding his Santa Barbara Restaurant Group Inc. into CKE.
Stepped down as chairman of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants last year. Co-chairman of Micro General, board member of American National Financial.
Graduate of West Point, where he earned his bachelor’s in engineering, honed strategic skills playing bridge, chess and board game “Blitzkrieg,” which he seldom lost; played the stock market, too.
Followed dad’s footsteps into Air Force. MBA from Seattle University, law degree from University of Washington School of Law.
Began in business as an attorney emphasizing corporate, real estate law in Phoenix. In 1980, began buying several small title companies. Joined Fidelity in 1981, led 1984 LBO. In 1986, moved the company to OC. Business Journal’s businessperson of the year for 1997. Jets between office in Santa Barbara (where he has oceanfront home) and Fidelity’s Irvine operations. Fiercely competitive, whether at business, cards or golf.
Vintner with two Solvang wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara home. Plans to convert 11,000-square-foot barn into winery and tasting room recently hit snag over impact on California tiger salamanders.
Backed Republicans, delegate to the 1996 and 2000 national conventions. Wife Carol, two sons, two daughters.
,Rajiv Vyas
WILLIAM H. GROSS
Founder, Managing Director,
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in Middletown, Ohio, April 13, 1944
Lives in Laguna Beach
WILLIAM S. THOMPSON
Managing Director, CEO,
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 7, 1945
Lives in Laguna Beach
Together guided PIMCO to become largest bond fund manager with assets of $250 billion.
Skillfully pulled off sale two years ago to Germany’s Allianz to create global power with more than $600 billion under management, almost half managed by PIMCO. Allianz owns 70% of PIMCO, which retains autonomy.
Were leaders in forming PIMCO Advisors in 1994 after split from Pacific Mutual Life Insurance (now Pacific Life Insurance, run by fellow OC 50er Thomas Sutton).
Thompson is soft-spoken, suit-and-tie CEO. Made most out of economic slowdown, stock slump last year as PIMCO became top-selling U.S. bond fund. Total Return Fund, managed by Gross, was top-selling U.S. mutual fund of any type in 2001.
Thompson sits on management board of Allianz Dresdner Asset Management, executive committee of Allianz. At PIMCO, oversees 500 people,400 in Newport Beach.
Used to go to Germany five, six times a year but now prefers to teleconference, spending more time at Newport Center HQ. Still goes to offices worldwide. Went to China, Japan, Europe so far this year.
Focused on solidifying PIMCO rather than starting new offices. Bullish on Europe, Asia. His big thrust is in Japan.
Strict about dress code. Likes good suits, shoes. Serves hot dogs to workers every year on his birthday, a tradition now.
Prior to joining PIMCO in 1993 as co-CEO, spent 18 years with Salomon Brothers including two in Tokyo as chairman, Salomon Brothers Asia. His personal mantra: reward people on merit, not hierarchy.
Involved with Hoag Hospital Foundation, nearing end of three-year chairman term. Plans to complete fundraising of $50 million for hospital. Regularly contributes to Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Orangewood Children’s Home. Also helped fund new $10 million PIMCO Foundation.
Holds bachelor’s in engineering from University of Missouri, Columbia. MBA from Harvard.
Married to Nancy for 32 years. Couple into yoga, physical training, local charities. Three children: William III, 29, works for Salomon Smith Barney; Emily, 26, Bucknell University alum living in Corona del Mar, doing graduate studies at Chapman U; Brad, 23, football, basketball player attending University of Oregon.
Raised in Midwest. He and wife own cabin near the Lake of Ozarks in Missouri where they go bass fishing. Likes reading and golf (13 handicap). Played in the Toshiba Pro Am this year, also AT & T; Pebble Beach Classic.
Gross is widely acclaimed, oft-quoted bond manager. Dubbed “King of Bonds” by Fortune. Said to be highest paid executive in OC. As a retention bonus, Allianz gave him a $200 million deal spread over five years.
Recently took on GE for debt, accounting issues, sold nearly $1 billion in GE commercial paper. Didn’t take part in GE’s $11 billion March bond offering. Called “bond geek,” financial world’s Britney Spears, Joseph McCarthy knockoff by critics. Last laugh: GE said it’ll trim commercial paper, adjust bank lines.
William Clay Ford visited Gross this year before Ford Motor’s $2 billion bond offering. Played golf along with Tiger Woods in AT & T; Pebble Beach Classic.
In 2001, Gross and team won Morningstar Fixed Income manager award, only one to win twice at the time. TV shows, wire agencies, newspapers feature him regularly for comments on economy, bonds, Greenspan, interest rates and, more lately, fair disclosure practices.
Prolific writer: monthly “Investment Outlook” on PIMCO’s Web site has a huge following. Has written more than 320 outlooks so far.
His core portfolios have risen at an average annualized rate of 10.6% since 1973, an annual outperformance of 1.5% of the benchmark Lehman Bros. fund.
Bond guru broadcasts market commentaries from PIMCO’s own TV studio in Newport. In 1997 wrote, “Everything You’ve Heard About Investing is Wrong.”
Slave to routine: gets up at 4:30 a.m., eats bran flakes, blueberries, raspberries as he checks on global markets. Heads to office with shirt unbuttoned, tie undone. Turns on four desktop Bloombergs in same order. Checks to make sure lucky red dice are in place.
Fantastic black jack player,almost unbeatable. Loves to go to his son’s hockey game. Religious about doing yoga,including Shirsasan pose, or standing on his head. Spearheading company-paid Alaska cruise for all PIMCO workers.
Received bachelor’s from Duke, MBA from UCLA. Jogger and, with wife Sue, yoga student.
Philanthropic: He and Sue funded James Hines Foundation, which contributes $100,000 annually to OC Teachers of the Year. Last year donated $1.5 million to Sage Hills private school.
Three children: Jeff, 28, Jennifer, 25, Nick, 12. Hobby: stamp collecting.
,Rajiv Vyas
CYNTHIA HARRISS
President, Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Co.
Born in Huntington, W. Va., June 12, 1952
Lives in Laguna Beach
Disney’s top OC official (Paul Pressler, acting head of Anaheim Sports since former OC50er Tony Tavares resigned earlier this year, works out of Burbank).
Harriss came to Disneyland in 1997 as VP, succeeding Pressler when he was promoted to president of Walt Disney Attractions, company’s theme-park division. In January 1999, made executive VP; became president in 1999. Harriss reports to Pressler, now chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Remained upbeat during new California Adventure park’s tough first year as Disney scrambled to add more toddler-friendly activities. Also brought back Electrical Parade, opened faux “Millionaire” game show and brought abbreviated “Power of Blast” performance and special events to new park to bolster attendance.
Oversees both parks, Downtown Disney, hotels. First woman to head resort and its 20,000 workers. County’s undisputed largest private employer. Despite cutbacks after Sept. 11, summer hiring under way at normal pace.
Had to deal with attendance drop, security matters after Sept. 11. Says she remembers her family scrimping to come to Disneyland and considers herself the “luckiest person alive” to have opportunity to oversee resort.
Next up: “Flik’s Fun Fair” kids’ area and “Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” thrill ride at California Adventure. Plans for third park slowed in current climate.
Previously was senior VP of stores at Disney Stores, which grew in number from 140 to 460 in North America during her five years. Before that, was an exec with the Paul Harris Stores in the Midwest. Personable, always cheerful, well-liked by businesspeople, employees, Disney fans. Makes numerous public appearances, supporter of women in business.
Has bachelor’s in liberal arts from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. Recognized by Who’s Who of American Women and Community Leaders of America. Received the International Distinguished Leadership Award. Last year received Tree of Life Award from Jewish National Fund. Loves travel, beach, theater. Trustee of the Laguna Playhouse.
,Sandi Cain
Brian P. Kelley
President, Lincoln Mercury
Vice president, Ford Motor Co.
Born in Cincinnati, Dec. 15, 1960
Lives in Newport Beach,
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
VICTOR H. DOOLAN
Executive Director, Premier Automotive Group
Born in Kinglangey, England, Nov. 7, 1940
Lives in Dana Point
Kelley took reins in October from retired Mark Hutchins (an OC50er last year). Now runs “Ford Motor West” in Irvine, overseeing Lincoln Mercury. Assembly plants in Wixom, Mich., St. Thomas, Ontario, also report to him.
Operation in flux: set to be separated from Ford’s luxury brands, managed from Detroit (Lincoln officially was part of Premier Automotive Group; Mercury wasn’t).
Change means Kelley now reports to Dearborn, Mich., not London. Also has new boss: James O’Connor, group vice president for North American marketing, sales, service.
Kelley joined Ford in 1999. Served as president, Ford Con-sumerConnect (e-commerce arm), vice president, global consumer services. Prior to Ford, spent six years at General Electric as vice president, general manager for sales, distribution, head of global marketing. Also had 10 years at Procter & Gamble in marketing, brand management spots.
Favorite phrase: “Relentless incrementalism.” Wants to do things a little better each day. Passionate, personable, accessible. Described as “breath of fresh air” by workers. Regularly writes e-mails encouraging workers.
Shows slides with motivational sayings: “The answer is in the market, not meetings.” Likes “passion over rationalization,” “execution over strategies,” “detail over generalizations.”
Has work cut out. Plans to reinvent sagging Lincoln, strengthen lackluster Mercury. Goals this year: launch six new vehicles, develop strong ties with workers, dealers, union.
Has bachelor’s in economics from Holy Cross College. Played football (wide receiver). Wife Michelle, two daughters. Loves tennis and golf.
Doolan oversees administrative, organizational duties of Premier Auto Group. Brands,Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo,moved into swanky new Irvine Spectrum digs last year with much fanfare. The 30,000-square-foot building received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification from U.S. Green Building Council.
Looking to infuse California dreamin’ into PAG’s largely European worldview. PAG division showed decline last year because Lincoln Mercury,recently pulled from the division. Jaguar, Volvo showed gains. Sales of PAG brands fell from 866,000 vehicles in 2000 to 836,000 last year.
New boss: Mark Fields, CEO of Mazda Motor Corp., now head of PAG, replaced London’s Wolfgang Reitzle, who left to become chief at Germany’s Linde.
Doolan moved to current spot in July 1999 from president of BMW of North America. Also was president of BMW Canada, vice president of BMW South Africa.
Graduated from Britain’s Watford College. Received awards for philanthropy, including 1998 Marjorie Guthrie Leadership Award, 1996 Automotive Industry “Good Scout” award from New York Council of Boy Scouts of America. Also 2002 corporate chairman, Orange County Walk To Cure Diabetes. Member, UCI Graduate School of Manage-ment Dean’s Advisory Board. Wife Ann.
,Jennifer Bellantonio
DAVID JAMES MURPHY
CEO, Y & R; Cos., Irvine
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, July 31, 1960
Lives in Newport Coast
Top exec at OC’s largest ad, marketing agency. Oversees Y & R; Cos., which includes Y & R; Advertising, Wunderman, Landor Associates, Burson-Marstellar, media-edge:cia. In all, bills $876 million annually. Credited with propelling growth of local office, now Y & R;’s second largest worldwide after New York. In 2001, agency landed Jaguar and Mattel under Murphy’s direction. Also picked up new work from Land Rover, Mattel, Taco Bell. Already handles advertising for Lincoln Mercury. New biz helped weather ad recession.
Personable, articulate, has placed strong emphasis on recruiting some of the best talent. Recently lured group creative director Rich Seigel from Chiat Day in Los Angeles.
Always looking to shake things up, such as new work for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator, described as “more energetic” than traditional ads. Also involves unique alliances with big names, such as late night talk show host Jay Leno, who’ll be mentioning the product on “Tonight” show.
Takes inspiration from environment, people. Ecletic office d & #233;cor: walls painted with quotes from Albert Einstein, Frank Capra, pushing idea of inspired simplicity: “All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination.” “Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple.”
Before Y & R;, Murphy served as head of marketing communications at Aetna U.S. Healthcare. First 16 years of career spent at Ogilvy & Mather, where he rose to senior partner, worldwide client service director. Was a member of the New York Ogilvy office’s operating board. Serves on board of directors for the Irvine Barclay Theater, member, UCI Chief Executive Roundtable.
Wife Sharon, two daughters. Loves tennis, scuba diving, family snowboarding, skiing trips. A wine buff. Writes songs for Sound Cellar Band.
,Jennifer Bellantonio
DONALD PARKER KENNEDY
Chairman, The First American Corp.
Born in San Jacinto, Texas, Oct. 16, 1918
Lives in Santa Ana
PARKER STEVEN KENNEDY
President, The First American Corp.
Born in Orange, Feb. 18, 1948
Lives in Orange Park Acres
Father-son team heads big provider of business information, services. Operations include First American Title Insurance, one of the largest title insurers and considered by many to be best in business.
Don, 83, and Parker, 54, driving diversification that has positioned company as top provider of real estate data. Boasts of nation’s largest, most comprehensive property database. Also dabbles in worker screening, credit checks, money management. Focused on providing data services directly to consumers and businesses that serve them.
Seven business segments: title insurance and services; specialty insurance, trust and other services; mortgage information; property information; credit and screening information. Company has more than 22,400 employees in more than 1,100 offices in the U.S. and abroad.
Acquisitions are big driver of diversification, growth. This year, First American acquired motor vehicle records company American Driving Records, title insurers Palm Coast Abstract & Title and Southern Escrow Title, and real estate software provider InfoStream. In 2001, the company made 16 buys.
Big challenge now is convincing Wall Street it no longer is just a title company. Almost 66% of profits come from businesses other than title insurance. Price-to-earnings ratio of less than 10, though in line with rivals.
Third, fourth generations to run family business founded in 1889 by C.E. Parker, great grandfather of Parker. Kennedys have built First American into second largest U.S. title insurer after OC50er Bill Foley’s Fidelity. First American is fifth-largest OC-based public company by revenue.
First American’s revenue rose 28% to $3.75 billion in 2001 on the back of real estate boom. Profits were up 103% to $167 million. But the growth in sales and income were not enough. For the first time, cross-county rival Fidelity overtook First American last year in revenue and leapfrogged the company in profits.
Parker runs operations. Personable executive who remembers employees’ birthdays. Don still spends considerable time in the office. Much of the rest of his time is on the golf course, where’s he’s posted nine holes-in-one. Still a better golfer than his son, who confesses, “It’s embarrassing.”
Don was president (company doesn’t use CEO title) from 1963 to 1993, when he became chairman and Parker took over as president.
Don, a graduate of Stanford University, joined First American’s predecessor, Orange County Title Co., in 1948 after receiving his law degree from the USC School of Law. Has professional, charitable affiliations throughout OC, but most recently was appointed chairman of board of governors for Bowers Museum.
Don was honored in 1999 at the dedication of Donald P. Kennedy Hall, four-story facility at Chapman School of Law. He’s vice chairman of Chapman board of trustees and heads the university’s athletic committee.
Parker joined company in 1977, became VP in 1979; executive VP in 1983, First American Title president in 1989, a position he held until 1999 when he became chairman of the title company. Involved with many organizations. Chairman of the OC Council Boy Scouts of America, past chairman of Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, Bowers Museum. Has bachelor’s in economics from USC; law degree from Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco. He and his wife of 24 years, Sherry, have two grown children. Hobbies include running (he’s participated in L.A. Marathons), fly-fishing, golf.
,Rajiv Vyas
THOMAS COLE SUTTON
Chairman, CEO,
Pacific Life Insurance Co.
Born in Atlanta, June 2, 1942
Lives in Corona del Mar
Has created fast-growing insurance company. If IPO ever comes, certainly would be one of the largest in OC history.
Company saw 2001 revenue fall by 20% to $3.6 billion due to 2000’s gain of $1.1 billion from sale of PIMCO to Allianz. Without gain, 2001 up 10%.
Low-profile exec runs what continues to be one of the largest private companies in OC by revenue. More than 2,700 OC workers.
One of longer-running OC CEOs, now in his12th year at helm of Pacific Life. A lifer: worked summers with the company during college, stayed on as an actuary. Has kept company focused on lucrative niche: life insurance, retirement services for wealthy clients.
Company spawned giant bond manager PIMCO and still holds about a 30% stake. Recently sold British reassurance unit to Scottish Annuity, making Pacific Life Scottish Annuity’s largest shareholder. Bought College Savings Bank in Princeton, N.J., last year as part of a move into the college savings market.
Earned his bachelor’s in mathematics and physics from University of Toronto. Completed Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program. Many civic activities: Pacific Life Foundation last year donated $3.35 million to more than 170 local nonprofits, including to South Coast Rep, Whale Conservation Institute/Ocean Alliance, United Way of Orange County.
On board of California Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of American Council of Life Insurance, past chairman, Association of California Life Insurance Cos., former chairman of Health Insurance Association of America. The Irvine Company board member, also on boards of Newhall Land and Farming, Edison International. Company signed on last year as name sponsor of Indian Wells Tennis tournament.
Wife Marilyn, English professor. Three grown sons, one grown daughter. Skis, golfs, reads.
,Rajiv Vyas
SAM WOLGEMUTH
CEO, President,
Freedom Communications Inc.
Born in Waynesboro, Pa., July 31, 1943
Lives in Coto de Caza
N. CHRISTIAN ANDERSON III
President, Freedom Orange County Information
CEO, Publisher, The Orange County Register
President, Freedom Metro Information Inc.
Born in Idaho, Aug. 4, 1950
Lives in Coto de Caza
The one-two punch at Orange County’s dominant media company. Wolgemuth CEO since fall of 1999; Anderson top gun at flagship Orange County Register since January 1999.
2001 company revenue estimated at $765 million, $800 million in 2000, $770 million in 1999. Besides the Register, which still accounts for about half of revenue, Freedom has 27 other dailies, 37 weeklies, seven magazines (down from 14 last year), eight TV stations, about 40 Internet sites.
Anderson heads new Freedom Metro Information unit, which aligns Internet portals and the company’s biggest newspapers: Register, The Gazette in Colorado Springs and Arizona-based papers in Mesa, Yuma and Sun City, which Freedom acquired in 2000.
Move puts similar pubs together so they can learn, support each other, Wolgemuth says. Papers now share film, food reviews, other material.
Restructured business during tough time for publishing, including shutting down or selling seven unprofitable magazines (Mode was one). Created 100 new offerings, including coupon books, shoppers and more.
Prior to Freedom, Wolgemuth was group president at Simon & Schuster; COO of Reed Travel Group.
Joined Freedom in 1995 as president of Freedom Magazines. Bachelor’s in philosophy from Taylor University in Indiana. Director, Newspaper Association of America, World Relief, Youth for Christ International, Pacific Symphony Orchestra. Wife Mary Gayle, four children. Hobbies are reading and classical music.
Former Register editor Anderson replaced R. David Threshie (now Freedom’s chairman). Led restructuring of Register, affiliated businesses during worst advertising downturn in decades. MyOC.com and ocregister.com integrated with Register operations to combine news, marketing, sales.
Register’s average paid daily circulation for six months ended Sept. 30 was 324,956, Sunday was 378,934, down from pervious reports because of circulation changes. Paper cut home delivery, single sales in areas outside OC; raised subscription rates by 28 cents for daily, home delivery, upped single sales to 50 cents from 25 cents to be in line with competitors.
Register saw biggest competitor, Los Angeles Times, pull back from OC coverage in favor of regional news, which gave it some breathing room.
Slow economy coupled with aftermath of Sept. 11, tough advertising climate lead to 85 layoffs last year. “A painful decision,” Anderson said.
Joined the Register as editor in 1980 from Seattle Times. Pushed reader-friendly concepts such as bright graphics and shorter stories, vastly upgraded editorial content. Became executive VP and associate publisher. Named 1988 editor of the year by National Press Foundation, 1993 California newspaper executive of the year by California Press Association. Reassigned in 1994 to publisher of Colorado Springs Gazette, Freedom’s second-largest newspaper.
Past president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Chairman of Orange County Business Committee for the Arts. On boards of South Coast Repertory, Orange County Business Council, San Juan Mission Preservation Foundation and the Board of Governors of the Center Club. Active in St. John’s Episcopal Church. Director, The Seattle Times Co., The Blethen Corp., owner of Seattle Times.
Wife Aletha, four children. Hobbies include reading, skiing and basketball.
,Jennifer Bellantonio
