The Insider finds former Irvine Mayor Christina Shea now lobbying

Add ex-Irvine Mayor Christina Shea to the list of politicians-turned-consultants (PR-government affairs-business development). She’s an advisor to network integrator SmartDigital and on-line outfit EZEscrow. She’s also pitching county officials on behalf of CalBeri, a Santa Ana agricultural co-op that wants to lease 1,000 acres of El Toro until a final use for the base is decided. “It’s low-intensity, great from an emissions standpoint, it doesn’t create traffic and it will generate $1 million a year in revenue to the county,” said Shea of the proposed strawberry farm. Does she still have the political bug? “I’m always open to suggestions” Susan Schaben says Bob Gray made a special announcement to the 1,500 people attending St. John Knits’ fashion show at the Bren Center last week: The engagement of daughter (and company president) Kelly Gray, to investment banker Kurt Conrad Believe it or not, at least two OC companies have been doing ok on Wall Street. Coincidence buffs, take note: Sybron Dental Specialties in Orange and professional-temp firm Resources Connection in Costa Mesa are both spinoffs, they made their stock market debuts two days apart in December and their shares have followed remarkably similar trajectories. Both went out at around 13, got into the 20s and even after giving some ground in the recent carnage were just under 19 as of late last week. Bottom line, both were up a ballpark 40% since going public, while the market plunged. Yahoo recently ranked Resources as the nation’s top-performing IPO. What’s working for these guys? They’re profitable, they’re in nice niches and they can dodge the high-tech label. Deloitte & Touche spinoff Resources does business with half of the Fortune 100; look inside a mouth with braces or fillings, and there’s a good chance you’re seeing a Sybron product. Not surprisingly, these companies have created several multi-millionaires, on paper Cirque du CHOC: It’s been a headache for Gloria Zigner & Co. this year, but the tent that’s been put up on the El Toro base for the CHOC Follies is spectacular. Last call for tickets: (714) 532-8690.