Last month we featured fastest-growing private companies here, replete with names likely not all that familiar—small ones like Recall Masters Inc., midsizers Sonendo and Ahtna Design-Build Inc., even large ones—$100M+ in annual sales—like Rand Technology. Criteria are the same with our public growers: 15% sales growth over the 24 months ended June 30. Far fewer cheetahs on this week’s list, as there are far fewer public firms in this or any ecosystem, and it’s tougher to keep growing double digits as an older, heavier-regulated public company, but the largest public company here, Edwards Lifesciences, somehow manages (see page 1) as does 86-year-old Bridgford Foods Corp. (see page 22). New growers include cannabis grower Terra Tech Corp. and cannabis packer Kush Bottles (see page 4).
Lists start on 25.
On Halloween Eve last year, Elizabeth Segerstrom sponsored a performance by The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra at Segerstrom Concert Hall—Mariinsky is one of the oldest, and by acclamation, one of the greatest orchestras in the world. At a Halloween party the following day, I met some Mariinsky players. Their reverence for their hostess was evident. So it was fitting last Tuesday night when Los Angeles’ Colburn School honored South Coast Plaza managing partner and world-class arts patron Segerstrom along with Mariinsky Conductor Valery Gergiev together at its annual gala …
Rick Reiff is ending his public-affairs show, “Inside OC” after about 500 shows, but he’ll surely remember one of the last, taped Oct. 15, the only debate between Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, and Democratic challenger Harley Rouda. Team Harley objected to the 15-term congressman’s use of notes during the show, saying it violated an agreement.
“I’ve never told a guest they can’t bring notes,” Reiff said.
“We’re going to reschedule,” Rouda countered.
Reiff built a long career in journalism adhering to some basic tenets, like—save the show. He suggested to Rouda, “You can bring up that (Rohrabacher) needs notes,” at which point Rouda said, “Let’s go (ahead).” The show first aired Oct. 21, but if you didn’t take notes, full episode is at www.pbssocal.org/programs/
inside-oc/.
Businesswoman Julie Hill keynotes Greater Irvine Chamber’s annual prayer breakfast Nov. 15 … Homebuilder Hill also helped build Human Options, the shelter for abused women and their kids …
Newport lawyer Michael Avenatti lost a recent battle with President Donald Trump on behalf of star client Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels. The president had tweeted that Daniels was perpetrating a “con job.” Federal Judge James Otero threw the defamation case out because, true or not, such comments are “rhetorical hyperbole” and protected by the First Amendment.
