Scott D. Boras
Owner, president
Boras Corp.
Born in Sacramento
Age 58
Lives in Newport Coast
Baseball’s most powerful agent, won many of game’s biggest contracts.
Represents some 150 clients, many of them game’s biggest stars, highest paid players: Milwaukee Brewer Prince Fielder, St. Louis Cardinal Matt Holliday, New York Yankee Robinson Cano, New York Met Carlos Beltran.
Also represents Stephen Strasburg, 2009’s No. 1 draft pick by Washington Nationals, 2010’s No. 1 pick Bryce Harper, also with Nationals.
2008 deal for Yankee Alex Rodriguez—potentially worth $300 million over 10 years—is baseball’s biggest for now.
Doesn’t represent Cardinal Albert Pujols, who could set baseball record as free agent later this year.
Completed offseason contract for Jayson Werth, seven-year, $126 million deal with Nationals. Client Adrian Beltre struck six-year deal, could reach $96 million with Texas Rangers.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim clients include ace pitcher Jered Weaver, slugging first baseman Kendry Morales, pitching prospect Tyler Chatwood.
About 40 people in local office follow player stats. Said to track every pitch in baseball. Has 20 scouts, operations in Japan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Mexico.
Among services offered to clients: consulting firm for wealth management, family services, Boras Sports Training Institute in Newport Beach, Boras Marketing for player endorsements, off-field interests.
Homeruns for Humanity charity provides scholarships to baseball camps for 13- to 15-year-olds. Through family charitable trust, he, wife Jeanette work to attract top-level people to teaching.
Grew up on 800-acre farm in Elk Grove near Sacramento. Earned baseball scholarship to University of Pacific in Stockton. Signed with Cardinals organization, played in minors for Cardinals, 1974 to 1977, Chicago Cubs, 1977 to 1978. Left after knee surgeries to complete law degree at McGeorge School of Law at University of Pacific.
Practiced medical litigation at Chicago law firm until former teammate Bill Caudill asked him for representation in 1984. That first contract—with Toronto Blue Jays—worth $7.5 million.
Married, grown daughter, two sons. One son plays baseball at USC, other at JSerra High School. Daughter in graduate school at USC, studying communications, entertainment management. Wife active in charitable causes for Catholic church, Sage Hill High School. Couple are arts patrons, support other local charities, community programs.
—Chris Casacchia
Greg N. Creed
Chief executive
Taco Bell Corp.
Born in Brisbane, Australia
Age 54
Lives in Coto de Caza
Runs one of world’s biggest fast food chains.
Taco Bell logged another successful year in 2010 as powerhouse U.S. brand for parent Yum Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut, KFC, A&W, Long John Silver’s.
Same-store sales up 2% in 2010.
Projects 6% profit growth, 3% same-store sales growth this year. Expected to drive 10% or more rise in Yum profits this year.
Chain sees yearly sales of more than $6 billion at 5,417 restaurants. Company restaurants do about $2 billion, rest from 4,170 franchises
Former Yum chief operating officer. Came to Taco Bell in 2001 as chief marketing officer. Appointed Taco Bell president in 2006.
Behind “Think Outside the Bun” campaign. Has introduced number of menu items, most recently Drive-Thru Diet Menu, $2 Meal Deal. Experimenting with breakfast, fruit-flavored drinks.
Had hand in developing Taco Bell in native Australia.
Earlier this year, quick with counterpunch after class action lawsuit filed over beef content of Taco Bell meat. Lawsuit dropped in April without Taco Bell paying settlement.
Chain has restaurants in U.S., China, Mexico, Canada, Britain, Germany, South Korea. Recently entered India.
Before Yum, clocked time at Tricon Restaurants, Yum’s predecessor. Credited with delivering three years of record KFC sales growth.
Also worked for PepsiCo, which spun off Tricon as Yum. Earlier, spent 17 years at Unilever. Oversaw Dove, Surf, All, Wisk, other brands out of offices in Australia, London, New York.
Director, Nevada’s International Game Technology, maker of video poker, other gambling machines.
Bachelor’s from Queensland University of Technology.
Easygoing funnyman. Likes golf, flying.
Wife, Carolyn, two children.
—Kari Hamanaka
George A. Kalogridis
President, Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Co.
Born in Winter Haven, Fla.
Age 57
Lives in Newport Beach
Disney veteran charged with $1.1 billion makeover of Disney’s California Adventure theme park.
As Disneyland Resort president, oversees county’s largest employer with 21,000 “cast members.” Responsible for two theme parks, three hotels, Downtown Disney District shopping center.
Took gig in 2009. Replaced former OC 50er Ed Grier Jr., now dean of Virginia Com-monwealth Univer-sity’s business school.
Kalogridis has been with Disney for 39 years.
California Adventure expansion, makeover set to take guests back to founder Walt Disney’s arrival in California. More Disney, Pixar characters part of redo.
Iconic Disneyland Hotel undergoing renovation—new pool, courtyard area with restaurant, bar, changes to inside, outside.
In 2010, debuted “World of Color” nighttime show, more than 500 performances so far. Little Mermaid—Ariel’s Undersea Adventure ride opens June 3 to entice summer visitors.
Work on California Adventure’s main entrance began in January. Entrance renamed Buena Vista Street with 1920s feel.
Construction continues on 12-acre Cars Land, completion slated for 2012.
Reports to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.
Was chief operating officer of Disneyland Resort Paris for more than three years.
Started in 1971 as busboy at Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida. Part of opening team for Walt Disney World, California Adventure.
Worked way up. Also served as Epcot vice president, Disneyland Resort senior vice president of operations.
Roots in central Florida. Dad was pharmacist at family pharmacy.
Serves on boards of Children’s Hospital of Orange County, dean’s advisory board, UCI business school.
Likes traveling.
Longtime partner Andrew Hardy, finance manager with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, global entertainment.
Associate degree from Polk State College, received Distinguished Alumnus Award in December.
Bachelor’s from University of Central Florida.
—Kari Hamanaka
Dennis J. Gilmore
Chief executive
First American Financial Corp.
Born in California
Age 52
Lives in Coto de Caza
Head of country’s largest title insurer by revenue, took reigns at longtime family- run company.
First American Financial nearing year anniversary of being stand-alone company, following one of biggest spinoffs seen here.
Emerged from First American Corp., OC’s oldest company, founded in 1889. Also spawned Santa Ana’s CoreLogic, run by OC 50er Anand Nallathambi.
Split was long time coming. First American announced three years ago, put on hold amid tough real estate market, Wall Street troubles. Completed last year as combined business returned to profitability after extended housing, mortgage slump.
Gilmore retained core title operations in split. Growing data, mortgage information business now under CoreLogic.
Both companies operate from distinctive Santa Ana campus of former First American Corp.
First American Financial writes policies protecting owners of homes, other real estate from competing claims of ownership.
Recent market value of $1.7 billion. 2010 revenue of $3.9 billion, down 3% from year earlier. Net income of $128 million, up slightly from 2009.
Ended year with strongest quarter for title insurance since late 2006. Now No. 1 by revenue, ahead of key rival Fidelity National Financial of Florida.
Gilmore calls 2011 outlook for mortgage, real estate markets “uncertain.” Positioning company for “lower mortgage origination market” amid expectations of higher interest rates, still sluggish housing market.
Previously served as First American Corp. chief operating officer. Headed up technology efforts, managed offshore operations.
Started career in lending. In 1988 joined TRTS Data Services, acquired by First American in 1991. Moved up ranks, became first president of First American Real Estate Solutions in 1998.
Bachelor’s in business from San Diego State, on business school’s advisory board. Business master’s from Loyola Marymount.
First non-family member in charge of title insurer.
Former chief executive Parker Kennedy, longtime OC 50 member, great-grandson of founder C.E. Parker, now executive chairman of First American Financial, CoreLogic, soon to be chairman emeritus.
—Mark Mueller
William H. Gross
Founder, co-chief investment officer,
managing director
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in Middletown, Ohio
Age 67
Lives in Laguna Beach
Mohamed A. El-Erian
Chief executive, co-chief investment officer, managing director
Pacific Investment Management Co.
Born in New York
Age 52
Lives in Laguna Beach
Trillion-dollar money managers steering diversification at company best known for bond funds.
Pimco surpassed $1 trillion in assets under management in late 2009. Saw big influx as some hedged against Wall Street’s rebound with bond investments.
Now Gross, El-Erian shifting focus from bonds to stocks, other investments.
Started first actively managed stock mutual fund last year. Fund now has $1.8 billion in investments. Plans to debut stock mutual fund focused on emerging markets in coming months. More stock funds expected in coming years.
Added 300 employees worldwide last year, similar hiring plans this year. Now employs about 1,500.
Opening brokerage in New York, taking over selling of funds from German parent Allianz.
Putting up new headquarters in Newport Center, set to finish in 2013.
El-Erian became chief executive in 2009. Returned to company in 2008 as heir apparent to massive investment fund empire.
Self-described “player-coach,” leads by example.
Shares company’s investment decisions with Gross, longtime “king of bonds.” Both regular media commentators.
El-Erian first joined Pimco in 1999 as managing director, senior member of portfolio management, investment strategy group. Earned reputation as savvy emerging market investor.
Was Pimco managing director, senior portfolio manager until 2005. Left for two years to run Harvard’s $30 billion endowment fund.
Came back in part to be closer to family. Son of Egyptian diplomat, also has French heritage. Tactful, good sense of humor.
Spent 15 years at International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., before moving to private sector where he was managing director at Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup in London.
Board member, International Center for Research on Women, Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Member of U.S. Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, IMF’s Capital Markets Consultative Group. Chairs Microsoft’s investment advisory committee.
Bachelor’s in economics from Cambridge, master’s, doctorate in economics from Oxford.
New York Mets fan. Wife Jamie, lawyer. Couple has daughter.
Gross manages $236 billion Total Return Fund, largest mutual fund of any kind. Launching EFT version of Total Return.
Increasingly critical of U.S. indebtedness, recently sold all Treasuries from Total Return.
Started Pimco in 1971 as subsidiary of Pacific Life Insurance. Became Pimco Advisors in 1994 after split from Pacific Life, which sold remaining $288 million stake in 2009. Pacific Life held as much as $2.1 billion in 2002.
Insurer Allianz bought majority Pimco stake nine years ago.
Gross widely quoted on interest rates, economic issues. Predicted credit crisis, interest rate cuts. Broadcasts market commentaries from Pimco’s TV studio in Newport Center.
Pens well-read Web column. Podcast has 15,000 subscribers, 12,000 followers on Twitter.
Hasn’t indicated any plans to retire.
Honed blackjack skills as professional player in Las Vegas. Learned how to play after car crash hospitalized him during college.
Served in Vietnam as Navy patrol boat operator.
Humble, almost shy. Stamp collector.
Made Sunday cut at February’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, came within a foot of a hole-in-one on Pebble’s famed seventh hole.
With wife Sue, donated $11 million last year to Doctors Without Borders and $10 million to The Millennium Village Project in Africa at Columbia University.
Past giving includes $23.5 million to Duke for scholarships, faculty, $20 million to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian for hospital’s Women’s Pavilion. Donated $10 million for Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UC Irvine in 2006.
Bachelor’s from Duke, business master’s from UCLA.
In 2009, paid $23 million for house on Newport Harbor’s exclusive Harbor Island, where Grosses plan to build new home.
Two grown sons, daughter.
—Chris Casacchia
James H. Jannard
Founder, chief executive
Red Digital Cinema Camera Co.
Born in Alhambra
Age 61
Lives in Nevada, Spieden Island, Wash.
Oakley founder making waves in Hollywood.
Looking to make converts of directors, cinematographers with digital cameras.
Started Lake Forest-based Red Digital Cinema Camera as hobby turned business in 2005. Rivals include Sony, Arri Group, Panasonic, Canon.
Company’s Red One camera debuted in 2007 for $17,500.
Movies using Red Digital cameras include “The Social Network,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “The Amazing Spider-Man.” Television shows include “Southland,” “Pretty Little Liars.”
Two other cameras in works after delays—$28,500 Epic, Scarlet starting at $5,000. Jannard calls Epic, now ready for production, one of “most complicated cameras ever.”
Plans for movie studio, camera plant in Nevada, now on hold. Recently leased extra 110,000 square feet in Irvine Spectrum.
In 2010, bought Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood, renamed Red Studios Hollywood.
Former 63% owner of Oakley. Sold company to Luxottica for $2.1 billion in 2007. Signed five-year non-compete deal.
Enlisted former Oakley CEO Scott Olivet as Red’s executive chairman.
Jannard still cult-like figure at Oakley. Still has hand in product design.
Oakley president from 1975 to 1995, chief executive 1999 to 2003.
USC dropout. Began selling motorcycle grips out of car in 1975. Went on to make goggles, then sunglasses.
Named company after favorite dog, Oakley, an English Setter.
Remarried. Four children.
Likes drag racing, photography.
—Kari Hamanaka
Thomas V. McKernan
Chief executive
Automobile Club of Southern California
Born in Alexandria, La.
Age 66
Lives in Newport Beach, Arcadia
Car guy mixes passion, business at Auto Club, big insurer, travel, auto services provider.
Side projects in politics, government reform, business issues, arts.
Auto Club run as not-for-profit mutual benefit corporation on behalf of members. Yearly revenue of $4 billion. Oversees clubs in 20 states.
Roadside towing service serves as entry point for club’s dominant insurance, travel businesses.
Auto Club lifer. Started as service representative in 1966 in Pasadena. Finished college courses at night. Worked in data processing for 14 years.
Named chief financial officer in 1985, when club was financially stressed.
Made executive vice president in 1990, then president, chief executive in 1991. Joined board in 1996.
Has doubled membership to more than 6 million in California, 13 million in 20 states. About 60% of OC homes have membership.
Made strides gaining insurance market share with homeowner, auto policies. Fourth-largest auto insurer in California—largest in Southern California, insuring about 2 million vehicles in Southland, 16% market share. Sixth-largest homeowner’s insurer in state.
Worked to boost travel services. Put travel agencies in every Auto Club office in late 1990s.
Pushes services through direct mail, Internet, club magazine Westways.
Big in politics, government reform. Played large role in state government as co-chair of California Forward Leadership Council, advocating cost-effective government. Served on Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force to find fixes to water issues.
In 1990s, chaired School-to-Career Advisory Council. Also served on Welfare to Work Task Force.
OC chapter chair of New Majority, moderate GOP group. Past chair, Segerstrom Performing Arts Center.
Also on boards of California Chamber of Commerce, California Business Roundtable, Payden & Rygel Investment Group, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks Association.
Collects classic muscle cars. Daughter races dragster. Name sponsor of Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in Fontana, sponsor of Penske Racing racecar, John Force NHRA Funny Car. Los Angeles Lakers fan.
In late 1980s, mentored by Peter Drucker, founder of graduate business program at Claremont where McKernan attended. Considered leaving Auto Club for career as business professor in 1990s.
Bachelor’s in business, information systems, MBA from Cal State L.A., received Outstanding Alumnus award. Holds advanced MBA from Claremont’s Drucker Management Center, received Alumnus of Distinction award.
Awarded honorary doctor of laws degree, Pepperdine University, 2006. Awarded Orange County Titan Award from Cal State Fullerton, 2010. Honored by Forum for Corporate Directors, 2010.
Married to wife, Judy, 39 years. Two daughters: Megan, physics master’s from USC; Shannon, doctorate in physical therapy from Chapman University.
—Sherri Cruz
Arturo R. Moreno
Owner, Angels Baseball LP
Born in Tucson
Age 64
Lives in Corona del Mar, Phoenix
Baseball owner marking Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s 50th anniversary this year, looking for comeback season after disappointing 2010.
After winning five of past seven American League West titles, finished third of four teams last year. Hosting 2010 All-Star Game in July proved highlight of season.
In eighth season owning team. Looking to recapture elusive World Series nine years after pre-Moreno team won baseball’s championship.
Faces big hurdle overtaking American League champion Texas Rangers. Solid pitching rotation, questions on offense.
Sought big offseason free agent deals but missed out on Carl Crawford, now with Boston Red Sox, Adrian Beltre, who went to Rangers.
Acquired former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder, slugger Vernon Wells by picking up four-year contract with $70 million left. In exchange, traded outfielder Juan Rivera, catcher Mike Napoli, who went on to Texas.
Other newcomers include former Jays pitcher Scott Downs, ex-New York Met pitcher Hisanori Takahashi.
2011 opening day payroll of $111 million, eighth in baseball.
Team has yearly revenue of about $230 million.
Looking to draw fans with 50th anniversary celebration featuring retro nights, special giveaways, ceremonial first pitches by former Angels.
Lifelong, passionate baseball fan. Bought then-Anaheim Angels in 2003 from Disney. Built winning team, packed stadium, bolstered business side.
Good investment: paid $184 million for team, now valued at $520 million by Forbes. Broadcast deal worth $50 million a year, up from $12 million in 2003. In sixth year of 10-year, $500 million TV deal with Fox Sports Net.
Pressing for upgrades to city-owned Angel Stadium of Anaheim, fourth-oldest in majors. Has lease opt-out in 2016.
All-Star Game helped move past 2005 name change to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, legal fight with city that closed in 2009 with Moreno prevailing.
Drew 3.2 million fans last year, ranking No. 5 in baseball. Expects 3 million-plus this year.
Owns KLAA 830 AM, Angels’ flagship radio station in Orange. Simulcasting selected games on KSPN 710 AM in Los Angeles.
Native Arizonian bought $12.1 million Corona del Mar home in 2009.
Goes by “Arte.” Focused, laconic. Enjoys baseball, beers with buddies.
Made fortune in billboards. With partner Bill Levine (minority investor in Angels) built Outdoor Systems, sold to Viacom for $8.7 billion in stock in 1999. Forbes puts wealth at $1 billion plus.
Fourth-generation Mexican-American. Oldest of 11 kids. Father ran print shop, grandfather published newspaper. Attended Catholic school. Joined Army in 1965, fought in Vietnam.
Graduated University of Arizona in 1973 with marketing degree. Alpha Tau Omega fraternity member with Dennis Kuhl, Angels chairman.
Republican. Wife Carole prominent in Phoenix, Tucson social circles. Spent honeymoon driving West Coast attending baseball games.
He, Carole started Angels Baseball Foundation in 2003, given more than $3 million in grants.
Daughter, two sons. Enjoys spending time with family.
—Chris Casacchia
James T. Morris
Chairman, president, chief executive
Pacific Mutual Holding Co.,
Pacific LifeCorp,
Pacific Life Insurance Co.
Born in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Age 51
Lives in San Juan Capistrano
Runs insurer, investor, airplane lessor that is among county’s largest private companies.
Fourteenth chief in company’s 140-plus-year history, in fourth year at helm.
Pacific Life sells life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, investments for individuals, businesses, pension plans.
2010 revenue of $5.6 billion, up 8% from year earlier. Had $116 billion in assets at year end, up 5% as investments rebounded from downturn.
Premiums make Pacific Life big investor in bonds, real estate, other areas. Largely stayed clear of speculative mortgages, derivatives that crippled some insurers.
Local real estate holdings include Newport Center headquarters, Aliso Viejo building, Tijeras Creek Golf Club, which it bought in 1990s from OC 50er Tony Moiso.
Aviation Capital Group unit buys planes, leases to airlines. Counts more than 240 aircraft, valued at more than $5 billion last year. Leases to more than 90 customers in about 40 countries.
Company started in 1868 in Sacramento. First chief was railroad tycoon, former California governor Leland Stanford, who went on to start Stanford University.
About 1,900 workers in county at Newport Center headquarters, Aliso Viejo office, home to life insurance division.
Long county’s largest private company, passed last year by Kingston Technology, run by OC 50ers David Sun, John Tu.
Oversees donations for Pacific Life Foundation, set to give $5.5 million to nonprofits in 2011.
Big sports backer as way to reach customers. Title sponsor of Pacific Life Pac-10 Basketball Tournament in Los Angeles.
Company guy. Was summer actuarial student in early 1980s with Transamerica Occidental before joining Pacific Life in 1982 as assistant actuary.
Rose through ranks to executive VP of life insurance division in 2002. In 2005, role expanded to include annuities, mutual funds division. Added oversight of brokerages as chief operating officer in 2006.
Took over as chief executive from former OC 50er Tom Sutton, who held job for 17 years up until early 2007. Sutton remains on board.
Fellow, Society of Actuaries. Member, American Academy of Actuaries. Bachelor’s in mathematics, UCLA, 1982.
Serves on board and executive committee of American Council of Life Insurers.
Treasurer, Hoag Hospital Foundation; past chair, Junior Achievement of Orange County; board of visitors, UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Married to Ann, two children.
—Chris Casacchia
Anand K. Nallathambi
Chief executive
CoreLogic Inc.
Age 49
Lives in San Diego
Head of CoreLogic, county’s newest billion-dollar company.
Company provides data to real estate, mortgage companies. Recent $2.1 billion market value.
CoreLogic started stand-alone operations in 2010 as part of breakup of former parent First American Corp. last summer.
Split also created First American Financial as independent title insurer. CoreLogic remaining at Santa Ana First American campus for now.
Move designed to better promote CoreLogic’s tech-oriented business to analysts, investors, who tended to focus more on title insurance.
Company provides data on consumers, finances, real estate to banks, corporations, governments. Bills itself as having largest real estate, mortgage application, fraud, loan performance databases in country.
Previously served as chief executive of First Advantage Corp., onetime publicly traded subsidiary of First American Corp. Now part of CoreLogic.
Joined First Advantage as president in 2005, named chief executive in 2007. Held various management, strategic business development positions, including development of company’s appraisal services unit, managing credit information group.
CoreLogic spent first part of 2010 courting investors, doing road shows in preparation of split. Afterward, efforts focused on divesting itself of some business lines, adding others.
Sold employer services, litigation support businesses to Palo Alto private equity firm Symphony Technology Group in late 2010 for $265 million.
Early this year, agreed to buy 60% of Australian property information company RP Data that it didn’t already own for about $190 million.
Serves on board of nonprofit Operation Hope, trade group Consumer Data Industry Association.
Economics bachelor’s, Loyola University in Madras, India. Finance master’s, marketing from California Lutheran University. Professional designations in systems analysis, international business from UCLA.
Married with kids.
—Mark Mueller
Ronald M. Simon
Founder, chairman
RSI Holding Corp.
Born in Los Angeles
Age 76
Lives in Newport Beach
Built fortune mastering industry littered with casualties.
RSI is top seller of household cabinets, which are made in Anaheim, North Carolina, Kansas, Mexico. Manufacturing prowess has allowed RSI to keep production in North America, compete against rivals in Asia.
In 2008, sold half of RSI to Canada’s Onex for $318 million. Deal valued RSI at $636 million.
Last year, started homebuilding business, RSI Development. Venture backed with $100 million in funding from Simon, builds easily assembled, affordable homes. Building in Menifee, east of Temecula.
Homebuilder uses techniques honed at cabinet maker. Simon calls homes “precision built”: walls, floors, roof trusses made in Mira Loma factory, assembled at project sites. Model designed to provide efficient, quality workforce housing.
Remains active in cabinet maker RSI Home Products. Last year, struck deal to buy Continental Cabinets of Texas for undisclosed terms.
RSI Home grew out of family business. Father started medicine cabinet maker Perma-Bilt, convinced son to join business after studying engineering at Los Angeles City College.
Simon eventually took control, grew Perma-Bilt to be largest maker of medicine cabinets, vanities, marble countertops.
In 1987, sold to an Australian company at a time when Asian manufacturers were making it tougher to compete.
Stayed on as Perma-Bilt director, came up with plan to compete that was rejected by new owners. Used plan to start RSI. Few years later, Perma-Bilt was out of business.
Born in East Los Angeles to Russian mother, English father.
Had paper route at age 9. As teen, worked at father’s business, earning $20 for entire summer’s work. Relished contribution to startup.
Horatio Alger Award, 2005. On boards of Pacific Symphony Orchestra, UCI Merage business school. Trustee, Chapman University.
Big philanthropist with wife Sandi. Ronald Simon Family Foundation awarded more than 425 scholarships worth $15 million since 2003. Also supports arts, healthcare, other causes.
—Chris Casacchia
Peter V. Ueberroth
Managing director
Contrarian Group Inc.
Born in Evanston, Ill.
Age 73
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
U.S. Olympic Committee chairman from 2004 to 2008. Took final step back from group last year when honorary president term ended in October.
Renewing focus on his Newport Beach-based private equity firm, Contrarian Group. In August, took part in $20 million funding of Irvine-based Brand Affinity Technologies through Ueberroth family’s CGI Opportunity Fund.
As Contrarian founder, managing director, enlists investors to buy stakes in turnaround candidates, then puts one of them in charge.
Classic case: 1999 buy of Pebble Beach Co. for $820 million. Buyout team included Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood, Richard Ferris. Ueberroth co-chairman of Pebble Beach Co., operator of hotels, links, golf, tennis clubs, spa.
Enjoys lasting fame from role organizing 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Turned around near-bankrupt operation by bringing in corporate sponsors for first privately financed games. Left $200 million-plus surplus, which continues to back youth sports programs.
Time magazine’s 1984 Man of the Year.
Served as baseball commissioner, 1984 to 1989.
Republican, mounted bid as independent for governor in 2003 recall vote, later threw support behind Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Returned campaign contributions after calling it quits.
As U.S. Olympic Committee chairman, overhauled board structure, chaired 2008 games in Beijing.
Got start in travel, hotels. Created First Travel in 1962, sold in 1980 as second-largest U.S. travel company. In 1990s, started company that bought Doubletree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, later sold to Hilton.
Longtime director, Coca-Cola, Irvine Company, Easton Bell Sports. Also on board of aircraft lessor Aircastle.
Business degree from San Jose State. Attended on water polo scholarship.
Moved around several times as child. Entered orphanage at 16, became home’s recreation director, earning $125 a month.
In 1986, was grand marshal with Rosa Parks in Atlanta Martin Luther King Day parade. Calls it one of most touching, consequential moments of his life.
Wife Virginia, goes by Ginny. She chairs Ueberroth Family Foundation, on board of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. Also director at First American, along with OC 50ers George Argyros, Jim Doti, Dennis Gilmore.
Couple owns Paso Robles winery, produces organic zinfandels. Spends time at family farm in north Idaho.
Close friends of OC 50er Donald Bren, wife Brigitte. Joined couple for sailing vacations on Mediterranean.
Ueberroths have three daughters, a son, eight grandchildren.
—Chris Casacchia
OTHER MEMBERS
Fletcher “Ted” Jones Jr.
Chief executive, president Fletcher Jones Management Group Inc., owner of county’s largest auto dealership, Fletcher Jones Motor Cars
Rob Myers, David Ritchie, John Evans
Regional president for Orange County, Wells Fargo & Co.; regional vice president, Wells Fargo commercial banking; senior vice president, manager, Wells Fargo Bank
Steve Nataupsky
Managing partner, Irvine-based Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP, county’s largest law firm by number of lawyers
Allen Staff, Joseph Holsinger
Orange County market president, regional executive of commercial real estate banking, Bank of America Corp.; regional managing director, Global Wealth & Investment Management, Southwest, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
David Wilson
Chairman, chief executive, Orange-based David Wilson Automotive Group, owner of Toyota of Orange, Newport Lexus, other auto dealerships
Mark Wetterau
Chairman, chief executive, Irvine-based food products company Golden State Foods Corp.
