MIKE HARRAH
CEO
CARIBOU INDUSTRIES
WHO: Among largest commercial real estate owners, property managers in Santa Ana, has owned about 5M square feet, also develops in other states. Behind long-planned One Broadway, a 37-story tower which promises to be OC’s tallest building when complete, and 888 on Main, an adaptive reuse project that sold in 2020 to Alliant Strategic for $54M.
WHY: Major donor and supporter of local educational programs, including Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) and Orange County Educational Arts Academy (OCEAA).
IN THE NEWS: Donated $350K to OC organizations in 2023. Led design, construction and supplied millions in financing for charter school OCSA, which completed in 2000.
NOTABLE: Planning to invest $3M to build a Santa Ana training center for boxing and baile folklórico, a traditional style of dance that can be traced back to the indigenous people of Mexico. Targets low-income students, whose families may not be able to afford other more costly, after-school programs. Students that score a B+ and above on their report cards will be able to attend the program for free. Students with grades lower than a B+ will pay a monthly membership fee of $25.
IN THEIR WORDS: “This will keep local kids off the streets and steer them away from gangs and drugs … [It’s also] my idea to encourage them to do well in school … You need to eat your dinner before you can have dessert.”
