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FEATURED STORIES
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OCBC Sponsors SB 872 (Ackerman) -- More Transportation Dollars for OC
OCBC has sponsored legislation under the leadership of Senator Dick Ackerman (R-Irvine) that will provide so called "self-help" counties (including Orange County) exclusive access to $1 billion that has been set aside as matching-funds under Proposition 1B, approved by voters in November. Beginning in 2010, SB 872 will appropriate $200 million per year for 5 years to counties that have adopted local sales tax measures dedicated to transportation improvements, such as Measure M in Orange County. The bill specifies that funds be made exclusively available to counties with local transportation tax measures. Please contact OCBC's VP of Government Affairs, Kris Murray, for more information.
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2007 Community Indicators Report Available Now
OCBC is proud to announce the release of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County's 2007 Community Indicators Report, the annual publication measuring Orange County's overall quality of life by tracking key indicators of economic, social and environmental well being. With the help and commitment of numerous contributors and key stakeholders throughout the county--most notably the County of Orange and the Business Council's research department--OCBC has successfully produced annual indicator reports since 1999.
The demographic trends highlighted in this year's report reinforce the importance of the Business Council's three core advocacy initiatives--infrastructure, workforce housing and workforce development--as the key to preserving Orange County's economic prosperity and high quality of life.
For example, did you know that middle income families are disappearing faster in Orange County than in other metropolitan areas throughout the country? (See page 8 of the report.) This and other riveting trends are explored in great detail in this year's report. Visit OCBC's website to read more about the Community Indicators Project and to download your own copy of the 2007 report today.
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OCBC Participates in Governor’s Career Technical Education Summit
OCBC members, Randal Hernandez of Bank of America, Kristine Thalman of BIA Orange County Chapter, and OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, participated in the roundtable discussion led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on March 13. The Governor sought business, labor and education leaders' input in crafting policy solutions for life-long learning skills that meet the needs of California’s employers.
Panelists specifically mentioned the need for enhanced soft skills development (i.e., problem solving, team playing and job commitment) as well as academically rigorous career technical education courses. In addition, they made special mention of the need for more career counselors skilled to advise students in existing opportunities and avert the sometimes 25% to 50% high school drop out rates that plague the state’s education system. OCBC’s Director of Workforce Development, Jordan Brandman, actively engages in these issues for OCBC and can be reached at 949.794.7215.
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OCBC Fights for (and Wins!) More Road Funds from CTC
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) held a public hearing in Irvine on February 28. OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn--the hearing's only representative from the business community--was there, providing testimony on behalf of Orange County business. At the conclusion of the hearing, the CTC awarded Orange County an additional $22 million of the Prop 1B funds for the 91 freeway--the most congested in the state--bringing Orange County's share to nearly $384 million of the total $2.8 billion being allocated throughout Southern California by the CTC this year. Read all about it by clicking the link below.
OCBC extends its deepest thanks to Senator Marian Bergeson, Chairwoman of the CTC, for her leadership, grace and commitment to deliver funds meeting the CTC's stringent criteria for congestion relief and commitment to on-time completion.
[FULL STORY]
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OCBC Welcomes WD's Board Chairman to CLB Series Mar. 22
There's still time to register for the March 22nd Chairman's Leadership Breakfast featuring Matthew E. Massengill, Western Digital Corporation's Chairman of the Board of Directors, who has been with the company since its humble beginnings. Seating is limited. Click below for more details or register online today.
[FULL STORY]
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OCBC Welcomes New Staff
The Orange County Business Council proudly welcomes three new staff members to help support and promote OCBC's key initiatives.
Kris Murray joins our ranks as Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations. Most recently OCTA's Federal Relations Manager, Kris brings with her a wealth of government affairs experience at the federal, state and local level and looks forward to advancing OCBC's advocacy agenda, beginning with our upcoming trips to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
Michelle Hart, previously the Children and Families Commission of Orange County's External Affairs Manager, is the Business Council's new Director of External Affairs. In her role, Michelle will produce and manage all aspects of OCBC’s special events and work closely with business organizations, economic development agencies and chambers of commerce to build coalitions to support the Business Council’s strategic plan activities. She also staff OCBC's review of all the new health care proposals coming out of Sacramento.
Monique Branscomb will support OCBC at the reception desk, welcoming visitors, routing calls, and providing general administrative support.
Congratulations, ladies, and welcome aboard!
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Dunn to Receive Two Prestigious Honors
OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, was recently selected by her college alma mater, Cal State Fullerton, to receive the university's Distinguished Alumni Award. This special accolade--the highest honor afforded an alumna/us of the university--will be presented to her, along with tributes to other award recipients, at the university’s 14th Annual Vision & Visionaries Awards Gala on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort Garden Grove. Register for the event today, and join us in the celebration.
Dunn has been named one of Orange County's "20 Women to Watch" by OC Metro Magazine. The magazine will celebrate Ms. Dunn and the other 19 honorees at a special luncheon on March 15--the date the issue honoring the women debuts on news stands throughout the county.
Congratulations, Lucy!
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Government Affairs
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Join OCBC in Washington!
OCBC's delegation of business leaders heading to Washington, D.C. to promote our advocacy agenda leaves in less than two weeks, but there are still a couple slots left. Join OCBC Chairman Dan Miller of The Irvine Company as he leads the OCBC delegation in key meetings with Senator Dianne Feinstein and congressional representatives such as Congressman Ed Royce, Congressman Gary Miller, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, and Congressman John Campbell. Special thanks to the Transportation Corridor Agencies for helping sponsor this very important advocacy event.
The trip is scheduled March 26-29. Registration is just $975, excluding air and hotel expenses. Click below for more details or visit OCBC's website to register.
[DETAILS]
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OCBC Goes to Sacramento April 17-18
Register today for the Orange County Business Council's annual advocacy trip to Sacramento scheduled for Tuesday, April 17 through Wednesday, April 18, 2007! Registration is just $725, inclusive of roundtrip airfare from John Wayne Airport, ground transportation, and accommodations at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency, as well as all materials, issues briefings, receptions, and meal events.
Special thanks to Metropolitan Water District and Ford Motor Company for helping sponsor this very important advocacy event. Please go to OCBC's website to register. For more information, please contact OCBC's VP of Government Affairs, Kris Murray, at 949.794.7210.
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Health Care
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Business Owners Invited to Share Heath Care Challenges
Assemblyman Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach, invites small business owners from across Orange County to share their experiences trying to afford health care for their employees by completing an online survey available on his Assembly website. The survey can be accessed by clicking on the link in the “Health Care Survey” box on the main page.
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Workforce Development
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Employee Training Funds Available
OCBC invites you to become a partner in this California Employment Training Panel (ETP) program. Participating companies receive $2,000 per employee trained through the program. Companies like Pacific Life, the Auto Club, UPS and Bank of America are already taking advantage of this state funded program.
OCBC, the state-sanctioned provider for the contract, will partner with Training Funding Partners (TFP), a longtime OCBC member and renowned training service broker in California and nationally, to facilitate this program. For more information, please contact Jordan Brandman at 949.794.9215.
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NOCROP Superintendent Honored as Educator of the Year
The California Association for Career and Technical Education (CACTE) recently named Dr. Patricia Frank, Superintendent of the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program (NOCROP), its Outstanding Career and Technical Educator of the Year. NOCROP is a statewide leader in California's career and technical education initiatives, educating more than 23,000 high school and adult students annually. Click here to read the full press release.
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Media
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Women in Business -- Call for Nominations
The Orange County Business Journal invites you to take this opportunity to nominate an outstanding woman who merits special recognition for her accomplishments. Nominees will be profiled in OCBJ’s Women in Business supplement published on May 7 and distributed at the Women in Business awards luncheon being held May 24 at the Irvine Hyatt Regency. OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, was honored at last year's luncheon.
Self-nominations are encouraged, and past nominees are eligible for consideration. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 20. Click here to nominate an outstanding woman in business or to register for this special luncheon event.
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$20,000 Innovation Grant Up for Grabs
OCTANe is proud to announce that it will award $20,000 Innovation Grant to an entrepreneur who has created a product that will serve as a strong example of the region’s strength in information technology or biomedical innovation. The process begins on March 1, 2007 with an application deadline of May 15, 2007. If you are a doctor, scientist, engineer or anybody else who has a novel idea, patent or start-up, contact Gary Augusta for information on how to apply.
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Upcoming Events
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World Innovation Forum's West Coast Debut
As part of the Orange County Business Council’s commitment to strategic innovation, we have partnered with HSM, a world leader in executive education, to bring you the World Innovation Forum in its West Coast debut in Orange County April 17-18. Seven of the world's top thinkers and leaders in innovation. Two days. One place--Orange County. April 17-18, 2007, at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. Call 866.711.4476 or visit OCBC's website for more information.
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Meetings & Events
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Committee Meetings
March 2007
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Tuesday, March 13, 2007 |
Infrastructure Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
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Wednesday, March 14, 2007 |
Golf Tournament Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
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Thursday, March 15, 2007 |
Economic Forecast Conference Committee Meeting, 8a |
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Monday, March 19, 2007 |
Membership Committee Meeting, 12p |
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Wednesday, March 21, 2007 |
Workforce Development Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
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Thursday, March 22, 2007 |
Community College Working Group Meeting, 4p |
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
Health Care Committee Meeting, 11a |
Click "DETAILS" below for more information. You may also view OCBC's Master Calendar on the web.
[DETAILS]
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Community Events
Tuesday, March 15, 2007: Orange County American Planning Association's Housing Element Update Luncheon
OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, will moderate the panel consisting of Cathy Creswell of the State of California Housing and Community Development, the City of Anaheim's Tracy Sato, David Barquist of RBF Consulting, and John Laing Homes' Linda Mamet.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007: 5th Annual State of Human Care Health Forum
The Orange County United Way presents the 5th Annual State of Human Care Health Forum, "Life-Long Learning Builds Life-Long Self-Sufficiency," featuring a keynote address by Boeing's Rick Stephens, OCBC's Vice Chair of Health Care.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007: The 5th Annual Conference on Business and Ethics
The Orange Catholic Foundation brings you the 5th Annual Conference on Business and Ethics featuring OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, as keynote speaker.
For more information about any of these events, click the "DETAILS" link below.
[DETAILS]
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