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FEATURED STORIES
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OCBC Goes to Washington!
The Orange County Business Council has partnered with the LA Area Chamber to convene nearly 200 business and civic leaders in Washington, D.C. this week to advocate on behalf of Southern California’s 18 million residents and regional businesses.
OCBC’s mighty delegation, led by OCBC Chairman Dan Miller of The Irvine Company and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, is focused on Orange County’s top business priorities. In addition to asking for increased transportation funding, the OCBC contingency is lobbying for workforce housing solutions, local flexibility on workforce development issues such as the “No Child Left Behind” initiative, business-conscious health care reform, and myriad other business issues.
This just in from the field . . . Tuesday’s agenda included a lively transportation issues discussion over breakfast with Senator Dianne Feinstein and then with Senator Barbara Boxer after lunch. Further, the Orange County Congressional delegation, including Representatives Ed Royce, Loretta Sanchez and Ken Calvert, met with OCBC on Tuesday. Wednesday’s agenda includes a briefing with SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. Stay tuned to the OCBC homepage throughout the week for the latest updates from Washington . . .
Wish you could be there? It’s not too late to register for OCBC's Sacramento advocacy trip next month.
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OCBC Hosts Governor's Senior Health Policy Advisor for Candid Discussion on Healthcare Reform
On March 14, members of the Orange County Business Council and guests hosted Herb Schultz, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Senior Health Policy Advisor, for a high-level, roundtable discussion on the administration’s comprehensive health care proposal. Attendees discussed areas of principle interest, including employer mandates versus individual mandates, tax and regulatory incentives, rate caps, Medi-Cal/Healthy Families expansion, defining access, system capacity, information transparency and provider accountability.
While the discussion was lively and candid, many questions remain unanswered at this time; the Governor does not intend to present specific legislation for public review now but will work within existing proposals to try to reach an appropriate consensus among core principles. OCBC has not taken a position on any of the proposals, including the Governor’s, and remains concerned about additional mandates on business. As a first step, we seek a transparent process for review and comment on any proposal affecting California businesses and consumers.
OCBC will continue to monitor and update its members on all developments. For questions or comments, contact Michelle Hart, Director of External Affairs, at 949.794.7219.
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OCBC's CLB Series to Welcome Henry Samueli
Save the Date: May 8, 2007
The Orange County Business Council invites you to join us in welcoming Dr. Henry Samueli, co-founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Technical Officer of Broadcom Corporation, to the 2007 Chairman's Leadership Breakfast series. Broadcom, a global leader in providing semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, is one of the foremost companies in all of Orange County, employing more than 5,000 employees worldwide and earning gross revenues exceeding $3.5 billion annually. Dr. Samueli is responsible for driving the vision of Broadcom's research and development activities as well as helping coordinate corporate-wide engineering development strategies. He is also well-known for his generous philanthropic works.
To register or for more information, please visit the OCBC website. Special thanks to our event sponsor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, The Waltos Group.
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OCBC Enjoys Insightful Dialogue with Western Digital's Matthew Massengill
The Orange County Business Council welcomed Western Digital’s Matthew Massengill to the Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast series March 22. OCBC members and guests enjoyed an insightful, 360-degree glimpse into this influential business leader’s 22-year career at Western Digital, where this Purdue engineering alum rose from a product engineer in 1985 to CEO by 2000 and eventually Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2001.
When asked by OCBC's immediate past Chair, Tom Phelps, if he has any worries about Orange County’s economic future, Massengill cited a variety of workforce development issues the business community must combat to safeguard our vibrant economy. Read all about it by clicking the link below...
[FULL STORY]
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New Arrival!
OCBC extends its warmest congratulations to its Vice of Chair of Events, Kristin Nolt Wingard, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Disneyland Resort, and her husband, Larry Wingard, on the arrival of their first child. Jackson "Jack" Walker Wingard arrived March 15, weighing in at 7 lbs., 11 oz. and measuring 20.5 inches. We are pleased to announce that Mom and Baby are doing fine!
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Workforce Development
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Governor Hosts California’s First Career Technical Education Summit
According to the most recent available data, 30% of applicants have the wrong skills for available jobs and more than 80% of manufacturers reported a shortage of qualified candidates. Many in-state companies can’t fill positions in fields like biotech, impacting their ability to compete successfully. Closer to home, Orange County will produce 18,000 new jobs per year through 2025, approximately 90% of which will require an advanced degree, AA or higher. If current college graduation trends continue, our business community will suffer a shortfall of 3,000 skilled workers per year.
These trends beg the question: where will our businesses find skilled workers in the future? Governor Schwarzenegger hopes they will come from California. Since taking office, he has increased funding for career technical education (formerly known as "vocational education") by 18 percent, and his proposed 2007-08 budget includes $52 million to build and improve career technical education programs. To bring further attention to the issue, the Governor convened the first career technical education summit on March 13, bringing together education, business, labor, foundation and political leaders to strategize how career tech education can maintain California's competitive edge in the global marketplace. Of course, OCBC CEO and President, Lucy Dunn, was there representing Orange County business. Click HERE to read more about the event.
One thing is certain, career technical education is a hot political discussion -- and not a moment too soon. According to Orange County's 2006 Workforce Indicator Report, occupations with high education requirements (bachelor's degree or higher) will constitute less than a third of projected job openings through 2012. Click HERE to read Senator Tom Harman's opinion editorial, "The Importance of Career Technical Education."
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OCBC Honored by CFC with Peter A. Hartman Award
The Children and Families Commission (CFC) of Orange County held its annual community awards ceremony on March 15. The Orange County Business Council was among the evening's honorees, receiving the CFC's Peter A. Hartman Award. The Hartman Award--named after Dr. Peter A. Hartman, a champion of children's issues and founding member of the CFC--is awarded to the individual or community program best demonstrating and implementing the CFC's goal of keeping children healthy and successful when they enter school. CFC chose to honor the Business Council for its workforce development and research initiatives. OCBC's President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, was on-hand to accept the award.
In conjunction with the award, OCBC was granted $2,500, which it awarded to Info Link or 211 Orange County, an telephone information and referral service for families in need of health and human services. In operation since 1988, Info Link's services are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be easily accessed by dialing 2-1-1.
Ms. Dunn also presented a very special award on behalf of the CFC to the Discovery Science Center for creating one of Orange County's premier math and science learning environments for children.
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5th Annual State of Human Care Forum Emphasizes Education
Rick Stephens, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for The Boeing Company and OCBC’s Vice Chair of Health Care, addressed a delegation of nearly 150 at the 5th Annual State of Human Care Forum on March 21. The forum, hosted by the Orange County United Way, focused on education as the key to securing Orange County's healthy economy.
Orange County's future economic viability hinges on keeping our children in school, be it higher education or some form of vocational training. “It’s not that every student needs to go to college,” said Stephens, “but rather pursue continued education in whatever form that may be.”
OCBC is committed to leading the business community’s efforts to create a high-quality workforce to support the growing technology-based workplace, putting specific emphasis on the development of math and science skills needed by Orange County employers.
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Workforce Housing
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OCBC Honored at OC's Annual Affordable Housing Awards
The Orange County Business Council was among the honorees at this year's Affordable Housing Awards, held March 23, receiving the Wonsee Orange County Award for its leadership role in the passage of Proposition 1C in November. Proposition 1C directed $2.85 billion towards affordable housing programs in California.
[FULL STORY]
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Government Affairs
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OCBC Goes to Sacramento April 17-18
The Orange County Business Council has a delegation of business leaders convening in Washington, D.C. this week to meet with our federal legislators on the issues that matter most to our business community. Sad to have missed it? Don't fret; you still have time to register for OCBC's annual advocacy trip to Sacramento -- Tuesday, April 17 through Wednesday, April 18, 2007 -- co-sponsored by Metropolitan Water District and Ford Motor Company!
In addition to intimate meetings with our state representatives, this year’s agenda features a breakfast with Daniel Weintraub, public affairs columnist with the Sacramento Bee. We will also enjoy lunch in the Governor’s private conference room, where we will have an opportunity to mingle with cabinet members and high-level staff.
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. 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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Membership
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OCBC Welcomes New Members
Please join us in welcoming two new members to the Orange County Business Council.
Strategic Resources Alliance, Inc., is known for delivering talented, flexible human resources by the most efficient means possible. Since 1987, Strategic Resources has been helping Fortune 1000 companies find outstanding human resources to meet their business objectives through a range of solutions that includes contractors, consultants, and permanent employees
Known for its trial skills and aggressive representation, Aitken, Aitken & Cohn has a large reputation for being one of the best and most respected personal injury law firms in California.
Welcome aboard!
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Bank of America Announces $20B Environmental Initiative
Bank of America has announced a $20 billion initiative supporting the growth of environmentally sustainable business activity to address global climate change. Through this ten-year initiative, Bank of America will develop environmentally sustainable business practices through lending, investing, philanthropy and the creation of new products and services. To learn more, click HERE to read the full press release.
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Upcoming Events
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World Innovation Forum, 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. There's still time to register. 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
April 2007
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Friday, April 6, 2007 |
Latino Educational Attainment, 9a |
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007 |
Infrastructure Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007 |
Golf Tournament Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
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Monday, April 16, 2007 |
Membership Committee Meeting, 12p |
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Wednesday, April 18, 2007 |
Workforce Development Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
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Thursday, April 19, 2007 |
Economic Forecast Conference Committee Meeting, 8a |
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Wednesday, April 18, 2007 |
Health Care Committee, 11a |
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Thursday, April 26, 2007 |
Community College Working Group Meeting, 3p |
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Wednesday, April 27, 2007 |
Advocacy and Government Affairs, 9a |
Click "DETAILS" below for more information. You may also view OCBC's Master Calendar on the web.
[DETAILS]
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Community Events
Friday, April 6, 2007: UCI's Paul Merage School of Business Presents the Annual Challenge for Charity Auction
The MBA Challenge for Charity (C4C) is a non-profit organization that draws on the talents, energy, and resources of MBAs from eight West Coast business schools to raise funds and volunteer for non-profit organizations including the Special Olympics and Share Our Selves.
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.
Saturday, April 28, 2007: Cal State Fullerton's 14th Annual Vision & Visionaries Awards Gala
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. Register for the event today, and join us in the celebration.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007: The Housing Summit: Best Practices and Real Solutions for Housing Orange County's Workforce
The Orange County Housing Trust, the League of California Cities, and ULI Orange County, are hosting THE HOUSING SUMMIT: Best Practices and Real Solutions for Housing Orange County’s Workforce, to focus on what the public and private sectors are doing to promote, plan and build more affordable rental and for-sale housing for Orange County workers. Register before April 1st and receive an "early bird" discount!
Thursday, May 24, 2007: Orange County Business Journal's Women in Business Awards
The Orange County Business Journal invites you to take this opportunity to nominate an outstanding woman who merits special recognition for her accomplishments. OCBC CEO and President, Lucy Dunn, was among last year's honorees.
For more information about any of these events, click the "DETAILS" link below.
[DETAILS]
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