OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn Appointed to California Transportation Commission!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) last week. The CTC is a key decision maker in the planning of California’s transportation programs as well as funding decisions and statewide allocation of all Proposition 1B dollars approved by voters in 2006.
Dunn assumes a post previously held by Orange County's Marian Bergeson before her recent retirement. Dunn, like Bergeson, will be the sole representative from Orange County on the nine member commission. "Marian Bergeson served the CTC with great distinction and leaves me with very high heels to fill," said Dunn, who added that she is extremely enthusiastic about this opportunity to help the state meet its critical transportation needs.
“OCBC consistently prioritizes infrastructure and transportation issues because they are so central to a healthy economy,” said Dunn the day of her appointment. “Understanding this, I look forward to working with the Governor, the legislature and my fellow Commissioners to implement proactive, sustainable transportation solutions.”
Governor Declares Statewide Water Emergency
Governor Schwarzenegger declared a statewide water emergency last week (watch video of his remarks below), and OCBC praises his leadership on this critical issue.
California’s water system, like much of its infrastructure, is 50 years old – and in the past three decades, no significant new infrastructure has been built in this state. The Governor and legislature must work quickly on a comprehensive solution to the state's water crisis. Visit OCBC's online Issue Brief on Waterfor information on the business perspective of this issue, and OCBC's leadership in crafting a solution.
OCBC Hosts Forum on State Procurement Process
OCBC was honored to host Rosario Marin, Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States, at a small meeting with OCBC members and chamber executives May 30.Marin led a discussion on the State of California’s procurement process, which generates billions of dollars each year for California businesses, large and small.
The State's procurement procedures are designed to produce maximum competition, although the procedures vary with the size and type of procurement. It is the role of the State and Consumer Services Agency (SCSA) to oversee the Department of General Services to ensure fair competition occurs. OCBC gives special thanks to Eddie Northern of UPS for chairing the meeting. Read more about Secretary Marin's visit on OCBC's website.
OCBC's Chairman's Leadership Breakfasts Are Back!
President and CEO of St. Joseph Health SystemDeborah Proctor and founding Dean of UCI's Donald Bren School of Law Erwin Chemerinsky set to kick off the first two Chairman's Leadership Breakfasts of 2008.
All OCBC Chairman's Leadership Breakfasts are held at the Center Club in Costa Mesa from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 26, 2008: Deborah Proctor As President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph Health System, based in Orange California, Ms. Proctor leads one of the nation's largest Catholic health systems in the United States. St. Joseph Health System is a $4 billion not-for-profit health system consisting of 14 hospitals as well as physician organizations, home health agencies, hospice care, outpatient services, skilled nursing facilities, and community outreach services.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky OCBC and Manatt Phelps and Phillips are proud to present Erwin Chemerinsky in his first public appearance since taking office as the Founding Dean of UCI's Donald Bren School of Law. Erwin Chemerinsky, a nationally renowned professor of constitutional law and federal civil procedure at Duke University, was named founding dean of UC Irvine's law school, effective July 1, 2008.
The Chairman's Leadership Breakfast is an opportunity for OCBC Investors to hear from business executives and key influencers. Past OCBC Chairman, Tom Phelps in "Oprah Winfrey style," conducts a candid interview that is both entertaining and enlightening. The audience gains insight about the distinguish guest's background, rise to influence and leadership philosophy.
Health Care Summit Addresses Rising Costs, Needed Skills for Health Workers
The current cost of health care in the UnitedState is $2.1 trillion. In 2017, the United States will spend $4 trillion. Employers spend, on average, 25% of their operational costs on health care for their employees.
To address these issues, OCBC partnered with the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) to present a Health Care Summit on May 28 at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel. Speakers included Daniel Weintraub, Editorial writer with the Sacramento Bee, as well as OCBC’s Dr. Wallace Walrod.
Federal Reserve Approves Bank of America-Countrywide Merger
The Federal Reserve approved Bank of America’s purchase of Calabasas-based mortgage lender Countrywide Financial last week. OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn testified in support of this merger before the Federal Reserve in April, citing the bank’s strong commitment to workforce housing and responsible lending practices to ensure buyers can get in -- and stay in -- their homes.
Bank of America is a major sponsor of OCBC’s Workforce Housing Scorecard and was among the first companies to stand up in support of Prop 1C housing bond in 2006. The bank has been responsible for 110,000 units of low and moderate income housing in California in the last three years and has also provided $750,000 in grants to community nonprofits that provide assistance to troubled borrowers.
Bank of America has also presented plans to offer a broad array of responsible lending products and employ sound underwriting criteria. OCBC congratulates Bank of America on this enterprise. This is major victory for both the state's housing market and the economies of Orange County and California.
OC Housing Trust Looks at Progress on Workforce Housing Goals
More than 200 housing advocates, business leaders and government officials attended the Orange County Housing Summit II to address the need for affordable housing to assist a workforce straining to live in one of the costliest regions in the nation. The Summit addressed workable plans for generate affordable workforce housing, the need to keep young workers from fleeing the county and preventing the middle class from being further squeezed economically.
The Orange County Housing Trust has released a progress report detailing highlights of the Summit and next steps. Take a look here.
Infrastructure
Treasury Officials to Provide OCBC with Housing and Economic Update
Where is the U.S. housing market headed? Have prices reached bottom? How long will a recovery take, and what will be the impact on the overall economy?
Two senior officials from the Treasury Department will answer these and other questions at a special meeting of the Orange County Business Council Housing Committee on Friday, June 20. The presentation will include an update on Treasury's housing-related initiatives and Treasury's out look for the housing market and the U.S. economy. This event is open to all OCBC members , but space is limited so please RSVP to Dr. Wallace Walrod.
Upcoming Events
Orange County Mayors' Summit
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel A. Pulido invite you to join Orange County's Mayors, City Council Members and Senior City Management at the Third Annual Orange County Mayors' Summit, featuring a keynote address from former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith.
The 2008 Executive Invitational Golf Tournament is in Full Swing!
Team up and tee off with the Orange County Business Council and UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business to support educational programs benefiting Orange County's Workforce all on an award winning golf course.
OCBC welcomes international bestselling author Jon Gordon to Orange County as part of his "No Complaining Tour," presented by The Waltos Group.
Mr. Gordon, author of the Energy Bus, will reveal a powerful way to tackle the biggest problem in business and life today -- negativity. Join OCBC, the Waltos Group and others as Gordon shares his insightful and inspirational story Thursday, June 19 at 4:00 p.m. at Concordia University. This event will sell out so RSVP today!
Committee Meetings
June 2008
Friday, June 13
Advocacy and Government Affairs, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 17
Health Care Committee, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, June 18
Workforce Development Committee, 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 19
Community College Working Group, 3 p.m.
All meetings are at OCBC's main offices unless otherwise indicated. Please also view OCBC's Master Calendar.
Community Events
Spanish Small Business Fair Saturday, June 14 Santa Ana College of the Rancho Santiago Community College District is putting on a Spanish Small Business Fair June 14. The event is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes free business seminars and a resource fair. Visit the event webpage here.
Economic and Workforce Development Initiatives Mixer Tuesday, June 17 Rancho Santiago Community College District presents its Economic and Workforce Development Initiatives Mixer. Hosted by the Center for Excellence, the Center for International Trade Development, Small Business Development Center and the Workplace Learning Resource Center, the event takes place from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the RSCCD board room. Call 714.564.5520 to RSVP.
Rancho Santiago Community College District - Chancellor’s Ball Friday, October 24 The eleventh annual Chancellor’s Ball, “By the Light of Lanterns,” will be a celebration of diverse Asian cultures. Since 1998, the black tie optional event has raised nearly $650,000 to support student scholarships and programs at Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College. The 2008 Chancellor’s Ball is slated for Friday, October 24 from 6 to 11 p.m. in the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom. For information on sponsorships or to RSVP, contact (714) 480-7450 or visit www.rsccd.org.
Published by the
Orange County Business Council
The Indicator e-Update: Events Edition is a monthly free information service for OCBC members and associates.
