Orange County Business Council

Orange County Business Council is a non-profit organization that is located in Irvine, California. OCBC is the leading voice of business on important issues locally, regionally and nationally to enhance Orange County's economic development and prosperity.
Orange County Business Council focuses on four core initiatives: improving infrastructure, enhancing workforce development, increasing the supply of workforce housing, and advancing economic development.

Mission Statement

"Orange County Business Council represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia to enhance Orange County’s economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life."

OCBC Staff

The council consists of:

  • Lucy Dunn, President and Chief Executive Officer.
  • Dr. Wallace Walrod, Chief Economic Advisor.
  • Bryan Starr, Senior, Vice President of Government Affairs.
  • Alicia Berhow, Vice President of Workforce Development and Advocacy.
  • Larry Brose, Vice President of Investor Relations and Business Development.
  • Danette Parente, Vice President of Finance and Administration.
  • Matt Petteruto, Vice President of Economic Development.
  • Betsy Boyd, Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer.
  • Vicki Blaser, Director of Accounting and Investor Relations.
  • Leslie Dods, Director of Events.
  • Delaine Moore, Communications and Events Specialist.
  • Maritza Ramirez, Office Assistant.

Board of Directors

  • Michael Hornak, Rutan & Tucker, LLP, Chair, Board of Directors.
  • Les Card, LSA Associates, Inc., Chair Elect.
  • Julie Miller-Phipps, Kaiser Permanente Orange County, Immediate Past Chair.
  • Lucy Dunn, Orange County Business Council, President, CEO and Secretary.
  • Laura De Soto, Experian, Treasurer.
  • Alice Bisno, Automobile Club of Southern California, Co-Chair, Advocacy and Government Affairs.
  • Lisa Haines, Disneyland Resort, Co-Chair, Advocacy and Government Affairs.
  • Tom Knox, Allergan, Inc., Co-Chair, Advocacy and Government Affairs.
  • Chris Harrington, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Co-Chair, Economic Development.
  • Juan Basombrio, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Co-Chair, Economic Development.
  • Nina Robinson, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Chair, Events.
  • Les Card, LSA Associates, Inc., Chair, Infrastructure.
  • Jeffrey Reeves, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Co-Chair, Legal Affairs.
  • Jon Frank, Snell & Wilmer, LLP, Co-Chair, Legal Affairs.
  • Laura DeSoto, Experian, Chair, Membership/Investor Relations.
  • Thomas Phelps, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, Chair, CEO Leadership Caucus.
  • Steve Churm, Freedom Communications and Orange County Register, Co-Chair, Research and Communications.
  • Linda Martin, Porter Novelli, Co-chair, Research and Communications.
  • Julie Miller-Phipps, Kaiser Permanente Orange County, Chair, Strategic Planning.
  • Richard Porras, AT&T, Chair, Workforce Development.
  • Shari Battle, Bank of America, Chair, Workforce Housing.
  • Dan Miller, The Irvine Company, Chair, City Partners.
  • Michael Brandman, Ph.D., Chair, Green Task Force.

History

Orange County Business Council (OCBC) was formed in 1995 through the merger of the 100-year old Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial League of Orange County, the Orange County Economic Development Consortium, and the public-private think tank, Partnership 2010.

Orange County Business Council’s roots date back to the late 1800s:

  • 1893: Board of Trade is established with 50 members to help lure businesses to the newly formed Orange County. It helps establish the border with Los Angeles County.
  • 1893: Board of Trade is reorganized under the name of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and has 130 members.
  • 1901: The Chamber entertains the Canadian Press Association.
  • 1904: The Chamber helps secure the right of way for Pacific Electric Railway.
  • 1909: The Chamber is folded into the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Orange County, which “fostered a spirit of county amity and harmony,” according to the Santa Ana Daily Register.
  • 1970: The Greater Irvine Industrial League is formed as an advocate for business and later becomes the Industrial League of Orange County.
  • 1990: Orange County voters approve Measure M, a 20-year program for transportation improvements funded by a half-cent sales tax.
  • 1992: Partnership 2010 is formed by the Board of Supervisors to devise a plan for economic growth.
  • 1994: Orange County files for bankruptcy.
  • 1995: Orange County Business Council (OCBC) is formed by combining the Orange County Chamber, the Industrial League, and Partnership 2010. Todd Nicholson serves as President and CEO.
  • 1997: Former CEO of Orange County Transportation Authority, Stan Oftelie, becomes President and CEO of OCBC.
  • 2000: OCBC leads a regional coalition to provide financial and legislative relief to businesses during the California energy crisis.
  • 2005: Attorney Lucy Dunn joins as President and CEO. She is a former president of Building Industry Association of Southern California, Orange County Chapter and former director of the California Department of Housing.
  • 2006: OCBC hosts an event featuring President George W. Bush. OCBC helps to lead Measure M to victory at polls to renew half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
  • 2007: Inaugural Workforce Housing Scorecard is produced.
  • 2008: Inaugural Orange County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is produced. Lucy Dunn is appointed as director of the California Transportation Commission.
  • 2009: OCBC co-founds The R.E.A.L. Coalition – Regional Economic Association Leaders of California – a collection of the 18 most-influential business associations in California to work together for REAL solutions to meet California’s critical needs.
  • 2010: California Transportation Commission awards Orange County $457 million for transportation infrastructure improvements. OCBC develops the 2010 OC Infrastructure Report Card. OCBC launches California Squirrel to highlight “distracting” legislation. OCBC completes Orange County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
  • 2011: OCBC contributed to complete Southern California Association of Governments’ Economic Development Strategy for Southern California. Implements the Latino Educational Attainment Initiative's Ten Educational Commandments in all 70 schools in the Garden Grove Unified District. OCBC develops 2011 OC Infrastructure Report Card and produces 2011/2012 Workforce Indicators Report. Establishes BizFedOC, a new federation of business and trade groups, to unify the advocacy agenda for business in Orange County.
  • 2012: OCBC helps secure a $210 million in transportation funding for the county. Expands the Latino Educational Attainment initiative to four new school districts: Tustin, Newport Mesa, Anaheim and Santa Ana. Develops 2012 OC Infrastructure Report Card. OCBC produces the 2012 Workforce Housing Scorecard. Lucy Dunn is appointed board member of the Ontario International Airport Authority. Governor Jerry Brown re-appoints Lucy Dunn to serve a new term on the California Transportation Commission.

OCBC Initiatives

  • Infrastructure
  • Economic Development
  • Workforce Development
  • Workforce Housing

Infrastructure Initiative

A well-maintained infrastructure system is critical to meeting the needs of Orange County’s residents and businesses. OCBC advocates more sustainable infrastructure investment choices such as increased investment in the county’s roads and highway system, and increasing the supply of quality drinking water to ensure Orange County is able to meet the demands of a growing population and expanding economy.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Supported Poseidon in securing project approvals for water desalination.
  • Led a coalition effort advocating for upgrades to proposed air quality management plan recommended by SCAQMD.
  • Helped secure fair share dollars for Orange County transportation from state, local and federal sources: $210 million in planning or construction.

Economic Development Initiative

OCBC’s economic development activities ensure the focus on developing pro-business solutions to challenges such as unemployment. OCBC forms strategic partnerships internationally and locally in order to stimulate Orange County's economy and create jobs.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Hosted the inaugural Regional Economic Development Forum, U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement symposium with U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and International Trade Symposium with UPS and Chase.
  • Held nine international trade meetings with delegations from China, Turkey Saudi Arabia, and others.
  • Assisted John Wayne Airport in attracting second Mexico air carrier Interjet.

Workforce Development Initiative

OCBC advocates for a greater focus on S.T.E.A.M disciplines, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), to develop a workforce prepared for a 21st-century global economy. The organization also supports community based programs that encourages parents to better understand and navigate the educational system to help their children succeed in school.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Hosted State Superintendent Tom Torlakson in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education for the annual State of Education event.
  • Trained 1,477 parents in the Latino Educational Attainment's Ten Educational Commandments, expanding into four school districts: Tustin, Newport Mesa, Anaheim and Santa Ana.
  • Implemented the Ten Educational Commandments in all 70 schools in the Garden Grove Unified School District.

Workforce Housing Initiative

OCBC works with Orange County's cities to plan for current and future housing needs that reflect the region's growing and aging population. To ensure that a broad spectrum of affordable housing products are available to residents.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Successfully advocated for new housing development projects in Newport Beach, Irvine, Lake Forest, Orange and San Clemente.
  • Advocated for a permanent funding mechanism for affordable housing, SB 1220.
  • Produced the 2012 Workforce Housing Scorecard.

Advocacy and Government Affairs

Orange County Business Council's Advocacy and Government Affairs division strives to promote and secure meaningful solutions that safeguard and advance the business community interests. The Government Affairs program is build around OCBC's four core initiatives.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Published and distributed the 2012-2013 Legislative Action Guide.
  • 81% success on OCBC-supported legislation, 70% success rate on www.CaliforniaSquirrel.com legislation and 100% success rate with "Killer Squirrel" legislation.
  • Co-chaired R.E.A.L. Coalition- a California statewide business coalition of 18 national/regional economic development organizations- expanded slowly into a national format cover 60% of nation's GDP in key economic development areas.

Research and Communications

Orange County Business Council's Research Department has been led by Dr. Wallace Walrod, Chief Economic Advisor, for the last 14 years. Dr. Walrod's research provides businesses with in depth analysis on the region's business climate, education needs, demographics, housing and other topics critical to business success.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Produced the 2012-2013 Workforce Indicators Report, and the 2012 Community Indicators Report.
  • Developed a college internship program, with 20 interns who assist in communications, workforce development, events and government affairs.
  • Produced promotional videos, including "Nothing Rhymes with Orange" and highlights of OCBC's LEA initiative.