OCBC's Board of Directors gathered on November 18th for their year-end review of activities and accomplishments, which included:

• Advocated over 50 bills key to core initiatives and defended business interests with key success in "meal and rest" rule relief, community college transfer credits, pre-school, housing credits, and many more.
• Advocated and helped secure over $356 million to OCTA for jobs-creating transportation projects.
• Advocated for completion of toll road system, design-build authority for 91 freeway improvements, ARTIC and high-speed rail.
• Completed numerous research projects on economic development, business attraction, John Wayne Airport, transportation, Measure M assessment, City of Anaheim, and homelessness data collection.
• Hundreds of speaking engagements and events by staff on behalf of OCBC promoting OCBC initiatives.
• Creation of new website www.CaliforniaSquirrel.com to highlight "distracting" state legislation focused away from new jobs.
• 2010 Annual Dinner "Defining the New Normal" with Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes Magazine.
• SOLD OUT conferences and events including: 2010 Economic Forecast Conference, 2010 Workforce Development Conference, Executive Invitational Golf Tournament and many more...
• Hosted over 50 elected officials and executive-level speakers. 

OCBC truly is the leading voice of business in Orange County and this past year has been a great benchmark of success. Thanks to all our investors and great leaders, especially outgoing Chair Linda Martin of Porter Novelli.

We have a seat at the table reserved for YOU! Join us today by clicking here or contact Celeste Signorino, Vice President of Investor Relations.

The Business Council has announced Eddie Northen of UPS as its 2011 Board of Directors Chair. Northen began his career with UPS in 1985 as a part-time employee based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Rising through the ranks over the past 25 years, Northen worked in various locations and divisions within the company and in 2007 accepted his current position of Pacific Region Controller.

"Eddie brings to the board many years of experience at one of the top businesses in Orange County," said Lucy Dunn, President and CEO of OCBC. "The Business Council stands strong as the leading voice of business in Orange County, and with Eddie's leadership will continue to lay the groundwork for business growth and success in the region."

The newly elected 2011 OCBC Officers are: Chair: Eddie Northen, UPS; Chair-elect: Julie Miller-Phipps, Kaiser Permanente of Orange County; Treasurer: Ed Reno, Allergan; Secretary: Lucy Dunn, OCBC; Immediate Past Chair: Linda Martin, Porter Novelli

The full 2011 Board of Directors, including Northen, will be sworn in during OCBC's Annual Dinner, held February 3, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. The dinner, themed "Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet", will feature a high-level keynote speaker and will honor OCBC's Board of Directors, comprised of over 50 business leaders throughout Orange County. For sponsorship information, contact Leslie Dods, Events Manager.

OCBC is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Director of Communications, Katherine Reedy. Katherine brings to OCBC a background of unique and varied experiences in communications, public relations, and community organizing. Prior to joining OCBC Katherine worked as the Manager of Community Engagement and Legislative Analysis at the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Prior to moving to Orange County in 2008, Katherine worked in the Executive Office of Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard as the Community Media Coordinator.

Katherine was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In 2001 she moved to Arizona where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Arizona State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Long Beach. To contact Katherine call (949) 794-7221 or email kreedy@ocbc.org.

The OCBC Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee was honored to host noted political analyst, Jack Pitney at its recent meeting. Mr. Pitney provided a rousing assessment of the challenges facing both political parties and candidates over the next two years. Mr. Pitney emphasized the importance of candidates setting realistic expectations during their run for office, and the consequences of failing to deliver on promises. Aside from his assessment of the two parties and the future of California, his presidential impressions were not to miss. 

Dana Reed of Reed & Davidson, LLP and Susan K. Hori of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLC were on-hand to provide the committee with legal insight into the practical application of Proposition 26, the constitutional amendment that increases the legislative vote requirement to two-thirds for state levies and charges. CLICK HERE to read more. For more information on OCBC's position, contact Kate Klimow, Vice President of Government Affairs.

The Workforce Housing Committee was pleased to host Scott Jackson of Jackson DeMarco Tidus Peckenpaugh, and Matt Blond, Executive Director of the Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation to discuss a proposed "guidance" by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that could devastate the fragile housing industry.

FHFA, the parent agency of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which oversees the Federal Home Loan Banks, is considering prohibiting Private Transfer Fees on all mortgages funded by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Restricting the availability of lending in this manner will negatively impact the value and quality of life of communities throughout the United States.  In California, private transfer fees are most often used to fund homeowner's associations which provide services or maintain common areas, or to defray special costs such as major infrastructure improvements or environmental impacts associated with the development.

If the guidance is approved, approximately 1.3 million homes in California could be affected either through increased homeowner association fees, restricted lending options, or delayed infrastructure development or environmental conservation. CLICK HERE to read more. For more info, contact Kate Klimow, Vice President of Government Affairs.

Kudos to the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA), Local 3631, for their reasoned and thoughtful efforts to negotiate a contract extension with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). The Association represents over 800 firefighters of the Orange County Fire Authority and the Laguna Beach Fire Department. In light of the current fiscal crisis OCPFA Executive Boardis proactively encouraging members to vote "yes" on a contract extension proposal that will help to balance the OCFA budget while safeguarding service levels.

The Association is encouraging its members to vote on the following concessions: elimination of two scheduled cost of living allowances, an increase of the retirement age by five years for new hires, an increase of employee contributions to retirement, and the elimination of pay raises for four years. These shared sacrifices are necessary to the long-term viability of the Fire Authority, and OCBC applauds the OCPFA leadership for their vision and fiscal stewardship.

Vote Update: On November 8th the Board of Directors met to discuss and vote on the contract extension proposals, and according to the Association the decision of the Board is pending. OCPFA members will vote on the proposal in early December. For more information, contact Alicia Berhow, Director of Workforce Development.

UPS loves logistics. This statement is more than just the company's catch phrase -- it is an obsession. Understanding that the logistics of shipping can be a barrier to business expansion, UPS has dedicated itself to mastering logistics locally and internationally. They help businesses to take the mystery out of getting a product from point A to point B. And the impact of their efforts on a business's bottom line? Tremendous.

At the November 17th meeting of the OCBC Economic Development Committee, Committee Chair Dan Miller of The Irvine Company introduced executives from UPS Jarrod Purdon, Joe Farrell, Mario Archaga, and Adam Kaae, who shared with the group UPS's efforts to overcome the complexities of doing business internationally. UPS is dedicated to helping businesses expand their operations and reach out globally to new customers and markets. By providing both large and small businesses with expertise on international regulations, language assistance, shipping legalities, and foreign negotiations, UPS is allowing businesses to operate "quicker, better, faster." CLICK HERE to read more.

For more information, contact Dr. Wallace Walrod, Vice President of Economic Development and Communications.

On November 17th the OCBC Workforce Development Committee held its final meeting of 2010. The meeting featured a presentation from Randy Barth, CEO of THINK Together, who shared with attendees THINK Together's inspiring efforts to transform the state of education in America and Orange County. The nonprofit's mission is "to provide high quality academically-oriented out-of-school programs for students regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status." THINK Together works diligently with school districts, educators, administrators, and parents to provide students with opportunities to reach their full potential. CLICK HERE to read more. For more information, contact Alicia Berhow, Director of Workforce Development.