IRVINE, CA (December 9, 2024) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Paul Simonds has joined the organization as the new Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Jorge (Jorgie) Sandoval has joined OCBC as the new Business Initiatives Facilitator. Both appointments are effective December 9, 2024.
Pictured from left are John Wayne Airport Director Charlene Reynolds; Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District, County of Orange; Clay Lacy Chairman and Owner Brian Kirkdoffer, and OCSD Undersheriff Jeff Hallock. Photo courtesy of Clay Lacy Aviation. Mar182024 December 9, 2024 Related Bristol one step closer to final Santa Ana city council approval for mixed-use project Clay Lacy Aviation began a new era of investment, service and commitment to Orange County aviation and the communities it serves. The 57-year-old private aviation services provider broke ground on a sustainability focused Fixed-Base Operations (FBO) development facility November 15, 2024 at John Wayne Airport (SNA). Pictured at the ground breaking from left are John Wayne Airport Director Charlene Reynolds, Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District, County of Orange, Clay Lacy Owner and Chairman Brian Kirkdoffer and Orange County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff Jeff Hallock. The FBO, aircraft management, maintenance and charter services provider will redevelop its existing 14 acres on the airfield and establish the world’s first ISI Envision Gold Certified FBO by the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure, creating 180 jobs, investing in the local economy and workforce, as well as constructing a new purpose-built home for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Air Support Unit. “I’m so honored today to be standing here to break ground and celebrate what will be one of the finest FBOs and aviation facilities in the world,” said Brian Kirkdoffer, Owner and Chairman of Clay Lacy Aviation. “This development is an investment in the future of Orange County, making it stronger and more competitive on the world stage, attracting and retaining great businesses.” Kirkdoffer added: “It will enhance and support the entire aviation ecosystem and pay it forward to the next generation of aviators and aviation professionals to live, to work and to thrive here in Orange County. This development is an investment in new and emerging air mobility technologies that will put Orange County at the forefront of the aviation industry with thoughtfully better, sustainable facilities.” The development includes 41,800 square feet of offices and a passenger terminal, four hangars totaling 145,000 square feet, and a 6.7-acre ramp area. Like all other Clay Lacy facilities, the Gensler-designed development will be certified carbon neutral focusing on sustainable features and operations, including solar panel provisions, EV charging, and efficient building design to reduce its environmental footprint. It will include high-capacity electric aircraft charging to support ultra-quiet, emissions-free flight on all-electric and hybrid electric aircraft, while also continuing to supply a steady stream of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for conventional aircraft. “Clay Lacy is the first of three fixed-based-operators at the airport who will help us transform the entire landscape of John Wayne Airport,” said Charlene Reynolds, Airport Director. The large public-private “collective investment not only helps our community, but our regional economy, as well. That means jobs and opportunities for our communities.” An active participant in educational and career development programs in all of its communities, Clay Lacy Aviation further supported the next generation of aviators in Southern California. It presented a $15,000 annual scholarship to Orange Coast College’s (OCC) school of aviation science for students pursuing their flying certificates. It has contributed more than $90,000 since the partnership began in 2018. “I’m especially excited about the partnership that Clay Lacy has with the expansion of our scholarships for aviators of the future,” said Katrina Foley, Orange County Supervisor, Fifth District. “We’re so grateful that we have OCC right in our backyard … and that Clay Lacy is taking a leadership position to make sure we have future pilots that are trained with exceptional skills.” Another highlight will be the first purpose-built home for the OCSD Air Support Unit’s fleet of helicopters, department personnel and maintenance operations. The new facility will make it easier for the air support unit to respond to more than 2,000 service calls each year. The Orange County groundbreaking follows Clay Lacy Aviation’s recent completion of 120,000 square feet of hangar space at the Northeast Regional Operation Center in Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut. Like Oxford, the John Wayne Airport development will ensure that the state-of-the-art hangars are designed for today’s newest and largest business aircraft, and help alleviate space demands in the region. Clay Lacy Aviation was also recently awarded an FBO lease at Friedman Memorial Airport in Sun Valley, Idaho to build a nature-influenced sustainable general aviation facility.
Image courtesy of CHOC Mar182024 December 9, 2024 Related Bristol one step closer to final Santa Ana city council approval for mixed-use project Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has been recognized as a 2024-2025 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. The pediatric healthcare system ranked in eight specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, neonatology, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, urology, and behavioral health, a new survey specialty comprised of mental health, adolescent medicine and neurodevelopmental services. According to U.S. News, the rankings assist parents of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them. “U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Children’s Hospitals evaluation empowers parents and caregivers with a data-driven guide to help them find the best pediatric hospital to treat their child,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 108 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists. “At CHOC, we’re dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality care that helps ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients,” says Emma Sandhu, vice president and chief quality & patient safety officer, CHOC. “Our teams across our healthcare system take the trust families place in us very seriously and are steadfast in their commitment to advancing the health and well-being of children.” In addition to the U.S. News honor, CHOC has earned a host of accolades for its care. Most recently, CHOC was named to two lists of best hospitals by Newsweek, one recognizing hospitals’ excellence in specialized care and the other noting hospitals’ work in implementing medical technologies. CHOC also attained Magnet recognition for the fourth time, a testament to its ongoing commitment to nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. Last year, it became one of only eight children’s hospitals in the United States to be named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization known as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. CHOC’s asthma program was once again honored with the Gold Seal of Approval® for Pediatric Asthma Certification from The Joint Commission, in addition to other recognitions bestowed upon various specialties across the healthcare system. “It’s inspiring to witness CHOC’s commitment to excellence in every aspect of care and across our various healthcare settings. Our researchers, medical staff and employees collaborate with each other and with our patients and families to deliver safe, high-quality care and optimal outcomes to give children their best chance to enjoy happy, healthy lives,” says Sandip Godambe, MD, PhD, MBA, chief medical officer and senior vice president, medical affairs, CHOC.
Orange County Business Council represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance the economic development of the nation’s sixth largest county.
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