May 6, 2025
Registration now closed. The two-panel breakfast program will be discussing “Healthcare as an Economic Engine: Growth, Workforce and Sustainability” and “From Strategy to Impact: How Healthcare will Shape OC’s Future.”
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and our nation’s birth. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans and look toward the future. From theme parks to classrooms, from Main Street to Wall Street and from city hall to the town square, this two-year celebration is being led in Orange County by USA250-OC. Read on to see how Orange County Business Council investor Richard Nixon Foundation and the USA250-OC initiative are encouraging Orange Countians to join the celebration.
IRVINE, CA (April 14, 2025) — Through the California Jobs First (CJF) initiative, Orange County Business Council (OCBC) is awarding $3 million to initiate local projects that support job creation and workforce development.
Since 2023, OCBC has served as the CJF Regional Convener in Orange County. CJF is part of a statewide initiative established to invest in economic development, community infrastructure and supportive services. As part of that work, OCBC brought together a collaborative of Orange County stakeholders representing businesses from a variety of industries, labor associations, California Native American Tribes, government agencies, academia and others to award these funds.
IRVINE, CA (February 28, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) installed its 2025 Board of Directors at its annual dinner on February 27 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Nearly 700 Orange County business and community leaders were on hand to recognize the contributions of outgoing 2024 Board Chair Kevin Haboian of HNTB, welcome incoming 2025 Board Chair Rebecca Hall, APR of Idea Hall, and hear the winners of OCBC’s 14th annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards announced. Marking its 30th anniversary this year, OCBC also recognized former board chairs and CEOs.
OCVIBE, the visionary entertainment and lifestyle district coming to Anaheim, is proud to announce Concordia University Irvine as a Founding Partner and its Official Education Partner. This groundbreaking partnership marks a transformative step for both organizations, creating opportunities to showcase Concordia’s reputation as a regionally and nationally recognized institution that fosters unique professional and academic experiences for its students.
Making informed decisions about money is important. Not doing so can have serious consequences. It’s never too early—and never too late—to learn about financial literacy. From a high school student’s first job, to taking out loans for college or a car, to managing a household, financial literacy can be the foundation toward self-sufficiency and well-being. And, for many employers who rely on a talented workforce that lives near their work, it can be a balance of stability for both sides. Read on to see what three Orange County Business Council investors—a family-owned bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank, a public school in Huntington Beach—Kinetic Academy—and two nonprofits—Goodwill Orange County and Orange County United Way—are doing to build financial confidence among students and families in Orange County.
IRVINE, CA (February 7, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Brian Helleland, Chief Executive at St. Joseph Hospital & Orange County/High Desert for Providence, and Mitra Novin Rogers, Public Policy Lead of Amazon Web Services (AWS), have joined OCBC’s Board of Directors.
Today, Chapman’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Matt Parlow to serve as Chapman’s 14th president, effective Sept. 2, 2025, following the planned retirement of current president Daniele Struppa from the Office of the President. Parlow currently serves as executive vice president, chief advancement officer and the Parker S. Kennedy Chair in Law at Chapman.
Former California Senator Josh Newman, and long-time proponent of OCBC’s mission to further Orange County’s economy, has accepted an unpaid appointment as a senior fellow with UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology. Newman will help the school in attracting the attention of policymakers and hosting events. He also will co-teach a class with Dean Jon Gould on California’s future.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a regulatory ordinance change that paves the way for CalOptima Health, Orange County’s public health insurer, to pursue participation in Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. This step is intended to provide continuity of care and expand access to affordable health coverage for more than 15,000 Orange County residents who fall in and out of Medi-Cal eligibility annually.
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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