I-405 improvements open

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Dec112023 Dec 11, 2023 Transportation leaders and elected officials marked the completion of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) I-405 Improvement Project on Dec. 1. The opening of a new lane in each direction, and the 405 Express Lanes, aims to improve travel times along one of the nation’s busiest highways. Constructed in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation, the I-405 Improvement Project was part of Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation. The largest undertaking in OCTA’s history, the project is expected to improve travel times along this 16-mile stretch of freeway and accommodate expected growth in employment, population and housing throughout the region

13th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet winners named

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Dec112023 Dec 11, 2023 Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions of OCBC’s 13th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards. With six categories, the awards program recognizes public agencies and leaders for implementing policies and programs that cut through red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open doors to private sector jobs creation in Orange County. Winners were selected by a diverse committee of business and city leaders, chaired by Mark Taylor of The Boeing Company and OCBC Board member. Click here to view the full list of winners and honorable mentions recently announced in Irvine. The 13th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Reception was made possible through the generosity of silver sponsors The Boeing Company, CalOptima Health, Orange County Department of Education, Spectrum and Verizon, and supporter sponsors Brookfield Residential, City of Santa Ana, Kaiser Permanente, Orange County Power Authority and SoCalGas. Photo gallery coming soon here.

Hoag receives $50 million gift for brain health center

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Nov272023 Nov 27,2023 Hoag has received a $50 million gift establishing the Richard H. Pickup Center for Brain Health, a center that will pioneer new, whole family-centered approaches to brain health and healthy aging. While clinical research and clinical trials will be a crucial part of the center, health care providers will emphasize supporting patients and their families to adapt to the impact of dementia. Plans for comprehensive services under one roof are underway. Demand for age-related health care is outpacing the supply nationwide. In Orange County, Alzheimer’s is expected to more than double by 2040.

WORKFORCE CORNER

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Nov132023 Nov 13, 2023 Saddleback College’s Economic and Workforce Advancement Initiative offers customized training programs that contribute to the growth and success of Orange County businesses while empowering employees to excel in their roles. In collaboration with industry experts, the college offers a wide range of tailored training solutions designed to meet the unique needs of local businesses. Learn more about how Saddleback College is shaping the future of workforce development or contact program director, Isabel Dominguez at [email protected]. Let’s chat! A concierge service connecting Orange County employers to community college graduates is well underway. Victor Zendejas, VP of Operations at Classic Performance Products in Placentia, used Future Built’s online concierge service to find much-needed employees for his growing business and, in the process, forged a valuable partnership with local colleges. This highlights the importance of human-centered services in a tech-driven world and showcases the role of community colleges in bridging the gap between education and industry. To find out how you can grow your workforce with community college graduates, contact Gustavo Chamorro.

City of Hope Orange County Physician-in-Chief Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A, recognized as a Top Diversity Leader in U.S. healthcare

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Nov132023 Nov 13, 2023 Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., physician-in-chief, City of Hope Orange County and vice physician-in-chief, City of Hope, has been named a 2023 Modern Healthcare Top Diversity Leader. The honor recognizes diverse health care executives and organizations influencing policy and care delivery across the country. Kim, who also serves as the Construction Industries Alliance City of Hope Orange County Physician-in-Chief Chair, was recognized for his work in making clinical trial studies more inclusive and recruiting diverse faculty at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center. This is the second time Kim, a lung cancer expert and physician-executive, has earned this recognition.

Alignment Health releases Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey

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Nov132023 Nov 13, 2023 According to Alignment Health’s second annual Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey, economic instability, food insecurity, lack of support and transportation access are the top social barriers to senior health. Each year, the survey explores the financial, physical and emotional threats to seniors’ ability to age well and live healthier, more prosperous lives. The 2023 report reveals a slight shift in the top social barriers impacting senior health compared to last year with food insecurity moving up to the No. 2 spot and transportation access entering the top three.

OCBC releases 2023-24 Orange County Community Indicators Report

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Nov132023 Nov 13, 2023 More than 200 community and business leaders gathered at the Hyatt Regency Irvine at a luncheon hosted by OC Forum to be among the first to hear what the 2023-24 Orange County Community Indicators Report revealed. Since 2010, the annual report in collaboration with partners CalOptima Health, First 5 Orange County, Orange County Community Foundation, Orange County United Way, Orange County Business Council has led the production of the report that has served as a tool for assessing the nation’s sixth most populous county. Panelists included, pictured above, from left OCBC Chief Economic Advisor Wallace Walrod, moderator Orange County Business Journal Editor-at-Large Rick Reiff, UCI Health COO Nate Shinagawa, Community Action Partnership OC President and CEO Gregory Scott, Orange County Grantmakers Executive Director Taryn Palumbo, and OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball who discussed workforce, education, health, and infrastructure and this year’s special feature section on housing barriers.

Irvine Valley College hosts Tustin & Irvine Unified on Manufacturing Day

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Oct312023 Oct 31, 2023 Irvine Valley College (IVC) hosted partners from Tustin and Irvine Unified School Districts to mark Manufacturing Day on October 6. More than 150 high school students were on hand at the Advanced Technology Education Park (ATEP) in Tustin to learn about the aspects of manufacturing and to broaden their perspectives on the pathways that can lead to a career in manufacturing. IVC faculty hosted hands-on demonstrations in Design Model Making & Rapid Prototyping, Drafting Technology, Electrical/Electronic Technology and Engineering programs. An industry resource expo allowed students to connect with manufacturing companies Edwards Lifesciences, Applied Medical, University Robot, Roland DGA, Advanced Technologies Consultants, BBraun USA, and Transworld Business Advisors.

Concordia University Irvine opens Spectrum Campus

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Oct312023 Oct 31, 2023 Concordia University Irvine hosted the grand opening of its new Spectrum Campus which will be home to the university’s growing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, graduate programs in the School of Health and Human Sciences, and other healthcare-related programs. Located in a biotech and healthcare hub in the city of Irvine, the Spectrum Campus features nursing teaching space, classrooms, offices and workstations for students beginning this fall. The building enables the private Christian university to maximize the use of its original 72-acre Turtle Rock campus to meet the workforce development needs of the region.

Chapman University receives $10 million gift: elevates Argyros School to College

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Oct312023 Oct 31, 2023 The George L. Arygros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University expanded into the George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics thanks to the Argyros family’s recent gift of $10 million. The shift from school to college provides an umbrella for schools dedicated to various areas of research and teaching and supports Argyros’ climb as one of the nation’s top business schools. In May, the school ranked 60th in the Best Business Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The gift was announced at the launch of Argyros’ Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, where Earvin “Magic” Johnson was the inaugural speaker.