Orange County Business Council Hosts 2025 Legislative Day

Press Releases

IRVINE, CA (August 15, 2025) — Orange County’s federal, state and regional legislative representatives shared updates and discussed issues impacting the nation’s sixth-most-populous county at Orange County Business Council’s (OCBC) 2025 Legislative Day on August 14 before a sold-out audience at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine.

The event connected elected officials with Orange County stakeholders to address issues vital to the region’s economic development. Modeled after OCBC’s Sacramento Advocacy trips, the day-long program featured moderated discussions with legislators, followed by Q&A sessions, as well as lunch and networking opportunities. The Q&A portion allowed legislators to hear directly from business and community leaders about topics such as economic development, workforce, housing, and infrastructure.

Orange County Business Council Welcomes New Board Members

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IRVINE, CA (August 8, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Sydney Aylward, Relationship Executive of Government Banking for JPMorganChase, Duane Cave, President of Moulton Niguel Water District, and Thomas A. Turk, Ph.D., Interim Dean and Professor of Strategic Management of the Argyros College of Business and Economics at Chapman University, have joined OCBC’s Board of Directors.

OCBC Announces California Jobs First Grant Winners

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IRVINE, CA (July 28, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) is proud to announce the recipients of to $4.6 million in funding through the California Jobs First (CJF) initiative, supporting a range of high-impact, job-creating projects across Orange County. Since 2023, OCBC has served as the CJF Regional Convener for Orange County, leading a local collaborative composed of regional business leaders, labor representatives, California Native American Tribes, government agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. Together, they identified priority projects aimed at boosting equitable economic development, preparing the region’s workforce for long-term success and uplifting underserved communities.

Orange County Business Council Welcomes New Vice President of Public Affairs

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IRVINE, CA (June 9, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Sarah Ghebrial has joined the organization as the new Vice President of Public Affairs.
“We are proud to welcome Sarah to our team,” said Jeffrey Ball, President and CEO of Orange County Business Council. “Her addition represents the work we have done in expanding OCBC’s role in promoting economic development for the region and will help OCBC amplify its role as a dependable resource for local businesses and organizations.”

Orange County Business Council Welcomes New Board Members

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IRVINE, CA (May 9, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Christopher Arias, Executive Director of Business Development for MemorialCare, Tyler Holst, PE, Senior Vice President of Infrastructure Engineering for Rancho Mission Viejo (RMV), Jarrod Ingle, Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking – Orange County-Inland Empire for PNC Bank, and Faisal M. Zubairi, Partner and Southern California Office Head of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, have joined OCBC’s Board of Directors.

OCBC Announces California Jobs First Grant Winners

Press Releases

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.

2025 Orange County Business Council Board of Directors Installed And Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Honorees Announced at Annual Dinner

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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.