OCBC Welcomes New Board Member
IRVINE, CA (February 13, 2026) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced that Christina L. Byrne, MPA, Business Development Director of HNTB Corporation, has joined OCBC’s Board of Directors.
OCBC Welcomes New Board Member
IRVINE, CA (November 14, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Arthur Black, Principal Transportation Planner for LSA Associates, Inc., has joined OCBC’s Board of Directors.
“I am honored to have this community leader join our board of directors,” said Jeffrey Ball, President and CEO of Orange County Business Council. “His insights and talents will be invaluable for the Business Council as we continue to advance the economic development of the nation’s sixth most populous county.”
OCBC Announces California Jobs First Grant Winners
IRVINE, CA (November 7, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) is announcing the recipients of $986,629 in funding through the California Jobs First (CJF) initiative. These awards support projects in Healthcare, Medical Technology, Childcare, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation and Semiconductor, helping advance workforce development, sector activation and equitable economic opportunities across Orange County.
OCBC and CSUF host 31st Annual Economic Forecast Conference at Hyatt Regency Irvine
IRVINE, CA (October 30, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) and California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) hosted the 31st Annual Economic Forecast Conference at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, drawing roughly 500 attendees. The conference featured nationally recognized economists Dr. Anil K. Puri and Dr. Mira Farka from CSUF’s Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting, who shared their insights on the current economic environment both regionally and nationally.
Orange County Business Council Announces 2025 Legislators of the Year
IRVINE, CA (October 24, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) is proud to announce its 2025 Legislators of the Year: Senator Kelly Seyarto, Senator Tony Strickland and Assemblymember Diane Dixon. This award recognizes Orange County lawmakers who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing policies that support jobs, housing, infrastructure and business growth.
Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Services Honored at Orange County Business Council’s First Responders Dinner
IRVINE, CA (September 19, 2025) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) brought together community and business leaders on September 18 in Huntington Beach to celebrate the extraordinary courage and dedication of local first responders and frontline heroes. The Orange County Business Council 2025 First Responders Dinner honored individuals and teams across law enforcement, fire, health care and emergency services whose actions protect Orange County residents, visitors and businesses every day.
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 Hosts 2025 Legislative Day
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
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
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
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.”