Member of the Month Archive

Greater Irvine Chamber Awards John Colvin Memorial Scholarships for the Sixth Year

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

For the sixth year, the Greater Irvine Chamber awarded John Colvin Memorial Scholarships, this year totaling $11,500, to students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in a four-year degree program at a university or college in Irvine. Eligible students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, a demonstrated commitment to a fitness lifestyle, and an objective of contributing to the health and economic vitality of Irvine and California in the future. The 2020 scholarship recipients were announced during the Chamber’s digitally presented Orange County World Trade Week. They are UC Irvine students Anganette Emily Cisneros, Jada Perez, and Isabela Zavalos...

Stephen Armstrong Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Partner of the Year

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Stephen Armstrong, president and co-founder of MAPLE Business Council and principal of 360 Marketer, was named the Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Partner of the Year for his support and volunteer leadership of the Chamber’s international development initiatives. For a number of years, Armstrong has helped grow the Chamber’s international presence, promote trade between Canada and Orange County, and tout Irvine for trade and investment. As a co-founder of MAPLE Business Council, Armstrong has forged a solid bridge between Canada and California. He is a champion of trade and investment, having executed several successful missions to Vancouver and Toronto to promote Irvin...

Suavecito Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Exporter of the Year

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Santa Ana-based cosmetic product company Suavecito was named the Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Exporter of the Year for its successful export strategies. This annual award, this year presented digitally during the Chamber’s Orange County World Trade Week Forum, showcases an Orange County-based business that has expanded its markets through successful export strategies. Launching the company in 2010, Suavecito’s founders began distributing their original product to friends and family. They have since scaled the company, successfully growing their markets, and now export their products to more than 55 countries around the world including Canada, Mexico, and Russia. The Suavecito brand now boasts mor...

Orange County World Trade Week Captures Global Audience

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

In its sixth year, the Greater Irvine Chamber’s annual Orange County Work Trade Week Forum (OCWTW) captured a global audience with attendees tuning in to the digitized event from countries including Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and various states in the U.S. A lineup of speakers and panelists from across the globe delivered information on the current state of international trade as it relates to the economic disruptions caused by the Coronavirus. Mark O’Connell, CEO, OCO Global, calling in from Belfast, Ireland, in his keynote discussed Globalization: Pandemic, Populism, and Power, bringing attention to sectors hit hardest by the pandemic including travel and hospitality, aerospace, and transportation, and energy and infrastructure. O’Connell als...

More Important Than Ever: Maintaining and Improving Free Trade, Investment

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

(CalChamber) The world has quickly changed over the last few months and during these strange and uncertain times, the importance of international trade has been on display across the world. Supply chains have been put to the test and global connectivity has proven vital in quickly securing much-needed supplies to fight the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. The World Trade Organization (WTO) stated in an April 2020 report that it expects world trade to fall drastically by between 13% and 32% in 2020 as normal economic activity and everyday life has been disrupted by the pandemic. The WTO expects a recovery i...

Electric Auto Maker Rivian Charges Up Irvine Presence

Friday, May 15, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Electric vehicle startup Rivian Automotive LLC plans to significantly boost its Irvine operations, with a pair of new leases totaling more than 250,000 square feet in the area, the Orange County Business Journal has learned. The Michigan-based firm—which has raised more than $3 billion in funding since its 2009 founding, with financial backers including Ford, Amazon, T. Rowe Price, and Cox Automotive—is expected to consolidate and expand its Southern California base at a pair of sites in the city, as it gets closer to releasing its first all-electric pickup truck and SUV for sale. Its main Irvine site no...

Venture Capitalists See OC's Strong Ophthalmology Sector

Friday, May 15, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Despite concerns the coronavirus will bring a slowdown or halt to venture funding, the largest ophthalmic-focused venture capital firms and funds in Orange County are moving ahead with investments. Bill Link, who runs Flying L Partners’ Newport Beach outpost, and Aliso Viejo-based Visionary Ventures Managing Director Jeff Weinhuff, recently caught up with the Business Journal. Both investors expressed optimism about their recent investments, not only because of the quality of the companies, but because, they say, their focus on early-stage and generally pre-commercial companies assumes less risk than those in commercial stages. Last month, Visionary Ventures led and Flying ...

Trade Expert Jim Mayfield to Deliver California Export Overview at Orange County World Trade Week

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

The 2020 Orange County World Trade Week (OCWTW) Forum, delivered digitally Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14, will include an overview of California trade and practical advice on navigating the current export environment from Jim Mayfield, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center, Irvine, the commercial service of the International Trade Administration with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mayfield will also provide a brief update on operations and available resources from the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Irvine. Mayfield began his assignment with the Irvine Export Assistance Center in 2012, moving on to become director two years later, and most recently, their Acting Pacifi...

EV Charging Company Moves US Headquarters to Irvine

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(Orange County Register) Noodoe EV, a Taiwanese maker of electric vehicle charging systems, has moved its U.S. headquarters to Irvine from Walnut. Company CEO Jennifer Chang said the move to a bigger facility was fueled by a growing demand for the company’s products in North America. Last year, Noodoe installed nearly 1,000 EV charging stations at U.S. casinos, hotels, parking lots and shopping malls. The company entered the U.S. market three years ago but has been servicing Europe and Asia for about eight years. Chang said Noodoe chose Irvine based on its “incredible talent base in all things tech.” “Like Noodoe, Irvine is growing fast,&rdquo...

Great Park Projects Shift to Next Phase

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(Orange County Register) With many of the sports and nature amenities completed at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, development is shifting to several new buildings, including a firefighting museum and a public safety training center. The city also was expected to finalize a lease for the new Wild Rivers water park, after signing one in December for a relocated Pretend City Children’s Museum. In the northwest corner of the park, the planned Fire Museum and Safety Learning Center will include interactive exhibits, displays and information about the history of firefighting and fire prevention education. Its estimated $25 million cost will b...

West Coast Organizations Promote Trade to Fuel Economic Recovery

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(CalChamber) The California Chamber of Commerce, the Pacific Northwest International Trade Association, and the Washington Council on International Trade shared their support and principles for trade rebound this week in Pacific Northwest International Trade Associationa joint letter to President Donald J. Trump with copies to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, and the congressional delegations of California, Oregon, and Washington. As the U.S. economy slows, it is critical that international trade and investment opportunities are expanded, market access for domestic products abroad are promoted, and disincentives that impede the global competitiveness of U.S businesses and farmers are eliminated. California, Oregon, and Washington ar...

2020 Exporter of the Year Award Nominees Announced

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Each year, the Greater Irvine Chamber takes the opportunity to showcase an Orange County-based business that has expanded its markets through successful export strategies by recognizing as an Exporter of the Year. The 2020 Exporter of the Year award nominees are Benchmark FR, BIOLASE Inc., BruxMix, and Suavecito. The Exporter of the Year award will be presented during a virtual session of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s sixth annual Orange County World Trade Week (OCWTW) Forum, delivered digitally Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14. Since its inception in 2002, Benchmark FR has been focused on making high-quality flame-resistant clothing that is safe and comfortable to wea...

David Feldberg Earns Q2 2020 Rainmaker Title with $2 Million in Closed Business Referrals

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

David Feldberg has earned the Greater Irvine Chamber’s title of Rainmaker for the second quarter in 2020 with $2,221,500 in closed business referrals. His performance in the Wednesday Leads Group contributed to the group’s total of $4,344,427, making it the top-earning Leads Groups for total closed business from referrals during the period. “The Greater Irvine Chamber continues to be a great source of business for me year after year. Joining the Chamber is, without a doubt, the single best business decision I have ever made for my business,” said Feldberg. “Each year that I am involved, I further cement the friendship...

District Export Council is Presenting Sponsor for Orange County World Trade Week

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

The District Export Council (DEC) of Southern California is the Presenting Sponsor for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s sixth annual Orange County World Trade Week (OCWTW) Forum, delivered digitally Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14, 2020. The DEC of Southern California is an organization of leaders from the local business community, appointed by successive U.S. Secretaries of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms. For 30 years, DECs have served the United States by assisting companies in their local community’s export, thus promoting economic growth and creating new and high-paying jobs. Closely affiliated with the U.S. Commerce Department'...

California Export Connect Provides Services, Financing Tools for Businesses to Go Global

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

The California International Trade Center and other leading trade organizations are part of California Export Connect, a Canadian-built platform that connects California exporters with key trade resources, consolidating information and stakeholders online together. What is California Export Connect? California Export Connect is a new state-centric platform created in partnership with The State International Development Organizations and Getting to Global. It brings together all the resources and experts California businesses need to export smarter. California Export Connect is a consolidated online toolbox for California companies to connect them with local experts, tools, financing, and government resources they need to go global. Why join California Export Connect? California Expor...

Online Processing of Export Documentation Now Available Through Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber has always been a valued resource for Irvine and Orange County exporting businesses for the processing of export documentation, among many other areas of business growth support. Now, for added convenience, especially during these times of social distancing and remote working, the Chamber offers exporters an online solution. Digital export documentation of Certificates of Origin, Free Sale, and Good Manufacturing Practices, are available through the Greater Irvine Chamber’s online processing service. Beginning April 16, companies can upload documents to the site for review and approval. Processing fees will be waived for the first Certificate of Origin uploaded (one per company...

Kathy Lamm Earns Q3 2020 Rainmaker Title With More Than $1 Million in Closed Business Referrals

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Kathy Lamm has earned the Greater Irvine Chamber’s title of Rainmaker for the third quarter of the 2020 fiscal year with $1,288,250 in closed business. Her performance in the Wednesday Leads Group contributed to the group’s total of $2,096,632, making it the top-earning Leads Groups for total closed business during the period. "I have been a Chamber member for eight years and a member of the Wednesday Leads Group for seven years. The Leads Group has played a pivotal role in the growth of my business, the development of my professional network, and hands down, has provided the best ROI of any othe...

OC World Trade Week 2020 Features Trade Experts in Program’s Panel Discussion

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Leading global trade and export specialists will share their expertise in international trade and foreign direct investment during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s sixth annual Orange County World Trade Week (OCWTW) Forum, delivered digitally Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14. Barry Cosgrave of K&L Gates LLP, John Evans of Tractus Asia Ltd., and Ken Wengrod of FTC Commercial Corp. will lead the panel discussion, Navigating the New Trade Landscape - China, BREXIT, USMCA. Barry Cosgrave is a partner in the Banking & Asset Finance practice group of K&L Gates LLP, dividing his time between the firm’s London and Dubai offices. Cosgrave concentrates hi...

Whit Peterson Promoted to Senior Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs at the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Whit Peterson has been promoted to Senior Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs at the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since joining the Chamber’s professional staff in 2016 as Director of Government Affairs, the scope of Peterson’s work has expanded to include facilitating decision-making incentives and transition benefits to qualified life science companies in their expansion to Irvine, made available through the Chamber’s Irvine Gateway soft-landing transition program. “Whit has proven to be an effective liaison for executives navigating the Irvine business landscape as they consider and plan expansion to our city,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “His knowledge of busines...

UK Companies Look to Expand in Irvine

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber economic development team led by the organization’s Executive Vice President Linda DiMario visited London in February for scheduled meetings with expansion-ready U.K. companies looking to grow in the U.S. This visit was an extension of the Chamber-led foreign direct investment initiative underway for the last three years. The goal of this most recent visit was to illustrate to more life science and technology companies that Irvine/Orange County is a smart choice for the expansion of their company into the U.S. “We have signaled to U.K. life-science and technology sectors that Irvine and its innovation ecosystem are seriou...

University Lab Partners, Irvine Company, Greater Irvine Chamber Executives Welcome OC’s First Wet-Lab Incubator

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Celebrating the grand opening of University Lab Partners (ULP), Orange County’s first wet-lab incubator, ULP Founder and President Ken Beall, Irvine Company President Doug Holte, and Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr welcomed guests to the Feb. 27 program at UCI Beall Applied Innovation. “University Lab Partners is an important addition to Irvine’s life science and med-tech startup community; it provides a home for early-stage bioscience and med-tech companies that need an environment where they can work to advance their technology forward,” Starr said. “ULP provides a unique opportunity for small companies in these sectors to successfully scale int...

Cross-Border Connections Enable Economic Vitality of Baja California Region

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

The cross-border connections that make the Baja California region a dynamic economic center were the focus of a recent California Chamber of Commerce international breakfast meeting at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. Speakers at the February 28 gathering hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade were Rubén Roa Dueñas, undersecretary of the economy for the State of Baja California, Mexico; and Ambassador Carlos González Gutiérrez, consul general of Mexico, San Diego. (Pictured L-R: Ambassador Carlos González Gutiérrez, consul general of Mexico, San Diego; CalChamber Chair Mark Jansen, Blue Diamond Growers; Undersecretary of the Economy Rubén Roa Dueñas, State o...

Greater Irvine Chamber Offers Sixth Annual John Colvin Memorial Scholarship

Friday, February 28, 2020

For the sixth year, the Greater Irvine Chamber will award John Colvin Memorial Scholarships, of $2,500 each, to two students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in a four-year degree program at a university or college in Irvine. Eligible students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, a demonstrated commitment to a fitness lifestyle, and an objective of contributing to the health and economic vitality of Irvine and California in the future. The Chamber established the scholarship, in coordination with the Colvin family, in honor of John Greg Colvin, a long-time resident of Orange County, active Chamber member, and pas...

Canada, California, and the Future of Work

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

By Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada, Northern California We are living in a time of economic upheaval and transformation, largely due to forces of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Dynamics of this new industrial change–such as automation and artificial intelligence, and the rise of the “gig” economy–are dramatically altering how Californians, Canadians and citizens around the world live and work. Many technological developments originate in Silicon Valley, yet governments worldwide and at all levels must grapple with how these developments affect their citizens. As Canada’s Consul General to Northern California, I am fortunate to be able to share Canada’s approach t...

Strong Global IP Rights Will Unleash Economic Growth

Friday, February 14, 2020

America’s researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs are driving the next wave of innovation—whether they’re developing lifesaving therapies for previously untreatable diseases or pioneering new technologies to improve the human condition. And what makes these achievements possible? In a few words: intellectual property (IP) rights. IP rights are the backbone of our economy, rewarding inventors for their risk-taking and ingenuity. And in today’s global marketplace, it’s not enough for our own IP regime to be strong—other economies must also respect IP rights. That’s one reason why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) published the 2020 International IP Index, an annua...

Greater Irvine Chamber EVP Linda DiMario Discusses During Podcast Reasons Irvine is an Ideal Home for Global Companies

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber, spoke to Irvine’s strength and attractiveness as a hub for global companies in a recent episode of Going Global With America’s Best Cities, a podcast of Global Trade Magazine. DiMario, who leads Economic Development initiatives at the Chamber including business attraction and foreign direct investment, discussed the reasons global companies and companies involved in exporting find Irvine the ideal place to do business. “It’s because our companies are working in a very compatible environment in which they can grow and prosper and experiment…without fear of risk. We are a very much 21st-century sector-drive...

USMCA Crosses Finish Line After Three-Year Marathon

Monday, February 03, 2020

Some races are marathons, some are sprints. By any measure, the push to get the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed — which preserves and strengthens America’s economic ties with its neighbors and top two export markets — was a marathon. The USMCA has been three years in the making, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was involved at every step — from the early days when the fate of NAFTA was in question, through eight rounds of negotiations on USMCA, and throughout the process to get the deal passed in the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate. The Greater Irvine Chamber also pushe...

Hoag Promise Campaign Still Going Strong After Hitting $627M Goal 18 Months Early

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Hoag Hospital Foundation has surpassed the $627 million Hoag Promise Campaign goal 18 months ahead of its Dec.31, 2020, target thanks to more than 22,000 donors who made 83,000-plus Hoag Promise Campaign gifts. Hoag will continue raising funds for the Hoag Promise Campaign until its end date in a bid to meet or exceed its ambitious clinical fundraising priorities within the larger Campaign. “Health care will never stop evolving and innovating, and Hoag will never relinquish its vision of providing leading-edge care in all of our service lines,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., Hoag Hospital Foundation president. “Philanthropy is the key t...

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