Latest News

Cox Charities Awards $180,000 in Grants to Support Local Non-Profits

Monday, October 25, 2021

Cox Charities has awarded a total of $180,000 in grants to 22 California nonprofit organizations that are meeting the needs of our community to support youth, education, conservation, or the military. Cox Charities, one of Cox Communications’ giving programs that is funded by employee donations and a company match, has been serving California communities since 1999. “As a 30-year employee of Cox Communications, I’ve witnessed the incredible results of our philanthropic efforts year after year. During the pandemic, we’ve seen how important our grants are for our nonprofit partners, and thanks to the generosity of our employees, we didn’t miss ...

Greater Irvine Chamber Advocates Against Proposal for Increased Taxes on Business

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber joins a coalition of influential organizations to reject proposals in Congress to increase taxes on large and small businesses to pay for the massive multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation package. “The Greater Irvine Chamber opposes legislation that would further burden California businesses as they are in the recovery and rebuilding phase following a devastating 18 months of economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “With California’s position as the fifth-largest economy in the world, a healthy business climate in state ensures a stable economy for the nation and the world.” With ...

Irvine Educators, STEAM Programs Honored During Inaugural Greater Irvine Chamber Distinguished Educators Awards

Friday, October 15, 2021

Irvine educators and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs were honored during the Greater Irvine Chamber Distinguished Educators event sponsored by Chapman University and held at the Hilton Irvine on Oct. 13. “The Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates Irvine’s world-class education as part of what helps the city live up to its promise as a model master-planned community. The quality of education in Irvine is a key factor in sustaining economic vitality in the region; it’s what ensures we continue to produce a 21st-century workforce,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “Our world-class schools, colleges, and universities are vita...

Providence Joins Greater Irvine Chamber as a Silver-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Friday, October 15, 2021

Providence has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner “Providence Southern California, headquartered in Irvine, is honored to partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce in advancing economic vitality in the community while addressing key needs, including access to health care, mental wellness resources, housing, substance abuse and other social determinants of health. Providence looks forward to working with the Chamber to create a healthier tomorrow,” said Kevin P. Manemann, chief executive, Providence Southern California. Providence Southern California is the region’s largest health system with 11 hospitals, more than 100 clinics, outpatient centers, TrinityCare Hospice and it...

UCI Public Health Launches Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

The University of California, Irvine Program in Public Health has launched the Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research. The center is dedicated to addressing environmental justice through community-based research and promotion of equitable environmental health policies locally and nationally. UCI Public Health professors Jun Wu and Alana M.W. LeBrón will direct the center. Wu serves as a professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and has an extensive background in population-based research on environmental exposures and environmental epidemiology, specifically for air pollution, climate change, and environmental justice issues. LeBrón, in addition to serving as an assistant professor in th...

Thomas Lotts Named Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September 2021

Friday, October 08, 2021

Thomas Lotts, founder of The Lotts Agency, has been named the September 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month. Lotts became an Ambassador two months after joining the Chamber in 2017. “The Chamber has been an important part of my life for five years,” Lotts said. “Perhaps the most significant benefit has been the ability to help small businesses of greater Irvine by serving as co-chair of the Irvine Business Outreach taskforce for the past three years.” An active Chamber member in various capacities, he serves as chair of a Leads Group, mentor for the Chamber’s Career Edge program. He regularly attend...

Nominations Open for Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40 Awards

Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Nominations for the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 awards are now open! This program recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who are making strides in their industries and the Orange County community. Forty individuals selected from the nominees will be formally recognized during the 40 Under 40 reception held on Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, 7905 Irvine Center Dr., 5:30 – 8 p.m. Eligible nominees must: Be employed by an active business located or operating in Orange County Be 39 years of age or younger on Dec. 9, 2021 Demonstrate leadership skills and initiative Have demonstrated integrity Application includes a brief description on how the following criteria applies to the individual: What innovative an...

Volunteer Opportunity: Connect with Irvine Businesses During Greater Irvine Chamber’s Outreach Initiative

Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Calling Greater Irvine Chamber member volunteers! To remain in touch with Irvine businesses and to learn about their needs, challenges, and goals, the Greater Irvine Chamber is conducting its award-winning annual Irvine Business Outreach on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. This year the outreach will be conducted in-person and include an online business survey. This opportunity is open to all Chamber members. Volunteering members will meet with representatives from Irvine businesses, discuss issues, and provide information on valuable resources available through the Chamber, and exchange business cards providing a QR code to the online survey. Volunteers can participate i...

Kim Mikes Named CEO of Hoag Orthopedic Institute

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of spine and orthopedic care in the nation, has announced the appointment of veteran health care executive Kim Mikes, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the institution. Mikes, who had been serving as acting CEO following the departure of former CEO Jennifer Mitzner in May 2021, was selected after a months-long, nationwide search and review of more than 100 applications for the position. “Kim has an extraordinary depth of clinical and operational knowledge having served not only at HOI since 2016, but in multiple leadership roles i...

UCI Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Platinum Sponsor

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

University of California, Irvine (UCI) has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle platinum-level sponsor. “Sixty years ago, in this place, there were no buildings, no roads, and for all intents and purposes no people. Not a city in sight — just open grazing land on a 90,000 acre, dusty ranch in the San Joaquin foothills. Yet the University of California, acting on behalf of the people of this great state, chose to build a new public research university here. Why? Because it knew the power of such an institution to drive growth and innovation, to spur development and advancement, to provide an environment where business flourishes an...

Irvine: The City of Education

Monday, October 04, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber | Destination Irvine As published in the Orange County Business Journal, October 4, 2021 (Text included below flipbook.) It’s not surprising that Irvine is one of the best places in the nation to receive an education, from K-12 to Ph.D. More than six decades ago, Irvine was master-planned with education in mind. Visionary city leaders knew that prioritizing education would be the key to the city’s long-term economic vitality and quality of life, so they designed the city around a research institution — known today as the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As the cit...

Orange County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Orange County Soccer Club’s Contribution and Commitment to Community

Monday, October 04, 2021

The Orange County Board of Supervisors recognized the Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) with a resolution during its Sept. 28 meeting. Third District Supervisor Don Wagner presented the resolution, recognizing OCSC’s “dedicated service to the Orange County Community.” In the resolution, he highlights the Club’s commitment to providing affordable family entertainment while working to be “a positive, unifying force in the community.” Supervisor Wagner will be on-hand at OCSC’s upcoming Irvine Night match on Wednesday, Oct. 20 to present the resolution to the Club during a special halftime ceremony. “It is a great honor for the club to receive this resolution from the County,” said Jef...

Great Park Could be ‘Presented by UCI Health’ Under Sponsorship Deal

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

(Orange County Register) Under a 10-year, multi-million dollar deal, UCI Health could become the Great Park’s top sponsor, giving the medical center a range of branding perks that include featuring its name on the park’s logo beside the words “presented by.” Irvine’s City Council on Sept. 28, will consider approving the sponsorship agreement, under which UCI Health would pay roughly $5.7 million over the next decade with the opportunity for the city to extend the contract for two more five-year terms. The deal would allow the medical center to host and take part in health and wellness initiatives, including seminars and multiple event...

UCI Beall Applied Innovation Wins SBA Award to Support Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Innovation and Technology has named UC Irvine (UCI) Beall Applied Innovation as a winner in this year’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). Winners are chosen based on their proposals for state-of-the-art ideas that inclusively support entrepreneurs researching and developing STEM-related innovations. As one out of 84 winners – spanning 48 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia – Beall Applied Innovation was awarded $50,000 to further advance their work supporting the modern and inclusive American Dream for entrepreneurs. “This award is a tribute to the effort Beall Applied Innovation ha...

Wells Fargo Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Wells Fargo has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber gold-level Leaders Circle partner. Wells Fargo has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2006. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo & Company is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is the leading middle-market banking provider in the U.S. Wells Fargo provides a diversified set of banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through four reportable operating segments: consumer banking and lending, commercial banking...

UC Irvine to Add $50 Million Health Science Facility, the Campus’s Largest Research Center

Monday, September 20, 2021

(Orange County Register) Adding to a “health sciences district” taking shape on the southwest side of campus, UC Irvine announced it will build a new 200,0000-square-foot facility for collaborative research on cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and other specialties. Called the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, it will be the largest research building on campus and one of the largest in the western U.S., UCI officials said. It will be funded by a $30 million donation from the Huntington Beach-based foundation of the same name and $20 million in other private contributions. The new facility will offer research lab and teaching spaces wher...

OCTA 405 Widening Project Refi Expected to Save $158 Million

Friday, September 17, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Orange County Transportation Authority expects to lop off more than $158 million in interest by resetting its federal loan for the 405 Freeway widening project, savings its officials said will help maintain cost-effective tolls on the new express lanes and get the agency out of debt sooner. The OCTA on Sept. 9, closed on the $629 million loan at a new, lower interest rate of 1.95%, a drop from the 2.91% rate of its original loan, spokeswoman Megan Abba said. The agency has 35 years to pay off the amount, though the refinancing means it likely won’t take tha...

UCI Health Gastroenterologist Recognized as Innovator of the Year, UCI Vaccine Center Director Honored for Global Impact

Friday, September 17, 2021

Dr. Kenneth Chang, gastroenterologist and executive director of the UCI Health Digestive Health Institute, has been named Orange County Business Journal’s Innovator of the Year. The publication’s special Global Impact award went to UCI’s Philip Felgner, PhD, professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physiology & Biophysics and director of UCI’s Vaccine Research and Development Center. The Innovator of the Year award recognizes Chang’s development of the endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-guided PPG), a tool critical to diagnosing liver health, especially in those with a form of fatty liver disease that can lead to needing a liver transplant. After Chan...

Joe Alvarez Named Greater Irvine Chamber September 2021 Member of the Month

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Joe Alvarez, a cybersecurity specialist at Cybersecurity and Cost Management Group, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month for September 2021. Joe’s professional demeanor and approachability make him an asset for the Chamber programs he serves. “Being a part of the Greater Irvine Chamber community has allowed me to form relationships with fellow Chamber members for mutual benefit and success,” said Alvarez, a Chamber member since 2016. “I’ve had the opportunity to enhance the profile of my company by connecting with people I know, like, and trust.” Alvarez is engaged in Chamber activities and groups, including being a member of the Ambassador...

UCI to Welcome Inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy Class

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

The inaugural class of Pharm.D. students at the University of California, Irvine will begin their journey Sept. 24 at a White Coat Ceremony, a rite of passage marking the transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. The white coat is universally recognized as a symbol of the commitment students are making in joining a trusted health profession. “We are thrilled to welcome the first cohort of Pharm.D. students, who are the next generation of pharmacists who will help people live healthier, better lives,” said Jan Hirsch, founding dean of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. “At UCI, we wil...

UCI Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10 Public Universities for Seventh Consecutive Year

Monday, September 13, 2021

The University of California, Irvine has been ranked ninth among the nation’s public universities – and 36th overall – on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 list of Best Colleges. This is the seventh consecutive year in which UCI has placed in the top 10. For the second year in a row, the university is ranked No. 2 in the subcategory of social mobility, which takes into account the graduation rate of students awarded Pell Grants. The latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings – now in their 37th year – assesses 1,466 of the country’s bachelor’s degree-granting institution...

Irvine was Perfectly Master-Planned for Distinguished Educators to Thrive

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

Irvine was master-planned with education at its core, ensuring Irvine’s long-term economic vitality. Today, numerous public and private post-secondary education and research institutions continue to support that concept. Those with a presence in the city include: California State University, Fullerton Chapman University, Rinker Health Science Campus Concordia University Irvine Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising George Washington University Hancock International College Irvine Adult School Irvine Valley College Pepperdine University Stanbridge University University of California, Irvine University of California, Orange County Academic Center University of LaVerne, Orange County Regional Campus University of Massachusetts, Global Webster University Westcliff University Irvine’s youth are prepared for higher learning at some of the nation’s finest K-12 schools. Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) high schools hav...

Irvine-Based Brandman University is Now UMass Global

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine-based Brandman University, an offshoot of Chapman University, is now UMass Global. Officials Announced the hybrid-style school that offers online and traditional learning will now be part of the University of Massachusetts. The transition to the University of Massachusetts will have “absolutely no interruption” for current Brandman students, who will be able to continue their studies and receive either a Brandman University or UMass Global diploma upon graduation, Chapman University President Daniele Struppa said. The two universities had been in discussions since 2019 on the deal, which Struppa said will help Chapman grow its endowment, a “crucial” part of “ensuring tha...

UCI Study of Traffic Sensors to use City of Irvine Streets

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) Several roadways and intersections in Irvine are on the verge of getting a lot smarter thanks to a study of emerging technologies being conducted by the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering and the city. Twenty-five intersections in the city, including nine on the UCI campus, will be equipped with next-generation traffic sensors designed to collect data in real-time, with the information being used to implement instant adjustments to the flow of traffic, thus improving safety, traffic flow, and energy efficiency, officials said. For example, the advanced sensors will be able to detect the traffic flow and then respond b...

Jorge Mora Named Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September 2021

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

Jorge Mora, business development consultant for KTimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September 2021. “The Greater Irvine Chamber has provided me with exceptional networking opportunities, which often lead to mutually beneficial business partnerships. Being a Chamber member enables me to develop meaningful professional and personal relationships with local business leaders,” Mora said. “It’s a pleasure to serve as Chamber Ambassador and to participate in events and programs the Chamber offers its members.” Mora became an Ambassador just months after joining the Chamber in 2019 and now serves as vice-chair for the Ambassadors Committee. In addition t...

CalChamber Board of Directors Names Jennifer Barrera as Next President and CEO

Friday, September 03, 2021

The California Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Jennifer Barrera as the organization’s next president and CEO, effective October 1, 2021. CalChamber’s Board of Directors voted to appoint Barrera to the leadership role at their Sept. 3 meeting. Barrera will succeed retiring CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, who will remain on the job until the end of 2021. Zaremberg served as CalChamber president and CEO for 23 years. “Jennifer is a proven leader and a powerful voice for California business,” said Donna Lucas, chair of the CalChamber Board of Directors. “Jennifer’s experience, her effectiveness in serving CalChamber members and her dedication to improvin...

Multimillion-Dollar Gifts Create Opportunities for Chapman Faculty and Students to Study U.S. Presidents’ History, Impact

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Multimillion-dollar donations from Emeritus Chairman of the Board Doy B. Henley and James H. and Esther M. Cavanaugh have established a pair of endowed chairs in presidential studies at Chapman University, ensuring the university’s strong commitment to the study and teaching of the U.S. presidency, its history, influence and global impact. The gifts will advance a field of study with lasting significance and contribute to a greater understanding of the American experience, said Jennifer Keene, Ph.D., dean of the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, where the chairs are centered. Expanding Presidential Studies “These two endowed chairs are recognition of th...

UCI Names New Chief Innovation Officer, Beall Applied Innovation Executive Director

Monday, August 30, 2021

Errol Arkilic, a nationally recognized leader in technology transfer and entrepreneurship, has been named chief innovation officer at University of California, Irvine and executive director for UCI Beall Applied Innovation (BAI). He will start Oct. 1. As chief innovation officer, Arkilic will oversee campus entrepreneurial engagement with community and corporate partners, intellectual property stewardship, a robust licensing and marketing program, and outreach/external relations connected to entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. He will also lead UCI Beall Applied Innovation, a dynamic platform that supports and offers resources to faculty, innovators and entrepreneurs. BAI plays a critical role in building the modern and inclusiv...

City of Hope Uses Genetics to Fight Cancer

Sunday, August 29, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) Tabitha Paccione was 34 years old and in the best shape of her life. So when her cough wouldn’t go away she just thought it was from the usual germs running around the first-grade classroom where she taught in Downey. This was December 2015. Doctors gave her antibiotics but the cough persisted, so bad that sometimes she woke up gagging. Then her voice went hoarse and her back started aching. It wasn’t until nearly a year later that a doctor figured out the problem: Stage-four non-small cell lung cancer. Her prognosis: 3-6 months. “By the time I was diagnosed the cancer was everywhere. Al...

Google Offers High School Students Career Certificates

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) Google is partnering with the Anaheim Union High School District to offer students career certificates in data analytics, IT support, and project management, district officials announced Wednesday. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the nation. No prior experience is needed for the students to take Google’s online certification programs, which aim to prepare students for entry-level roles in fields that are projected to grow over the next 10 years. They are created and taught by Google employees. “We feel that these are important, transformative courses that allow a student to have hands-on, applied skills, which are needed i...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Prescribes Safe Disposal of Opioid Medications

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) At $1.10 apiece, they might seem like a trivial investment in the crucial fight against opioid abuse. But given what that money buys — a medication disposal kit that can keep potentially dangerous drugs away from people who might misuse them — the spending is anything but trivial. It’s why Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine soon will begin sending medication disposal kits home with patients who are discharged but still have the need for pain drugs. The problem the kits can help solve is huge. The misuse of prescription pain relief drugs accounted for about half of all opioid overdoses nationwide...

UCI Receives $6M Award for Smart Cities and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

The HORIBA Institute for Mobility and Connectivity2 (HIMaC2) in the UCI Samueli School of Engineering has been awarded a $6M grant to establish a Public Road Network Platform for the development, evaluation, and deployment of emerging and future connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. The grant, awarded by the Vehicle Technology Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will equip 25 intersections at UCI and the adjacent City of Irvine with a next-generation lidar-based traffic sensor and analytics technology in collaboration with the DOE Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), the UCI Institute of Transportation Studies, Velodyne Lidar, Bluecity Technology, Toyota Moto...

Chapman University is Presenting Sponsor for Greater Irvine Chamber’s Inaugural Distinguished Educators Event

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Chapman University, a Greater Irvine Chamber platinum-level Leaders Circle partner, is the presenting sponsor for the Chamber’s inaugural Distinguished Educators event on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m., at the Hilton Irvine, 18800 MacArthur Blvd. “Chapman University is honored to be the presenting sponsor for such an important effort,” said Chapman Provost Norma Bouchard, Ph.D. “Orange County’s rich commitment to education at all levels is indeed both distinctive and admirable. We are grateful to be a part of this tradition at our campus in Orange and our Rinker Health Sciences Campus in Irvine. We look forward to this opportunity to honor some of the outstanding practitioners of educatio...

Veteran Hotelier Nael El Waary Appointed New GM for Atrium Hotel in Irvine

Friday, August 20, 2021

VENQUEST Hotel Group has appointed veteran hotelier Nael El Waary as General Manager for the Atrium Hotel in Irvine. El Waary is a seasoned hotelier who brings 25 years of local and international experience. He has developed an extensive wealth of knowledge and worldwide experience in operations and management. Holding senior positions while working with renowned hotel brands like Hilton USA (San Francisco/ San Jose), Accor Hotels in Dubai, IHG Intercontinental Hotels in North America and the U.K., and The Helmsley Hotels in New York City. “My international management exposure has given me a unique perspective on all aspects of hospitality and I look forward to leading my tea...

UCI-Led Study Finds Disparities in OC Rates of COVID-19 Infection, Mortality

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Socioeconomic, geographic and demographic factors all played critical roles in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality among Orange County residents last year, according to a study led by the University of California, Irvine. The findings, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, show that some groups were more likely to test positive and die from the virus. Furthermore, risk factors for infection shifted over time. “At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, cases were clustered in the more affluent coastal areas of the county but then shifted to north-central locations, particularly in the cities of Santa An...

Cox Helps People Connect to the Internet Through Federal Program

Thursday, August 12, 2021

A reliable internet connection can make all the difference by breaking down barriers and giving people the chance to participate in life more fully, even beyond their neighborhoods. That’s why Cox Communications is working with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program to help people get connected to what matters most. The ECF program is open to students, educational staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack a sufficient connection to the internet for remote learning and remote library services. ECF will provide funding to schools and libraries to deliver interne...

OCTA Invests $2.7 million to Clean Orange County Water

Thursday, August 12, 2021

The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week approved nearly $2.7 million to improve water quality in Orange County cities from San Clemente to Stanton. The funds come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax renewed by Orange County voters in 2006 for transportation improvements. Measure M, also known as OC Go, includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the County of Orange for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation. “This is a great way to help protect Orange County’s natural resources while continuing to improve th...

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan Presents at the Greater Irvine Chamber, First Time In-Person

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

During its first in-person Government Affairs meeting in more than a year, the Greater Irvine Chamber welcomed Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan to a group of community partners and business leaders on Aug. 5. Mayor Khan provided city updates on the exploration and evaluation of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Community Choice Aggregation (also known as Community Choice Energy), city-wide broadband, and ways the city plans to partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber on economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayor was clear in her interest to engage community stakeholders on all of those initiatives. Th...

Bryan Starr Discusses the Legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan in Podcast

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

In a recent radio interview with OC Talk Radio, Bryan Starr, President and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber and its destination marketing and economic development divisions, discussed the legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan, the city’s many assets, and the Chamber’s role as convener, champion, and catalyst for economic vitality in the greater Irvine area. “Everything comes back to the master plan,” Starr said, referencing Irvine centered around what is now University of California, Irvine. “The initial step, right away, made us a city of innovation, a city of education, that has been perpetuated into the 21st century.” Impact OC Talk Radio...

Carlos Oregon of Thinkbox Technology Group Appointed as Greater Irvine Chamber Board Chair

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Carlos Oregon of Thinkbox Technology Group has been appointed Chair of the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. He joined the Chamber’s Board in 2016 as member at large and was appointed to the executive committee in 2019. As CEO of Thinkbox Technology Group, Oregon led the organization’s expansion to a global market. His wide-ranging international experience includes foreign direct investment, business development, operations, consulting, program/project management, C-level support, and corporate social responsibility. He directs client support teams in California, Washington, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, and Europe, supporting enterprise-wide initiatives for HQ expansions, data center buildouts and migrations, VOIP upgrades, next-gen infrastructure deployments, an...

City of Hope Expands Its SoCal Presence With Acquisition of Cancer-Focused Medical Group, Adding Irvine and Six Other Clinics

Monday, August 09, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, today announced that acclaimed Pacific Shores Medical Group has joined City of Hope. This agreement significantly expands City of Hope’s clinical network and provides thousands of patients in Southern California with increased access to breakthrough discoveries and lifesaving treatments. City of Hope adds seven locations – Glendale, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Torrance, and two in Long Beach – in one of the largest clinical network expansions in its history. With locations across five counties, City of Hope is delivering advanced cancer care closer to where people live — alleviating the burde...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Monday, August 09, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. “Hoag Orthopedic Institute is proud to renew our membership with Greater Irvine Chamber at the Leaders Circle level. As a member since our doors opened in 2010, it’s a privilege to continue connecting with our fellow Irvine organizations in support of the Irvine community,” Hoag Orthopedic Institute Acting CEO, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Kim Mikes said. HOI was recently named in the top 30 best orthopedic hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 Best Hospitals list, ranking in the Top 1% nationally an...

Octane Announces New Leadership for LaunchPad and Enterprise Solutions

Monday, August 09, 2021

Octane, Orange County’s leading accelerator, announced the appointment of three new roles at the organization. Michael Hill has joined as Director of LaunchPad SBDC, Scott Lopez has joined as Director of Capital Markets at Octane Enterprise Solutions, and Dave Beck has transitioned to Vice President at Octane Enterprise Solutions. Michael is an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor with a deep passion for helping startup tech companies advance their business models. He has co-founded, scaled and created liquidity for investors at two startup software companies and a professional services business which he ran for 25 years. Prior to leading his own ventures, h...

MemorialCare Requiring All Team Members Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19; Urges Public Vaccinations to Keep Staff, Patients, Families, Communities Safe

Friday, August 06, 2021

Citing its relentless commitment to end the pandemic by slowing the spread of disease, preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death, MemorialCare is requiring all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and urged continued widespread vaccinations among the public as well. “MemorialCare has been unwavering in championing vaccinations as the most effective way to end this pandemic that has taken so much from so many,” said Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., President & CEO of MemorialCare that includes 225 community-based health care locations. In making this decision, Arbuckle cites the alarming increases in COVID-19 admissions in recent weeks with well over 90 percent of hospitalized patients bein...

Contributing Over $7 Billion Annually to Orange County, UCI is an Engine of Economic Growth

Wednesday, August 04, 2021

You’ve probably heard about the worldwide impact of University of California, Irvine's scientific research, technological innovations and successful startups. But UCI’s positive impact on our local community – as a wellspring of jobs, entrepreneurial investment, and billions in economic growth – is really something to talk about. Most who live near a typical college or university don’t really feel a deep connection to it. The institution might provide an interesting talking point when you meet new people – but little else. If you live in the city of Irvine, however – or anywhere in the broader Orange County area—the odds are hig...

Boys & Girls Club Central Orange Coast CEO Robert Santana Leads Additional Chapter During its Executive Search

Tuesday, August 03, 2021

Roberta Santana, MBA, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast, will lead an additional local chapter of the national organization. As Consulting CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Redlands-Riverside, Santana will shepherd the chapter while its Board of Directors searches for a permanent CEO. “I am humbled to serve the kids and families of the Inland Empire, Riverside, and the Redlands area,” Santana said. “I’m looking forward to the impact I can make serving this region.” Santana continues to serve as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, impacting the kids an...

With Rivian, Lordstown, and Karma in Irvine, So Cal is a New EV Mecca

Monday, August 02, 2021

(Orange County Register) With the click of a mouse, a Karma Automotive technician brings a brand new electric vehicle to life. You sit inside and marvel at the sleek console, the plush seats, the streamlined, jet-age dashboard. Never mind that this new car doesn’t yet exist. Never mind that the driver’s seat you’re sitting on is actually a metal office chair. Thanks to the magic of virtual reality, Karma Automotive’s designers can visualize how a car looks long before they build it. “I can put you inside a car,” said David Hilton, who as Karma’s senior design director oversees work at the EV maker’s desig...

UCI Medical Center Among America’s Best Hospitals for 21 Consecutive Years

Friday, July 30, 2021

For the 21st consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has recognized UCI Medical Center as one of America’s Best Hospitals. The annual rankings recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients and conditions. This year, the report highlights the excellence of UCI Health programs in gynecology, No. 24; and geriatrics, No. 44, among similar programs nationally. The medical center is ranked No. 8 in the Los Angeles metropolitan region. “We are pleased to be recognized once again as one of America’s Best Hospitals. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, therapists and support staff reflect the unparalleled level of care only an academic health system can provide.,” sai...

City of Hope Makes US News & World Report's Best Hospitals List for 15th Consecutive Year

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

City of Hope has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list for the 15th consecutive year, placing the hospital among the nation’s leading cancer hospitals. City of Hope is developing a cancer campus of the future and a network of advanced cancer care in Orange County. Its comprehensive cancer center will open in Irvine in 2022 and its Newport Beach location has been providing patients with world-class care since early 2020. Learn more at cityofhope.org/OC City of Hope Orange County is the diamond-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber.

Hoag is the Highest Ranked Hospital in Orange County in U.S. News & World Report's Latest Best Hospitals Rankings

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

For the 5th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 Best Hospitals Rankings named Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County, the fourth-best hospital in the Los Angeles metro area, and ninth-best in California. The rankings also included national rankings in five specialty areas and recognition for Hoag's high performance in all 17 specialty procedures and conditions. After an unprecedented year through the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings serve as an important resource to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions and common elective procedures. "Receiving this prestigious national designation i...

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan Named a Top US Mayor to Watch

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

(Route Fifty) Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan has been named one of 10 Top Mayors to Watch in the nation by Route Fifty, a digital publication covering topics related to state and local government leaders. The past year or so has been one of unprecedented challenges and fast-paced problem-solving for local governments, as they've weathered the pandemic and are now moving to recover from it. In the meantime, city leaders have also had to continue grappling with long-standing difficulties surrounding issues like homelessness, affordable housing shortages, and aging infrastructure. Route Fifty regularly covers these topics and is recognizing a group of mayors it deems worth paying special attention to given the innovativ...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Named Among Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, has been nationally ranked in the top 30 best orthopedic hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s “2021-2022 Best Hospitals” list. HOI’s ranking rose to number 27 in the nation from number 35 the previous year. In addition to this distinction, U.S. News has also recognized HOI as “High Performing” in Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement for 2021-2022. “HOI is honored to once again be included in U.S. News & World Report’s best hospitals list,” said acting HOI CEO Ki...

Hoag Receives $3 Million for Expansion from Iacocca Family Foundation

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

(Newport Beach Independent) Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has received a $3 million gift from the Iacocca Family Foundation that will expand and enhance a program for type 1 diabetes at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center. In appreciation of the generous gift, Hoag is naming the Mary & Lee Iacocca Program in Type 1 Diabetes to honor the Iacocca Family Foundation’s mission to fund innovative and promising diabetes research that will lead to a cure for the disease and alleviate its complications. Lee Iacocca established the Iacocca Family Foundation in 1984 in honor of his late wife, Mary K. Iacocca, who died fro...

UCI Beall Applied Innovation is Helping Make Irvine a Growing Startup Hub

Monday, July 26, 2021

An award-winning innovator who started an agricultural technology company. A University of California, Irvine alumnus who founded a medical device company. A UCI professor who’s producing rapid tests for COVID-19 and other diseases. Their backgrounds are as different as their companies, but they all launched their ventures at UCI Beall Applied Innovation. The City of Irvine recently landed on WalletHub’s list of the best big cities in which to start a business and was ranked first for access to related resources. That’s no accident. Irvine’s success is part of a concerted effort that kicked into high gear in 2014 when Applied Innovation opene...

Ailene Dewar Named Greater Irvine Chamber July 2021 Ambassador of the Month

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Ailene Dewar, CBPA, aPHR, vice president of sales, California, Engage PEO, has been selected as the July 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for her high level of engagement in Chamber events and committees. A Greater Irvine Chamber member since 2016 and Ambassador since 2018, Dewar currently serves as chair of the Ambassadors Committee. Dewar regularly serves as an Ambassador at Chamber signature events, including Business Outlook and Women of Influence and New Member Orientations. She is active at After Hours and Evening Business Exchange Mixers and Networkers Luncheons. She has assisted in the Chamber’s award-winning Business Outreach Rally progra...

UCI Team Readies Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Prototype for Human Trials

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Scientists with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute have designed a promising vaccine prototype aimed at preventing all coronavirus strains and variants, not just the one that causes COVID-19. The research team — led by Lbachir BenMohamed, Ph.D., director of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology and professor with the eye institute — hopes to begin a phase 1 clinical trial of the prototype’s safety by early 2022. “If this universal vaccine performs as we expect, it could prevent the spread of future coronaviruses by humans and animals,” said BenMohamed, a vaccinologist and immunologist who trained at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. “It would b...

Waste Management Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Waste Management has renewed as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. A Chamber member since 1979, Waste Management is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management, offering services such as garbage collection and disposal, recycling, and dumpster rental. Waste Management has been listed on the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for North America and the World. This distinction marks a recognition of the company’s corporate sustainability leadership within the industry. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on ho...

Irvine, Orange County Among Best Places To Live In US Reports Say

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

(Patch) Irvine is among the top 100 best places to live in the U.S., according to a recent report from Niche. The towns on the list are known in general for their low crime rates, proximity to good jobs, and strong school systems. Niche—that connects people to their future schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces—analyzes and ranks factors such as livability, crime rates, the housing market and trends, schools, employment, and access to other amenities and resources. Rankings are based on city data from the U.S. Census, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Irvine is #11 on the list...

OCTA Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since its formation in 1991, OCTA has kept residents and commuters moving throughout the 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. OCTA’s responsibilities, programs and services impact every aspect of transportation within the state’s third largest county. A member of the Chamber since 2016, OCTA keeps people moving by reducing freeway congestion, improving safety and efficiency on our local roads, providing bus service and regional multimodal connections, helping people find ways to leave their cars home, and providing safe, convenient transportation to those with special needs. Leaders Circl...

Distinguished Scholar Jon Gould Named Dean of UCI’s School of Social Ecology

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Jon Gould, a distinguished scholar in justice policy, social change and government reform who has held key positions in the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Science Foundation, will become the new dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. He will assume the post on Jan. 1, 2022. At UCI, Gould will lead the nation’s first school of social ecology, established in 1970 in response to high demand for more socially relevant research. For over 50 years, the school has been an internationally recognized pioneer in developing interdisciplinary approaches t...

New Chamber Program to Honor Distinguished Educators, Nominations Open Now

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates Irvine’s world-class education as part of what helps the city live up to its promise as a model master-planned community and its ability to sustain economic vitality by ensuring a continued skilled workforce. Through its inaugural Distinguished Educators program, the Chamber will recognize exemplary Irvine educators who have contributed to the educational process through direct student involvement or partnership activities. Outstanding STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs offered in Irvine will also be recognized. Nominations and self-nominations are open through Sept. 3, 2021. NOMINATE HERE Honorees will be announced at the Distinguished Educators event on Wednesday...

Chapman University to Transform Old Packing House into New Dance Center with $5M Grant

Friday, July 09, 2021

(Orange County Register) A $5 million grant from one of Chapman University’s most generous donors will allow the university to transform the 100-year old Villa Park Orchards Association Packing House into the Sandi Simon Center for Dance, a 33,000 square foot complex which will serve Chapman’s 150 dance majors and host performances for the community. Located at 350 N. Cypress St. in Orange, the center is scheduled to be completed by next summer and be in use for the fall 2022 semester. The $5 million was donated by philanthropists Ron and Sandi Simon, who have gifted millions to the university over the years throug...

UCI's Joyce Yu-Chia Lee is the First Faculty Member to Earn Prestigious American College of Clinical Pharmacy Award

Friday, July 09, 2021

Joyce Yu-Chia Lee, clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, Irvine, has received the 2021 Clinical Practice Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. An advanced practice pharmacist, Lee is a founding faculty member of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the first to earn the prestigious recognition. ACCP is a professional and scientific society with more than 15,000 members from over 60 countries committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy. Each year, the award is given to one member who has developed an innovative clinical pharmacy service, provided innovative documentation of the impact of clinica...

Greater Irvine Chamber 2021-2022 Board Slate Includes Three New Members and Incoming Chair

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber installed its new 2021-2022 Board of Directors during a July meeting held at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, kicking off the fiscal year term. The new slate includes incoming Board Chair Carlos Oregon, president/CEO of Thinkbox Technology Group, who is assuming the gavel following outgoing Chair Jeff Davis, vice president, Entitlement, Irvine Company. Three executives from Orange County organizations have been appointed to the board: Wendy Aid, Director of sales, Cox Business With more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Wendy Aid is a results-driven leader with the proven ability to develop and lead sales teams to excee...

Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups Smash Previous Annual Records with $60.5 Million in Closed Business Referrals Despite Pandemic Distancing

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

Proving once again the power of the Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups, members have broken all previous records by a wide margin with $60,558,908 in closed business referrals during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, compared to $22,247,720 earned in FY 2019-2020. More than 1852 leads were exchanged. This achievement is even more impressive because the six groups convened through Zoom for the entire period to solve social distancing during the pandemic. “The Chamber’s Leads Groups convene professionals across industries to grow clientele opportunities. Through group participation, members foster trusted professional relationships and identify and refer qualified opportunities,” said Bryan Starr, president an...

MemorialCare, Greater Newport Physicians Recognized as Top California Medical Groups

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

SCAN Health Plan®, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, has announced the top 15 performing medical groups in its California provider network. Making the list are MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians, based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics for preventive screenings, treatment of chronic conditions and appropriate documentation to ensure members get the care they need to remain healthy and independent. The medical groups recognized are the top 15 performers for care and service based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics. MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians are Leaders Circle partners of the Greater Irvine Chamber, at the platinum and silver levels, respectively.

Chevron Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Bronze-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Chevron has renewed as a bronze-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Established as the Pacific Coast Oil Co. in 1879, today Chevron is a leading energy provider worldwide. Chevron’s success is driven by its people and their commitment to get results the right way — by operating responsibly, executing with excellence, applying innovative technologies, and capturing new opportunities for profitable growth. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on how to become a part of this elite Leaders Circle group...

Courtney Nakagawa Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Professional Staff

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Courtney Nakagawa has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber professional staff as Program Manager. In this role, she will manage chamber events. Nakagawa brings to the role 18 years of restaurant industry experience with a focus on private dining event management at upscale establishments, including Morton’s The Steakhouse and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. An active Chamber member since 2018, she participated in the Leads Groups program, served on the Women of Influence planning committee for two years, and has a well-established network in the community. Nakagawa earned a B.A. in deaf studies from California State University, Northridge, and is fluent in American Sig...

Wild Rivers Water Park Groundbreaking July 7 at the Orange County Great Park

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Construction on the Wild Rivers Water Park at the Orange County Great Park will begin July 7. In April 2020, the Irvine City Council approved a location and lease for the water park. In November, the Irvine Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit for the 20-acre project at the southeast corner of Great Park Blvd. and Skyhawk. Wild River’s plans include multiple components including in-ground slides, pools, and thrill slides. As currently proposed, there will be 20 attractions available on opening day, with additional attractions planned for the future, including a potential 3-acre expansion. “I’m beyond thrilled to brin...

Irvine Company Seeks Brand-Name Chain to Reopen Two Closed Hotels

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Irvine Company’s two shuttered hotels in Orange County will reopen after the company finds a new operator for its properties that cater primarily to corporate travelers and business events. The property giant said it is seeking a “world-class” brand-name operator to lease and run what’s currently the 536-room Hotel Irvine and the 295-room Fashion Island Hotel. The company will continue to own and operate its other hotel property, the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, which remained open throughout the pandemic. The two business hotels were closed by Irvine Co. in the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic throttle...

City of Hope-Led Research Identifies How the Most Common Type of Breast Cancer Becomes Resistant to Treatment

Thursday, June 24, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, has identified how cancer cells in patients with early-stage breast cancer change and become resistant to hormone or combination therapies, according to a new study published in Nature Cancer. About 80% of breast cancer cases are hormone receptor positive, meaning that these cancer cells need estrogen or progesterone to grow, according to the American Cancer Society. Doctors currently treat people with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer using therapy that inhibits both estrogen levels and cell cycle activity. While these therapies often initially shrink tumors, about 90% of metastatic patients an...

Diamond Jamboree Renews as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Diamond Jamboree has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level partner. Diamond Jamboree has been a Chamber member since 2006. Diamond Jamboree is a vibrant, eclectic retail center conveniently located at Alton Pkwy. and Jamboree Rd., where Irvine business and residential communities meet. Featuring a range of services and dining destinations to please every palate, the center is representative of its diverse community. A unique Southern California destination that brings together a variety of cuisines and international flavors—Diamond Jamboree brings you the world. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive rol...

Hoag at Home Launches Hospice and Home Visiting Physician Services to Orange County

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced today the launch of Hoag at Home, a comprehensive home care service offering that provides patients with the high-quality personalized care they need in the comfort of their home. Hoag at Home represents an evolution in Hoag’s commitment to the community and a recognition of the changing demographics of the county. This new service allows Hoag to extend the world-class care that is delivered in Hoag hospitals, physician offices, and health centers right to a patient’s place of residence. “People are living and staying mobile longer, and there are more ways to allow people to age i...

Irvine: California’s Best City to Start A Business

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

By Bryan Starr, as featured in the June 2021 Irvine Standard. Irvine has always been a great place to start a business. A study by WalletHub, a national financial resource website, just confirmed it’s the best place in California to launch an entrepreneurial dream. It makes sense. The survey found Irvine has the most educated workforce in the nation. More than 72% hold a bachelor’s degree while 32% hold a master’s degree or higher, No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation, respectively. The city – through its Master Plan – has also fostered the most dynamic, active and healthy business climates I’ve seen. One-third o...

UC Irvine Physicist Among Researchers Seeking to Bring Lithium-Ion Batteries to EV Market

Monday, June 21, 2021

(Orange County Register) To curb global warming, policymakers say, we need to switch from gas-powered cars to driving clean, non-polluting electric vehicles. Major automakers plan to make that happen, promising a full line of electric vehicles by 2030. But there’s just one little speed bump on the road to electrification: We don’t have the capacity to make enough batteries for all those plug-ins. Electric vehicle sales will jump four-fold in the U.S. in the next five years, climbing from 1.8% of all car sales in 2020 to about 7% in 2026, according to market research firm AutoPacific of Tustin. The U.S. Department o...

Welcome Back, We're Open!

Monday, June 14, 2021

After nearly a year and a half of meetings and events held digitally and staff working remotely, the Greater Irvine Chamber has fully reopened for in-person business as of June 15. In compliance with Cal/OSHA guidelines, masks are required for the duration of indoor visits. On the heels of its Celebrate Irvine event, held in a hybrid format — in-person and live-streamed on June 9 —the Chamber is resuming full-capacity, in-person gatherings from networking events, Leads Groups, and committee meetings to signature events. Join the Greater Irvine Chamber for its, first since more than a year ago, full-capacity in-person Evening Business Exchange networking even...

Meet Frontline Community Heroes Honored During In-Person and Live-Streamed Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

During its 2021 Celebrate Irvine event, the Greater Irvine Chamber honored some of the community's frontline heroes who have performed above and beyond their normal work duties to serve the community's greater good. Meet the 2021 Celebrate Irvine honorees: Andrea Billeb - Office Administrator and Human Resources Manager, Jackson Tidus City of Hope Newport Beach Physicians & Staff Jacqueline Deats - Director of Student Health Services, Chapman University Jan Gameroz, MSN, RN - Manager of Oncology Administration Services and Community Relations, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Hoag Pharmacy Team Dr. Susan Huang - Medical Director, Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, UCI Health Michelle Laabs - Nurse Practitioner an...

Latest Chao Family Gift Will Name Cancer Center at New UCI Medical Center in Irvine

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

With its current gift, longtime UCI Health benefactor the Chao family has committed $50 million since 1995 to UCI Health toward advancing cancer care in Orange County and beyond. The family’s latest gift will name the cancer center at the new UCI Medical Center in Irvine, expanding access to leading-edge cancer treatments and therapies, promising clinical trials, and world-class cancer care driven by the latest in precision medicine. “Few families have been as generous in support of their fellow residents of Orange County as the Chao family,” said UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This latest extraordinary gift is testament to their belief i...

At 50, the City of Irvine is Evergreen

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The City of Irvine’s 50th anniversary is a significant milestone celebration for our community. Together, we have achieved so much so quickly. Irvine is the safest large city in America, we have the top-performing school system in California, one of the strongest jobs centers in America, and the state’s best parks system. Yet perhaps our most inspiring accomplishment has been creating one of America’s greenest cities. Today, owing to 50 years of careful planning and ambitious environmental stewardship, Irvine residents are, on average, just 76 steps from a neighborhood park — and need to travel less than 20 minutes to enjo...

Irvine Ranked in Survey as California’s Best Place to Start a Business

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine was ranked California’s best big city to start a business, in a recent survey by WalletHub. WalletHub’s review of 21 economic and demographic metrics for 100 large U.S. cities created an overall national ranking from breakdowns for each locale’s business environment; access to resources; and business costs. Seventeen California cities made the 100-city scorecard: Irvine: No. 20 overall in the U.S.— No. 6 environment; No. 1 resources; and No. 97 in costs. Long Beach: No. 26 overall — from No. 14 environment; No. 32 resources; and No. 82 in costs. Fresno: No. 27 overall — No. 47 environment; No. 56 resources; and No. 35 in costs. Oakland: No. 30 overall &mdash...

Orange County Soccer Club Announces New Family Game Night and 2021 Season

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

After a year of challenges unlike any other, The Orange County Soccer Club is excited to announce its promotional schedule, The NEW Family Game Night, a series of innovative and safe programming options designed to bring fans back into our community safely. The New Family Game Night includes two post-match firework shows, three Beer Fests, a unique set of five specialty nights designed to support family fun, and a weeknight program designed around $1 beers and affordable food offerings. Additionally, the 2021 schedule features theme nights, premium giveaways, and community nights with more events being added prior to the season opene...

B. Braun Investing $500M to Overhaul Irvine Campus

Friday, April 23, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) B. Braun, an infusion therapy company, is making good on its promise to help end IV fluid shortages in the country. It is about halfway through a $500 million overhaul of its plant and sprawling 30-acre campus in Irvine next to the Diamond Jamboree shopping center. The German-based company, the fourth largest medical device maker in OC with 2,200 employees, is a manufacturer and seller of infusion pumps and IV fluids used to hydrate patients, administer drugs and replace lost blood volume on a daily basis. B. Braun’s ambitious plans in Irvine are for “the replacement of aging equipment, upgradin...

Irvine Community Report Provides Insights from a Challenging Year

Monday, March 29, 2021

Highlights from the Greater Irvine Chamber Community Report covering 2020 have been published in the Orange County Business Journal. The report provides a snapshot of Irvine's demographics and workforce details. It also provides insights into the work of the Chamber and its Destination Irvine and Economic Development divisions to enhance the economic vitality of Greater Irvine. View / Download the full Irvine Community Report Below are excerpts as published in the March 29 Orange County Business Journal: View / Download the full Irvine Community Report

Eight Women Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2021 Women of Influence

Friday, March 26, 2021

Eight outstanding Orange County women were selected from an impressive group of finalists and honored during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2021 Women of Influence virtual event live-streamed on March 24. GAME CHANGER Janeen Hill, Ph.D. Dean, Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Chapman University EXECUTIVE Patty Juarez National Diverse Segments Director Wells Fargo ADVOCATE Farrah N. Khan Mayor City of Irvine ENTREPRENEUR Nada Nasserdeen CEO & Founder Rise Up For You AUTHENTIC LEADER Danni Remington Smithson Vice President & Regional Manager Bank of Southern California INNOVATOR Amy von Kaenel Founder & CVEO VolunteerCrowd RISING STAR Caitlyn Yang CEO & Founder StartSmart INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AWARD Lynn Jochim Chief Operating Officer FivePoint To read how the honorees have positively impacted their industries and the Orange County community, view the event program booklet. 2021 WOME...

Southern California Gas Company Sets Bold Net Zero Emissions Pledge

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), the largest gas utility in the U.S., today announced the company's bold commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045. View/Download the Report This commitment makes SoCalGas the largest gas distribution utility in North America to set a net-zero target including scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, which would eliminate not only its own direct emissions but also those generated by customers' energy delivered by SoCalGas' energy infrastructure. SoCalGas' commitment aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement's recommendations and reflects the company's focus on supporting California with a resilient gas grid through the energy transition t...

Meet the Nominees for Greater Irvine Chamber 2021 Women of Influence Awards

Tuesday, March 09, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2021 Women of Influence virtual event to be live-streamed on Wednesday, March 24 at noon will recognize an outstanding woman in each of eight categories who have positively impacted their industries and the Orange County community. REGISTER FOR WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2021 AWARD CATEGORIES: Entrepreneur is a woman who founded an organization and has excelled in strategy, operations, and finances. Achievement is measured by overall business success rather than business size. Innovator is a woman for innovations she has initiated, developed, or contributed in extraordinary ways to the organization or industry she serves. Executive is a woman who effectively leads al...

Irvine, Orange County: Leader in Patient Care

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Feb. 15, 2021 issue of the Orange County Business Journal Irvine is a well-established global leader in life sciences, innovation, and medical technology and manufacturing. With companies like Allergan, B. Braun, Biolase Technologies, Edwards Lifesciences, and Kahala Biosciences located in Irvine, and Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Bausch & Lomb, and Beckman Coulter close by, Orange County is a life science innovation hub and has been fairly described as the medical device capital of the world. As reported right here in the pages of the Orange County Business Journal over the past severa...

John Wayne Airport Lands Direct Route to Hawaii, Resumes Flights to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta

Saturday, February 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) After a nine-year hiatus, a direct flight to Hawaii from Orange County is returning to John Wayne Airport. As of Feb. 13, travelers were able to start booking summer flights from John Wayne Airport to Honolulu aboard a daily United Airlines flight. The daily route, according to an announcement by the airline, begins May 6 and is scheduled to depart SNA daily at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in HNL at 11:30 a.m. The return flight leaves Honolulu at 12:50 p.m. Hawaii time and lands at 9:10 p.m. in Orange County. Direct flights from Santa Ana to Hawaii’s islands have had a stop-and-star...

11 Great Things About Living in Irvine

Monday, February 08, 2021

Irvine residents already what makes it a great city in which to live, play, and work. And there are well beyond 11 reasons. But to help those who are interested in moving to Irvine, Extra Space Storage has put together a list of 11 of the master-planned city's desirable qualities. Recognized as one of the happiest cities in America and one of the best U.S. cities for raising a family, this California city is incredibly safe, offers a rapidly growing job market, and has an abundance of family-friendly activities. Here are 11 things you need to know about living in Irvine! Plant Roots in America’s Safest City Phot...

In Case You Missed It: Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook Presentation and Slides Available Online

Friday, January 29, 2021

Whether you missed the Jan. 28 live-streamed presentation of the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook event, would like to revisit it, or share it with others, the complete presentation, program booklet, and Chris Schwarz’s slide deck can be accessed here: Business Outlook 2021.

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