Latest News

Meet Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups Volunteer Leaders

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

New volunteer leadership for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Leads Groups have recently taken on their new roles. The new volunteer leaders are serving in various capacities across the Chamber’s six Leads Groups including as Chairs, Co-Chairs, Membership Chairs, Social Media Chairs, and Steering Committee Representatives. These new volunteer leaders will serve in their roles through September 2021. “Our incredible volunteer leadership steps up to ensure the success of the Chamber’s Leads Group program, which over the years has contributed to millions of dollars in leads generation for our local economy,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “We ar...

Top Companies Sponsor Greater Irvine Chamber Celebrate Resilience Awards

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Several top companies sponsor the Greater Irvine Chamber Celebrate Resilience awards presentation, which will be delivered digitally on Thursday, Oct. 22, 12 – 1 p.m. Joining Presenting Sponsor City of Hope Orange County are: Sustainability Sponsor: Waste Management Business Sponsors: FivePoint Hoag Octane Orange County Soccer Club UC Irvine Event Sponsors: Allergan Antis Roofing & Waterproofing B Braun Chevron COX Diamond Jamboree Edwards Lifesciences Google Greater Newport Physicians HBLA Hoag Orthopedic Institute Irvine Company Jackson Titus Kelley Bluebook OmniPrint Pacific Western Bank SoCalGas Southern California Edison Transportation Corridor Agencies WNDE These companies support the Greater Irvine Chamber as it recognizes companies, organizations, and individuals that have made a positive impact on the greater Irvine community in response to the Coronavirus crisis. Acts of support, large or small, from any industry are eligible for Celebrate Resilience awards. Nominations are ope...

Wells Fargo Renews Partnership with Greater Irvine Chamber as Gold-Level Leaders Circle Sponsor

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Wells Fargo has renewed its partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a gold-level Leaders Circle sponsor. Wells Fargo has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2006. Wells Fargo is a diversified, community-based financial services company serving customers’ financial needs. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,700 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, internet, and mobile banking, and has offices in 33 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves on...

Greater Irvine Chamber Awards Lifetime Membership to Sophia Alexander

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber has awarded Sophia Rose Alexander, former vice president of sales at 2010 Office Furniture, a Greater Irvine Chamber Lifetime Membership. Over the past eight years as a member of the Chamber, Rose Alexander has dedicated countless hours to serving the organization in various volunteer leadership roles and helping to expand the Chamber’s award-winning Leads Group program. “The Greater Irvine Chamber is pleased to recognize Sophia Rose with a lifetime membership. She has been instrumental in growing the Chamber’s Leads Group program, helping to create a space for our membership to form quality relationships, and meet people they trus...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is the Only Hospital in Southern California to Earn ‘5-Star Rating’ for Patient Experience from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which performs the most hip and knee joint replacement surgeries in California, is the only hospital in Southern California to receive a five-star rating for patient experience from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) after a nationwide assessment through its recent Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) star ratings. “We are honored that our patients recognized our staff for their exemplary work and dedication to creating a patient-centered, healing environment at Hoag Orthopedic Institute,” said Jennifer Mitzner, CEO, Hoag Orthopedic Institute. “Receiving CMS’ highest rating for patient experience is a nod to th...

UCI Leads Study in Collaboration with Apple, Inc. on the Use of Technology for Asthma Care

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Anthem, Inc. announced a new study which is being conducted by University of California, Irvine (UCI) that examines how the use of everyday devices, like Apple Watch and iPhone, may help individuals with asthma better self-manage their condition for improved clinical outcomes. The virtual study was designed in collaboration with Apple, Inc. CareEvolution, the study technology partner responsible for building the study app and enabling collection of the study data. Launching in the fall, the two-year, randomized controlled study will enroll participants from Anthem-affiliated health plans who have been clinically diagnosed with asthma. Nearly 25 million Americans are currently diagnosed wit...

UPS Holiday Season Hiring Will Top 100,000 Amid COVID Spawned E-commerce Boon

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

(AJOT) United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS)—a bronze-level Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber—said it will hire more than 100,000 seasonal workers to help handle an expected avalanche of holiday packages from online orders this year as shoppers avoid stores during the coronavirus pandemic. The holiday hires, a slight increase from last year, will be on top of the thousands of workers the courier already has added to keep up with a surge in package demand. During the second quarter alone, UPS brought in 39,000 workers at its U.S. unit, which saw package volume surge by 23% from a year earlier...

CBE Office Solutions Continues Partnership with Greater Irvine Chamber as Silver-Level Leaders Circle Sponsor

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

CBE Office Solutions has renewed its community partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a silver-level Leaders Circle sponsor. CBE Office Solutions has proudly provided professional business solutions in Southern California since 1993. With offices in Irvine, and other Southern California cities, CBE Office Solutions offers a wide array of office products and services to its business customers. Its range of office equipment includes offerings from industry leaders such as HP, Sharp, Ricoh, and Canon. Business solutions include managed IT services, managed print services, document management, Pitney Bowes mailing equipment, and workflow software solutions. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chambe...

Samuel Johnson Named CEO of Transportation Corridor Agencies

Monday, September 14, 2020

The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) two Boards of Directors, comprised entirely of elected officials, affirmed that Interim CEO Samuel Johnson will retain the role of CEO effective immediately. Johnson, an award-winning industry leader with nearly 30 years of public agency experience, has led the Agencies to key successes since being named Interim CEO in April against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among his recent accomplishments, Johnson reformed TCA’s internal audit function for increased transparency, oversaw the creation of a more robust consumer privacy policy, and worked with Board leadership to reduce the Agencies’ annual budget by 51% while preserving job...

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

Monday, September 14, 2020

The University of California, Irvine (UCI), a gold-level Leaders Circle of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has been ranked eighth among the nation’s public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 list of “Best Colleges.” This is the sixth consecutive year in which UCI has placed in the top 10. UCI placed 35th among all American universities – public and private – and rose to second in the subcategory of social mobility, which takes into account the graduation rate of students awarded Pell Grants. Begun in 1983, the annual U.S. News list is one of the most influential in the country, with rating...

Rima Nashishibi Honored by Rep. Lou Correa as a 2020 Women of the Year

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Rima Nashishibi, co-chair of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s International Development Committee and president of Global Hope 365, has been named a 2020 Women of the Year by Rep. Lou Correa of California’s 46th District. Nashashibi will be formally recognized during the 2020 Women of the Year digital ceremony, Friday, Sept. 18, alongside a number of other exemplary women that live, work, or meaningfully impact the district. An internationally recognized speaker and political and community leader/activist, Nashashibi has publicly promoted tolerance, equal opportunity, and justice for persons of all genders, ethnicity, religious backgrounds, and political persuasions for more than 20 years. Nashashibi ha...

Ampronix Named Greater Irvine Chamber September 2020 Member of the Month

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

Ampronix Medical Imaging Technology, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month for September 2020. In the spirit of community partnerships, the Greater Irvine Chamber has expanded its criteria for Member of the Month to include organizations as well as individuals that have engaged in the Greater Irvine Chamber and have made contributions to support others as they face challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis. Ampronix meets that standard. A Greater Irvine Chamber member since 2010, Ampronix has engaged in the Chamber’s Orange County World Trade Week Forum, including being a finalist for the 2018 Exporter of the Yea...

City of Hope Orange County is the Presenting Sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Celebrate Resilience Awards

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

City of Hope Orange County is the Presenting Sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Celebrate Resilience awards presentation, which will be delivered digitally on Thursday, Oct. 22, 12 – 1 p.m. “Thanks to many dedicated people, solid planning, and vibrant organizations like the Greater Irvine Chamber, Irvine continues to rise above challenges, including those of the present-day. We are thrilled to be the Presenting Sponsor for the Chamber’s Celebrate Resilience awards presentation, and to contribute to a healthier and even more impressive future for this great community,” Annette M. Walker, president, City of Hope Orange County. As a champion of strong community partnerships...

Cox Communications Awards $50,000 in “Innovation in Education” Grants to Support Distance Learning This Fall

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

With distance learning being the new normal for school districts across the state, Cox—a gold-level Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber—is committed to ensuring students and teachers start the new school year strong by having the tools they need for success. As a part of this commitment, Cox has awarded $50,000 in “Innovation in Education” grants to local school districts and the Orange County Department of Education. The grant program was established in 2014 to support teachers at eligible schools who were enhancing the traditional classroom experience by providing creative and technology-based curriculum for their students. Since its inception...

Greater Irvine Chamber Members Nominated for OCBJ 2020 Innovator of the Year Awards

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

A number of individuals from Greater Irvine Chamber member companies have been nominated for the Orange County Business Journal’s 2020 Innovator of the Year Awards. The program recognizes and celebrates individuals and their organizations who are creating game-changing products and services, and who demonstrate brilliance and leadership in innovation. Chamber member nominees include: Ahmad Malkawi, Global Telecom Engineering Bob Wolpert, Golden State Foods Scott Hamilton, NextWorks Strategy–Executive Next Practices Institute Michael Dennin, University of California, Irvine Ville Houttu, Vincit Dr. Anthony Lee, Westcliff University The award program will be presented digitally Thursday, Sept. 24. For more information and to register, visit OCBJ.com/BizEvents.

OC Emergency Childcare Task Force to Deliver Essential Supplies to Everyday Heroes

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Orange County Emergency Childcare Task Force, formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is collaborating to bring much needed essential supplies to childcare providers who are still open and providing care to essential workers. The task force is facilitated by Early Childhood OC and includes First 5 Orange County, Children’s Home Society of California, Orange County Department of Education, Local Child Development and Planning Council, Community Care Licensing, Orange County Social Services Agency, and Pretend City Children’s Museum. The Emergency Childcare Taskforce was formed to ensure during the COVID-19 pandemic that our most vulnerable children would still have access t...

Irvine Orange County Emerging as Global Leader in Tech & Cybersecurity

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber, as published in the Aug. 24 issue of the Orange County Business Journal. Orange County has long been known for its dominance in medical device across multiple healthcare industries. More recently, the county’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector has emerged as a leader in Southern California, horizontally impacting most industries, including technology and medical technology. The key components to creating a strong AI ecosystem are universities, specific industries in both tech and MedTech, organizations that can provide leadership, entrepreneurs, and capital. Orange County — bolstered in these areas by two key players, UCI Beall Applied Innovatio...

241/91 Express Connector Project Enters Final Design Phase, Marking Important Project Milestone

Monday, August 24, 2020

The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Board of Directors has advanced the contracted engineering work to complete the 241/91 Express Connector Project’s final design phase. The phase is anticipated to last until 2022, with construction expected to commence in 2023 and completion scheduled for 2025. “This project is going to make a huge difference for commuters in the region. I’m so pleased with the work that’s been done to move this effort forward and to see the project enter the next phase toward construction, which will create 2,250 jobs,” said Christina Shea, F/ETCA Chairwoman and Mayor of Irvine. The 241/91 Express Connecto...

UCI Develops Low-Cost, Accurate COVID-19 Antibody Detection Platform

Monday, August 24, 2020

A robust, low-cost imaging platform utilizing lab-on-a-chip technology created by University of California, Irvine—a gold-level Leaders Circle member of the Greater Irvine Chamber—scientists may be available for rapid coronavirus diagnostic and antibody testing throughout the nation by the end of the year. The UCI system can go a long way toward the deployment of a vaccine for COVID-19 and toward reopening the economy, as both require widespread testing for the virus and its antibodies. So far, antibody testing in the U.S. has been too inaccurate or expensive to reach the necessary numbers. But UCI investigators Weian Zhao, Per Niklas Hedde, Enrico Gratton...

A Digital Shift for Corporate Social Responsibility

Thursday, August 20, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social purpose are key in ensuring relevancy for your company. According to Deloitte’s 2018 Global Human Capital Trends report, both consumers and employees judge businesses “on the basis of their relationships with their workers, their customers, and their communities, as well as their impact on society at large—transforming them from business enterprises into social enterprises.” That is, doing good is good for business, whether it be for equity, relief, or just building better, stronger communities. And with the ongoing pandemic crisis creating uncertainty for all, it’s now more important than ever to support ou...

Wells Fargo Works With Community Organizations to Find Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing

Thursday, August 20, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, nearly one-third of U.S. households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and 18 million commit more than 50% for a safe place to live. Combating the affordable housing crisis is a long game and municipalities, developers, and community organizations are working together to find innovative and scalable solutions to address local and national housing affordability concerns. In 2019, Wells Fargo — a gold-level Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber — committed $1 billion in philanthropy through 2025 to address the U.S. housing affordability crisis, including homelessness...

Greater Irvine Chamber Board Members Nominated for OCBJ 2020 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Greater Irvine Chamber past chair of the board of directors Dan Han, founder, Agapay, and board member Ville Houttu, founder and CEO, Vincit, have been nominated for the Orange County Business Journal’s 2020 Excellence in Entrepreneurship awards. Also nominated was Chamber member Greg Krueger, founder, Uplift Transport. The awards were created to recognize individuals who exemplify the American entrepreneurial spirit – individuals who, by their creativity and determination, have established and nurtured successful business ventures. Delivered digitally, the awards program will air on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 2:00 p.m. For more information on the OCBJ 2020 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards and to register fo...

Octane Announces 2020 High Tech Awards Finalists

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Octane, a gold-level Leaders Circle member of the Greater Irvine Chamber, recently announced the finalists for its 2020 High Tech Awards, which celebrate and recognize individuals and companies that make Orange County a center of technology and medical technology innovation. The finalists by category are: Best Consumer Technology Innovation CalAmp Intellivision iPill Dispenser Pretika Corporation Wing AI Technology Best Enterprise or B2B Technology Innovation Cytellix Corporation Concise HOTB Software Smart Energy Water Best Small Technology Company CEO Centercode CISOSHARE Invoy Specright Best Technology Company Leadership Team INK Games Kofax MeridianLink Vincit* Deal of the Year Finalists Synoptek Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Outstanding Emerging Technology Company CuraPatient Eyedaptic Fluxergy Menlo Micro Outstanding Innovation in MedTech/LifeSciences 11 Health AIVITA Biomedical Ivantis LensGen Outstanding Small Technology Company NowRx Ocutrx Vision Technologies Restaurant365 Verb Technology VC of the Year Cove Fund II Okapi Ventures Visionary Venture Capital Octane High Tech Award...

Another Stretch Lab Debuts in Irvine

Monday, August 17, 2020

(Orange County Register) StretchLab, a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has opened a second Irvine location – a fitness boutique at Irvine Spectrum Center. The studio will introduce people of all ages and fitness levels to a variety of personalized stretching services led by trained “Flexologists.” StretchLab Irvine Spectrum is owned by Darrin Yee and Melissa Walls. This is the first of two studios the duo plans to open this year, according to a statement. The franchise is part of Irvine-based fitness franchise giant Xponential Fitness. The chain includes brands such as Club Pilates, CycleBar, Row House, and AKT, a dance-based cardio workout. Extr...

UC Irvine Lab Makes Coronavirus-Crippling Molecule, a First Step Toward a New Drug

Monday, August 17, 2020

(Orange County Register) A team of chemists at UC Irvine — a gold-level Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber — have created a molecule that acts as a false key to latch onto an enzyme needed by the coronavirus to reproduce. The recently announced discovery could be an important first step in developing a drug to treat COVID-19. James Nowick, a professor of chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences who runs a lab that specializes in building molecules, described the coronavirus enzyme as a lock. “The natural molecules that the enzyme binds to are sort of like keys that fit the lock and ca...

New UCI Health Center for Advanced Care to Provide Greater Access to World-Class Care

Thursday, August 13, 2020

The University of California, Irvine – a Greater Irvine Chamber gold-level Leaders Circle member – is bringing world-class healthcare services to coastal and southern Orange County with plans to build the UCI Health Center for Advanced Care, which will be home to the Center for Children’s Health, adult specialty care, urgent care, and other services needed in the region for the entire family. The 168,000-square-foot UCI Health Center for Advanced Care will be located in Irvine on Jamboree Road at the Birch Street intersection, in an undeveloped part of UCI’s North Campus area. This location will give residents greater accessibility t...

Companies that Export Access Streamlined Documentation Processing Through Greater Irvine Chamber’s Online Services

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber provides opportunities for companies to grow through exporting, from staff and international development committee support and tailored programming presented as part of the Orange County World Trade Week Forum to export documentation services. On May 1, the Chamber launched its online export documentation processing services, replacing the walk-in process. Since then, more than 100 documents have been processed for companies including Ampronix, Biolase, CTC Global, Edwards Lifesciences, General Motors Systems, Masimo, and MedAlliance to name a few. Processed documents were for the exportation of goods to Saudi Arabia (14%), China (11%), Kuwait (10%), Vietnam (9%), and the Netherlands (7%). Other countries made up the remaining 49%. Companies utilizing the online services were split among Greater Irvine Chamber members at 46% and non-members a...

MemorialCare and PRN Partner to Operate Largest Regional Network of Comprehensive, Full-Service Physical Therapy Centers

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

MemorialCare, a prominent nonprofit Southern California integrated health system with more than 200 care locations, and Physical Rehabilitation Network, LLC, (PRN) entered into a joint venture partnership to operate 17 community-based, full-service physical therapy centers. The centers offer an array of physical, occupational, sports medicine, and other services in Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties. Ten additional centers are planned over the next two years. These freestanding centers—primarily under PRN’s flagship California Rehabilitation & Sports Therapy (Cal Rehab) brand—augment MemorialCare hospital programs and expand MemorialCare’s capacity to annually support more than 300,000 medical rehabilitation patient visits and approximately 40,000 patients o...

UCI Researchers Launch First-of-its-Kind Coronavirus Statistics Portal

Monday, August 10, 2020

(UCI News) Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have unveiled a public website that provides up-to-date statistics on coronavirus infections in Orange County, with comparisons to neighboring and other California counties. The site displays information collected from the California Open Data Portal in an easily comprehended format, giving visitors quick access to the most relevant data on hospitalized patients with COVID-19, intensive care unit patients, new daily cases, and new daily deaths caused by the disease. It also offers color-coded Orange County maps, produced by UCI assistant professor of public health Daniel Parker, that show spatial patterns of growth in th...

Edwards on Upswing as Surgeries Rebound

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Hospital operations across the U.S. continue to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, but heart valve maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp. is optimistic that its patients will get the necessary treatments for their life-threatening health conditions as the year goes on. “We’ve had it proven to us with our own eyes that our patients are not going to be postponed or delayed,” Chief Executive Mike Mussallem told the Business Journal on July 28, noting the resourcefulness of hospitals that took swift action to reschedule postponed elective procedures. “The back half of the year will be better than what we experience...

UCI Establishes School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Monday, August 03, 2020

The University of California, Irvine Board of Regents voted to establish the UCI School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, elevating the program started in 2006 to full-school status. It is only the third school of its type in the UC system. This nascent school is a critical part of the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences. Its distinguished faculty and talented students will teach, research, and learn at the cutting edge of their disciplines and contribute to the delivery of outstanding integrative healthcare to patients across our region and, ultimately, across the nation. Under the leadership of Founding Dean Ja...

Transportation Corridor Agencies Reaches Significant Construction Milestone on Bridge Project

Thursday, July 23, 2020

All six lanes – three in each direction – of Oso Parkway at the 241 Toll Road are open to drivers, marking a significant construction milestone for the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Oso Parkway Bridge Project. Sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes on both sides are also open. Crews constructed the Oso Parkway Bridge overcrossing one half at a time, while maintaining drive-through access for commuters and residents. Intermittent daytime lane closures may be necessary over the next few weeks to install traffic detection loops, create permanent striping and relocate traffic signals at each end of the project area. “With the state’s stay-at-home orders du...

Pretend City Announces Reopening June 26

Thursday, June 25, 2020

The Pretend City Children’s Museum will reopen on June 26. The museum has developed a comprehensive reopening plan that expands on ten years of experience operating as a clean, safe, and fun learning environment. Those principles, Clean - Safe - Fun, will continue to guide operations as guests are welcomed back. “We know that children need play now more than ever," said Board Chair Erin Boyl. “Our team is excited to reopen in a safe way so we can provide much needed respite for families in Southern California. We can’t wait to see the smiling faces and hear the laughter o...

Bryan Starr Touts Irvine’s Resilience in Irvine Standard

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

(As published in the Irvine Standard) Strong communities are made up of resilient and innovative individuals and businesses – those that courageously continue to work to find solutions, especially during times of crisis. Irvine is perhaps better positioned to weather disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic than any other city. The visionary Irvine Master Plan, established 60 years ago, and responsible city management throughout our city’s history has laid the groundwork for the best possible outcome of these unprecedented circumstances. World-Class Health Care Irvine is further bolstered by world-class health care institutions and medical personnel – all that are addressing COVID-19 and coming u...

Charles Antis of Antis Roofing Leads Ronald McDonald House Adoption Campaign

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Through an initiative led by Charles Antis, founder and CEO, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, 165 Ronald McDonald Houses across the U.S. have been adopted by members of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NCRA). A board member of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House, Antis serves as co-chair of a capital campaign to expand the house. As part of his board service, he offered to maintain and care for the roof of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House. Also an active member of the National Roofing Contractors Association, Antis was inspired to foster a partnership between the two organizations, calling on roofin...

Orange County Soccer Club & Unite Health Share Ministries Team Up to Donate Game Tickets to Families

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC), announced a partnership with, Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM) – a faith-based health care nonprofit, to launch its latest initiative, the OCSC Community Corner. The OCSC Community Corner, supported by UHSM, is a season-long outreach program that provides nonprofit organizations tickets to every OCSC regular-season home game to share with the children and families they serve. “We’re looking forward to bringing families together at OCSC games through this new program. As an Orange County native, I am delighted to help other local nonprofit establishments give back to our incredible community,” said Christopher Jin, president of UHSM. “A...

Kaiser Begins Reopening Closed Clinics in Orange County, Starting With La Palma

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(Orange County Register) Kaiser Permanente is starting to re-open medical offices in Orange County that it shuttered in March, when the coronavirus pandemic was expected to swamp local hospitals. The company said this week that it reopened its medical office in La Palma to staff, and is preparing to let patients back to other temporarily shuttered local clinics. A few specialty departments at the La Palma clinic — ophthalmology, optometry, pediatrics, and podiatry — opened Monday, June 8, and family medicine opened Wednesday, said Kaiser spokesman John Stratman. “La Palma staff are slowly returning back to work as we gradually reopen to full capacity,&rdquo...

UCI Leads $10 Million Personal Data Privacy Center

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) The University of California-Irvine will lead a $10 million research center aimed at protecting personal data privacy. The center, funded by the National Science Foundation, will be hosted by UCI and will collaborate with Northeastern University, the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California and Spain’s IMDEA Networks Institute. “It is an honor and responsibility to lead one of NSF's signature projects to address the timely and important problem of personal data protection on the internet,” said principal investigator Athina Markopoulou, professor and chairperson of the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at UCI. The researchers will addres...

A Healthy Market for Healthcare Development

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Orange County has seen a consistent batch of new office product built over the latter part of the latest market cycle, adding several million square feet of high-end inventory in markets including Irvine, Tustin, and Newport Center. The cycle has been a boon to multifamily developers, too, with thousands of mid-rise units springing up in former commercial spots across the county. With a pandemic-created recession now in its early stages, and questions over the length and severity of its impact, a different sector looks poised to withstand a likely decline in new construction: healthcare. Several billion dollars’ worth o...

Irvine Co. Presses on with Development

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine Co. has been Orange County’s most active commercial developer the past year and over the past decade. Don’t expect that to change in the next year. The Newport Beach-based firm still appears full speed ahead with a pair of office projects in the Irvine Spectrum area totaling close to 900,000 square feet. The second phase of the firm’s Spectrum Terrace office project, a three-building, roughly 345,000-square-foot collection of high-end buildings, has seen steady work over the past few months with a heavy base of workers—all practicing social distancing and other safety measures. A few miles away, near the intersectio...

Larry L. Zeiber Leads Philanthropic Wave of Support for City of Hope Orange County

Monday, June 08, 2020

Larry L. Zeiber has joined City of Hope as the vice president of philanthropy for Orange County, where he is leading fundraising for the $1 billion world-class campus underway in Irvine. The much-anticipated campus will feature the latest in cancer research and treatment, changing the way cancer care is delivered across the region. “City of Hope’s medical breakthroughs are fueled by generous philanthropic donations. That generosity thrives in Orange County, where we have already seen incredible enthusiasm from many diverse donors,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer, City of Hope. “With Larry on board, we now have a driving force wh...

Blu-Ray Disc Lasers Could Help Kill the Coronavirus, According to UC Irvine Researchers

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

(LA Times) UC Irvine researchers are investigating whether the lasers inside Blu-ray players can be used as a disinfectant to fight the spread of the Coronavirus. UCI professor Chris Barty, who is leading the research team, envisions lasers in ventilation systems disinfecting the air, lasers as small as a key fob that could be used to sanitize hands and lasers built into face masks that clean the air as it filters through. “You can imagine many many ways you could deploy the technology if it’s cheap enough,” Barty said. When combined with special crystals, the Blu-ray lasers can convert to UVC light, which ha...

Edwards Adds Another Office to Portfolio

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Orange County’s largest publicly traded company, has added another office building to its rapidly expanding headquarters campus. The medical device maker recently completed the purchase of 3009 Daimler St., a roughly 52,000-square-foot building that sits on the Santa Ana side of Alton Parkway, near Red Hill Avenue. Edwards’ main campus is in Irvine. $65M+ of Deals Edwards makes products for treating structural heart disease, specializing in artificial heart valves, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring devices. It’s valued at nearly $45 billion; its shares are up some 30% over the past year. It has been an activ...

Jorge Mora Named Greater Irvine Chamber May 2020 Member of the Month

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

Jorge Mora, business development consultant, KTimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber May 2020 Member of the Month. “Hands down, the most significant benefit that I’ve received as a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber are the relationships I’ve made. I have had the pleasure of meeting some phenomenal individuals across a wide variety of professions and have the privilege of now calling many of them friends,” said Mora. “I’ve also been very successful converting some leads into new business. I highly recommend the Chamber to anyone looking to meet top-notch professionals.” A member since 2019, Mora has regularly attended Networker...

Jennifer Annes Named Greater Irvine Chamber April 2020 Member of the Month

Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Jennifer Annes, director of business development, Enterprise Data Solutions, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber April 2020 Member of the Month. “In my time as a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber, I have learned the value, integrity, heart, and mind of the many people who work and live in this community each and every day. They are true collaborators and mentors, and together we are making a difference,” said Annes. “When you have this type of impact, your business is better, your communities are better, and there is more to go around for everyone.” Since joining the Chamber in 2018...

Tough Times: Real Help Right Now Episode 1 - HR

Monday, April 06, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber's new video series, Tough Times: Real Help Right Now, features industry experts in the greater Irvine business community providing a deep dive into real-time, relevant, and essential information for businesses as they respond to the current global health crisis. This episode features human resources expert Brian Montes of Scaleocity Works as he provides tips and tools to navigate daily business changes. Stay tuned for future episodes of the Crisis Management & Recovery Strategies for Small Business series. Resources provided by speaker: Company Property Policy Template Forgiveable Small Business Loan Information Sheet Sample Furlough Letter Content provided by volunteer presenters for this video series doe...

Greater Irvine Chamber Members Are Eligible for Rewards for Booking Group Meetings at Irvine Hotels

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Destination Irvine’s Loyalty Pays Off program offers exclusive rewards to Greater Irvine Chamber members that book group meetings in Irvine. Groups booking 10-30 rooms total earn $300 toward their hotel account, groups booking 31-74 rooms total earn $500, and groups booking 75+ rooms earn $750. Participating Irvine hotels include, AC Hotel, Atrium Hotel, Candlewood Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Irvine Airport, Courtyard Irvine Spectrum, DoubleTree by Hilton, Irvine Spectrum, Embassy Suites Irvine, Extended Stay America - Irvine Spectrum, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Irvine, Homewood Suites, John Wayne Airport, Hotel Irvine, Hyatt House, Irvine Marriott, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Irvine Spectrum, Marriot...

Irvine’s Modern Stays and International Culinary Venues Featured in Popular Pacific Northwest Magazine

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Irvine’s modern, recently renovated Hotel Irvine, and one-of-a-kind international shopping and dining center Diamond Jamboree were highlighted in the March 2020 issue of Northwest50Plus magazine. The feature detailed the palm tree-lined pool at Hotel Irvine, which can be enjoyed on the nearly 300 days of warm, sunny Southern California weather, as well as the facilities expansive ballroom and Red Bar lounge. Also included in the feature was Diamond Jamboree’s wide variety of international food options, highlighting the city’s many cultures. “Everyone knows California is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and it's evident in Orange County. One of my favorite ventures wa...

Innovation Drives Orange County’s World-Renowned Cancer Care and Healthcare

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber Innovation is the key to Orange County’s exceptional healthcare and is what sets our healthcare and its delivery far apart from other parts of the nation and the world. Patients accessing healthcare in Irvine, from routine maintenance to advanced disease treatment, receive top care delivered by some of the world’s most expert practitioners using the latest science and technology. The following are some of the ways Greater Irvine Chamber-partner healthcare institutions are at the leading edge of medical research and patient care in Irvine and Orange County. Cancer Care City of Hope, named the bes...

UCI is No. 1 Among MONEY Magazine’s Best Colleges in California

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

MONEY magazine has ranked the University of California, Irvine (UCI) No. 1 on its 2020 list of California’s Best Colleges. The university was also last year named the best college in the nation by MONEY. Colleges evaluated for inclusion on the list were scored on affordability, quality of education, and student outcomes. The youngest university admitted to the Association of American Universities, UCI is a research institution founded in 1965 and is one of 10 campuses in the University of California public university system. The full price of attending UCI for the 2019-2020 school year is an estimated $35,500 for California residents...

UC Irvine Set to Start Construction on $185-Million Health Sciences Complex

Monday, February 24, 2020

UC Irvine will begin construction this month on a state-of-the-art 9-acre health sciences complex for integrative patient care, training, and research. The initial work will be site preparation, with groundbreaking expected later this year, probably in the fall, according to university spokesman Tom Vasich. The site — on the corner of Bison and California avenues adjacent to the UCI Research Park — will include a five-level, 108,200-square-foot building for the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences and an adjoining four-level, 71,500-square-foot building for the Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing. The health sciences building will house the Susan Samuel...

City of Hope Partners with Greater Irvine Chamber as First Ever Diamond-Level Leaders Circle Sponsor

Monday, December 30, 2019

City of Hope has renewed its community partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as the organization’s first ever Leaders Circle diamond-level sponsor. “City of Hope is answering a call to bring our breakthrough discoveries and specialized therapies closer to home, right here in Orange County. We are making tremendous progress, opening our medical office in Newport Beach in early 2020 and the comprehensive cancer campus in the heart of Irvine in 2021. These milestones are testimony to the power of our local partnerships, and our work with the Greater Irvine Chamber has been foundational to our success. Together, we share a visio...

HR Expert Shares Tools for Navigating Coronavirus Impact on Businesses

Monday, March 30, 2020

Tough Times: Real Help Right Now Episode 1 - HR In this series, industry experts in the greater Irvine business community deep dive into real-time, relevant, and essential information for businesses as they react to, respond to, and recover from the current global health crisis. The first episode in the series features human resources expert Brian Montes of Scaleocity Works. Resources: Company Property Policy Template Forgiveable Small Business Loan Information Sheet Sample Furlough Letter Surviving COVID-19 Crisis Presentation

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