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Parker Aerospace Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as Gold-Level Sponsor

Friday, September 13, 2019

Parker Aerospace, an operating group of Parker Hannifin Corporation, has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as a gold-level sponsor. Parker Aerospace has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2018. “Involvement with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a Leaders Circle sponsor provides Parker Aerospace with an opportunity to elevate our presence and engagement in the community, ensuring the future of Irvine’s position as a leader in the technology sector,” said Barry Draskovich, group vice president of program and contract management for the company. Parker Aerospace is a global leader in flight control actuation, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance...

Vincit CEO Ville Houttu Elected to Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Ville Houttu, CEO of Vincit, has been elected to serve on the 2019-2020 Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. “The Expansion of Vincit to Irvine has proven to be a good move from the start. Among my first exploratory experiences in the city was with the Greater Irvine Chamber. As the partnership has continued to develop, it’s fitting and an honor that I am able to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors,” Houttu said. “I look forward to bringing the perspective of the digital technology industry to the Chamber’s governance.” Houttu expanded his digital design and software development company from Finlan...

Concordia University Irvine’s Master’s Counseling Program Earns National Accreditation

Monday, September 09, 2019

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the national association that accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling offered by colleges and universities, has granted accreditation to the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Concordia University Irvine in partnership with the Townsend Institute. The voluntary accreditation assures that graduates have met the majority of the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a counselor in most states. After a multi-stage external review process, Concordia Irvine’s Master of Arts in Counseling program, as well as its curriculum and faculty, were found to have substantially meet th...

Antis Roofing Announces Executive Promotions

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Susan DeGrassi has been promoted to Vice President of Administration and Cause, and Aaron Antis has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Field Operations at Orange County-based Antis Roofing and Waterproofing. The announcements were made by Charles Antis, the company’s CEO. DeGrassi, well known in the Orange County community as Antis’ philanthropy representative, will assume added responsibility for Antis’ internal operations, including customer service and support, HR, IT and other administrative functions. DeGrassi, a veteran of the community management industry, spent 27 years with Merit Property Management (now First Service Residential,) the last seven as executive vice president. In 2017...

Orange County Soccer Club Signs Youngest Male Professional Player in US History

Monday, August 19, 2019

Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) announced the signing of 14-year-old standout Francis Jacobs, who becomes the youngest male to sign a professional contract in United States soccer history. The Laguna Beach native joins amid interest from multiple European clubs. “Francis is a special Orange County talent and has shown a maturity on the field way beyond his years,” said President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Oliver Wyss. “He is the perfect model of player to develop in our pathway to professional program that we have established here in Orange County. The entire organization is committed to providing him with guidance...

WNDE Moves Up 13 Spots in Top 200 of US Accounting Firms

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

White Nelson Diehl Evans LLP (WNDE), an accounting firm with offices in Irvine and San Diego, and a Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has made INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) annual ranking of the Nation’s Top 200 Accounting Firms for the seventh year in a row. The firm ranks 136 in this year’s IPA Top 200 list, having moved up 13 spots from the prior year’s ranking. Top IPA firms are ranked by U.S. net revenues and are compiled by analyzing the more than 550 responses received this year for IPA’s Survey and Analysis of Firms. This is IPA’s 29th annua...

Hoag Hospital Irvine Receives Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Quality Achievement Awards for Stroke

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Hoag Hospital Irvine announced it has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award highlights the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute’s Stroke Program’s commitment to ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines founded on the latest scientific evidence and recommendations. This is the eighth year Hoag Hospital Irvine has received the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, acknowledging Hoag’s role in reducing the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by th...

Concordia University Irvine’s Music Department Earns National Accreditation for First Time

Monday, August 12, 2019

Concordia University Irvine announced that its Music Department has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a nonprofit organization that establishes standards for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at conservatories, colleges, universities, and schools nationwide. This marks the first time that the School of Music has earned national accreditation. The accreditation process by the NASM, which included a multi-year comprehensive self-study and campus visits by NASM Board members, found that Concordia’s Music Department is a valued member of a group of institutions nationwide dedicated to the highest standards of student education and artistic values. “The NASM accreditation underscores ou...

Ingram Micro Renews Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Bronze-Level Sponsorship

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Ingram Micro has renewed its Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level sponsorship. Ingram Micro has been a bronze-level sponsor since 2018. Ingram Micro helps businesses maximize the value of the technology that they make, sell, or use. With its vast global infrastructure and focus on cloud, mobility, technology lifecycle, supply chain, and technology solutions, the company enables business partners to operate more efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Ingram Micro delivers a broad and deep spectrum of technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world, supporting global operations throughout North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, an...

Concordia University Irvine Names New Dean of the School Of Education

Monday, July 29, 2019

Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle member Concordia University Irvine (CUI) has appointed Kent Schlichtemeier, Ed.D. of Irvine as the new Dean of the School of Education. Schlichtemeier, who replaces retiring Dean Deborah Mercier effective July 1, 2019, has been serving as Assistant Dean of the School of Education at CUI since 2016. In his new role, Kent Schlichtemeier, Ed.D. will continue the School of Education’s mission to train teachers to go into the world and serve. Preparing educators is a Lutheran tradition foundational to Concordia University Irvine since it opened in 1976 as Christ College. “Dr. Kent Schlictemeier’s wide breadth of education...

OCTANe Accelerates Its Own Startup

Monday, July 22, 2019

Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle member OCTANe, best known for its role as a business accelerator for area technology and life science companies, has laid the groundwork for a new company – OCTANe Enterprise Solutions (OES). OES will provide early-stage and mid-stage companies access to strategic and institutional capital, as well as connections to family offices looking to invest in innovation-focused companies, and a private investor network. The new entity is already operational, according to Bill Carpou, chief executive of OCTANe. It also has a president, who will remain unidentified until a trio of investors in the new company are finalized; one unname...

David Feldberg Earns 2019-Q2 Rainmaker Award with More Than $1 Million in Closed Business

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

David Feldberg has earned the Greater Irvine Chamber’s title of Rainmaker for the second quarter in 2019 with $1,392,244 in closed business. His performance in the Wednesday Leads Group contributed to the group’s total of $2,184,637, making it the top-earning Leads Groups for total closed business during the period. “As a direct result of joining the Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Group, I have referred and closed some great business,” said Feldberg. “My number one priority is keeping my clients happy. Through the Leads Group program I have had the opportunity to connect my clients with fellow professionals that I know, like, an...

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land Accepting Nominations for Cox Conserves Heroes Awards

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land have opened the nomination process for the Cox Conserves Heroes program. The program serves to honor environmental volunteers who create, preserve, or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities. Celebrating its 11th year, the Cox Conserves Heroes program accepts nominations in nine select markets: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington. A panel of local and environmental leaders will select the winner in each market. The winners will then become candidates for the national title. In Orange County and Palos Verdes, the Cox Conserves Heroes program is supported by Co...

TCA Boards of Directors Approve FY20 Capital Improvement Plan

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

At its regularly scheduled board meeting, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) unanimously approved the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Orange County’s 51-miles of Toll Roads. The CIP is updated annually and details the status, cost and schedule of capital projects that ensure a free flow condition is maintained on the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads. Currently, more than $140 million in local partnership projects – Oso Parkway Bridge and Los Patrones Parkway – are under construction, with funding provided by TCA. Th...

Diamond Jamboree Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as a bronze-level sponsor. A member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2006, Diamond Jamboree in June joined the Leaders Circle group for opportunities to become further involved in the Irvine community as the shopping center continues to expand its diverse food, retail, and entertainment offerings to the Orange County area. Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center is an international retail center located in Irvine at Alton Pkwy. and Jamboree Rd., where residents and visitors meet for a range of services and dining options to please every palate. A unique Southern Californi...

Irvine Organizations, Individuals Presented with Annual Business Awards at Celebrate Irvine

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber formally recognized organizations and individuals in Irvine for community service, volunteerism, and the best traditions of good corporate citizenship during the organization’s Celebrate Irvine luncheon, hosted in partnership with the City of Irvine. “The work of organizations throughout Irvine are a vital component of the Irvine Master Plan. Set forth more than half a century ago, the Master Plan ensures economic prosperity in our region,” said Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “We are proud to recognize a few of the many organizations and individuals who are achieving excellence while making significant contributions to th...

Bruce Greenberg Named Greater Irvine Chamber June Member of the Month

Friday, June 28, 2019

Bruce Greenberg of Bruce Greenburg Consulting, has been named the June 2019 Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month. “I’ve learned so much about organization and networking over the last 29 years of membership in the Chamber,” Greenberg said. “The Chamber opened the door to millions of dollars in revenue based on the relationships I developed here.” Since joining the Chamber in 1990, Greenberg has been involved with various Chamber groups including the Spirit of Irvine Committee, Finance Committee, Cybersecurity Task Force, and, the Wednesday Leads Group, where he recently became a co-chair. He also served on the Chamber’s Board of Director...

Thousands of Community Members Gather at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine to Celebrate Opening of Great Park Trails

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

FivePoint, along with the City of Irvine, celebrated the opening of Great Park Trails by gathering thousands of community members to exchange high-fives along the entire length of the nearly 1.5-mile trail during the June 15 Great High Five and Bosque Celebration. The region’s newest trail, park, and natural landscape was built and funded by FivePoint, and is now owned and operated by the City of Irvine within the Orange County Great Park. “A high-five is a symbol of celebration and congratulations – and we congratulate the City of Irvine for setting the tone and taking leadership as a city to demonstrat...

Anthony Cosenza Named Greater Irvine Chamber May Member of the Month

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Anthony Consenza, MBA and online degree admissions counselor and recruiter for Concordia University, Irvine, has been named the May 2019 Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month. Consenza’s recognition follows his continued involvement in Chamber events and activities since joining in 2011. “The business connections, building of a solid business referral network, and ability to develop professionally have all been invaluable resources from my membership with the Greater Irvine Chamber,” Consenza said. Cosenza has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2017, and chaired the organization’s Emerging Business Leaders Council for two years. Cosenza is a regular attendee at Chamber signature events...

Jeannine Arrington Named Greater Irvine Chamber April Member of the Month

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Jeannine Arrington, of LegalShield, has been named the April 2019 Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month. Arrington’s continued involvement in Chamber events and activities have earned her the recognition. “The Greater Irvine Chamber has been beneficial in many ways, from growing my network and becoming more comfortable speaking in public, to growing professionally. I truly enjoy meeting new people at the many events and committees the Chamber has to offer, and helping people grow their business is very fun and rewarding,” Arrington said. Arrington has regularly attended Chamber signature events including Business Outlook, Orange County World Trade Week, Celebrate Irvine, Legend...

Joe Alvarez Named Greater Irvine Chamber March 2019 Member of the Month

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

Joe Alvarez, a cybersecurity specialist for Cybersecurity and Cost Management Group, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month for March 2019. Alvarez has become increasingly engaged in Chamber activities and groups since becoming a member in 2016. Joining the Ambassadors Committee and moving on to become a Team Lead for the group, he takes the lead role in welcoming new members to the Chamber and helping existing members remain active and involved. Recently, Alvarez was appointed to the Leads Group Task Force as a networking trainer. In this role, he trains all Leads Group participants on networking tip...

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