Orange County continues to be a beacon of economic growth, innovation and opportunity. Looking back on a remarkable year, it's clear that strategic investments are continuing to drive this region forward.

Brilliant Future Philanthropic Campaign Now Totals $1.9 Billion

It has been a banner fiscal year for the Santa Ana-headquartered Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County

The visionary Related Bristol mixed-use redevelopment project in south Santa Ana has taken a significant step forward, as it was unanimously recommended for approval by the City’s Planning Commission in a 7-0 vote after a public hearing in August

Earlier this year, the Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County (SBDC-OC) got the good news it had been waiting for – the science behind an ocean-powered innovation was state-verified, giving the development corporation surety in backing financing for the new technology’s startup, Seatrec

Company announces $1-billion share repurchase

Santa Ana-headquartered First American Financial Corporation is a premier provider of title, settlement and risk solutions for real estate transactions and a leader in the digital transformation of its industry

Headquartered in San Diego, JLM Real Estate, a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm, has launched a new office near the Irvine Spectrum Center at 101 Pacifica

The City of Irvine recently provided media and civic leaders with an exclusive look at Great Park Live, the temporary amphitheater that officially opened in Irvine this past June

Newport Beach-based Hoag has named Caroline Pereira president of the Hoag Hospital Foundation, the health system’s philanthropic arm

A team from Irvine-headquartered law firm Knobbe Martens served as IP counsel to Paragonix in the deal

For longtime banker Jeffrey Redeker, challenges in the financial sector created a unique opportunity

Rochon currently serves as president of the University of Southern Indiana

OC grows in real estate, automotive, medical tech and more

L.A.Times B2B Publishing presents the fastest growing public companies headquartered in Orange County. Companies needed to have at least $20 million in revenue for 2023 to qualify and were ranked by revenue growth from 2022 to 2023.

Iconic OC Luxury Destination to Transition Brand Identity to St. Regis

Jeff Carrick, partner at BPM LLP, is redefining leadership in the accounting industry with a focus on work-life balance, community impact and modern professional practices.

Based in Irvine, California, Richard Cabrera serves as executive vice president and head of commercial banking at Umpqua Bank, one of the top 30 publicly traded banks in the U.S.

Jimmy Cusimano, a wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual - Orange County, brings over 16 years of experience guiding business owners, physicians and professionals toward financial security and growth.

Chad Shaw is a private wealth advisor and founding partner of MST Financial, a prominent wealth management and insurance services practice based in Irvine, California. He is recognized for his innovation and dedication to continuous learning.

Vicky Hammond, managing principal at Coreland Companies, leads one of California’s top commercial real estate service firms, overseeing the leasing and management of over 12 million square feet of retail properties.

John Hundley is an executive managing director at Newmark, based in the firm’s San Diego, California office. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in multi-market landlord and tenant advisory within the life science and technology industries.

Brian K. Malliet is the founder, CEO and chief investment officer of BKM Capital Partners, leading its investment committee since 2013. Under his leadership, BKM has grown into one of the premier owners and operators of multitenant light industrial properties in the western United States with a portfolio of 60 assets valued at over $2.

Justin McMahon, senior vice president at JLL, brings 15 years of retail broker-age experience to his role. Since joining JLL in 2019, he has excelled in marketing and leasing high-quality shopping centers, focusing on power and neighborhood centers across Orange County and Southern California.

Kurt Strasmann is the executive managing director of CBRE in Orange County, leading a team of 400 employees and overseeing $7.6 billion in transactional value and 30 million square feet of property. His leadership has positioned CBRE's Orange County office as one of the firm's largest operations in the Americas.

Bud Pharris is the senior managing director, West Region at Link Logistics, where he oversees the operational performance of approximately 143 million square feet of logistics real estate, encompassing leasing, property operations, and construction management.

Visionaries in the education and nonprofit sectors are pioneering transformative change by expanding access to learning and empowering underserved communities.

Dr. Pooja Bhalla, DNP, RN, is the CEO of Illumination Foundation, a leading Orange County-based nonprofit committed to disrupting the cycle of homelessness in Southern California. Since joining in 2017, she has significantly expanded the organization's impact, focusing on housing and healthcare services for underserved populations.

Bryan Crain serves as the president of Orange County Rescue Mission, a faith-based nonprofit providing comprehensive services to help homeless men, women, veterans and children achieve self-sufficiency.

LaVal Brewer, president & CEO of South County Outreach (SCO), has dedicated his 30+ year nonprofit career to solving systemic issues of hunger and homelessness. Under his leadership, SCO has navigated record demand, expanding services by 20%. In 2023, SCO distributed over 700,000 pounds of food, serving nearly 2,000 children and over 650 seniors.

Jessica Hubbard is the chief executive officer of Casa Youth Shelter, where she draws on her personal and professional experiences to support and empower youth in crisis. Since joining Casa Youth Shelter in January 2020, she has significantly enhanced the organization’s programs.

Madelynn Hirneise is the chief executive officer of Families Forward, a leading organization dedicated to addressing family homelessness in Orange County.

Farah Delance Linot is the dynamic president of the Farah Delance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization based in New York dedicated to women’s empowerment through girls’ education, combating violence against women and advocating for gender equality and equity.

As co-founder and CEO of EverFree, Kelsey Morgan brings over 14 years of experience in the antitrafficking field to her leadership role at the Orange County-based nonprofit. Under her guidance, EverFree is dedicated to eradicating human trafficking worldwide through innovative, survivor-centered approaches.

In 2004, Debora Wondercheck founded the Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), an award-winning nonprofit that provides equitable performing arts education to students of all ages and backgrounds. Her personal journey began when her mother fled an abusive relationship, taking only their instruments.

In 2024, Lucy Santana celebrated 25 years as CEO of Girls Inc. of Orange County (GIOC), where her visionary leadership significantly expanded the organization’s impact. Under her guidance, GIOC grew from serving 1,500 girls in 2001 to 9,000 in 2024, increasing services by nearly 15%.

Michelle Wulfestieg, executive director of the Southern California Hospice Foundation, has significantly impacted end-of-life care in Orange County. Her visionary leadership culminated in the establishment of the Heavenly Home, O.C.’s first nonprofit hospice care home, following a successful $2-million endowment fund campaign.

Karin Koch is shaping Orange County's future as a premier life sciences hub through her leadership as executive director of University Lab Partners (ULP), the first nonprofit life sciences wet lab incubator in the region.

A dedicated entrepreneur, board member and champion for the community, Letitia (Tish) Berbaum co-founded The Zandbergen Group in 2020 and serves a dynamic array of entrepreneurs, multi-generational families, divorcees and widows.

Clifton Albright, president of Albright, Yee & Schmit, is a prominent labor and employment law attorney based in Downtown Los Angeles. He made headlines as the first attorney to win a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services regarding its Public Health Service Training Program in the case of United States of America v.

Marc H. Garelick, a partner at Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, LLP, in Irvine, California, is a highly respected family law attorney known for his compassionate and dedicated representation of high-asset and high-income clients throughout the state. In addition to his legal practice, he contributes to various community and professional organizations.

Jeff Greenberg is the founder and CEO of FUGU Corporation, a leading force in digital education through its flagship platform, SkillTrain. This platform supports a range of popular online universities and boasts over 500,000 students, offering millions of hours of immersive education, testing and certification.

Stephanie Leslie co-founded Regal Court Reporting in 2007, driven by her passion to elevate the standards of the court reporting field. With over 20 years of experience in depositions, arbitrations, court hearings and trials, she has transformed the perception of court reporting from an antiquated profession to a modern and essential service.

Manuel J. Ramirez is chairman of the board/partner in charge at RJI CPAs with over 40 years of experience in finance, accounting and business consulting. His career began in public accounting in 1981, and he has since held key roles at Price Waterhouse and RJI CPAs, where he served as president and CEO until 2013 and then as chairman of the board.

David Robinson, the executive partner of Holland & Knight’s Newport Beach office, exemplifies a commitment to both legal excellence and community service in Orange County. His leadership has driven significant growth in the office and integrated practice offerings across the firm’s western locations.

Megan Yoo Schneider, currently serving as client account leadership at Accenture, drives industry transformation for clients in the utilities, energy, natural resources and automotive sectors.