News

AT&T, Verizon Pause Some New 5G After Airlines Raise Alarm

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

(Orange County Register) AT&T and Verizon will delay launching new wireless service near key airports after the nation’s largest airlines said the service would interfere with aircraft technology and cause widespread flight disruptions. The decision from the companies came Jan. 18 as the Biden administration intervened to broker tried to broker a settlement between the telecoms and airlines over a rollout of new 5G service. The companies said they would launch 5G or fifth-generation service Jan. 19, but they will delay turning on 5G cell towers within a 2-mile radius of runways designated by federal officials. They did not say how long the...

BIA SoCal Nominees Lucy Dunn, Emile Haddad to be Inducted in Building Industry's Hall of Fame

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) announced two of its nominees have been selected into the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) Hall of Fame 2022. On June 21, 2022 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco the new inductees will join over 200 men and women who have been recognized for their exemplary contributions to the building industry. The CHF was founded in 1985 and has since annually honored upstanding individuals in various fields who display leadership, innovation and philanthropy. These industry trailblazers ignite passion and dedication in their respective fields, while continuing their commitment to CHF's mission of forward-looking goals and building on the next generation. BIASC i...

Government Launched Program for 4 Free COVID Tests Per Household, 5 Things to Know

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

(Los Angeles Times) By Anumita Kaur The federal website to order free rapid coronavirus tests went live on Jan. 18, ahead of its scheduled Jan. 19 launch. ORDER FREE TEST KIT Covidtests.gov is an attempt by the Biden administration to remedy nationwide shortages of such at-home tests, with the president pledging the government will provide millions of such kits to Americans for free in coming months. Here’s what you need to know about ordering at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government’s website: 1. The process is simple The first thing to know: The website is already taking orders. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that the website was i...

Microsoft to Buy Activision Blizzard in All-Cash Deal Valued at $75 Billion

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

(The Wall Street Journal) Microsoft Corp. agreed to buy Irvine-based Activision Blizzard Inc. in an all-cash deal valued at about $75 billion, using its largest acquisition by far to grab a videogame heavyweight that has been roiled by claims of workplace misconduct. Blizzard Entertainment is headquartered in Irvine. The deal, if completed, would sharply expand Microsoft’s already sizable videogame operation, adding a stable of popular game franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush to Microsoft’s Xbox console business and its own games like Minecraft and Doom. Microsoft said the transaction would make it the world’s third-largest gaming company b...

Misty Bond Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Professional Staff

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Misty Bond has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber professional staff as Director of Sales and Marketing for Destination Irvine. In this role, she will lead the sales mission and marketing initiatives for the destination. “I’m excited to partner with our hotels, venues, restaurants, and local attractions and showcase everything that Irvine has to offer,” Bond said. Prior to joining the Chamber staff, over her 12-year tenure with Marriott International, Bond held sales and event planning leadership roles at hotels in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Anaheim, and Irvine. “Misty brings extensive local, regional, and global hotel sales experience, which is advantageous to enhance Irvine's destination profile,” said Bryan Starr...

Irvine Schools Ranked The Overall Best In Orange County

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

(Patch) Irvine schools are the overall best in the Orange County area, according to Niche's 2022 rankings. Irvine Unified School District shined in categories related to academics, diversity, college prep, teachers and sports, but struggled in categories like resources and facilities, clubs, and food. The 2022 Niche rankings considered multiple factors and data from the U.S. Department of Education for a comprehensive look at a district. This year's analysis considered state testing scores, SAT and ACT testing scores, racial and economic diversity, surveys of student and parent experiences, athletic opportunities, and more. The most heavily weighted category was academics, accounting for 50 percent o...

CA Businesses, Residences Required to Separate Organic Waste; City of Irvine Offers Support and Waivers to Eligible Businesses

Monday, January 17, 2022

As of Jan. 1, 2022, all California residences and businesses are required to separate organic waste from other trash and non-organic recyclables and participate in an organics collection program. The City of Irvine is working with its waste haulers to provide programs for residents and businesses to comply with the requirements of this legislation in 2022. These programs will include new solid waste service to collect organic materials, including food waste, from residential properties. The City will also continue its efforts to assist local businesses in complying with this legislation, as well as continuing efforts to support business compliance with other state recyclin...

New CDPH Guidance Rewrites Quarantine and Isolation Periods for California’s Workplaces

Monday, January 17, 2022

(CalChamber) When the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revised their quarantine and isolation guidance on Dec. 27 (here), it kicked off a wave of revisions nationwide that is now hitting California’s workplaces. On Jan. 6 and 11, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) revised their quarantine and isolation guidance (here) and California’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued a revised press release and FAQ’s explaining that CDPH’s revised guidance would apply to California workplaces beginning on January 14, 2022. Previously, such quarantine periods had been set under the state’s COVID-19 workplace regulation (also known as the Emergency Temporary Standard or “ETS”). In fact, as recently as December o...

Sue J. Gross Foundation $3 Million Gift to UCI Will Advance Nursing Training & Education

Friday, January 14, 2022

A $3 million gift to the University of California, Irvine from the Sue J. Gross Foundation will expand training and education opportunities in the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, which was established by a naming gift from The William and Sue Gross Family Foundation, where Sue Gross served as co-founder and director. The gift from the Sue J. Gross Foundation includes $2 million to fund construction of a high-tech, state-of-the-art simulation center for team-based interprofessional exercises and an additional $1 million to establish the Founding Dean Adey Nyamathi Endowment, which will provide nursing Ph.D. scholarships. “This gift is a continuatio...

Insurers Will Have to Cover 8 At-Home Virus Tests Per Month

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

(The New York Times) The Biden administration announced the new guidelines as it continued to work to get coronavirus tests to people regardless of their insurance status. Private insurers will soon have to cover the cost of eight at-home coronavirus tests per member per month, the Biden administration said Monday. People will be able to get the tests at their health plan’s “preferred” pharmacies and other retailers with no out-of-pocket costs, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. They can also buy the tests elsewhere and file claims for reimbursement, just as they often do for medical care. “Today’s action further remove...

Governor Newsom's FY 2022-23 Budget Includes Additional Funds for CA Tourism Promotion

Monday, January 10, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom presented his $286 billion California Blueprint on the Jan. 10 budget deadline. He is proposing an additional $45 million to Visit California to promote tourism. The full summary and details can be found HERE. This proposal begins months of discussion and negotiation with the Legislature as each house compiles its priorities, reconciles the two versions, and reaches an agreement with the administration for the May Revise. The budget must be finalized and signed by the Governor on June 15. "This is an incredible step toward telling the world that California is open and fully capable of hosting visitors," said Bryan Starr, president and CEO of th...

Stay Home or Work Sick? Omicron Poses a Conundrum for Workers Without Paid Sick Days

Monday, January 10, 2022

(ABC 7 Eyewitness News) As the raging omicron variant of COVID-19 infects workers across the nation, millions of those whose jobs don't provide paid sick days are having to choose between their health and their paycheck. While many companies instituted more robust sick leave policies at the beginning of the pandemic, some of those have since been scaled back with the rollout of the vaccines, even though omicron has managed to evade the shots. Meanwhile, the current labor shortage is adding to the pressure of workers having to decide whether to show up to their job sick if they can't afford t...

Chinese Medical Device Maker Plants U.S. HQ in Irvine

Saturday, January 08, 2022

(Orange County Register) A Chinese medical device maker is building out its U.S. base in Irvine after buying a 115,388-square-foot office campus for $40.23 million in cash, according to Newmark. MicroPort Scientific America Inc. bought the office and R&D buildings at 16800 and 16802 Aston St. from an unidentified seller. The company makes myriad devices relating to cardiology, radiology and orthopedics. Newmark executive managing director Jack McNutt represented the MicroPort, and the seller was represented by Brian Garbutt of Lee & Associates. Based in Shanghai, MicroPort will house its U.S. innovation center and manufacturing base in Irvine. The company will occupy all of 1680...

City of Hope’s New Cancer Outpatient Center Nears Opening

Friday, January 07, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) City of Hope Orange County has one of the busier agendas of any local business, healthcare or otherwise, on tap for 2022. The cancer-focused institute is aiming to unveil its state-of-the-art outpatient center for cancer research in Irvine this year, and it’s in the early innings of a hiring push that will bring hundreds of medical jobs to the area. The under-construction 190,000-square foot Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, on track to open later this year, will serve as City of Hope Orange County’s primary building for research and clinical trials, officials said. “We’re hitting our plan, we’re on time an...

Gaining a Foothold in US Healthcare, Education, and Social-Service Markets

Friday, January 07, 2022

By Synthia Laura Molina, Managing Director Central I.Q., Inc. The U.S. healthcare, education, and social-service sectors can be a promised land for innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives in the U.K.—and the Irvine Gateway Soft-Landing Program can provide reliable hands-on help to those entering U.S. markets and navigating the American business landscape. U.K. pioneers entering the States need to consider the fit between U.S. opportunities and U.K. mindsets around culture, competencies, brand equity, revenues, operating efficiencies, earnings growth, risk mitigation, competitiveness, scalability, and—for certain enterprises—salability, speed to favorable liquidity events, and investor metrics. In the Irvine Gateway Program, we recommend shelving assumptions about the Land of Opportunity, ho...

US Jobless Claims at Historic Low Despite Pandemic

Friday, January 07, 2022

(ABC News) The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remained at historically low levels, suggesting that the job market remains strong. U.S. jobless claims rose by 7,000 last week to 207,000. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week gyrations, rose by nearly 4,800 to just below 205,000. Despite the increases, the numbers show that weekly claims are below the 220,000 typical before the pandemic struck the U.S. economy in March 2020. The highly transmissible omicron variant so far does not appear to have triggered significant layoffs. Altogether, nearly 1.8 million Americans were collecting traditional unemployment aid th...

Economies Have Adapted to a World Where Covid Calls the Shots

Thursday, January 06, 2022

(Bloomberg) With shortages at the grocery store and not enough people willing to work, 2022 is starting to look a lot like 2020. But beneath the ugly exterior, the world’s economies have learned to cope with Covid’s fallout—the supply chain debacle in particular. One country is even thriving. In the first Stephanomics episode of the new year, we offer two fairly optimistic assessments. Bloomberg Senior Editor Brendan Murray shares with host Stephanie Flanders how companies are adapting to the fast-spreading omicron variant while finding ways to function as more workers fall ill. He also explains that the success of China’s zero-tolerance policy may determine the lengt...

Irvine-Based Edwards Lifesciences Has High Hopes for 2022

Thursday, January 06, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based Edwards Lifesciences Corp. saw sales grow from $1.9 billion in 2012 to more than $5 billion this year. An even bigger boost in revenue is possible over the next six years: the medical device firm, which makes a variety of products for people fighting cardiovascular disease, thinks the global market opportunity for its expanding base of products could hit $20 billion by 2028, Chief Executive Michael Mussallem said at the company’s annual investor conference, held on Dec. 8. Its current global market opportunity is pegged around $8.6 billion. That potential growth is projected via factors like new markets an...

2021: A year of Renewal and Growth for UCI

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(UCI News) For University of California Irvine, 2021 was a year of renewal and growth. The campus renewed its bustling self by welcoming all students, faculty, staff and visitors back to campus in September. Following safety protocols and requiring COVID-19 vaccinations, classmates and colleagues – who may have not been face-to-face, other than virtually, for 15 months – came together again to learn, to teach, to research and to create. UCI marked this transition year with one of the most ambitious growth plans in its history. The Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Building opened its doors to diverse teams of researchers; a “toppin...

As Coronavirus Cases Explode in California, Next Few Weeks are 'Absolutely Critical’

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(Los Angeles Times) Coronavirus cases in California exploded into record territory as counts from the holiday weekend were tallied, and officials are warning that the next few weeks are crucial in the fight against the highly infectious Omicron variant. The mounting toll was evident in long lines for those seeking tests and increasingly crowded conditions at some hospitals. In a sign of how widespread the coronavirus is, the share of tests coming back positive reached a seven-day rate of 20.4%, the highest during the pandemic so far, according to the California Department of Public Health. “We need to quickly adapt to periods of high transmission, lik...

Big Goals for OC Roadways

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(Orange County Register) Continued work and future project planning on major freeways and toll roads throughout Orange County promise to make 2022 another busy year in transportation activity. Construction should ramp up on the 405 improvement project — entering its last full year before completion — and crews will continue making headway on the last two-thirds of work to be done on the 5 Freeway widening between the 73 and El Toro Road. After years of planning, a project to widen a key stretch of the 55 Freeway should begin midway through the year, launching a four-year construction process. And the OC streetcar, connectin...

CA Indoor Mask Mandate Extended to Feb. 17

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(Patch) Don't file those masks away yet. In a matter of weeks, the omicron variant has raked the Golden State, prompting officials Wednesday to extend its indoor mask mandate for yet another month. The renewed order was set to remain in place until Jan. 15, but Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state's health secretary, announced that it would be extended until Feb. 17. "At that time, we will again reevaluate the conditions across California and our communities in our health care delivery to make sure that we are taking the latest information into account to determine if there would be another extension, or i...

City of Hope to Hire Hundreds for Cancer Center in Irvine

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(Orange County Register) Before its massive, four-story Irvine cancer center can open its doors to patients, City of Hope Orange County must first shore up an even more important task: Recruiting about 350 people — many specialized clinicians — to operate the place. The number includes everyone who will be keeping the outpatient facility running — from “folks that are going to be maintaining our landscaping, all the way up through the technicians in the labs and our diagnostic areas, up to the nurses and the physicians,” said Wendy Austin, senior vice president of operations for the organization’s Orange County branch. City o...

How Will California’s Workplace Laws Change in 2022? More Protections Are Coming

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(Los Angeles Times) Heading into 2022 — and a potential third year of the COVID-19 pandemic — California officials faced a familiar-feeling dilemma. Help businesses recover from an economic roller coaster by quashing burdensome new mandates? Or rescue workers with paid sick leave, higher wages and crackdowns on corporate bad behavior? Given the devastating effects of the last two years on both workers and businesses, the answer had to be all of the above. Labor advocates point to new measures taking effect in January to toughen enforcement of workplace health and safety rules, outlaw piecework in the garment industry and rein in unsafe speed quotas at warehouses. “The pandemic created a ne...

Apple Building Local Semiconductor Development Unit in Irvine

Monday, January 03, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Apple Inc. is in the early stages of setting up a wireless chip development team in Irvine, adding a notable new addition to Orange County’s semiconductor sector, one of the area’s core tech industries. The goal of the program, and whether it may pose a challenge to Irvine semiconductor maker Skyworks Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: SWKS) and the local operations of Broadcom Inc. (Nasdaq: AVGO) remain open questions. The semiconductor supply for Cupertino-based Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has long been a subject of speculation, including the possibility of bringing some production in-house for the nearly $3 trillion-valued behemoth. For Skyworks, it i...

Drugmaker Bioduro-Sundia Expands Footprint in Irvine

Monday, January 03, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Contract drugmaker Bioduro-Sundia is doubling up its operational presence in Irvine, as another area drugmaker exits the market. The company, which formed a year ago after San Diego-based Bioduro and Shanghai’s Sundia merged, recently announced it is expanding operations to a second manufacturing facility in the Spectrum area of the city, near the Southern edge of the Great Park in Irvine. The newest addition, a 45,000-square-foot plant, is at 9601 Jeronimo Road. It’s on the same campus as 72 Fairbanks, the company’s first U.S.-based commercial facility, which runs another 66,000 square feet. It announced signing a lease for that buildin...

Meet Orange County’s 125 Top Influencers for 2021

Thursday, December 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Orange County Register has published its pick for the 125 Most Influential People in Orange County who made a difference in 2021. Here are some who are associated with Irvine and the Greater Irvine Chamber: Donald Bren, the Irvine Company icon and real estate developer donated at least $100 million to a Caltech project. Kayley Chan, a 16-year-old University High student created an online cybersecurity course that focuses on elementary students and includes examples of threats, their definitions and how to protect yourself online if they appear. Jasmine Chhabria, a Northwood High senior was nominated by a handful of readers, including a former most influential honoree. Oliver Chi, incoming Irvin...

UCI Paul Merage School of Business Receives $375K Gift to Support Undergraduate Students

Friday, December 24, 2021

(UCI News) Timothy Leyden MBA ’92 and his wife Margaret have promised a $375,000 endowed gift to the UCI Paul Merage School of Business. The new Leyden Family Endowed Scholarship will reward undergraduate business students for exceptional academic merit, enabling them to pursue their studies with a renewed commitment to hard work and innovative problem-solving. Thirty-five years ago, Leyden moved his family across the sea from Ireland to Southern California after accepting a job offer with Western Digital Corporation. The relocation and job change marked a pivotal step forward in his career, and he was able to earn his MBA from the Merag...

Crowd Favorite, Chris Schwarz Returns as Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook Keynote Speaker

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Editors Update: This event will take place in spring 2022. Details and registration to be announced. Chris Schwarz, associate professor of finance and faculty director of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management at University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business and popular speaker, returns for the fourth year to the Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook event. “An expert in the field of economics, Chris Schwarz is also a crowd favorite, capturing the attention of large audiences with his knowledge, insights, and good humor about a salient topic,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “His observations and analyses are important as we look at market indicators to help us mak...

19 New CA Laws You Need To Know About For 2022

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

(Patch) Golden State lawmakers spent 2021 codifying into law the lessons of the last two tumultuous years. From carryout cocktails to a ban on police restraints that suffocate, many of the new laws taking effect in 2022 were plucked straight from the headlines of 2020-21. Here are 11 categories of new laws that take effect next year across California. 1: One For the Road When restaurants shut down in-person dining early in the pandemic, the laws governing alcohol sales were loosened, allowing restaurants to sell to-go liquor. The move helped compensate for the loss of dine-in revenue. Businesses and customers liked that so much...

Holiday Travel Roars Back in Southern California

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

(Orange County Register) Call it revenge travel. Nearly two years after COVID-19 first reared its head in the U.S., Southern Californians are eager to make up for the holiday trips they canceled or put on hold last year. Despite a reinstated mask mandate, social-distancing guidelines and the spread of the omicron variant, travelers say they’re anxious to get out of town. It’s expected to be the region’s third busiest holiday travel season on record. Nearly 8.8 million will be traveling Figures from the Automobile Club of Southern California show nearly 8.8 million Southland residents are expected to take holiday trips this year — a 37% increas...

Irvine Sets Gold Standard for Safety, Celebrates Golden Anniversary

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

(UCI News) For 16 straight years, Irvine has been named the safest city of its size in the U.S., based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for 18,000 jurisdictions. With the city’s 50th anniversary on Dec. 28, the co-directors of UCI’s Irvine Laboratory for the Study of Space and Crime, John Hipp and Charis Kubrin, decided to learn why that is – despite the municipality’s evolving demographics. The result: a comprehensive, 57-page report titled “Irvine at 50: A Tale of Continuity and Change.” Kubrin, professor of criminology, law & society as well as sociology, says of the title, “The continuity is the consistently low crime rates tha...

Nominations Being Accepted for Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Women of Influence

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Nominations and self-nominations for the Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Women of Influence are now open and being accepted through Friday, February 18, 5:00 p.m. Eligible nominees must lead, serve, or work for an active business or nonprofit located or operating in Orange County, or attend a high school, college, or university in Orange County. The 2022 Women of Influence event, on Thursday, March 24, 11:30 a.m. — 2 p.m., will recognize an outstanding woman in each of eight categories who have positively impacted their industries and the business community in Orange County. NOMINATE & REGISTER HERE! AWARD CATEGORIES Entrepreneur - founded an organization and has excelled in strategy, operations, and finances. Achievemen...

OC Unemployment Fell in November

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) The unemployment rate in Orange County fell to 4.1% in November, down from a revised 4.7% in October, and below the year-ago estimate of 6.6%, according to the California Employment Development Department. The local numbers compare with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 5.4% for California and 3.9% for the nation during the same period. Orange County saw an increase of 9,500 non-farm jobs between October and November to almost 1.63 million. Trade, transportation, and utilities added 4,500 jobs, the largest increase of any sector. Construction lost 1,600 jobs, leading declines, while leisure and hospitality lost 1,000 jobs.

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

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Thomas Lotts, founder of The Lotts Agency, has been named the December 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month. This is the fourth consecutive month Lotts has earned this distinction. 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 chair of the Irvine Business Outreach taskforce for the past three years.” An active Chamber member in various capacities, Lotts serves as co-vice chair of the Busines...

California Population Continues Decline, Driven by Lower Immigration, Fewer Births, Pandemic Deaths

Monday, December 20, 2021

(Los Angeles Times) California’s population has continued to decline after falling for the first time on record, new demographic data show — underscoring shifting immigration patterns, declining birthrates and the large number of deaths at the hands of the pandemic. The state’s population declined by 173,000 between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021, bringing the estimated total population to 39.37 million, according to estimates released by the state Department of Finance on Friday. The 0.44% decline is slightly less than the population loss reported for 2020, demographers said. Three main factors contributed to California’s net population loss, demographers found: a continued declin...

City of Irvine Earns a Nearly Perfect Score of 97 in Nationwide Municipal Equality Index

Thursday, December 16, 2021

The City of Irvine earned a nearly perfect score of 97 – on a scale of 0 to 100 – on the 2021 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a Human Rights Campaign rating system based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and the City leadership's public position on equality. The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. “I am proud of the work we are doing to se...

Hoag, Providence, UCI, and Other Hospital Executives Share Thoughts on Health IT

Thursday, December 16, 2021

(Beckers Health) From their thoughts on "hospital-at-home" programs to technologies hospitals should adopt to how to improve health equity, here are 20 quotes about innovation in health IT that hospital executives shared with Becker's Hospital Review in 2021. Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle partner hospitals: Kathy Azeez-Narain. Chief Digital Officer at Hoag Hospital (Newport Beach, Calif.): Technology for the sake of having all the systems you need is no longer enough. We have spent more time on identifying the key problems we have to solve for the patient/provider/consumer and overlaid a deep focus on where digital/innovation plays a role. We want to pursue th...

Bryan Starr Presents on Greater Irvine Chamber’s Progress to City Council and Community

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr addressed the Irvine City Council and community members during the Dec. 14 council meeting, sharing an overview of the Chamber’s activity and community involvement. Starr serves on Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan’s Business Reopening Taskforce. Starr’s presentation included the significant positive impact the organization’s destination marketing division—Destination Irvine—has contributed to the city’s economy. Attracting corporate and leisure travel and sports tournaments to the city, Destination Irvine has year-to-date facilitated visitor spending in Irvine of approximately $21.3 million. Through the efforts of Destination Irvine, the city was selected as the host location for four major tournaments this year: USA Swimming, US...

California Indoor Mask Mandate Returns

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

(Orange County Register) California is bringing back a rule requiring people to wear masks indoors, a move aimed at containing a new type of the coronavirus as people gather with family and friends during the holidays. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration announced the new mandate will start Wednesday and last until Jan. 15. The order comes as the per capita rate of new coronavirus cases in California has jumped 47% in the past two weeks. “We know people are tired and hungry for normalcy. Frankly, I am too,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Monday. “That said, this is ...

City Of Hope’s New Irvine Center Will Bring Cancer Care Closer to Orange County Residents

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

(Times OC) City of Hope has a tradition of christening the walls of new buildings with messages of hope and well wishes. During a tour this week of the building that will become the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine, several of these messages were written in permanent marker on the bare walls of the center, which will be the only standalone cancer center in Orange County when it opens next year, according to Lisa O’Neill Hill, a spokeswoman for City of Hope Orange County. “Here’s to all the patients who will heal their bodies and souls at City of Hope,” one messag...

COX Adds Disney+ to the Contour Experience

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Cox and Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution on Dec. 13 announced the addition of Disney+ to the Contour TV and Contour Stream Player experiences. Select Cox Contour customers can now access their favorite content all in one place, with the streaming home of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, and more. Millions of Contour customers can stream brand new releases exclusive to Disney+ like Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” and the highly anticipated “The Book of Boba Fett,” premiering December 29. Plenty of classics like the Toy Story and Star Wars collections are available alongside Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” starring Dwayne Johnso...

Inaugural Born in California Demo Days a Success at UC Irvine

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Forty-four UC startups, from Davis to San Diego, descended upon UC Irvine to showcase their inventions at the inaugural Born in California demo days, presented by U.S. Bank. This invitation-only University of California (UC) systemwide event, held at the Cove @ UCI and hosted by UCI Beall Applied Innovation, featured startups from all 10 UC campuses deemed the most investment-worthy in the life science, digital health, consumer, technology and sustainability sectors. Before a crowd of 400 attendees, including almost 200 potential investors, UC President, Dr. Michael Drake, virtually opened the event and discussed the innovation that consistently takes place in the UC system. “Incubator...

UCI Institute and Museum of California Art receives naming gift from Jack and Shanaz Langson

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

A naming gift from Jack and Shanaz Langson to the University of California, Irvine will support the construction and operation of a state-of-the-art building facility to house the Institute and Museum of California Art and its important collection of California art. In recognition of their generous support, IMCA will be named the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art. In addition, their gift will serve to catalyze the growth of a multi-million-dollar endowment to provide long-term support, and it will enable Langson IMCA to advance its manifold mission in arts research and scholarship, conservation, presentation and interdisciplinary learnin...

Boys & Girls Clubs’ Robert Santana Honored with America Blue Spirit Award

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast CEO, Robert Santana, has been awarded the prestigious Boys & Girls Clubs of America Blue Spirit Award and was honored as the Pacific Regional CEO of the Year. This award is the highest honor presented by Jim Clark, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to a local club leader in their region. The Blue Spirit Award recognizes leaders who have demonstrated what it truly means to be a Club and community leader and have gone above and beyond to drive impact and make a difference. The announcement was made during this year’...

City of Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan Establishes Innovation Council

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan hosted on Dec. 8 a press conference at City Hall to announce the creation of an Innovation Council comprised of representatives from local business, education, and government. Mayor Khan’s Innovation Council will work to define specific actions needed to help position Irvine as a regional hub of innovation and technology. The goal is to create a collaborative and multifaceted Strategic & Action Plan to help attract, retain, and support scalable, sustainable, and high-growth technology businesses. In particular, there will be a focus on pipeline programming to encourage innovation at local schools. The Innovation Council will be made up o...

Marriott Irvine Spectrum Earns AAA’s Four Diamond Designation

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Marriott Irvine Spectrum has recently attained the coveted AAA Four Diamond® designation by the American Automobile Association. This is the first time Marriott Irvine Spectrum has received this prestigious honor, making it Irvine’s only hotel to achieve this AAA rating. The distinction reflects the hotel’s luxury hospitality, cleanliness, service, and additional qualities that meet the Diamond level standard. “We are honored to receive the acclaimed Four Diamond designation from AAA for the first time and be recognized among the world’s best,” said Dianne Markis, general manager of Marriott Irvine Spectrum. “Now more than ever, Marriott Irvine Spectrum aims to provide peac...

Orange County's 500 Most Influential People Include Irvine Thought Leaders

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Bryan Starr, president and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has been named among the 2021 OC 500, the Orange County’s Business Journal’s annual Directory of Influence. “It’s an honor to be recognized among such a notable group of business and community leaders,” Starr said. “Orange County is truly a remarkable place with so many impressive people moving it forward.” Starr leads the chamber of commerce for OC’s biggest center of business, and its economic development and tourism marketing divisions. Destination Irvine plays a significant role in the recovery of travel to the city; travel spending brought in $781M to city’s econom...

Concordia Men’s Basketball Coach Ken Ammann Receives Harry Statham Award

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

(Orange County Register) Concordia University Irvine men’s basketball coach Ken Ammann received the prestigious Harry Statham Coach of Impact Award — an award he was chosen to receive in April 2020. The annual award is presented by Small College Basketball and honors head coaches at the small college level who have used the power of the coaching platform to make a positive impact on others. In particular, the award highlights coaches who display high character and integrity while serving as excellent role models. The award is named after NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame coach Harry Statham, who won more than 1,100 games in 5...

Meet the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 Honorees

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Forty outstanding Orange County next-generation professionals were recognized during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40 awards presentation on Dec. 9 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, for their demonstrated leadership and accomplishments advancing their industries and the Orange County community. “The Greater Irvine Chamber is honored to recognize 40 of Orange County’s most accomplished young professionals, each a promise of continued innovation for our region,” said Bryan Starr, the chamber’s president and CEO. “I congratulate them all for what they have achieved, the example they set, and I look forward to their future contributions.” View and download the event program here: Meet the Greate...

MemorialCare Earns Accolades for Patient Care

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

MemorialCare hospitals have received accolades from Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians, and health systems. Long Beach Medical Center was recognized among the top 10 percent in the nation for joint replacement and is a recipient of an Excellence Award and 5-star awards for total knee replacement, total hip replacement, back surgery, pacemaker procedures, and treatment of sepsis and pancreatitis. Orange Coast Medical Center received an Excellence Award in cardiac surgery and 5-star awards in coronary bypass surgery, treatment of heart attack, total knee replacement, hip fracture treatment and treatment of sepsis. Saddleback Medical Center was recognized as one of America’...

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

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Thomas Lotts, founder of The Lotts Agency, has been named the November 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month. This is the third consecutive month Lotts has earned this distinction. 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 chair of the Irvine Business Outreach taskforce for the past three years.” An active Chamber member in various capacities, Lotts serves as co-vice chair of the Busines...

A Quick Preview of New and 2022 California Employment Laws

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

(CalChamber) Following is a quick look at some of the new employment laws about which employers should be aware. Unless otherwise stated, the new laws take effect starting Jan. 1, 2022. California Family Rights Act AB 1033 cleans up and builds upon last year’s SB 1383, which dramatically expanded the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) to cover small employers and expanded the definition of family member for whom leave could be taken. This new bill clarifies that employees can take family and medical leave to care for a parent-in-law with a serious health condition. AB 1033 also revises and adds more detailed provisions to the small employe...

Irvine Leaders Approve $5.7 Million Deal to Make UCI Health the Great Park’s Top Promoter

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

(Orange County Register) UCI Health will be the presenting sponsor of the Great Park, Irvine leaders have decided, approving a deal that will mean roughly $5.7 million for city coffers over 10 years and will include the medical center name on Great Park signs and logos, as well as provide other branding opportunities. The Irvine City Council, acting as the Great Park board of directors, voted Tuesday, Nov. 23, by 4-0 (Councilman Anthony Kuo was absent) to make UCI Health the park’s top promoter. Before the proposed agreement goes into effect, its language will be altered to refer to the exchange a...

Orange County Soccer Club Wins 2021 USL Championship

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

This is an exciting time for professional sports in Irvine and soccer fans! Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) was crowned the 2021 United Soccer League (USL) Championship winner after defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-1, in the final game on Nov. 28 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL. This is OCSC’s first league title in club history. USL is North America's largest professional soccer organization. Despite Tampa Bay’s efforts to pull off another miraculous comeback, OCSC prevailed and the team celebrated a season that was filled with both adversity and triumph. Coached by former team captain Richard Chaplow, the team upset th...

Verizon Joins Greater Irvine Chamber as Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Verizon has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner. “Verizon is eager to serve as a Leaders Circle partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber to help drive innovation and move community connection forward,” said Jesus Roman, vice president of Government Affairs for Verizon in the West. Verizon Communications Inc. was formed in 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information, and entertainment products and services. With a presence across the globe, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers voice, data, and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers&rsquo...

California’s Not the Place to Quit Your Job

Monday, November 29, 2021

(Los Angeles Daily News) Glass Half-Empty September saw 443,000 quits in California. Again, that’s the most “I’m outta here” notes to the boss among the states. But remember, California is also the nation’s largest job market. So quitters represent only 2.7% of all workers — the 11th smallest share nationally and below the 3% U.S. quit rate. But workplace stability isn’t anything exactly new in the state. Between 2000 and 2019, California averaged a 3.2% quit rate, 12th-lowest nationally. And the pace of California quitting is meekly on the rise in the “Great Resignation” era. September’s voluntary exits were up 8.5% compared to the previou...

City of Irvine Wins 2021 Digital Cities Survey Award from Center for Digital Government

Monday, November 29, 2021

The City of Irvine received a 2021 Digital Cities Survey award from the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. Irvine ranked ninth place in the 250,000–499,999 population category for innovatively using technology to tackle social challenges, enhance services for the community, strengthen cybersecurity, and more. Specifically, Irvine was recognized for: Continuing to invest in its Transparency Portal, providing residents with up-to-date information on development and capital improvement projects, budget and finance news, City contracts, and more; as well as offering residents and businesses easier ways t...

UCI Ranks No. 3 Top College in the West for Diversity

Friday, November 26, 2021

The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings has ranked University of California, Irvine No. 3 for Diversity in its annual ranking that was released on Nov. 17, 2021. UCI, Cal State Northridge, and San Francisco State all tied No. 3 nationally for the diversity of their students and faculty. In the WSJ/THE rankings, diversity accounts for 10 percent of a school’s overall score. The WSJ/THE ranking is based on 15 factors across four main categories: Forty percent of each school’s overall score comes from student outcomes, including measures of graduate salaries and debt burdens, 30 percent from the school’s academic resources...

Cox Communications Expands Internet Affordability Program to Help Close the Digital Divide

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Cox Communications has broadened its affordability portfolio by expanding its low-cost internet tier, ConnectAssist. The newly expanded offering is one of Cox’s many efforts to create digital equity and is designed for low-income households who don’t qualify for Connect2Compete, which is designed for families with children in grades K-12 who are enrolled in government financial assistance programs. “Helping to bridge the digital divide and bring digital equity to low-income households is important to us,” said Ingo Hentschel, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications in California. “We want to do what we can to eliminate the technology ga...

Albertsons Distribution Center Joins Greater Irvine Chamber as Leaders Circle Partner

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Albertsons Distribution Center has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner. Orange County-based Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions, is a division of Albertsons Companies. Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. Albertsons Companies has served Southern California since 1906, when the first Vons opened at 7th and Figueroa in Los Angeles. That store catered to the needs of local families and pioneered the modern-day grocery store. Today, the stores maintain that commitment to best serve customers and benefit the communities they serve. A union-represented employer wit...

CEC Approves $1.4 Billion Plan for Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure and Manufacturing

Thursday, November 18, 2021

The California Energy Commission (CEC) on Nov. 15 approved a three-year $1.4 billion plan to help California achieve its 2025 electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals. The plan closes the funding gap to speed up the state’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure build-out in support of Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles by 2035. The 2021–2023 Investment Plan Update plan increases the budget of the Clean Transportation Program by six times, including $1.1 billion from the 2021–2022 state budget in addition to the remaining $238 million in program funds. “This plan charts the pat...

City of Hope Orange County Joins with The White Ribbon Project to Change the Lung Cancer Story

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Countering the myth that lung cancer is only a disease of people who smoke and has mostly negative outcomes, City of Hope Orange County is raising awareness for the wide-ranging population at risk and educating those who are diagnosed of game-changing advances in treatment. “Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Orange County. City of Hope is responding to this pressing need by bringing our world-renowned lung cancer experts and pioneering research closer to home for patients and their families,” said Annette M. Walker, President, City of Hope Orange County. “We are here for everyone impacted by this disease.” T...

Dale Carnegie of Orange County Named Winner of 2021 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving the Pacific Southwest has awarded Dale Carnegie of Orange County the 2021 BBB Torch Award for Ethics in Orange County. This distinguished award honors businesses that go above and beyond to operate with integrity and raise awareness about marketplace trust. “Ethics is the foundation of our teaching and coaching methodology. Being awarded the BBB Ethics award validates the values and principles that we stand for in our local office”, said Geri Cerkovnik, CEO. “We understand the importance of our customers and not only want to meet their expectations but exceed them. This carries through to our core beliefs in givin...

Hoag Earns Straight “A’s” on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

Thursday, November 18, 2021

The Leapfrog Group has awarded Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian straight “A’s” on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for its hospitals in Newport Beach and Irvine. Achieving the nation’s top honor for patient safety, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and medical errors. “We are honored that Hoag has once again been recognized by Leapfrog as one of the top hospitals in the nation for keeping our patients safe,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, Hoag president and chief executive officer. “Patient safety has been, and continues to be, our top priority and we are gratefu...

Irvine Public Schools Foundation Raises Over $65,000 at 11th Annual Golf Tournament

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), a nonprofit organization focused on enriching the educational experience of each child in every school, hosted its 2021 Tee It Up for Education Golf Tournament on Nov. 4 at Strawberry Farms Golf Course in Irvine. Civic, business, and education leaders throughout Orange County came together to golf and help IPSF raise over $65,000, to support public education initiatives in Irvine, including an emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programming. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and community leaders for helping us to raise money for educational excellence in our community at this year’...

Labor Shortage Prompts Retirees’ Return to Workforce

Thursday, November 18, 2021

(CalChamber) California’s labor shortage is immense. A recent column in CalMatters noted that while the state has one of the highest unemployment rates, employers also “have hundreds of thousands of jobs going unfilled, from teachers, carpenters and auto mechanics to farmworkers and even hamburger flippers,” Dan Walters wrote. And employers are looking to fill that labor gap by asking retirees to return to work. More specifically, a recent ResumeBuilder survey found that 20 percent of retirees aged 54+ have been asked to return to work due to the labor shortage. And of those 34 percent of retirees who say they’ve considered returnin...

Orange County Mayors Unite to Celebrate Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Thursday, November 18, 2021

City of Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan, along with other Orange County mayors, united to celebrate the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and share the significant community impacts in Orange County cities. Among the mayors sharing how these funds will benefit their city were Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut, Laguna Niguel Mayor Fred Minagar, and Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento. President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law on Nov. 15. The historic legislation will deliver for Orange County, as well as local governments across the country, the ability to repair roads and bridges...

UCI Breaks Ground on New Hospital, Specialty Care Centers $1.3 Billion Project

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

The University of California, Irvine and UCI Health have broken ground on a new medical complex on the north end of the Irvine campus. The $1.3 billion complex was approved by the UC Board of Regents in January and will include a 144-bed acute care hospital with an emergency room, an outpatient Center for Advanced Care with primary and specialty health services, a Center for Children’s Health and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building. “Today we mark a milestone in the history of UCI, of the history of Irvine, and of anywhere in our region where peopl...

Irvine: At the Heart of Orange County’s Medical Technology Ecosystem

Friday, November 12, 2021

UCI’s Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center enters a new era with its latest philanthropic gift. National Institutes of Health experts say that people who are fortunate enough to survive a brush with COVID-19 may go on to suffer poor cardiovascular health in the future because of the infection. As these millions stand to join others with heart disease – the leading killer of men and women worldwide – the need for affordable, accessible, advanced treatments is becoming increasingly urgent. Scientists and engineers in UCI’s Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC) have been anticipating this outcome since th...

Irvine City Council names Oliver Chi as new City Manager

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

The Irvine City Council has chosen Oliver Chi as its new City Manager, approving him at its Nov. 9 meeting. His contract begins on Dec. 24. “As a City Council, we went through an extensive recruitment and interview process that included input from the community,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “Oliver Chi has the leadership and executive management skills to effectively implement the policies we set as well as manage the day-to-day operations of the City. Oliver’s experience and approach will allow for him to have an immediate impact on our City, as we continue to recover from the pandemic, and continue t...

Irvine State of Business Survey Seeks Input

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

To remain in touch with businesses in the greater Irvine area and learn about their needs, challenges, and aspirations, the Greater Irvine Chamber is conducting a short online survey, now through Friday, Jan. 28, 5:00 p.m. The survey results will inform the Chamber how to best focus its resources to help area businesses. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE Your input is appreciated and will benefit Irvine and neighboring Orange County business communities. The online survey is part of the award-winning Irvine Business Outreach, which is conducted twice a year. Over the past five years, the program has introduced more than 3,000 businesses to resources available through the Greater Irvine Chamber, thanks to dedicate...

Rating Agency Cites Strong Market Position, Management, Governance of Orange County Toll Road

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

In yet another indication of the financial strength of the Transportation Corridor Agencies, aka The Toll Roads of Orange County, S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency’s (SJHTCA) senior-lien and junior-lien bonds to A and A- respectively, with outlook stable. The SJHTCA operates the 73 Toll Road. “The rating reflects our opinion of the SJHTCA's strong enterprise risk and financial risk profiles,” stated S&P Global Ratings in the RatingsDirect report dated Nov. 3, 2021. The 73 Toll Road’s robust and ongoing recovery from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated effects were acknowledged by S&P. The Tol...

Destination Irvine’s AnaLaura Becerra Honored with Prestigious Industry Award

Tuesday, November 09, 2021

AnaLaura Becerra, CMP, CTA, director of Corporate Sales for Destination Irvine, the destination marketing division of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has been honored with the prestigious Joule Catalyst Award by Smart Meetings, the hospitality industry’s leading media company and trusted resource for meeting planners. Nominated by industry peers, Becerra is among 41 leaders in seven categories; recipients for the Catalyst Award were selected based on their approach to delivering elevated hospitality and their vision for the future. Here’s what Becerra told Smart Meetings Magazine: Her motivation: How can I make your life better today? Approach to supercharging experiences: Listening with a purpose not only to what peopl...

Irvine-Based Rivian Expects $60B+ Valuation for IPO

Tuesday, November 09, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Amazon stands to come out on top, alongside Rivian Automotive Inc. founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, as the Irvine electric vehicle maker seeks a valuation of as much as $65 billion in its forthcoming IPO. Rivian disclosed in a regulatory filing late last week an expected per share price range of $72 to $74 in its highly anticipated initial public offering, expected as soon as this week. The IPO would give Rivian a $63.7 billion valuation at the midpoint of the range, and $64.6 billion valuation at the high point, assuming underwriters exercise their stock options. Factoring in employee stoc...

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

Tuesday, November 09, 2021

Thomas Lotts, founder of The Lotts Agency, has been named the October 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month. This is the second consecutive month Lotts has earned this distinction. 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 chair of the Irvine Business Outreach taskforce for the past three years.” An active Chamber member in various capacities, Lotts serves as co-vice chair of the Busines...

Speaking Our Language

Sunday, November 07, 2021

Doing business with our friends in the United Kingdom is a pleasure for many reasons, one of which is that we share a common language. That makes things easier, and we Americans love a British accent. When it comes to marketing, however, communication styles can be quite distinct (in British terms) or really different (as Americans would say) - and that can make all the difference in the success (or failure) of a campaign. The following are just a few subtle and not-so-subtle distinctions in marketing strategies to American vs. British audiences. MESSAGING Message length American - messages are shorter and more direct with ...

UCI Study: Businesses Selling Non-FDA-Approved Stem Cell Products Grew Four-Fold in Five Years

Friday, November 05, 2021

More than four times as many businesses and clinics than were identified in 2016 are selling stem cell products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and lack convincing evidence of safety and efficacy, according to a five-year study conducted by University of California, Irvine Program in Public Health professor of health, society and behavior Leigh Turner. The analysis appears online in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Using tools such as Google Search and Google Maps, Turner found 1,480 U.S. businesses and 2,754 clinics selling purported stem cell treatments compared to a study conducted five years ago that foun...

$3M Grant From NSF To Help UC Irvine Retain STEM Students

Thursday, November 04, 2021

(Diverse Issues in Higher Education) A $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation will help The Institute for Meaningful Engagement at the University of California, Irvine identify and address environmental factors that are pushing underrepresented students out of STEM programs. Dr. Pheather R. Harris, director of the university’s California Alliance for Minority Participation, says the intervention will emphasize faculty involvement in student success. She wants to see two outcomes from the project: “The first is for faculty to recognize who they are in this conversation we’re having about inclusion and be able to have the tools they need to continue the work of enhancin...

UCI, CHOC Join New NORD Rare Disease Centers of Excellence Network

Thursday, November 04, 2021

University of California, Irvine (UCI) and Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC) have been jointly designated a National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Center of Excellence, joining a new and highly select group of 31 medical centers seeking to expand access and advance care and research for rare disease patients in the United States. The NORD Center of Excellence program aims to foster the sharing of knowledge between experts across the country, connect patients to appropriate specialists regardless of disease or geography, and improve the pace of progress in rare disease diagnosis, treatment, and research. Dr. Virginia Kimonis, professor of genetic and genomi...

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Returns as Greater Irvine Chamber 40-Under-40 Presenting Sponsor

Wednesday, November 03, 2021

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing is returning for the third year as Presenting Sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 awards program. During the third annual event, held on Thursday, Dec. 9, 5:30 – 8 p.m., at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, the Chamber will recognize 40 next-generation business leaders and advocates making strides in their industries and the Orange County business community. REGISTER HERE “Antis Roofing & Waterproofing is proud to return as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber 40-Under-40 event,” said Charles Antis, founder and CEO, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing. “These emerging leaders in our business communit...

New Instructors and Curriculum Added, Mentors Needed for Career Edge, the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Award-Winning Workforce Development Initiative

Wednesday, November 03, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s award-winning workforce development program, Career Edge, returns for its seventh year with new instructors and courses, including an additional session focused on landing a job. 2021-2022 Curriculum: Nov. 13, 2021: Practical Critical Thinking & Problem Solving taught by Edward R. De La Torre, Ed.D., assistant professor, University of Massachusetts Global Jan. 15, 2022: Successful Business Etiquette taught by Massiel Pérez-Calhoon, Ed.D., manager of Community & Corporate Relations, Brandman University Feb. 19, 2022: Effective Business Communication taught by David P. Bugay, Ph.D., professor of business, Irvine Valley College Mar. 12, 2022: Resume Writing & Mock Interviews taught by Drs. Bugay, De La Torre, and Pérez-Calhoon “Programs like Career Edg...

Fourth Annual UCI Innovator Awards Ceremony Recognizes Distinguished Researchers and Inventors

Tuesday, November 02, 2021

Top researchers and faculty members from UC Irvine (UCI) gathered virtually for the fourth annual UCI Innovator Awards ceremony. UCI Beall Applied Innovation, with generous support from Don and Ken Beall, created these awards to recognize UCI researchers working actively to promote commercialization of university intellectual property, which supports industry growth and moves inventions from the lab to the market to benefit humankind. This can be done through invention disclosures filed, patents applied for and/or received, technologies licensed or startup companies formed. “Beall Applied Innovation plays several key roles for UCI: they lead our technology transfer efforts, develop industry sponsored research and...

Jorge Mora Named Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Quarter

Tuesday, November 02, 2021

Jorge Mora, a business development consultant for KTimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Quarter for Q3 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 to carryin...

NSF funds UCI project Nearly $3M to boost STEM Degree Success for Underrepresented Students

Tuesday, November 02, 2021

The National Science Foundation has awarded almost $3 million over a five-year period to The Institute for Meaningful Engagement at the University of California, Irvine. This new education project will explore the environmental factors prompting underrepresented students to leave science, technology, engineering and math programs and investigate how faculty can foster better classroom cultures to retain them. A multidisciplinary leadership team will partner with the deans of UCI’s six STEM schools to accomplish this. Pheather R. Harris, director of the university’s California Alliance for Minority Participation, is the mastermind behind this innovative intervention that emphasizes faculty impact on student success i...

Wells Fargo Helps Revitalize Local Business Districts Across America This Holiday Season

Tuesday, November 02, 2021

Wells Fargo announced on Nov. 2 the launch of Hope, USA, an initiative to share hope with its customers and communities in support of small businesses nationwide. Through this effort, Wells Fargo will help beautify business districts in more than a dozen cities across the country and encourage everyone to join in giving hope a hand by shopping locally this holiday season. Hope, USA builds upon the company’s commitment to supporting small businesses and helping them thrive as they emerge from the economic impact of the pandemic. “After a tough couple of years, small businesses across America are working hard to ge...

OC's First Topgolf Swing Suite Now Open at Irvine Marriott

Monday, November 01, 2021

Topgolf Swing Suite’s first Orange County location debuts its simulated sports experience at the Irvine Marriott, located at 18000 Von Karman Ave. The new entertainment suite offers hotel guests and the local community a space that’s ideal for corporate events, team building, and social gatherings. Irvine’s Topgolf Swing Suite features a massive screen with 11 different game platforms and virtual golf with 84 different courses. Accommodating up to 10 players at a time, the suite features HDTVs, comfortable lounge seating, and food and beverage offerings. Topgolf Swing Suite is powered by Full Swing golf simulator technology, the same simulator used by PGA Tour pros Tiger Woods...

Two Orange County Executives Appointed to Greater Irvine Board of Directors

Monday, November 01, 2021

Two executives from organizations in Orange County have been appointed to the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors, Chris Arias, director of Business & Community Partnerships, MemorialCare, and Kathy Lamm, owner and operator of the Lamm Agency - Farmers Insurance. Their three-year term began Nov. 1. Meet the new Board members: Chris Arias “I am honored and humbled to join the Board of Directors of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce,” Arias said. “The Chamber continues to be the premier resource for Orange County’s business community, and I am thrilled to work alongside such motivated and talented leaders dedicated to Irvine’s economic growth.” Serving MemorialCare since 2014, Arias lead...

Wild Rivers Offers Season Passes for 2022 Swim Season

Sunday, October 31, 2021

(Orange County Register) There’s not an official opening date yet, but Wild Rivers developer Mike Riedel is confident enough the water park will be open next spring he’s putting season passes on sale. The original Wild Rivers in Irvine closed in 2011 when the Irvine Company, which leased the property to the park, moved ahead with plans to build apartments. Riedel has been working since then to reopen nearby; he’s creating a new $60 million water park at the corner of Great Park Boulevard and Skyhawk, near the Great Park’s baseball fields. Getting construction permits has been a little slow, but “I think in the coming week...

Irvine City Council Approves Spending Plan for $56 Million American Rescue Plan Act

Friday, October 29, 2021

The Irvine City Council approved the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending at its Oct. 26 meeting. The spending plan for the $56 million allocation aligns with the City’s five strategic priorities: Quality of Life, Natural Environment, Traffic and Mobility, Fiscal Strength, and Organizational Excellence. Earlier this year, President Biden signed ARPA into law. The $1.9 trillion package intends to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on local communities. Of the total amount, $350 billion is designated for state and local governments to remedy the effects of COVID-19 on a going-forward basis. Of that $350 billion, the City of Irvine will receiv...

Billionaires’ Tax Could Hit Executives from Facebook, Google, Other Big California Magnates

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

(Sacramento Bee) The Golden State’s golden list of big-name rich people from familiar companies such as Facebook and Google could feel a sharp sting from a new tax on billionaires. Washington Democrats are seriously considering such a tax to help fund a host of social programs and climate change initiatives. According to Forbes, that could mean 189 Californians who qualified as billionaires as of March would feel the government’s pain. The state leads the nation in total billionaires, according to Forbes, which said they’re collectively worth $1.04 trillion. New York is second with 126 billionaires. The list of the wealthy is dotted largely wit...

City of Irvine Environmental Programs Receives Two Beacon Awards from the Institute of Local Government

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The City of Irvine was selected for the 2021 Beacon Spotlight Award and Beacon Leadership & Innovation Award by the Institute of Local Government. The City received the 2021 Beacon Spotlight Silver Level Award for its 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for City operations. In addition, Irvine was selected as a winner for the 2021 Beacon Leadership & Innovation Award for its Environmental Program’s innovation in clean transportation. The Institute of Local Government’s Beacon Program provides recognition and support for California local agencies working to build more vibrant and sustainable communities. Beacon honors voluntary efforts by cities, counties and specia...

New Technologies Keep Traffic Flowing on Irvine Streets

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

(Irvine Standard) Few cities have 80% of their traffic signals synchronized. Or a fully staffed traffic management center. Or traffic signals that employ artificial intelligence. In Irvine, these are all innovations used to keep things moving. “Our goal is to use technology to increase safety, reduce traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions,” says Jaimee Bourgeois, Irvine’s deputy director of transportation. Here’s a summary of what the city is doing. Synchronized signals The city recently re-synchronized 98 traffic lights along Irvine Boulevard, Irvine Center Drive, and Von Karman, upgrading Irvine’s 19 fully synchronized corridors. “We’ve done studies on these corridors, and we’re seeing an 11% to 25% reductio...

Supply Chain Crisis Leaves CA Scrambling

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

(CalMatters) One if by land, two if by sea — but expect delays either way. On Oct. 20, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to help unclog the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, outside of which a record 100 ships idled on Oct. 19 as they waited to unload their cargo. It’s the government’s latest attempt to unsnarl massive backlogs in the supply chain as the holidays approach and the scarcity of critical goods drives up inflation rates. Last week, President Joe Biden directed the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports to move toward 24/7 operations. On Oct. 20, California’s two U.S. senators asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg t...

Thinkbox Technology Group Expands Executive Leadership Team to Support Growing Program Governance, Design, and Engineering Services

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Thinkbox Technology Group, LLC, a leading program management, infrastructure design, and technical engineering firm has experienced rapid growth as clients reinvent during the global pandemic. To best support this growth and Thinkbox’s strategic vision, today the company announced a new leadership structure, including two appointments to the executive team. “During our first 15 years, Thinkbox established a solid reputation with many global brands,” said Carlos Oregon, Thinkbox’s CEO. “Our leadership expansion positions us to serve both existing and new clients at continuing higher levels as we navigate and thrive in the new business and economic landscape.” In addition to leading Thinkbox, CE...

UCI Named Among Inaugural Cohort of Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leaders by State Department

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The University of California, Irvine has been named an inaugural Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The newly created designation recognizes the noteworthy engagement that selected Hispanic-Serving Institutions have achieved with the Fulbright Program, the federal government’s flagship international educational exchange program. UCI is one of 35 HSIs to receive this distinction, announced today during an international plenary session at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ 35th annual conference. All have been highly involved with Fulbright participants during the 2019 to 2021 academic years and have promoted Fulbright opportunities on campus. “This recognition underscore...

FivePoint President & COO Lynn Jochim to be Featured at the Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Women of Influence Event

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber Women of Influence event slated for March 2022 will feature an interview-style discussion with Lynn Jochim, president and COO of FivePoint. Nada Lena Nasserdeen, MA, founder and CEO of Rise Up For You and TEDx speaker, will moderate the conversation. Lynn Jochim is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of fully integrated, multi-generational communities at FivePoint Holdings, LLC, a leader and collaborator in creating cities of the future within California. FivePoint’s inclusive and mixed-use communities include Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine, FivePoint Valencia (formerly Newhall Ranch) in Los Angeles County, and FivePoint Candlestick / The Sa...

City of Irvine Awarded $1 Million in Grant Funding Through Cool City Challenge

Monday, October 25, 2021

The City of Irvine was chosen as one of three cities to participate in the Cool City Challenge to create a climate moonshot strategy — an ambitious, exploratory, and ground-breaking approach to reach communitywide and inclusive sustainability. Irvine joins the cities of Los Angeles and Petaluma as awardees in the innovative new Cool City Challenge (CCC) initiative. Developed and funded by the Empowerment Institute, the CCC is a $1 million grant competition among California cities to develop the most innovative pathways to carbon neutrality, including the Cool Block program which requires recruitment of 200 Cool Block team leaders to lead thei...

6 Reasons Why Americans Aren’t Returning to Work

Sunday, October 24, 2021

(CNBC) On the surface, conditions may seem ripe for a boom in the U.S. labor market. There are still 5 million fewer jobs than before the pandemic but job openings are near record highs. And hourly pay has risen, in some sectors by more than 10% in a year. Meanwhile, enhanced federal unemployment benefits ended on Labor Day (or sooner) and kids are largely back in the classroom. Both enhanced jobless pay and distance learning, it was thought, had been roadblocks keeping people from returning to work. However, that boom hasn’t materialized in recent months — at least, not at the rate many expected...

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 ...

Genesis Bank Announces Partnership with Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Monday, October 18, 2021

Genesis Bank announced today that it has entered into a partnership agreement with the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (“OCHCC”). The partnership is focused on financial advancement of the Hispanic American community, and includes financial education, assisting low- and moderate-income families, growing small business, internships, and mentorships. Stephen H. Gordon, founding chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with the OCHCC through this important strategic partnership. For over 35 years, the OCHCC has proudly served the Hispanic American business community of Orange County, California, through its broad network of corporate, public, university, nonprofit, an...

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...

California’s Legal Climate Hurting Small Business Owners

Thursday, October 14, 2021

(CalMatters) California small businesses are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, but we shouldn’t be. Every day, more Americans are vaccinated and more businesses are opening up, yet small business owners continue to suffer unnecessary hardship. Across the country, the states that are getting back to normal the quickest are those that prioritized protecting businesses from lawsuits that could put them under, while they were already vulnerable from reduced business during the worst of the pandemic. The leaders of those states know that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and responsible for providing services to local communities while supporting familie...

New Irvine Police Department Chief Michael Kent Sworn In

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Police Chief Michael Kent was sworn in on Oct. 12 as Chief of the Irvine Police Department (IPD). Chief Kent is a 19-year law enforcement veteran who has served the City of Irvine since 2002. He is the first Irvine Police Chief to grow up in Irvine and rise through the ranks from police explorer to Chief. “It is an absolute honor to become Irvine’s Chief of Police. I am grateful for the men and women of the Irvine Police Department who are dedicated to the safety of the Irvine community, for the City’s leadership who consistently make public safety ...

U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Since March 2020

Thursday, October 14, 2021

(Bloomberg) Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest since March 2020, showing employers are hanging onto their workers in a tight labor market. Initial unemployment claims in regular state programs totaled 293,000 in the week ended Oct. 9, a decrease of 36,000 from the prior week, Labor Department data showed Thursday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a slight decrease to 320,000 applications. Continuing claims for state benefits dropped to 2.6 million in the week ended Oct. 2. Claims have marched lower as the economy recovers, boosting demand for labor to keep up wit...

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...

US to Reopen Land Borders in November for Fully Vaccinated

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

(Associated Press) Beleaguered business owners and families separated by COVID-19 restrictions rejoiced Wednesday after the U.S. said it will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze. Travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to workers whose jobs are deemed essential. New rules will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the U.S. regardless of the reason starting in early November when a similar easing of restrictions is set for air travel. By mid-January, even essential travelers seeking to enter the U.S., such as truck drivers, will need to be fully vaccinated. Shoppin...

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...

City of Irvine Honored with Two Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

The City of Irvine was one of 11 cities to receive Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence from the League of California Cities at its Annual Conference and Expo September 22–24 in Sacramento. Established in 1982, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievements by California's 482 cities and seeks to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by city governments. Award recipients have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses that have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services. The City of Irvine received two awards for its wildfire preparedness efforts — specifically its update...

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...

How HR Can Help Build the Organization of the Future

Friday, October 01, 2021

Today’s organizations are faced with increased pressure and faster-paced problems than most have ever encountered. Four of the most pressing issues causing significant adaptation are: COVID: Organizations worldwide are making challenging decisions regarding their workforces every day: should it consider a vaccine mandate? Should it consider a mask mandate? Are its employees safer working from home? What regulations apply? The Great Resignation: In healthcare and tech, employees are resigning at record-high rates. The increase in remote work modality is removing geographical boundaries from the talent pool, increasing competition, and making organizations across the world rethink their recruitment and retention strategy. Supply Chain: I...

COVID-19 In the Workplace – Vaccines on the Horizon

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

(CalChamber) COVID-19 continues to dominate discussions around workplace safety in California and across the nation – and big changes for businesses are on the horizon this fall and in early 2022. What is Coming from Washington D.C.? For those of you who missed it – on Sept. 9, President Biden announced a 6-prong plan to fight COVID-19 (available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/). Most important to California’s general business community is the plan’s first prong (“Vaccinating the Unvaccinated”), which pushes COVID-19 vaccines via two mechanisms: – (1) Federal Emergency Regulation: The Occupational Safety and Health Agency (known as OSHA) will publish an emergency regulation compelling a “soft” vaccination mandate fo...

Gaming Co. Bandai Moving Base to Irvine

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Video game maker Bandai Namco Holdings USA is moving its North American base from Santa Clara to Irvine, and has struck one of the area’s largest office deals of the year for a newly built development in the Spectrum area of the city. The North American branch of the Japanese game maker, best-known for the arcade classic Pac-Man, recently completed a deal to lease the entirety of the Source H2O, a nearly 70,000-square-foot creative office project near the intersection of Sand Canyon Avenue and Waterworks Way. The two-building development was overseen by the Irvine Ranch Water District on ...

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...

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 16th Year

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Irvine is the Safest City of its size for Part I violent crime, according to FBI data for the calendar year 2020. Information released Sept. 27 shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. This is the 16th consecutive year Irvine has had the lowest per capita violent crime rate for its size. The FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report measures Part I crime, which includes aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, murder, rape, robbery, and arson. Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan congratulated the Irvine Police Department o...

Irvine Named Best City to Live In for 6th Consecutive Year

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The City of Irvine has been voted Best City to Live in for the sixth consecutive year by The Orange County Register readers. As Irvine commemorates its 50th anniversary this year, it celebrates its history of innovation, unmatched quality of life, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We recognize that what makes Irvine so special isn’t how we have changed, but how we have remained committed to the principles of Irvine’s master plan,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “The vision established 50 years ago has ensured Irvine is a safe city with outstanding schools and higher education institutions, beautiful parks, and a wealth of jobs...

City of Hope Honors Transformational Gift with Naming of Building: Belardi Family Pavilion

Friday, September 24, 2021

A gift from financial services executive and entrepreneur Jim Belardi and his wife, Leslie, will provide City of Hope, a world-renowned independent cancer and diabetes research and treatment center, with resources to aggressively advance research into the treatment of blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, which account for nearly 10% of new cancer cases each year in the United States. The critical resources provided by the gift are designed to quickly move bold ideas from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. The gift will support City of Hope’s Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute (HMRI) and will have three areas o...

California’s New Housing Laws: Here’s What to Know

Monday, September 20, 2021

(New York Times) No matter where you live, you’re probably familiar with the exorbitant cost of housing in California. The state’s median home price has crept above $800,000, more than double what it is nationwide. Among the 50 biggest cities in the country, we’re home to the top four most difficult places to afford a mortgage. And half of all Americans experiencing homelessness live in California. Our housing crisis has a seemingly simple solution, according to the laws of supply and demand: Build more housing. But for decades, resistance from suburban homeowners has stalled development as the problem has only gotten worse. On Thursday, th...

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...

The Great Resignation: 3 Steps To Retain Your Valuable Talent

Friday, September 17, 2021

(ChiefExecutive) “August 6th will be my last day,” my client told me on a break during the live virtual training class I was facilitating for his sales team. Although I was astonished by the timing of this conversation, I was not surprised. More than 7.5 million workers quit their jobs in April and May, up from 4.3 million during the same period the year before. 41% of respondents in a 30,000-person global survey of workers conducted by Microsoft’s Work Trend Index say they are considering leaving their jobs. This is only the beginning of the Great Resignation. Turnover is costly. The Society for Human Resourc...

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...

What SB 9 Housing Law Means for Single-Family Zoning in Your Neighborhood

Friday, September 17, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of bills into law this week that effectively put an end to traditional single-family zoning restrictions in most neighborhoods statewide. Senate Bills 9 and 10, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, will make it easier for Californians to build more than one housing unit on properties that for decades have been reserved exclusively for single-family homes and will allow cities greater flexibility to place small apartment complexes in neighborhoods near public transit. Although the laws represent two new approaches toward alleviating the state’s housing crisis, experts say neither is likely to produce the numbe...

Greater Irvine Chamber Partners with OC Supervisor Donald P. Wagner to Host October 6 Job Fair

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

As part of its commitment to workforce development, the Greater Irvine Chamber is partnering with Orange County Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, and other organizations to present a Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Dr., in Irvine. The Job Fair is designed for employers to recruit qualified candidates for paid employment opportunities. There is no cost for employers to participate. Companies must be recruiting to fill at least one paid full-time or part-time position. Employer participation requires registration with the Orange County Workforce Development Board, create an employer account wit...

Irvine and Region Lead North America in Tech Job Growth

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

(Irvine Standard) There is good news to report if you’re a tech professional, recent UC Irvine graduate or a STEM star at an Irvine high school. More tech jobs are gravitating to the region than anywhere in North America, and Irvine is an integral part of that growth. Employers – many from Silicon Valley or other conventional tech hubs – are expanding or relocating here. And they’re bringing thousands of high-paying jobs with them. That’s the bottom line of a recent report from real estate giant CBRE. “There’s a gravitational pull for companies to move here,” says Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBRE’s Tec...

Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel Announces Retirement; Assistant Chief Michael Kent Appointed by Interim City Manager

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Interim City of Irvine Manager Marianna Marysheva announced today the retirement of Irvine Police Department Chief Mike Hamel after 27 years of distinguished service to the Irvine community. Chief Hamel is a 29-year law enforcement veteran who began his career with the Los Angeles Police Department before laterally transferring to Irvine Police Department (IPD) in 1995. His past assignments include Deputy Police Chief, Area Commander, Investigations Lieutenant, Training and Recruitment Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, Field Training Officer, Traffic Officer, and SWAT Operator. He has served as IPD’s Chief of Police for six years, a role he approached with thoughtfulness, tenacity, and compassio...

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 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...

California Ranks No. 3 for Innovation

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) California ranks No. 3 for innovation when you look at national scorecards for cutting-edge business activity. Southern California News Group business columnist Jonathan Lansen compiled a spreadsheet with an index at the state level using four recent “most innovative” rankings plus longer-term growth in patent filings by state. Here's what he wrote: My tally was relatively simple math — a ranking based on each’s state average grades from innovation benchmarks that weigh everything from idea generation to technology employment to entrepreneurial infrastructure. His calculation indicates that even in the economy-chilling pandemic era, only two states scored higher than California — Massachusetts and Washington state...

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

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

Jorge Mora, business development consultant for KTimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for August 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...

35 Reasons Why People Pay the “Orange County Premium” to Live Here

Saturday, September 04, 2021

(Orange County Register) Southern California News Group business columnist Jonathan Lansen shares 35 slices of local life that may explain why 3.2 million people — larger than 20 other states and up 1 million since his arrival to the County 35 years ago — pay the “Orange County premium” to live here. Here's his countdown: 35. Toll roads: For some, the costs of a toll road trip are too high. For others, the concept is bothersome. But it’s hard to imagine local driving, especially in South County, without these additional travel options. 34. Taco giants: Local business wizardry brought Mexican fare to the masses. Few foodies dabble i...

Weak Jobs Report as the Delta Variant Impacts Travel, Tourism

Saturday, September 04, 2021

(Orange County Register) America’s employers added just 235,000 jobs in August, a surprisingly weak gain after two months of robust hiring and the clearest sign to date that the delta variant’s spread has discouraged some people from flying, shopping, and eating out. The August job growth the government reported Friday fell far short of the sizable gains of roughly 1 million in each of the previous two months. The hiring jumps in June and July had followed widespread vaccinations that allowed the economy to fully reopen from pandemic restrictions. Now, with Americans buying fewer plane tickets, reducing hotel stays and filling fewe...

U.S. Factory Growth Improves Even as Global Supply Woes Linger

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

(Bloomberg) U.S. manufacturing expanded at a stronger-than-expected pace in August, reflecting faster orders and production growth as well as rising backlogs consistent with global supply chain challenges. The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of factory activity rose to 59.9 from 59.5 in the prior month, according to data released Wednesday. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for the measure to fall to 58.5. U.S. manufacturing gauge rises unexpectedly, though capacity constraints linger While the highest ISM reading for bookings in three months and firmer production highlight sustained demand, the pickup in order backlogs underscores persisten...

There’s Something Special About Gyutan Ramen in Irvine

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

(Orange County Register) Food critic Brad Johnson reports on Gyutan Ramen. Here's what he said about the new ramen restaurant in Irvine: The great ramen swarm continues. More than a half dozen additional ramen shops have opened in Orange County in the past six months, and the most impressive of this new crop is Gyutan Ramen in Irvine’s University Center. “Gyutan” is the Japanese term for beef tongue, and that’s the house specialty here — available in limited quantities. The broth for the gyutan ramen is made with a bright, wonderfully aromatic consommé-like beef broth, which is punctuated with a custardy boiled eg...

Irvine Restaurant Porch & Swing Featured in Westways Magazine

Monday, August 30, 2021

The fall 2021 issue of Westways Magazine included a feature of Porch & Swing in Irvine. Here’s what reporter Miles Clement wrote: This Southern-leaning restaurant is a case study of hard-won success. Despite launching at the outset of the lockdowns, Porch & Swing still managed to become one of Orange County’s most lauded new dining rooms. That feat might at first seem improbable. Porch & Swing occupies the bottom corner of an office tower in a palm tree-lined corporate courtyard. The setting is pleasant but sterile, the kind of space that’s barren by dusk. But that same emptiness allows Porch & Swing to tak...

Irvine is the Fastest Growing City in California; Housing, Diversity are Key Factors

Thursday, August 19, 2021

(ABC7) Irvine saw the largest population growth among cities in California with more than 50,000 people. Increasing 45% between 2010 and 2020, the city was also in the top 10 fastest growing cities in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau released the results from the 2020 Census in August, showing the slowest national population growth since the 1930s. But in Southern California, the population is growing faster in less urban cities and counties. "It is normal for countries like the United States to experience both booms and then periods of slow growth," said Matt Barreto, a professor of political science and Chican...

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...

Irvine is OC's First City to Pledge Carbon Neutrality

Sunday, August 15, 2021

(Times OC) With the Irvine City Council’s unanimous approval of an aggressive climate resolution on Tuesday night, the city became the first in Orange County to make a pledge of carbon neutrality. As California begins exploring ways to become carbon neutral by 2035, cities are faced with quickly adopting their own climate action plans to help the state achieve its goal. The Irvine ACHIEVES resolution, which calls for the city to reach a zero-carbon economy by 2030, will guide its climate action plan. In addition to being the first in the county, Irvine is only the third city in the state to se...

Senator Dave Min Presents $14.5 Million Check to Irvine for Jeffrey Open Space Trail Completion

Friday, August 13, 2021

The City of Irvine was presented a $14.5 million check from Senator Dave Min at Cypress Community Center on Aug. 11, for the completion of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail project. Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan and City Council members accepted the check at a presentation attended by State and City officials and members of the Bicycle Club of Irvine. The Jeffrey Open Space Trail, or JOST, currently stretches 3.5 miles through the heart of Irvine. The $14.5 million will support a critical piece of the trail that has yet to be finished: a 1.5-mile extension running from Barranca to I-5. The extension will link existin...

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...

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...

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...

City of Irvine Ranked 7th in National 2021 ParkScore Index

Friday, May 28, 2021

The City of Irvine park system has been ranked 7th in the nation by the Trust for Public Land in their annual ParkScore Index, which ranks the nation’s 100 largest cities based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. Irvine is the second-ranked city in California, and this is the sixth consecutive year the City’s parks have ranked in the top 10 nationally. Irvine earned a perfect score in parkland percent of city area, the number of basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, and the number of recreation/senior centers per 20,000 residents. The index also notes that 89% of Irvin...

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...

Irvine Ranks Second in Top Geographic Information System Programs in North America

Thursday, April 22, 2021

The City of Irvine was ranked #2 by PSD Citywide in the top 25 most mature public sector Geographic Information System (GIS) programs in North America. Irvine is the first U.S. participant to earn a spot in the top three GIS programs in the history of the survey. Irvine ranks second behind Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and ahead of third-ranked District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. PSD Citywide empowers governments of all sizes with infrastructure asset management, budgeting, and GIS solutions through their web-based software. PSD created the Geospatial Maturity Index (GMI) to assist with GIS program development, capacity building, and innovation in publi...

Host Your Group Meeting in Irvine

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Irvine is home to 22 hotels ranging from full-service and all-suite properties to boutique and economy with nearly 4,900 sleeping rooms and thousands of square feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate 10 to 1,200 people, with safety measures in place. The Greater Irvine Chamber's Destination Irvine team can assist you with planning just about every detail of your event. From proposal requests to site selection, itinerary planning to activity arrangements, we are dedicated to ensuring your meeting or event in Irvine is a success. Conveniently located in the center of Orange County, Irvine is a premiere Southern California meeting and event destination that is affordable and easil...

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...

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...

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