 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
News
OC 50 2009
Profiles of the County's Most Influential Businesspeople
Orange County Business Journal
April 27, 2009
If Orange County were a high school, this would be its yearbook.
OC 50, starting on page 19, is the Business Journal’s annual profiling of the most influential people here. It includes the county’s key businesspeople plus academics, politicians and others who impact business here.
As always, there are newcomers, including Blizzard Entertainment Inc.’s Michael Morhaime and Rick Warren, a spiritual adviser to executives and presidents.
Our selections admittedly are subjective. But this year’s group includes all the names you’d expect. There actually are 65 members this year, including joint entries. There are 50 or so honorable mentions.
OC 50 - GOVERNMENT
CURTIS LAYNE PRINGLE
Mayor, city of Anaheim
Born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, June 27, 1959
Lives in Anaheim
Entering final stretch of eventful two terms as mayor of Orange County’s “original” city. Could remain in government service, but brushes off idea he’d run for another office after term-limit at end of 2010.
Trying to keep alive ambitious redevelopment plans hit hard by real estate crash. Some high-rise condos opening as apartments instead, other projects on hold (see OC 50ers John Jaffe, Emile Haddad.)
Resort district still expanding with billion-dollar Disney’s Cali-fornia Adventure do-over (see OC 50er Ed Grier). GardenWalk mall has opened to light crowds. City Council recently approved tax incentives for luxury hotel project.
Action on transportation front, where well-connected Pringle (seats on OC Transporta-tion Authority, California High Speed Rail Authority, California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission) is championing Anaheim as hub. Design bids being accepted for city, OCTA sponsored Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center on 15 acres near Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Also on drawing board: bullet train from Anaheim to L.A., another to Las Vegas with desert airport stops; millions (or billions) of state and/or federal dollars required. Usually lauded by fellow Republicans for business friendly policies, but idea of federal stimulus funds for Vegas “high roller” train assailed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, other budget hawks. Pringle defends project as job-creator, cutting edge.
Win some, lose some in sports: Lost to Arte Moreno in Angels name-change battle. City dropped appeals after second court upheld putting “Los Angeles” before and “Anaheim” after in baseball team name. Millions in legal fees for both sides.
Helped lure men’s Olympic gold medal volleyball team to Anaheim, now adding women’s team. Has solidified relations with Anaheim Ducks hockey team. Has courted NBA and NFL teams to come to Anaheim.
Served four terms in Assembly, including 11 months as Speaker in 1996. Pragmatic conservative: friends include moderate Re-publican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dem-ocrats former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Operates government consulting firm Curt Pringle & Associates. Bachelor’s in business, master’s in public administration from Cal State Long Beach.
Wife, Alexis, daughter, Katie, son, Kyle, daughter-in-law, Sarah.
- Rick Reiff