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Names in the News
Orange County REALTORS® Congratulates . . .
Director Lynne Suzanski, who was named Elk of the Month by the Huntington Beach Elks Club.
The 146 Top Workplaces recognized for their excellence at the 14th gathering for O.C.’s Top Workplaces, which was held at the Irvine Improv on Wednesday, December 6. The three top winners were Trusted Mortgage Capital (recognized as No. 1 small company), Jobot (No. 1 midsize company), and Seven-Gables Real Estate (No. 1 large company). Other companies receiving recognition included the Moulton Niguel Water District (as a midsize company) and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County (as a small company).
This is the 16th year in which the Orange County Register has partnered with Philadelphia-based Energage to determine Orange County’s Top Workplaces. Although employees are encouraged to nominate their workplaces, rankings are based solely on a scientific employee survey process.
Building Industry Association of Southern California Honors Orange County REALTORS®
On November 10, the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) celebrated its first one hundred years by holding a Centennial All Regional Installation Gala in a specially erected large tent at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano. Although the occasion was formal, guests were encouraged to re-create the zoot suit and flapper looks of the roaring twenties and were warned to “Expect the Unexpected.”
During the program, Orange County REALTORS® was honored as Nonprofit of the Year for being a “nonBIA association that exemplifies top-notch advocacy, representing and partnering with the housing industry for the region.”
“a non-BIA association that exemplifies top-notch advocacy, representing and partnering with the housing industry for the region.”
Dave Wheeler Elected Laguna Hills Mayor
On December 12 Laguna Hills City Council voted to elect Dave Wheeler (pictured on the left) to serve as Mayor of Laguna Hills, replacing former Mayor Janine Heft. Also pictured next to Mayor Wheeler is Jake Anderson and newly-elected Mayor Pro-Tem Josh Sweeney.
NAR Leadership Team Unanimously Chooses Nykia Wright as Interim CEO
The Leadership Team of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has unanimously chosen Nykia Wright to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of former CEO Bob Goldberg on November 20. In a letter dated November 2 and addressed to NAR Members, NAR President Tracy Kasper writes that Nykia “is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Sun-Times, an entrepreneur, and a strategic advisor to leading companies and universities.” Further, Nykia “has a deep understanding of the ways in which NAR empowers REALTORS® to help families across America realize the dream of homeownership. Nykia’s experience driving transformational change for mission-driven organizations positions her to help NAR embark on the next phase of leading our industry.”
Supervisors Establish Orange County Hall of Fame
In late November, the Orange County Board of Supervisors established the County’s own Hall of Fame and named as its inaugural class the following ten inductees: Amanda Beard, Kobe Bryant, Walt Disney, Frank Jao, Greg Louganis, William Lyon, Bill Medley, Henry Segerstrom, Gwen Stefani, and Tiger Woods. “This Hall of Fame signifies a pivotal moment for our community, where we come together to honor those who have shaped Orange County through their remarkable contributions,” said Third District Supervisor Don Wagner. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our residents whose impact resonates within and beyond our county.”
State Senator Janet Nguyen Announces Her Candidacy for the Orange County Board of Supervisors
State Senator Janet Nguyen (R–36th District) recently announced her candidacy to represent the First District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Senator Nguyen represented the First District on that Board from 2007 to 2014. Before being elected to the Board of Supervisors, she served on the Garden Grove City Council. At the age of 30, she was the youngest person ever elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the first woman to be elected from the First District, and the first Vietnamese-American county supervisor in the United States. From 2014 to 2018, she represented the 72nd District in the California State Assembly. And in 2022, she succeeded Patricia Bates as a member of the California State Senate. On November 13, former State Senator Bates was among the supporters who attended the “Senator Janet Nguyen for Supervisor Reception” at Brio Tuscany Grille in Dana Point.
State of Laguna Hills
North Marketing Meeting Donates $1,500 to OCAR Cares
On December 6 at our weekly North Marketing Meeting, attendees gathered to present OCAR Cares with a $1,500 donation check. OCAR Cares is a member relief program aimed at helping OC REALTORS® members in need of financial assistance due to unexpected hardships.
Tony Faulkner Named Veteran of
On November 9, Supervisor Katrina Foley recognized OCR Director Tony Faulkner as Veteran of the Year at her Third Annual Veteran of the Year Awards at the Dana Point Women’s Club.
Congratulations to Mayor Glenn Grandis
On December 5, by a unanimous vote of the council, Glenn Grandis was sworn in to serve as Mayor of Fountain Valley. Mayor Grandis succeeds outgoing Mayor Kim Constantine who was also honored for her service.
Names in the News is intended to be primarily a place where REALTOR® and Affiliate members of Orange County REALTORS® can share both personal and professional news—about births (of children or grandchildren), graduations, weddings, anniversaries, accomplishments, awards, and other milestones—with one another. If you have news to share, please submit it online at www.ocrealtors.org/names.
