South Coast Metro Alliance unites developers, property owners and key corporate leaders who have a long-term investment in this community and are focused on nurturing business relationships while responding to issues and concerns.
South Coast Metro Alliance is a dynamic and evolving organization that fosters economic growth and development in South Coast Metro, Orange County’s premiere corporate and cultural center.
South Coast Metro Alliance implements and coordinates programs that focus on regional marketing, infrastructure development, business attraction, expansion, and retention.
South Coast Metro Alliance is the only business organization in South Coast Metro (north Costa Mesa/South Santa Ana) that provides members with the opportunity to meet other key business leaders, to maximize their exposure through publications, meetings and events while staying abreast of the latest business trends, events and information influencing Metro businesses.
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Meet L. Ski Harrison - Attorney, Teacher and Mentor
L. Ski Harrison, managing partner at Rutan & Tucker, LLP, California’s largest full-service law firm based in Orange County, has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a teacher, counselor and administrator in the California public school system and then as a highly respected attorney.
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A native of Kansas, Ski grew up in San Diego, where his father was a professor of psychology at California State University San Diego and his mother taught elementary school. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, he began his own teaching career in Anaheim.
Eventually, he became a counselor in Fullerton and then dean of students in Mission Viejo. Later, while working as the assistant to the superintendent of Saddleback Valley High School District, he became interested in law. It was his job to interface with the district's lawyers at Rutan & Tucker and with housing developers in South Orange County to make sure there were enough new schools to serve students moving into new housing tracts.
Determined to become an attorney, he attended Western State University College of Law in Fullerton at nights to get his law degree. After passing the bar, he joined the firm’s Public Law Section in 1988 and became a partner in 1995.
But education still plays a leading role in his career. Today, he represents school districts throughout California in both litigation and transactional matters, and occasionally calls upon his expertise in negotiating agreements related to the effects of new residential development on school facilities. He also handles personnel matters for a variety of public agencies.
“It’s a great honor to lead our firm,” said Ski. “For more than a century, Rutan has helped to shape Orange County by providing cutting edge legal services and strong community leadership. Even as we expand our practice throughout California and serve our national and international clients, we will always have a strong presence in Orange County here in South Coast Metro." |
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Business Trial Attorney Bill O'Hare On Giving Back to the Community
When seasoned attorney Bill O'Hare is not busy with his successful commercial litigation practice, you’ll find him actively pursing his other passions.
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By day, he's the administrative partner of the Orange County office of Western regional business law firm Snell & Wilmer, L.L.P. At night and on many weekends he’s involved with activities in his hometown of Laguna Beach. He has served as president of the Laguna Beach Education and Endowment Foundation and has been an active supporter of Laguna Beach schools for more than 16 years. Though his children have all now graduated from Laguna Beach High School, he fervently retains his connection to the Laguna Beach School District, where his wife Theresa serves as an elected school board member.
Bill is also a past president and board member of the Orange County Bar Foundation and membership chair of the University of California at Irvine CEO Roundtable. Among the many honors he has received in his distinguished career are the Anti-Defamation League of Orange County/Long Beach’s 2009 Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award, the 2008 Robert S. Barnes Award from the Orange County Bar Foundation and the State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award.
For the past three years, the striking Plaza Tower in South Coast Metro has been home to the firm’s Orange County operations. “Working and playing in South Coast Metro is energizing. Home to shopping, dining and the arts, South Coast Metro is Orange County’s downtown. We’re glad to be here,” said Bill.
Given all he does, Bill is the living embodiment of Snell & Wilmer’s motto “Character comes through.” |
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Accomplished Attorney George Wall On Maintaining A High Profile During Challenging Economic Times
Pun intended, George Wall, a senior partner at Rutan & Tucker, California’s largest full-service law firm headquartered in Orange County’s stylish South Coast Metro area, believes that the last thing an attorney should be during recessionary times is a wall flower.
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Instead, he sees great opportunity in down times and he’s practiced law long enough to know that prosperity will return if you’re around to take advantage of it. For example, these days prospective clients may have become disenchanted with their present firms and are looking elsewhere to get top talent at rates that may be more attractive.
So George’s philosophy is to ramp it up during difficult economic times by staying very visible – an easy task for a man of who’s well above six feet tall – at high-profile social and political events frequented by key people, and by serving as a director of the Forum for Corporate Directors, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Association for Corporate Growth, and in the New Majority, which he co-founded.
Wall’s high caliber contacts and clients, such as Ambassador George L. Argyros, real estate development company Capital Pacific Holdings, investment firm ClearLight Partners, LLC, and Riordan, Lewis & Haden, a leading regional private equity firm, have kept him busy in a corporate law practice that includes acquisitions, sales and reorganizations; venture capital transactions; securities including numerous public and private offerings; health care; broad-based tax planning including real estate development and financing; real estate acquisition and exchanges; preparation of loan documentation for lenders; and franchising registration.
Why is his firm located in South Coast Metro? “There’s simply no place quite like South Coast Metro to enjoy the amenities and attractions that define a sophisticated Orange County lifestyle,” says George. |
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Meet Renaissance Man A. Patrick Muñoz
Patrick Muñoz is something of a modern day renaissance man. Among his many accomplishments, he is a well-respected attorney, an advocate of higher education, a longtime community volunteer and a family man.
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These days, Patrick divides his time between several important pursuits. First and foremost, he is a seasoned partner with Rutan Tucker, LLC, California’s largest full-service law firm headquartered in Orange County, with offices in South Coast Metro’s Pacific Arts Plaza. South Coast Metro has been home base for Rutan for more than a quarter-century.
When he’s not busy practicing law – he currently serves as city attorney for the cities of Dana Point and Twentynine Palms and is also a general counsel for several medium-sized and small businesses – Patrick devotes time to his role as chairman of the 30-member Board of the Orange Coast College Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to support the college by encouraging gifts of time, treasure and talent from alumni, campus and community members.
His favorite Board accomplishments include the construction of a nautical library and the renovation of the crew facilities at the Orange Coast College Sailing Center located in Newport Beach, and the renovation of the college’s Computing Center. At the sailing facility, students learn seamanship skills aboard the 65-foot Alaska Eagle sailing vessel. Under Patrick’s leadership, the Foundation is also currently in the early stages of a campaign to raise $10 million to build a state-of-the-art planetarium on the college campus.
Patrick also finds time to stay involved with CM900, the charitable arm of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and with the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce. On the home front, Patrick and his wife are busy with their two children who enjoy academics, sports and music.
For his part, when he’s not working in South Coast Metro or busy with his family, Patrick relieves stress and stays in shape by training for and participating in triathlons and half marathons.
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Meet Rob Lucenti – Trusted Business Advisor, Dedicated Coach and Optimist
Though it’s an often-quoted cliché, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ aptly describes the mindset and actions of Robert Lucenti, managing partner of Deloitte’s Orange County office.
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Put simply, when situations are difficult, strong people like Rob rise to the occasion and strive to create a more positive environment for everyone.
As office managing partner, Rob’s focus is to motivate and lead his staff, serve clients, and maintain Deloitte’s leadership as a top professional services organization in Orange County. In Rob’s view, this is best accomplished by being present in the community. “Your success lies in the strength of your relationships. It is critical to stay connected – to clients, colleagues and the community,” says Rob.
Rob is especially proud of Deloitte’s commitment to the community and encourages his people to get involved. While working in Los Angeles, he actively participated in the non-profit foundation called "A Better LA" that was created by former USC head football coach Pete Carroll to help make South Los Angeles a better, safer place to live and work. Through Deloitte’s pro bono program, Rob and his colleagues contributed their business skills to help A Better LA address several financial reporting and risk management issues. Deloitte’s support enabled A Better LA improve its operations and redirect its limited resources toward serving troubled youth.
Here in Orange County, Rob has also eagerly shared his business acumen with the non-profit Forum for Corporate Directors that helps directors, executives and others who support boards establish and meet the highest standards in corporate governance. And as a member of the Board of Orange County’s United Way, he provides leadership and business counsel to this worthy organization that serves many county residents. As a lifelong sports enthusiast, Rob has lent his coaching skills to his children who have excelled in volleyball and basketball, and led teams to victory in the local Flag Football League.
Rob describes South Coast Metro as a hub of activity. It is situated in ideal proximity to many of Deloitte’s clients, and to the local universities from which Deloitte recruits top talent. In addition, Deloitte professionals love coming to work in a unique place that offers exceptional housing, dining, shopping and arts amenities – something that he feels is particularly important during these challenging times. Deloitte has been located in South Coast Metro for several decades. The corporation provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management and tax services to its clients.
Rob believes it’s essential to be active in the marketplace and encourages everyone he comes into contact with to keep an upbeat attitude. Fortunately, creating a positive environment is exactly what he does best. |
| Click here to view all that South Coast Metro Alliance Members benefit from: |
Business Roundtables includes business leaders from key corporations who are interested in utilizing their Metro business location to foster and strengthen their business development opportunities.
Human Resource Group provides a network of Human Resource Directors/Personnel providing an opportunity to discuss issues, laws and regulations that effect recruitment and retention of employees.
Legal/Financial/Investment Group providing a network for the law firms, financial and investment companies discussing topics of mutual interest.
Board of Directors and Advisory Board work together overseeing transportation improvements, freeway & surface street access, local and regional legislative actions and other issues that impact South Coast Metro.
Commercial Leasing Group and Property Management Group include developers, leasing directors, property owners and managers of commercial real estate interested in marketing support to attract new tenants while retaining current tenants and working together to create, enhance, and protect property values via the
Business/Police Partnership Program. Business/Police Partnership Program provides information regarding the prevention of fraud, graffiti, and other illegal activities via quarterly lunch meeting with Costa Mesa and Santa Ana Police Departments.
Apartment Home Communities Group works to attract new residents while working on programs that enhance and protect property values via the Business/Police Partnership and programs targeted to retaining residents.
Fast Facts, emailed the 15th and 30th of the month, highlights South Coast Metro amenities and businesses.
Member Directory. South Coast Metro PocketBook and Web site showcases the Metro’s many amenities such as the dining, shopping, hotels, and visual and performing arts. |
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