COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, April 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., leaders from many of Orange County's top real estate companies and financial institutions in partnership with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) will band together in support of the county's 130,000 veterans at the 1st Annual O.C. Real Estate Luncheon.
A 2015 study commissioned by OCCF and conducted by the USC School of Social Work's Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families found that nearly 74% of post 9/11 veterans did not have a job when they left the military, 44% tested positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and 19% considered attempting suicide. When OCCF presented the study findings to leaders in the community, Pat Donahue, Chairman and CEO of Donahue Schriber and Allen Staff, Market President and Region Executive for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, decided to organize and host a luncheon to inspire other businesses, philanthropists, and community leaders to work together on three critical areas of veteran needs: Health, Education, and Employment. Donahue stated, "This event is much like a reinvention of the Commercial Real Estate Luncheon created by Ranney Draper of Diversified Shopping Centers back in the 90's. We decided it was time to reinstate that luncheon as a vehicle for the Orange County Real Estate Industry to give back to this great community."
This year's luncheon keynote speaker will be Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. He will address the audience with the many challenges that veterans face once their military careers are over. The Admiral has said, "Our culture is such, that if you are in active duty, we love you, we will take a bullet for you on Friday. On Monday when you leave with your sea bag or your duffle bag, 'we say, we salute you, we say thank you very much for your service, have a nice life.'"
A selection committee of well-respected business leaders, representatives from the Orange County Community Foundation, and former military members will carefully review and grant funds to non-profit organizations based on their overall effectiveness and financial transparency.
Selection Committee members include:
- Larry Casey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Donahue Schriber
- Paul Cate, Chief Executive Officer and President of Mark IV Capital, Inc.
- Steve Craig, President and CEO of Craig Realty Group
- Kevin Jennings, Market Executive-Southern California, Commercial Real Estate Banking for Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Jeffrey Moore, Senior Managing Director Broker Services CBRE
- Geoffrey Stack, Managing Director of Sares-Regis Group
- Don Vodra, Chief Operating Officer of Rancho Mission Viejo, L.L.C.
- David Zamudio, Vice President of Human Resources for KBS Realty Advisors
- John Rhodes, retired Lieutenant General USMC
- Brent Theobald, former Sergeant USMC
- William Wagasy, former Special Operations Chief USN
This year's luncheon presenting sponsor is Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Founding sponsors include CBRE, Craig Realty Group, Donahue Schriber, Fidelity National Title, KBS, Lyon Living, Mark IV Capital, and Rancho Mission Viejo. To attend the luncheon or become a sponsor, please sign up on OCCF's website at www.oc-cf.org/OCRELuncheon. The Orange County Community Foundation collaborates with individuals, families, and businesses to match their charitable interests with our community's needs. They strengthen local nonprofits through grants and supportive resources. Since its inception in 1989, the Orange County Community Foundation has granted more than $360 million to various non-profit organizations.
| Thank You to Our Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors (as of 4/7/16) | ||||
| Allen Matkins | Jennifer & Scott Lawrence | Sheri Nazaroff & Mark Whitfield | ||
| Bianca & Dave Mossman | MerloneGeier Partners | Spring Creek | ||
| Bixby Land Company | Nancy & Geoffrey Stack Family Foundation | Snell & Wilmer | ||
| Carolyn & Gary McKitterick | Nancy & Henry Avila | Steadfast Companies | ||
| Cox, Castle & Nicholson | Howard Building Service | Stuart Kane | ||
| Cushman & Wakefield - Arizona | Paula and Pat Donahue | Talonvest Capital | ||
| Deloitte | PNC Bank | The Irvine Company | ||
| Draper Family Foundation | Preferred Capital | The Schriber Family Foundation | ||
| Gallelli Real Estate | CitiView/Red Oak Investments | Valerie & Larry Casey | ||
| Howe Electric | SEG Advisors | Wells Fargo Bank | ||