Carol Hoffman to Leave PR Job at Irvine Co., Start Her Own Firm

Carol Hoffman, for years the Irvine Co.’s public face in Newport Beach, has resigned as vice president for entitlement and community relations to start her own consulting firm.

Hoffman, 56, is leaving after almost 15 years with the Newport Beach company.

Irvine Co. officials said Hoffman had skillfully represented the firm, citing as an example Hoffman’s role in recently securing Coastal Commission approval for the company’s residential project on the hillside across from Crystal Cove in Newport Coast.

Irvine Co. officials said they have not decided whether to fill Hoffman’s position. In the meantime, Hoffman will work as a consultant for the company.

Hoffman said she viewed the current healthy state of the economy as a good time to make a change. She plans to open a firm in Newport Beach once she returns from a pilgrimage to Poland, Germany and Italy. The trip is tied to her recent conversion to Catholicism.

Her civic activities in the county include board memberships for Irvine Regional Hospital and Medical Center, the Irvine Health Foundation and the Orange County Performing Arts Center.