The importance of supporting the arts
B.W. COOK
What began more than 22 years ago under the direction of former
television personality Betty Moss has evolved into a most valued
community tradition. The Orange County Business Committee for the
Arts presented its 22nd annual “Business in the Arts” awards at a
posh pre-holiday reception and dinner in Newport Beach.
Many of the most important business leaders in the community
turned out in force to support the association that Moss has created
over more than decades of networking within the Orange County
business sector to support arts and culture in the region.
“This is a very important recognition for Cartier,” said Caroline
Jones, manager of Cartier, South Coast Plaza.
Jones clutched the handsome engraved crystal bowl that was awarded
to Cartier in the category of distinguished achievement for a
business with fewer than 50 employees.
“This personally means a lot to me,” she said. “I am honored.”
Jones and Cartier have been very supportive of local arts
programs, most particularly connected with the Orange County
Performing Arts Center. Another honoree, Bob Conway, representing his
firm KPMG LLP, accepted honors in the category of businesses with 50
to 500 employees. Conway, attending with his wife and co-worker,
Harumi Owen, and fellow KPMG executives David and Colleen Yasukochi,
Mark and Tina Tillotson, and Carol and Jeff Carlile, was also pleased
to be recognized.
“KPMG has a long history of providing support for the arts
reaching the common good of enhancing the overall landscape of Orange
County,” Conway said. “We are committed to being socially
responsible.”
Others recognized for their commitment to social responsibility
were jeweler Black Starr & Frost. Owner Paul Lam made an eloquent
acceptance speech, joining staff members Jon Clancy, Craig Keding and
Jo Anna Lowrey at the reception and dinner.
Washington Mutual Bank; Haskell & White LLP; South Coast Plaza;
Narratus Inc.; Noelle Corporate Communications; Latham & Watkins; The
Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition; McLarard, Vasquez, Ernsiek &
Partners; Boeing; Wells Fargo Bank; and the Flour Corporation were
also honored for their service to community.
The Sunday evening gathering was emceed by Donald E. Sodaro,
chairman of the board of Hanford Hotels Inc. and chairman of the
Orange County Business Committee for the Arts.
Sodaro, a Newport resident, introduced guest of honor Victor H.
Doolan, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, LLC.
Doolan, also a Newport resident, addressed the assemblage with
purpose.
“Art is essential to business,” he said. “Business is not
essential to art. Art was with us long before business, as we know
it. Art enables us to express our freedom. In a less free world, art
enables people to find freedom.”
As the crowd applauded, Doolan joined Sodaro in introducing Dean
Corey, representing the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, who
was selected to receive the 2003 Arts Award. Corey quoted the
inventor George Eastman as he thanked the committee for the honor and
the donation that accompanied the recognition.
“George Eastman said that what you do with your working hours
determines what you have, and what you do outside your working hours
determines who you are,” he said.
The Eastman quote was a perfect fit for the assemblage brought
together by Moss. Many people in the crowd commented on the
significance of the quote, including Jeff Bennett, representing
Tiffany & Company, a donor and underwriter of the event He attended
the evening with his wife, Barbara. Bennett also served as one of the
judges of the 2003 awards.
Jennifer Van Bergh, Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom, Carol
Starcevic, Bob and Betty Grant, Parker and Sherry Kennedy, Dave and
Jeanne Tappan, Bob Fluor, Steve and Lori Haskell, Dave and Ila White,
John Hakopien and Stacy Cantrell, Paul and Heather Singarella, and
Carol Bonner were also in the crowd.
After the presentation of awards at the Newport Marriott Hotel,
Fashion Island, guests crossed the boulevard to the Ritz Restaurant
for the traditional holiday breaking of bread. The Ritz has partnered
with Moss and The OCBA for all of the 22 years, establishing a strong
community connection.
Enjoying the dinner celebration were OCBA judge Stephen Chandler
and his charming wife, Susan, of San Marino and Emerald Bay. James L.
Cooper, William Hall and Pat Poss, also judges, were in the dining
room with Steve and Lynda Flynn, Ernesto and Soccoro Vasquez, Doug
Simon with Kate Peters, Chris and Aletha Anderson, Chris and Julie
Schulz, Zee Allred with Drago Gligic, Terry and Terry Goldfarb Lee,
and Orange County’s most prominent ambassador of the Arts Henry
Segerstrom and his wife, Elizabeth.
“You are all leaders,” Henry Segerstrom told the crowd. “When
leaders lead, others follow. I’m proud to be your partner.”
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.