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.