BEHIND THE HEADLINES: Larry Thomas

Larry Thomas has worn some significant hats in his long career — reporter for United Press International, campaign manager for Gov. Pete Wilson and press secretary for George H. W. Bush when he was vice president. Around Newport-Mesa, however, he’s best known as the longtime spokesman for the Irvine Co., a job that he held for 20 years before announcing his retirement in August. Thomas spoke with the Daily Pilot about his career, his retirement plans and his thoughts on the future of media.

Question: Tell us how and when you first arrived at The Irvine Co.?

Answer: It’s a nice story. Donald Bren was persuaded by my longtime friends and colleagues Gary Hunt and Jack Flanigan to find a home for me here in 1987. I was leaving the White House, where I was George Bush’s vice presidential press secretary. I wanted to return to Southern California and be close to my daughter and the water. It was a perfect opportunity, and I’ve been grateful ever since.

Q: What have been some of your most memorable moments and/or greatest accomplishments at The Irvine Co.?

A: My most memorable moments have been tied to the accomplishments of The Irvine Company. Among them were events to celebrate the makeover of Fashion Island, the first play on the Pelican Hill golf courses, the opening of Newport Coast Drive, the agreement that preserved major open space in Laguna Canyon, completion of the San Joaquin Hills toll road, the creation of special shopping centers at Crystal Cove and Corona del Mar Plaza, the opening of Shady Canyon, and — most recently — the high-profile, national recognition of the company’s historic open space preservation decisions. Donald Bren’s touch, style and taste were behind each.

Q: How much has the public relations/corporate communications field changed since you first began?

A: Regrettably, Americans have grown more skeptical and distrustful of all our institutions: corporations, government, the media. As a consequence, food fights have too often replaced rational, factual digestion of issues big and small. For those of us involved in the dissemination of information, the challenge has never been greater to be heard, let alone understood.

Q: What’s your opinion on the current media climate and the explosion of websites and blogs?

A: We are in the middle of a media revolution that is turning the old world on its head. Few understand how it will turn out. But we know one thing: Just as the Internet has cut out middlemen like travel agents, it is reducing the influence of traditional reporters to act as filters and arbiters of news. Everyone who wants to be a “reporter” or “commentator” can be one. Dealing with this expanding field of interested parties is a huge challenge to institutions in America.

Q: Do you think newspapers have a future?

A: I believe that content still is king, so those who produce the best, most useful content will have a future — even if not in its current form. I’m most optimistic that community papers stand the best chance of survival because there is strong demand to know what is happening where you live, work, play, shop and study. And I think that some of us will always want to hold a paper in our hands to read, thus placing the future of papers literally in the hands of old coots who don’t want to change their ways.

Q: So, you are still a young guy, what prompted you to retire now?

A: I got a card for my 60th birthday that showed a large grim reaper in a rearview mirror of a car. Open the card and it reads: “Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear.” That’s the reason. I’m still young, reasonably healthy and hopelessly curious about seeing more of the world. Something inside told me it was time, having just turned 60 and having spent 20 years at The Irvine Company.

Q: What are you going to do with all your free time?

A: Well, I have to figure that out. Fortunately, I hope to have time to devote to that from under my beach chair and umbrella, or on a road trip.