2007 Business in the Arts Awards

BUSINESS IN THE ARTS AWARDS HONORS ORANGE COUNTY COMPANIES, AND PRESENTS THREE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TRIBUTES, A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, AND AN ARTS ACCOLADE

Narratus, Inc. Recognized with The Lifetime Achievement Award
Special Honor Presented to Three OC Arts Leaders

Costa Mesa Marking its 26^th year of fostering partnerships between business and the arts, the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts (OCBCA) held its 26th annual Business in the Arts Awards by honoring companies ranging from a New Media Advertising company to a firm offering luxury bath and kitchen fixtures, as well as local retailers, consultants, industry, brokerage and accounting firms, for their support of the arts in this community. The awards program and dinner were held Sunday, November 18, at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and The Ritz Restaurant and Garden.

The evenings highlights included presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Narratus, Inc., and Lifetime Leadership in the Arts Awards given to Martin Benson, David Emmes and Judith ODea Morr.

Guests were welcomed by OCBCA Chairman Paul F. Folino, Executive Chairman of the Emulex Corporation, who also introduced honored guest and keynote speaker Kristina Dodge, American Sterling Group.

In her remarks, Ms. Dodge noted, As someone who has worked as both artist and supporter of the arts, I have seen first-hand how profoundly important a thriving arts community is to the well-being of Orange County. Without the arts and a new generation of artists, we would lose the essence of what makes this area such a fine place to live and work. Business support of the arts has made this possible, and I salute the visionary corporate entrepreneurs who have so generously supported the arts over the years. You make an immense difference.

Eleven Business in the Arts Awards were presented in three categories: First Time, Return and Distinguished Achievement, and were based on support provided during calendar year January 1 to December 31, 2006. Each honoree received a specially-commissioned etched crystal piece, designed exclusively for the OCBCA by Tiffany & Co., and this year underwritten by Tiffany & Co.

Award Winners

This years Arts Award was presented to the Orange County High School of the Arts. The award which recognizes a nonprofit arts organization for developing innovative partnerships with business was accompanied by a $2,500 cash grant underwritten by Hanford Hotels, Inc.

The initial Business in the Arts Awards of the evening honored The Aura Group, Crevier BMW, ROHL LLC, The Capital Group Companies, and Merrill Lynch in the First Time Award category.Presented with a Return Award was the Automobile Club of Southern California. Distinguished Achievement Award recipients included: Bank of America, Cartier, Inc., South Coast Plaza, Tiffany & Co., and Wells Fargo Bank.

Lifetime Leadership in the Arts Awards

For the first time, the 2007 program also included the presentation of three individual Lifetime Leadership in the Arts Awards. For arts organizations to thrive, they need talented, committed and creative leadership. Recognizing this, the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts has inaugurated this special recognition award saluting extraordinary individuals who have had true impact on the arts in this community. This year, the award was presented to Martin Benson and David Emmes of South Coast Repertory, and Judith ODea Morr of the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Lifetime Achievement Award (a Hall of Fame Distinction)

Narratus, Inc. a significant contributor to the arts for many years received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Inaugurated in 1996, the award recognizes businesses that have demonstrated a deep and consistent commitment to support of the arts and achieved the highest scores in the Distinguished Achievement category. The award places the company in the OCBCA Hall of Fame. Only seven other companies have been thus honored.

The Judging Process

Judges for the 2007 awards were: Stephen T. Fry, President/Chief Executive Officer, Fry Steel Company; Nancy Lurwig, Manager, California Global Corporate Citizenship, The Boeing Company; Betty Mower Potalivo, President, Orange County Region Northern Trust; Lawrence Rosenberg, Artistic Director, Anaheim Ballet; and Jean Stern, Executive Director, The Irvine Museum.

Judging for the Business in the Arts Awards is conducted each year by a panel representing both the business and arts communities. Selection of the winners is based on each entrants contribution of financial and in-kind support; the quality and scope of the support program; the volunteer involvement of company personnel; and the impact of support on the arts organization, the community and the company itself.

Underwriters

The Business in the Arts Awards program is made possible by the generous underwriting of many county businesses. Leading the Premier Tier designation were Paul and Daranne Folino. Underwriting for the 2007 celebratory dinner at The Ritz Restaurant, which immediately followed the awards ceremony, was provided by The Boeing Company, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, The First American Corporation, Fry Steel Company, and Pool Water Products.

Underwriting for the awards reception and ceremony was provided by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Hanford Hotels, Inc.; The Keller Group Investment Management, Inc.; KPMG LLP; Pacific Investment Management Company; Resources Global Professionals; South Coast Plaza; and Wells Fargo Bank. Programs were underwritten by Union Bank. Guest gifts were provided by Cartier.

About the Business in the Arts Awards

The Orange County Business in the Arts Awards have been presented annually since the programs inception in 1982. Including this years winners, the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts has presented 315 awards to Orange County businesses and 28 awards to local nonprofit arts organizations.