News and Commentary
Concordia's Director of the Center for Public Policy Keith Curry to
Lead Association of California Cities for OC
Keith Curry was installed Thursday as the President of the Association of
California Cities Orange County. The association represents Orange County
cities and promotes innovation, information sharing and fiscal stability
among cities. Curry also received the Association’s Collaborative Public
Policy Award for his leadership as Chairman of the Association’s Local
Government Innovation Committee.
Click Here to read the full Article
Concordia Center for Public Policy hosts Orange County Mayors
L-R Orange County Mayors meet at Concordia: Gary Miller, Seal Beach, Al Murray, Tustin, Prakash Narain, Cypress, Steven Choi, Irvine, Keith Curry, Director of the Center for Public Policy and Newport Beach, Bob Foster, featured speaker and Mayor of Long Beach, Beth Swift, Buena Park, Jim Righeimer, Costa Mesa, Tom Tait, Anaheim, Tri Ta, Westminster, Ron Garcia, Brea.
The Concordia Center for Public Policy hosted a summit of mayors from Orange County cities to discuss the issues and challenges facing mayors in today’s economic climate. Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster was the featured speaker as the mayors tackled issues such as pension reform, labor negotiations, economic development and building consensus among local city council members. “Mayors are the real innovators for government reform and improved public services” said Director of the Center for Public Policy Keith Curry, who also serves as the mayor of Newport Beach. “All of my colleagues appreciated the opportunity to get together and share the challenges that face each of our cities”. Curry continued.
The Mayors Summit was one of a continuing series of programs offered by the Center in 2013 focused on the theme “Can California Come Back?”
Concordia Students visit Sacramento
Director of the Center for Public Policy Keith Curry, Jachin Anrig, State Senator Mimi Walters, Keane Anrig and Sean Rhyme on the floor of the California State Senate during the recent Legislative Seminar. Concordia students joined nearly 100 students from other California universities to hear firsthand from legislators, state constitutional officers, lobbyists, journalists and staff members on the workings of the California state government. For the full story from the Concordia Courier, please click here.
DUI Summit
Read the OC register article here.
Watch the KCAL 9 video here.
The Daily Pilot
Commentary: the state of our city is strong
Outlook is sunny for Newport
Speak Up Newport Mayor's Dinner 2013
Read Mayor Keith D. Curry's full speech
Concordia and USC Host Program on California Governance
Read the official press release
Concordia Announces Government Technology Forum
Irvine, CA - The Concordia University Center for Public Policy announced the lineup for its "Government Technology Forum," to be held June 22, 2012. Geoffrey Moore, author, business consultant and venture capitalist will serve as the keynote speaker at the Forum with concepts from his recent book Escape Velocity. Moore's book lays out a comprehensive strategy for engaging with next-generation trends while maintaining core franchises.
In addition to Moore, the program will feature Tim Britt, Chief Executive Officer of Synoptek, who will introduce ten trends in public agency technology. A panel of state, county and city technology leaders will round out the forum, sharing their strategies for changing the way technology is used in government. The panel participants include thought leaders from Los Angeles, Riverside, Mountain View and the state of Montana, who have each led the charge in creating a new vision for using technology in government with limited resources.
The half-day program is designed to equip public sector managers and elected officials in responding and adapting to the changing public technology environment to enhance services, reduce cost and improve efficiency. "This is the third installment of our programs designed to improve government performance and efficiency," said Center Director Keith Curry. "I am very proud of the quality of the speakers and the practical and timely content of this program," he continued.
"Today's public agency IT management approach is rapidly falling behind in its ability to deliver services to stakeholder departments and constituents," said Britt of Synoptek, sponsor of the program. "This forum will equip public sector managers to address the key decisions necessary to manage the transition to the next generation of technology and will enable elected officials to frame key questions."
The program will take place at the offices of the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine from 8:30AM-12 noon. For reservations call 949 214-3200 or www.cui.edu/cpp.
Concordia Students Visit State Capitol
Quote from State Senator Tom Harman
This week, I was pleased to welcome to the Senate Floor, Keith Curry, the Director of the Concordia University Center for Public Policy, Keene Anrig (age 22) and Jason Lyle (age 21), undergraduates at Concordia University. Concordia University is located in Irvine.
Keene and Jason are active competitors for the university's award-winning forensics program. As such, they were in Sacramento this week participating in the annual Sacramento Legislative Seminar sponsored by Loyola Marymount University.
Keith Curry is a former Mayor of Newport Beach. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Orange County Parks Commission and Vice President of the Association of California Cities Orange County. It was a pleasure introducing these acclaimed members of our community on the Senate Floor.
Article excerpt from the "Concordia Courier"
Coming to Grips with Pension Costs
Read about rapidly escalating pension costs and what you can do about it in the March Commentary. [PDF]
Concordia to host Harvard Professor
When: March 1, 2012
Contact: Ann Ashmon
949-214-3152
ann.ashmon@cui.edu
Read the official press release.
Shell Games with Tax Dollars
Read about the current controversy in Orange County in the December 17th Concordia Commentary. [PDF]
Student Newspaper Reports on The Center for Public Policy
Read about Curry's vision and the beginnings of the CPP in the December 6th issue of The Concordia Courier. [PDF]
Concordia University Announces New Center for Public Policy
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Contact: Keith Curry, Director of the Center for Public Policy
Phone: (949) 214-3200 (Curry)
Email: keith.curry@cui.edu
Contact: Ann Ashmon, Director of Communications
Phone: (949) 214-3178 (Ashmon)
Email: ann.ashmon@cui.edu
Irvine-Concordia University President Kurt Krueger announced today the formation of the Concordia University Center for Public Policy. The Center will serve as a forum for events, research and strategic partnerships to involve the university in the discussion of contemporary issues facing Orange County public sector leaders. "There is no question that state and local governments are experiencing profound change. I believe our university can play an important role in facilitating the discussion of how that change will impact Orange County and in the preparation of leaders equipped to manage that change in the next decades," said Krueger.
The Center will host forums, symposia, debates and will undertake research to help Orange County officials better understand and address the critical issues facing local decision makers. "We look forward to strategic partnerships with local governments, business, labor, media and both political parties to elevate the level of discussion and to focus on practical answers to the emerging issues of the 21st Century," continued Krueger.
In addition to serving as a forum for public policy discussion, the University is embarking on a strategic initiative to strengthen its course offerings in public administration with a particular emphasis on public finance. The first event for the Center will be an "Annual Report" on the state of Orange County by Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Campbell to be held on Thursday, November 17, 2011.
Keith Curry, a Newport Beach Council Member and former Mayor, was named Director of the Center. Curry recently retired after a 23 year career as a Managing Director of Public Financial Management, a national public finance consulting and advisory firm. Previously he served in the administration of President Ronald Reagan at the Department of Transportation.
"Our goal is to focus on Orange County as an urban area of more than three million people and to serve as a resource for helping local officials make better decisions. We also aim to prepare students with practical, real world skills needed for today's local governments, with a particular emphasis on public finance," said Curry.
The University also announced a broad-based list of "who's who" in Orange County who will be serving as board members of the Center. The board includes both the chairmen of the Democratic and Republican parties of Orange County, labor leader Nick Berardino and union-critic Supervisor John Moorlach. Also represented are the Orange County business leaders and local elected officials of both parties, including Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell.
"The board represents the diversity of opinion and the breadth of experience that we want to be the hallmark of Center programs," said Curry.
Concordia University Irvine, founded in 1976, is an innovative institution grounded in the rich tradition of the nationally respected Concordia University System. The university enrolls 3,200 students in more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. Concordia's breathtaking 70-acre campus is just seconds off the 405 freeway - conveniently located in the beautiful Turtle Rock hills of Irvine.