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 in 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 breath of experience that we want to be the hallmark of Center programs,” said Curry.
Read more about the Center for Public Policy and the 2011 OC Annual Report.
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 - conveniently located in the beautiful Turtle Rock hills of Irvine.