Orange County Great Park Corporation Appoints Lieutenant Colonel William G. Kogerman USMC (ret.) to Serve on Great Park Board

The Orange County Great Park Corporation Board of Directors at its meeting today appointed Lieutenant Colonel William Kogerman USMC (ret.) to serve on the Orange County Great Park Board of directors. Lt. Col. Kogerman is a decorated combat aviator who flew missions from the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Base.

Lt. Col. Kogerman also spearheaded Measure “W”, the grassroots effort to defeat the airport that culminated with the promise of a great metropolitan park. He will now be responsible, along with all board members, to plan, develop, maintain and operate the Orange County Great Park.

“The Great Park Corporation has the opportunity to demonstrate world-class competency in planning, strategic thinking and concern for the legacy promised to future generations of Orange County residents,” said Director Kogerman. “We should take pride in the knowledge that we did not embark on this voyage only for ourselves, but for generations of residents that will follow us. I am honored to serve on the Board and ensure that this dream comes true.”

Kogerman was one of 23 applicants who initially responded in July 2005 to the Orange County Great Park Corporation’s announcement seeking interest from qualified candidates wanting to serve on the Board. Candidates were asked to provide the Board with information regarding their professional and volunteer backgrounds and/ or their general desire to be part of a dynamic group of individuals seeking to build a world-class park. An ad hoc committee, chaired by Board Director Beth Krom and Directors Stephen Choi and Walkie Ray, was assembled to review applications and interview the candidates. The ad hoc committee recommended three candidates for the Board’s consideration. After interviewing each of the three finalists, the Corporation Board elected Lt.Col. Bill Kogerman USMC (ret.) to serve as Director of the Orange County Great Park Corporation. Mr. Kogerman will be sworn in at the March 9, 2006 Board of Directors meeting.

Kogerman earned the support of all Orange County Great Park Corporation Board Directors. “Colonel Kogerman devoted most of his adult life to serving our nation as a Marine Corps aviator stationed at El Toro Air Base,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “He is also recognized as one of the most important and effective grassroots leaders in the fight to stop El Toro Airport. We are honored that Colonel Kogerman can play a major role in transforming the El Toro Marine Corps Air Base into the Orange County Great Park.”

Lieutenant Colonel William G. Kogerman USMC (ret.) created and chaired each of the anti-airport committees, such as the Coalition for the Responsible Airport Solutions, Taxpayers for Responsible Planning and the Orange County Taxpayers for Good Government. He assisted in drafting Measure “W” which made the Great Park possible. He delivered the support of 5,000 grassroots volunteers to repeal the County’s commercial airport plans for El Toro.

The 1,347-acre Orange County Great Park will be a major metropolitan park and the focal point of redevelopment of the larger 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro located in Irvine, California that was designated for closure more than a decade ago. The Great Park will include extensive natural areas in addition to recreational and cultural uses. The remaining 3,700-acre area will be revitalized by the Lennar Corporation and will include residential, educational, commercial and retail uses, and other supporting facilities.