The Orange County Great Park Corporation Board is responsible for creating policy for the development, operation and maintenance of the Great Park and its infrastructure. Initial Board activity will include overseeing the design, construction and development of the park amenities. In the long term, the Board will focus on fundraising and park operations and maintenance.

Larry Agran, Chairman
Irvine Councilmember

Residence: Irvine
Occupation: Public Interest Attorney
Background: Larry Agran re-entered the local political arena when he was elected to the Irvine City Council in 1998. He was elected Mayor in 2000 and re-elected Mayor in 2002. He also served on the Irvine City Council from 1978 to 1990, including six years as Mayor. Under his leadership, the City received national recognition for its pioneering programs in child care, affordable housing, recycling, and open space preservation. Elected to a four-year City Council term in 2004, Councilmember Agran became Chair of the nine-member Orange County Great Park Corporation in 2005.

“Other great metropolitan parks have required fifty years or more to develop. By contrast, our Great Park development strategy – harnessing the power of private capital and the benefit of enlightened public planning – will enable all key elements of the Great Park to be developed within five years. We will have a Great Park larger than New York's Central Park, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and San Diego's Balboa Park combined that will be developed and maintained in perpetuity with private dollars.”

Michael Pinto, Vice Chair
Board of Directors, Laguna Canyon Foundation

Residence: Laguna Beach
Occupation: Founder and President, Laguna Canyon Foundation
Background: Michael Pinto has his doctorate in Non-Profit Organizational Development. He has been a leader in efforts to preserve land for public benefit over the past 30 years. He is the founder and Chairman of the Board of the Laguna Beach Education Endowment and Capital fund, founder and President of the Laguna Canyon Foundation, advisor, group facilitator and fundraising consultant to the Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation, Vice President of the Great Park Conservancy and Chairman of the Board of the Warner Community Resource Center.

“To succeed in building the Great Park, the Board must forge partnerships with a variety of entities, including local and county governments, private sector interests, consultants, and constituent organizations. In the area of forming partnerships and conducting negotiations, I will bring a special expertise to the Board.”

Dr. Steven Choi
Irvine Councilmember

Residence: Irvine
Occupation: Professor/Businessman
Background: Steven Choi was elected to the Irvine City Council in 2004, after serving on the Irvine Unified School District Board of Trustees since 1998. Dr. Choi has taught at several colleges and universities including USC and UCI. He is the Director of Dr. Choi's Academy and his wife operates Kumon Math and Reading Center. His first job after emigrating from Korea was training Peace Corps volunteers for the State Department. Dr. Choi earned his Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, his MS from Louisiana State University, and his BA from Kyung Hee University.

"As an educator, I am thrilled by the many learning opportunities the Orange County Great Park will create. The Great Park Plan designates land for new universities, museums, libraries and other institutions that will expand educational choices for all county residents."

Sukhee Kang
Irvine Mayor Pro Tem

Residence: Irvine
Occupation: Businessman
Background: Sukhee Kang is a 30-year resident of Orange County and a core advocate of civic participation. Mr. Kang was elected to Irvine City Council in 2004 and served as Mayor Pro Tempore for two consecutive years. He was re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term and continues to offer leadership with diverse communities to improve upon quality of life in the area. Using his successful background in business management and non-profit organizations, Mr. Kang currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies and the Executive Steering Committee of the Orange County League of California Cities. Mr. Kang’s priorities for the Great Park include a vivacious and self-sufficient Sports Park component, collaborative multi-cultural center, opportunities for public-private partnerships an attracting global appeal.

"The Orange County Great Park will become the “town square” of our rapidly growing and diverse county. It will be a place where people of all cultures can come together to enjoy open space, sports, recreation and cultural activities."

William G. Kogerman
Lieutenant Colonel USMC (Ret.)

Residence: Laguna Hills
Occupation: Businessman
Background: Lieutenant Colonel William Kogerman USMC (Ret.) is a decorated combat aviator who flew a variety of jet aircraft from the former MCAS El Toro. Lt. Col. Kogerman created and chaired each of the volunteer anti-airport initiatives. He helped draft Measure “W” and spearheaded the defeat of the airport plan, which ultimately contributed to the creation of the Orange County Great Park. He is most interested in developing an Air Museum and Veterans Memorial within the park. Lt. Col. Kogerman has been honored with the PROTUS award for PR/Communications and the Passkey Foundation/ Chapman University ETHICS IN AMERICA award.

Beth Krom
Mayor of Irvine

Residence: Irvine
Occupation: Businesswoman
Background: Beth Krom was first elected to the Irvine City Council in 2000 and was re-elected in 2002. In 2004, she won her first term as Mayor of Irvine and was re-elected in 2006. Mayor Krom brings her experience as a teacher, a business owner, a community volunteer and a mother to her work on behalf of the community. Since joining the City Council, Mayor Krom has dedicated herself to advancing the plan for the Orange County Great Park. An advocate for balanced communities, Mayor Krom is focused on undertaking initiatives that will ensure a sustainable future for the Great Park and the City of Irvine.

“The Orange County Great Park Plan is the result of a remarkable partnership between the City of Irvine, the Department of the Navy, and the County of Orange. The Great Park will be a recreational resource for residents throughout Orange County and a tremendous source of pride for generations to come.”

Miguel Pulido
Mayor of Santa Ana

Residence: Santa Ana
Occupation: Mayor of Santa Ana
Background: Miguel Pulido is Mayor of the largest city in Orange County. He has served with distinction as a member of regional, state and federal boards including the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Federal Inter-Governmental Trade Policy Advisory Committee, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and the Bowers Museum Board of Governors.

He has also served with distinction as a member of regional, state and federal boards including the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Southern California Air Quality Management District, the State Workforce Investment and the Federal Inter-Governmental Trade Policy Advisory Committee.

“As a Central County and North County official, I can be especially instrumental in honoring the will of the voters and in unifying the entire County behind the Great Park.”

James “Walkie” Ray
Owner, Sanderson J. Ray Development

Residence: Newport Beach
Occupation: Business Owner/Philanthropist
Background: Walkie Ray is a co-owner of one of Orange County's most successful general contracting companies, Sanderson J. Ray Corporation. Mr. Ray served for eight years as Chairman of the Board for the Discovery Science Center and was responsible for the site acquisition, design, construction and fundraising for this unique 28 million dollar interactive science museum. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Orange County High School of the Arts and Chairman of the Building Committee of Sage Hill School.

“I believe that my professional training, business experience, history of community involvement and desire/ability to set aside the necessary time would enable me to be an effective and productive Director of the Great Park Corporation.”

Christina Shea
Irvine Councilmember

Residence: Irvine
Occupation: Business Consultant/Realtor
Background: Christina Shea was first elected to Irvine City Council in 1992. She was directly elected Mayor in 1996 and 1998. After two years of retirement from city government, Ms. Shea was re-elected to Irvine City Council in 2002 and was recently re-elected for another term in November 2006. Ms. Shea continues her municipal efforts to represent the community by supporting fiscal responsibility and working to maintain a high quality of life for all Irvine residents. Ms. Shea is active in many volunteer organizations, including the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society, Irvine Child Care Project, African Project, and the Raise Foundation.

“The Great Park Plan will create a tremendous benefit for all Orange County residents to be enjoyed for years to come.”