New Majority News
Ivanka Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin talk tax reform in Newport Beach
Loreen Gilbert, founder and president of WealthWise Financial Services, a wealth management company specializing in advising business owners, was selected to be on a Newport Beach panel with Secretary Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump to discuss tax reform and its impact on small business today. Gilbert is Chair Elect of the National Association of Women Business Owners Institute (NAWBO Institute), which speaks to more than 10 million women business owners. The institute provides resources and tools for women business owners in the U.S. and around the globe. Loreen Gilbert also serves on the Trump-Pence Small Business Advisory Council.
“Tax reform is not about party affiliation, it is about people, jobs and our economy,” said Loreen Gilbert, founder and president of WealthWise Financial Services. “Our overly complex tax system demandssimplification to empower entrepreneurs, assist American workers and enable families to enjoy the fruits of their labor.”
Dale Dykema Recalled With Great Reverence
OBITUARY: His good works benefitted a good many
By Paul Hughes and Pete Weitzner
“He called me … before the event [and] knew he wouldn’t be strong enough,” Rick said.
Business
One local business colleague said Dale Dykema started 27 successful businesses.
That puts the total he launched even higher—because not all of them panned out.
“He was involved with starting businesses most of his career,” Rick said. “Sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn’t.”
The bug first bit when he began a stint with Title Insurance and Trust Co., known as TI and later as Ticor Title, now part of Fidelity National Financial Inc., based in Jacksonville, Fla., but long part of OC’s business community.
“Even early on he was investing in different things—hydroponic tomatoes, blueberry farms,” his son said. “He was always trying something new.”
In 1964 Dykema launched TD Service Financial Corp., which processed and stored documents related to mortgages, trustee sales and foreclosures.
He ran it for 52 years and sold it in October to First American Financial Corp. in Santa Ana. A price wasn’t disclosed but is believed to be about $10 million.
Dykema had recently taken stakes in new ventures, including Luminara Worldwide LLC near Minneapolis, which makes a flameless, battery-operated candle with licensed Disney Co. technology, and Irvine software firm and consultant Cloudify Inc., where he was also board chairman.
“People like him are few and far between,” said Evan Jafa, Cloudify’s founder and president. “People aren’t always aware of how many businesses and organizations benefited from being associated with him.”
Politics
Many local politicians learned and benefited from Dale Dykema, as well. Curt Pringle was the last Republican Speaker of the California State Assembly. He admired Dykema as a “Republican voice but not a harsh voice. He was both supporting and supportive of the moderate and conservative wings,” Pringle said. He noted that Dykema helped start the more centrist New Majority but remained a member of the more conservative Lincoln Club, a straddle few OC politicos managed.
“He was calm and steady,” Pringle recalled, “He commanded attention through his control. Dale was reflective of his time, a time of much greater bipartisanship.”
In a statement released by the Republican Party of Orange County, Chairman Fred Whitaker lauded Dykema as, “A champion of minority candidates.”
The lifelong Republican founded the Lincoln Juarez Opportunity Center and sat on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“He did politics like he did business,” said Rick Dykema. “He appreciated a friendly, engaging personality, whether he was hiring someone or looking for a candidate to support” beyond what candidates believed.
Charity
Dale and Sandi Dykema supported groups including DiscoveryCube, UCI Health and the Orange County Fair.
The couple are the 2017 Arnold O. Beckman Award honorees of DiscoveryCube, scheduled to be given by the children’s science museum at its gala in September.
Argyros Family Foundation Executive Director Wendy Hales sometimes trod the same philanthropic paths as Dykema—”there was nothing he wasn’t involved in”—but knew him mostly in his political involvement.
Her tenure as executive director of Lincoln Club overlapped with his chairmanship of the group.
“Dale was one of my first friends when I moved to Orange County, and one of my mentors,” Hales said. “This is heartbreaking.”
She said Dykema had inspired her own personal and professional efforts, and continues to do so.
“He was just amazing,” she said. “Anyone you talk to will tell you that.”
Building an empire: William Lyon’s retirement ends 63-year career as builder who helped shape Orange County suburbs
World War II-era B-17 bomber in April 2008 just before a two-day flight to Washington, D.C., to take part in a memorial celebration dedicated to U.S. airmen who died during the war. A former Air Force and commercial pilot, Lyon flew the plane himself but took a support crew with him. The man affectionately known as “the general” officially retired in February from the homebuilding empire he founded in 1954. (Register file photo by Mindy Schauer)
William Lyon
Age: 94
Born: Los Angeles
Current residence: Coto de Caza
Education: Attended USC, Dallas Aviation School and Air College, plus numerous military training programs
Net worth: $1.1 billion in 2016, according to the Orange County Business Journal, tied for 18th wealthiest Orange County resident.
Family: Wife of 46 years, Willa Dean Lyon; three daughters and two sons.
Hobbies: Collecting classic autos and airplanes, some of which have been displayed at the Lyon Air Museum and the Peterson Automotive Museum. They include about 90 cars built prior to World War II, including Duesenbergs from the 1920s and 1930s, a 12-cylinder 1935 Packard and a 1939 Packard once owned by a Mexican president. His planes include a B-17 Flying Fortress that he once flew to Washington, D.C., for a memorial honoring U.S. airmen killed in World War II.
The official account says William Lyon and his older brother, Leon, founded a small Orange County homebuilding firm in 1954 to build houses for soldiers returning from the Korean War.
An unofficial version – as told by his son, Bill H. Lyon – was that Lyon’s father, Depression-era builder and Kahlua importer Al Lyon, wanted to get him away from the risky business of flying airplanes.
So veteran combat and commercial air pilot William Lyon hung up his wings in 1954 and co-founded Luxury Homes in Fullerton, the first of several homebuilding companies Lyon would run over the next 63 years.
Eventually, his namesake development company, William Lyon Homes, became the 20th biggest homebuilding firm in the nation, according to Builder Magazine’s 2016 ranking, selling almost 2,800 homes in 2016, generating more than $1.4 billion in gross revenue.
In February, that era came to an end when the man affectionately known as “the general” stepped down from the board of directors.
Gen. Lyon, who earned that rank as commander of the U.S. Air Force Reserves in the 1970s, was 20 days shy of his 94th birthday when he officially retired.
It was part of an ongoing transition, long in the works, son Bill H. Lyon said.
Lyon stepped down as his firm’s chief executive in March 2013, and he stepped down as board chairman last year. Bill succeeded his father as board chairman.
The career that started with GI homes in Fullerton and ultimately housed thousands of families in Orange County and throughout the West made Lyon one of Orange County’s most wealthy and influential men.
He survived several market downturns, riding out the tough times by slashing inventories and staff and selling off land at a loss to raise capital. Lyon barely survived the early 1990s downturn. Following the housing crash of 2007, the Lyon family transferred a controlling interest in their firm to new investors, although the General retained his position at the helm.
In May 2014, Builder Magazine inducted Lyon into its Builder Hall of Fame.
“He’s a giant in our community. He’s built a name, he’s built neighborhoods, he’s built trust and discipline,” said John McManus, Builder Magazine’s editor. “His land acumen, his focus on homebuyers, his approaches to accessing capital, and his fiercely entrepreneurial spirit made his company a kind of academy for a couple of generations of homebuilding’s leaders.”
INFLUENTIAL LEADER
Lyon’s impact goes beyond the homebuilding industry.
He co-owned and operated a regional airline, AirCal, and invested in hotels. He also was instrumental in creating the Orangewood home for abused and neglected children, with the building of Santa Margarita High School, the founding of the Republican New Majority, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and was a major donor to charitable groups and Republican causes.
Lyon was one of the three most influential men in Orange County, along with Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren and South Coast Plaza developer Henry Segerstrom, said Larry Higby, a former Nixon White House aide who co-founded the The New Majority, a Republican group, in 1999 along with Lyon, George Argyros, Bren and others.
“Not only was he a community developer, but equally important, he was a community leader,” Higby said of Lyon. “Bill was one of those unique guys who doesn’t just write a check. He gets involved, which is why he makes such an impact.”
Lyon is credited with building more than 100,000 homes in six Western U.S. states over the course of his career, a statistic that hasn’t been updated in about a decade.
“He was one of the great homebuilders,” said Tony Moiso, Rancho Mission Viejo’s chairman. “His mark on Southern California, especially Orange County, is hard to match. He has impacted many, many thousands of lives that probably will never meet him, never knew anything about him. But he impacted those lives very positively.”
‘WANTED TO FLY’
The Los Angeles native fell in love with flying after a $1 flight at a Culver City airfield. He attended the University of Southern California, but the day after World War II broke out, he tried to enlist as a Navy pilot, his son said. He was rejected because he had a deviated septum.
He then went to the Dallas Aviation School and later managed to get into the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserves as part of an aircraft ferrying unit, delivering planes to war theaters around the world.
“He just wanted to fly,” Bill Lyon said.
After the war, he became a pilot for Frontier Airlines, his son said, then he went back into active duty during the Korean War,, flying 75 combat missions in C-46 and C-47 transport planes.
“He got back home somewhere around 1954,” Bill recalled. “His father was trying to figure out a way to get him out of airplanes and do something less dangerous.”
Al and Leon Lyon were working together operating Guardian Thrift and Loan. William Lyon joined his father and brother in founding Luxury Homes.
After selling the company in 1968, Lyon retained control of a subsidiary, William Lyon Development, the first in a series of homebuilding firms that would bear his name.
But Lyon, who had been active in the reserves since the war, later got tugged back into active duty. In 1975 he was named commanding general of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, bringing his business skills to manage the division’s $700 million budget for the next four years.
In 1981, Lyon and real estate developer George Argyros paid $61.5 million to buy troubled regional air carrier Air California, later renamed AirCal. They sold it five years later to American Airlines for $225 million.
In 1987, Lyon and investors purchased The Presley Companies, a homebuilding firm operating in California, Arizona and New Mexico that’s the predecessor to today’s William Lyon Homes. He also partnered in creating an apartment company with Western National Group. When the partnership split, Lyon and fellow investors continued to operate the apartment firm now called Lyon Living.
“Gen. Lyon is bigger than life. Everybody wants to grow up and be Bill Lyon,” said Western National CEO Michael Hayde, who recently stepped down as New Majority chairman. “People underrate him. They think of him as a homebuilder. He’s way more than that.”
‘YOU DON’T SAY NO’
One of Lyon’s greatest skills was as a charity fundraiser and recruiter for philanthropic causes, Hayde said.
“You don’t say no to Bill Lyon,” he said.
Former Orange County Supervisor Bill Steiner met Lyon in 1980 when he was running the Albert Sitton Home, an overcrowded children’s emergency shelter.
“Kids were sleeping on mattresses on the floor,” Steiner said. “Things were bleak, very bleak.”
Lyon spearheaded the drive to build a new facility, raising $8.5 million to build the Orangewood Children’s Home.
“Gen. Lyon said it was time to take these children to heart,” Steiner said. “I just credit him with being the heart and soul of this effort to help abused kids in the county. And we’re talking about thousands of kids.”
Bill H. Lyon said his father and mother, Willa Dean, remain active.
“For their ages, they’re doing remarkably well,” he said. “For my father in particular. His 94 is better than most people’s 74.”
Rancho Mission Viejo Chairman Moiso, 77, said Lyon “already was big time” when he got into the land development business. Lyon, he said, was his mentor.
One of the great joys of being a homebuilder, Lyon told Moiso early on, is going back to a project 20 to 40 years later and seeing something he helped put in the ground.
“Think about this,” Lyon said. “You have provided a place for people to live and raise their families and go to school and recreate and go to work. That’s really rewarding.”
Steve Craig Named Chairman of New Majority Orange County
Orange County, CA – Today New Majority California announced the election of Steve Craig to serve as chairman of its Orange County Chapter.
Craig has been a New Majority member for five years and has served on the group’s Board of Directors since 2015. He serves as President and CEO of Craig Realty Group in Newport Beach.
“Steve is a great choice for Orange County Chairman,” said former Orange County Chairman Mike Hayde. “He is highly regarded for his tremendous work ethic, great business sense and passion for politics. He will be an aggressive leader who will work hard for our members as we support business friendly candidates and causes,” Hayde concluded.
“I’m honored to serve in this leadership role for New Majority,” said Craig. “I look forward to working with our members and other chapters to broaden the appeal of the Republican Party and support candidates and causes that will make government leaner and more efficient for everyone.”
New Majority was founded in 1998 with the goal of serving as a permanent counter-balance to entrenched special interests that block meaningful reform in California.
A driving force behind many successful races in recent elections, New Majority was instrumental in the qualification and passage of reform measures such as Proposition 11, the redistricting reform measure and the Open Primary reform. The group continues to support local and national inclusive, fiscally conservative candidates and causes, as well as those that further the goal of expanding the Republican Party.
With chapters in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego, New Majority consists of community leaders and some of the most successful business leaders from various industries across the state. It has become a strong influence in politics and public policy in California and nationally.
September 2016 Monthly Update
TO: New Majority Members
FR: Michael K. Hayde, Chairman
RE: September Monthly Update
- New Member – Thank You Sponsor
- September Event Recap
- October Reminders
- Calendar of Events
- Save-the-Date
- Calendar of Events
New Members – Thank You Sponsors
Robert Van Schoonenberg – Sponsor Norm Metcalfe
George L. Argyros, Jr. – Sponsor Ambassador George L. Argyros
Don DiCostanzo – Sponsor Richard Reisman
Mike and Cynthia Malone – Sponsor Tom Tucker
September Event Recap
Joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee Meeting, Sept. 14th
This month, we met with Political Director Tom Ross for a very informative meeting regarding ALL 17 ballot measures facing California voters this November. There are a number of hot button issues this election year, and after much review and discussion, the Committee made the following recommendations:
- SUPPORT: Prop. 54 (Legislative Transparency) – Requires a bill to be in print and published online for 72 hours before the Legislature can vote on it.
- OPPOSE: Prop. 55 (Prop. 30 Income Tax Extension) – Would extend the temporary personal income taxes by 12 years. Prop. 57 (Repeal of Prison Sentencing) – Would allow for prisoners convicted of nonviolent felonies to be given early release. Prop. 59 (Advisory Vote on Citizens United) – Would ask voters whether there should be a federal constitutional amendment to overturn the ruling in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. Prop. 67 (Bag Tax) –Would ban plastic bags and places a 10 cent tax on paper bags that goes to grocers. Prop. 65 (Redirects Bag Tax to Environment) – Would redirect bag tax to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support environmental projects.
***We are currently working to finalize our NMOC Voter Guide and should have that to you within the next few days!
October Reminders
First Presidential Debate Watching Party, Sept. 26th
What a spectacular event at the Lincoln Experience Center. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump went head to head for the first presidential debate, and members received quite the experience. It was a very fun night filled with great friends and good food! Thank you to everyone would could join us! See photo.
October Reminders
Joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee Meeting, Oct. 5th
Our next joint Issues and Political Affairs meeting will be this Wednesday, October 5th. Come participate in the conversation as Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller and Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes join us to discuss the leaderships’ priorities for the remainder of this election year. This will be a crucial and important meeting to attend as we look to win in November.
New Majority Presidential Series Grand Finale with the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Oct. 19th
You’re invited to our exclusive members only “Grand Finale” event with former Speaker Newt Gingrich on Wednesday, October 19th. As this is the night of the final presidential debate, we have the exclusive opportunity to not only have dinner with Newt, but to also watch the debate with him! Even better, once the debate concludes we will have a recap discussion! Please remember that prior to dinner, there will be a book signing and photo opportunity with Callista and Speaker Gingrich.
Truly, this is an amazing night you will not want to miss!
Calendar of Events
October 5th Executive Committee Call
October 5th Joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee Meeting
October 19th Presidential Series Grand Finale with the Honorable Newt Gingrich
October 21st Membership Committee Luncheon
August 2016 Monthly Update
TO: New Majority Members
FR: Michael K. Hayde, Chairman
RE: August Monthly Update
- New Member – Thank You Sponsor
- August Event Recap
- September Reminders
- Calendar of Events
New Member – Thank You Sponsor
David Robinson (Sponsor Brian Calle)
Robert Van Schoonenberg – Welcome back! (Sponsor Norm Metcalfe)
August Event Recap
“Pop Up” Happy Hour at Gulfstream
The Social Committee held a successful event at Gulfstream in Newport Beach. We were “happy” a few stop by for cocktails and conversation with fellow members. (Please see photo above.)
Cocktail Reception with Governor Mike Pence
New Majority had an exclusive opportunity to meet with Governor Mike Pence, the Republican Nominee for Vice President. We were thrilled to hear firsthand about his experience and strategy on the road to winning the White House. Thank you to the 150 members and guests who joined us!
September Reminders
Joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee Meeting, Sept. 14th
Join us at the Pacific Club on September 14th. We expect an important presentation and discussion on all the ballot measures that California voters will face in November. Attend and learn more about the 17 qualified statewide initiatives currently on the fall ballot.
For more information or to RSVP to any of the events above, contact Wendy Hales or Kally Rapsey at kally@thenewmajority.com or call 714-481-5102.
Calendar of Events
September 7th – Cocktail Reception with Governor Mike Pence
September 14th – Joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee Meeting
September 26th – First Presidential Debate Watching Party
July Monthly Update
TO: New Majority Members
FR: Michael K. Hayde, Chairman
RE: July Monthly Update
- In Memoriam
- August Reminders
- Calendar of Events
In Memoriam
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of two of our New Majority members, and very dear friends, Barry Lee Hoeven and John David O’Donnell. Our hearts are with their families and friends during this difficult time.
John David O’Donnell (1932 – 2016)
John was born on October 20, 1932 in Lorain, Ohio. He was a giant among giants. John’s professional career spans over 40 years of industrial real estate experience. He was recognized in 2010 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from The University of California Irvine School of Business, for his outstanding achievements as a commercial real estate professional. We will forever remember John as an incredibly generous man to anyone in need. His faith, moral code, the love he had for life and his family was truly inspiring. Trish and John met at the University of Southern California and married in 1960 They were married 56 years. He desperately loved Trish and their three wonderful children Leslie, David and Douglas; two daughters-in-law Dana Jenkins O’Donnell and Angela Tesselaar O’Donnell; four grandsons Oliver, Peter, JD and Christian; and his sister, Helen Gerth. John was such a dear friend to so many of us, we are beyond blessed to have known such a wonderful man. In lieu of flowers, John would prefer that donations be sent to his favorite charities, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, or The Vintage Club Employee Scholarship Fund.
Barry Lee Hoeven (1950 – 2016)
Barry was born to Allene and Dwight Hoeven on April 10th, 1950 in Glendale, California. Barry was the eldest child, with a younger sister, Lynn. He was a double graduate of the University of Southern California, where he was also a member of the Phi Psi Fraternity. Barry received a business degree in 1972 from USC with an emphasis in finance and marketing and then earned an MBA in the entrepreneurial program at USC in 1973. After graduation, Barry moved to Orange County and began a career in Real Estate Development and built a successful Self Storage company in Westport Properties and US Storage Centers. In 2007, Barry founded Kure It Cancer Research. To-date, Kure It has raised $5 million dollars to support underfunded cancer research – finding hope and saving lives. Barry was always optimistic and ready for fun. He was a beloved friend, uncle, brother, father, grandfather, and loving husband. Barry is survived by his wife, Alison, daughter Hilary and her husband David, son Drew and his wife Jaime, son Chasen, and five grandchildren, Hadley, Avery, Dylan, Caitlyn, and Cayden. His smile, sense of humor, and love will be dearly missed by us all. In lieu of flowers the Hoeven family welcomes donations to Kure It Cancer Research.
August Reminders
Summer Meeting Postponed
As a reminder, in order to make the best use of everyone’s time we have decided to postpone our summer Issues Committee meeting. Therefore, September 14th and October 5th will be our next joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee meeting dates. On September 14th, we expect an important presentation and discussion on all the ballot measures that California voters will face in November. On October 5th, we will review all the top targeted races in California. Because it is a Presidential year, a greater number of voters will be turning out, so this election is critical. We will send reminder notices as the dates get closer.
Calendar of Events
September 14th – Joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee Meeting
June Monthly Update
TO: New Majority Members
FR: Michael K. Hayde, Chairman
RE: June Monthly Update
- New Member – Thank you Sponsor!
- June Events Recap
- Political Affairs/Issues Summer Meetings Postponed
- Calendar of Events
New Member – Thank You Sponsor!
Chris Frace– Sponsor Henry Pfirrmann
June Events Recap
Primary Election Recap, June 8th
We were joined by NRCC George Nassar, and Congressional Candidate Scott Jones. Nassar, Regional Political Director for the NRCC, provided a presentation on all the targeted congressional races in the state, and updated members on the NRCC’s strategy to retain control of the House. Jones, Sheriff of Sacramento County and candidate for Congress in the 7th District, discussed why he decided to hop in the one of the most hotly contested race in California.
After, Political Director Tom Ross went over the results from the 2016 Primary in California and Orange County. We further discussed our political priorities and what we must do to win in November.
Luncheon with Charlie Cook, June 15th
It was an honor to host one of the nation’s leading authorities on American Politics and U.S. Elections, Charlie Cook, at the Pacific Club. Cook is Editor and Publisher of the Cook Political Report and is a political analyst for National Journal magazine.
Annual Sacramento Trip, June 21st
New Majority held their Annual Sacramento Trip at the California Republican Party Headquarters (photos below).
Members heard from a great line-up of speakers which included: Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller, President of the Personal Insurance Federation of California Rex Frazier, President/CEO of CalChamber Allan Zaremberg, Partner of Russo McGarty & Associates Matt McGarty, Executive Director of CAGOP Cynthia Bryant, and LA Times Sacramento Buraeu Chief John Myers. Last but not least, members received an exclusive behind-the-scene capitol tour with Senator Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman Travis Allen.
Thank you to those who attended and shared their experience, we learned a lot about California’s current political landscape and produced an interesting dialogue about the upcoming presidential election in November. We hope you join us next year for another worthwhile trip!
Exclusive Event with Ari Fleischer, June 22nd
What an exciting event with former White House Press Secretary, Ari Flesicher. Members got to hear about his experience in the White House and his thoughts on the election and the political climate facing our nation. Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President George W. Bush, delivering the daily White House briefings from 2001 to 2003. It was fascinating to hear about his experience during 9/11 and his relationship with the President (photos below).
Political Affairs/Issues Summer Meetings Postponed
In order to make the best use of everyone’s time we have decided to postpone our summer Political Affairs and Issues Committee meetings. Therefore, September 14th and October 5th will be our fall, joint Political Affairs and Issues Committee, meeting dates.
On September 14th, we expect an important presentation and discussion on all the ballot measures that California voters will face in November. On October 5th, we will review all the top targeted races in California. Because it is a Presidential year, a greater number of voters will be turning out, so this election is critical.
We will send reminder notices as the dates get closer, but please note the summer meetings — July 13, 2016 and August 3, 2016 – are postponed until the fall dates above.
Calendar of Events
July 20th Joint NM/Hispanic 100 Board Meeting/Dinner to Follow
I hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July Weekend!
