Matt Petteruto to Join Orange County Business Council as Vice President of Economic Development

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 17, 2011) - Matt Petteruto, chief of staff to Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell, will join Orange County Business Council (OCBC) as Vice President of Economic Development on January 3, 2012. Petteruto brings to OCBC a long history of active service in both the public and private sectors, as well as in association management.

Petteruto joined the County in 2006, and for the past six years has played an integral role in the County's development. During his tenure the County produced its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, a roadmap for government and the community to collaborate more effectively in ensuring Orange County's economic prosperity.

Petteruto welcomed to the County numerous international delegations whose visits often included the promotion of foreign trade with the County of Orange. Highlighting Orange County's significant role in a global economy is one of OCBC's top economic development initiatives.

In 2008 the Board of Supervisors approved the updated Orange County Workforce Investment Area Strategic Local Plan. With Petteruto as his chief of staff and lead implementer, Supervisor Campbell championed the timely and efficient completion of public works projects, helping to address unemployment in the hardest hit construction industry.

As Director of Public Affairs for the Apartment Association of Orange County, Petteruto represented the legislative interests of the 3,000-member rental housing association and managed the association's political activities.

"Matt was integral to the County's strategic economic planning and development of policies that have allowed Orange County to weather the economic downturn," said Lucy Dunn, President and CEO.

"As Vice President of Economic Development, Matt will take his public sector expertise to promote Orange County's economic development through international trade opportunities, private sector jobs creation and business retention and attraction. This is a critical role for OC's economic prosperity and we could not be more delighted to welcome Matt to the team."

Petteruto holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.

In other news, the board of directors of OCBC, under the leadership of its chairman, Eddie Northen of UPS, has extended the employment contract of Lucy Dunn to serve as President and CEO of Orange County Business Council through 2016.

Dunn joined OCBC as President and CEO in 2005, and with her dynamic board, has served as a driving force meeting OCBC's strategic initiatives, advocating for business interests locally, regionally and nationally, working with government and academia.

"I am honored to serve the Orange County community through OCBC's visionary board of directors," Dunn said.

"OCBC has made outstanding accomplishments towards expanding economic development, creating jobs, and preserving the county's prosperity and high quality of life."

"The Business Council stands strong as the leading voice of business in Orange County," said Eddie Northen, OCBC Chairman and UPS Vice President of Finance, West Region. "With Lucy's leadership, OCBC will continue to lay the groundwork for business growth and success in the region."

Before joining the Business Council, Dunn served as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development in 2004. In 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed her to the California Transportation Commission. She also served as a member of the Green Building Code Advisory Committee of the California Building and Standards Commission. In 2010, South Coast AQMD appointed her to its Small Business Advisory Committee.

Dunn is an attorney admitted to practice before the California State Bar, the federal bar and the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a director of a number of non-profit organizations including the Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation and the Bolsa Chica Conservancy.

About OCBC:
Orange County Business Council is the leading voice of business in Orange County, California. OCBC represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance Orange County's economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life. OCBC serves member and investor businesses with nearly 250,000 employees and 2,000,000 worldwide. In providing a proactive forum for business and supporting organizations, OCBC helps assure the financial growth of America's sixth largest county. For more information, visit www.ocbc.org