Daily Pilot 103 most influential

George Argyros, 62, Harbor Island ... Big-time businessman and major

advocate for an airport at the now-closed El Toro Marine Corps Air

Station ... Made several company acquisitions this year and is completing

a shopping center in Los Angeles County while continuing to manage his

real estate assets in Orange County ... Very involved with Chapman

University ... Funded a law school and a business/computer school at the

college, both opened this year ... Married to Judie with three children

and one new grandchild, Cole Mitchell ... Poured millions into Measure A

and later efforts to secure the airport project, which he says is “the

opportunity for the millennium” ... Says his worst habit is working and

wishes he had more free time to travel, ski, fish and hunt ... Last

year’s ranking: 14

Jean Forbath, 69, Costa Mesa ... Founded Share Our Selves and still

remains involved after 30 years of service ... Strives to give others

opportunities to become involved and aware of the needs of the poor ...

Serves on boards for the Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter and Orange

County Health Care Council -- “It’s an opportunity to repay a little bit

for all the blessings I’ve received in my life” ... Married with seven

children, three of whom are attorneys ... Enjoys playing with her seven

grandchildren, reading and watching good movies ... Her motto, borrowed

from Elizabeth Ann Seton: We must live simply so that others can simply

live ... Last year’s ranking: 62.

Mark S. Miller, 51, Newport Beach ... Rabbi at Temple Bat Yahm

celebrated his 22nd anniversary with the temple and his 25th year as a

rabbi ... Increased his speaking with interfaith groups as an expert on

Jewish-Christian relations .. Overseeing major expansion of the synagogue

to increase presence in the community ... At the fund-raising stage but

hopes to break ground on the work in the spring ... Is a guiding hand in

the synagogue’s work with local charities ... Outside of the area, is on

the board of directors of the College of Judea and Samaria, one of

Israel’s top schools, and involved with Center for Asthmatic Children in

Arad ... Married, with five children ... Maintains a love for the Chicago

Cubs and is becoming an Angels fan, but denies responsibility for Angels’

Cub-like season ... Last year’s ranking: 13

Marian Bergeson, 73, Newport Beach ... Just appointed to serve on state

board of education ... Nomination was appointed by an overwhelming

majority of state senators, despite criticism that she is insensitive to

Latino students ... Served as state secretary of education under former

Gov. Pete Wilson ... Former county supervisor, state senator and

assemblywoman ... Once taught grade school ... Daughter Julie McCormick

is newly appointed principal of Pomona Elementary School in Costa Mesa

... Married, four children, nine grandchildren ... Even critics say they

adore her personality ... Last year’s ranking: 3

Donald Bren, 67, Linda Isle ... The chairman of the Irvine Co. remains

among the top 50 or so richest people in America, worth close to $3

billion ... Finished the repurchase of an Irvine Co. offshoot that owns

apartments throughout the state, at a cost of $569 million ... Donated

some $20 million to two UC schools, with $5 million going to UCI and $15

million going to UCSB for the establishment of a school of environmental

sciences .. Remains happily married to entertainment attorney Bridget

Muller, celebrating one-year anniversary in May ... Has scaled back his

limited public speaking even more ... Last year’s ranking: 2

John Crean, 73, Santa Ana Heights ... Recreational vehicle tycoon is

gearing up to start his own motor home company ... New venture won’t have

anything to do with Fleetwood Enterprises ... Has been having a grand

time since resigning from Fleetwood two years ago ... Is awaiting

delivery of a custom-built, 123-foot yacht, which has been in the works

for a year ... Hasn’t seen it yet ... Active philanthropist with a soft

spot for children’s causes ... Well-known love of cooking has gone by the

wayside recently ... Last year’s ranking: 24

John Huffman, 59, Newport Beach ... Senior minister at St. Andrew’s

Presbyterian ... Each week, 5,000 of his printed sermons are mailed all

over the nation and to more than 30 countries internationally ...

Chairman of World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization

that annually raises $360 million in the U.S. ... Born in Boston and

received degrees from Wheaton College, Princeton, University of Tulsa and

Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs ... Likes to

read about politics, theology and biographies ... Served as the associate

chaplain on the Senior PGA Golf Tour ... Is married with children ...

Last year’s ranking: 10

Beverly Ray, 60, Laguna Beach ... Chairwoman of International Bay

Clubs Inc., which owns the Balboa Bay Club and the Newport Beach Country

Club ... Her position puts her right in the middle of Newport’s social

life ... The slightly delayed Bay Club $50-million expansion is about a

year off ... Just sold her Mariners Mile antique shop, part of a

pull-back in property ownership ... Hasn’t given up her love for period

furniture, however ... Despite her prime office location, only has a tiny

window overlooking the harbor ... Founder of 1221 Club, which runs much

of the Bay Club’s charitable work ... Spare time taken up with her home’s

garden ... Last year’s ranking: 7

Leigh Steinberg, 50, Corona del Mar ... Super agent who has more than

130 clients and signed four first-round draft picks including Cincinnati

Bengals quarterback Akili Smith ... Depending on the right weekend,

Steinberg could field half of the league’s quarterbacks ... Served as

technical consultant and had cameos on upcoming movies “For the Love of

the Game,” with Kevin Costner and “On Any Sunday,” directed by Oliver

Stone and starring Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz ... Established new program

called Steinberg Leadership Institute with the Anti-Defamation League

that trains volunteers to promote ethnical diversity and rid racism ...

Got much-needed Hawaiian vacation earlier this year ... Book “Winning

With Integrity” will be released in paperback next month ... Has two sons

... Last year’s ranking: 12