County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares named an ‘OC Influencer’ for 2017

The Institute for Community Impact has named Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares as one of four Pillars of Influence for 2017.

Al Mijares
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares delivers remarks Wednesday after being named a 2017 OC Influencer for Good by the Institute for Community Impact.

Mijares, who was appointed in August 2012 and elected to a full term as superintendent in 2014, received the recognition Wednesday evening at Orange County’s second annual Influencers for Good Celebration, which was held in the Samueli Theatre at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

This marks the second year this organization has spotlighted prominent county figures, branding them as “OC Influencers” in the categories of arts, business, education, faith, family, government and healthcare. According to its website, the institute’s mission is to “connect, align, inspire and mobilize leaders, individuals and organizations to take an active role in identifying unmet community needs and potential solutions.” 

Dennis Kuhl, chairman of Angels Baseball, served as emcee for the event, which saw Mijares honored as this year’s Education Pillar. Other honorees included Lucy Dunn, president and CEO of the Orange County Business Council (Government Pillar); Steve Churm, chief communications officer for FivePoint (Business Pillar); and Dr. Alice Police, a surgeon who founded the UC Irvine Pacific Breast Care Center (Healthcare Pillar). 

In addition, Richard Porras, regional vice president at AT&T and chair of the Orange County Business Council’s Board of Directors, was surprised with the Founder’s Award.