About Tim
I am seeking re-election to serve a four-year term as the Trustee for Area 7. I love South Orange County and am a 25-year resident of Mission Viejo. I'm a passionate supporter of our exceptional community colleges, Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. It's truly an honor to represent the residents of Area 7 as your Trustee.
In December of 2022, I was unanimously elected by my fellow Trustees to serve as President of the seven-member Board of Trustees. As President of the Board of Trustees, I lead by bringing people together to keep our colleges great and focused on student success.
As a Trustee and President of the Board, I have:
Ensured our precious tax dollars go into the classroom
Supported teachers who motivate students to reach their highest potential
Promoted partnerships with businesses that lead to internships and employment for our students
Supported balanced budgets, no new taxes and no student tuition hikes
The South Orange County Community College District includes Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College and the Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP). The South Orange County Community College District serves over 40,000 students annually with rigorous academic classes preparing for transfer to four-year colleges and universities, basic skills attainment, career technical education, robust workforce development programs and top-notch athletics. The regional ATEP campus is a comprehensive public-private partnership focusing on providing students workforce development and career technical skills essential for employment in STEM fields and high demand jobs. Developing ATEP, which sits at the center of Orange County, has been a top priority for me.
Complementing my leadership in higher education, I have significant experience as an entrepreneur, small business owner and nonprofit executive. I have helped start and grow many community-based organizations in South Orange County including organizations that: provide training and jobs to veterans and at-risk people seeking employment; increase environmental education and love for the outdoors for thousands of K-12 students and promote economic development and a better climate for businesses and start-up organizations to grow and create jobs.
I serve as the CEO of NAIOP SoCal, the leading nonprofit association representing commercial real estate in Southern California. I also own a small consulting business that provides leadership development and executive coaching. I am the volunteer President of the non-profit organization, Global ARM, which seeks justice for ethnic Armenians who were victims of ethnic cleansing and genocide by repressive, authoritarian governments.
For over 5 years, I led and grew the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), an international association comprising over 60 technology associations that, in turn, represent more than 22,000 tech firms throughout North America. Earlier in my career, I was the Executive Director of the American Electronics Association (AeA) of Orange County, representing all segments of the local technology industry. I saw first-hand the importance of providing students with technical and certificate programs employers require to compete globally. At AeA, I launched the Innovation in Education Awards, an annual event recognizing students and educational leaders throughout Orange County for their innovative uses of science, math and technology in the classroom and community.
My entrepreneurial experience includes running an international Voice of the Internet (VoIP) business. I have also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching business and communications courses at the University of California-affiliated with the American University of Armenia.
I have been deeply involved in the local community volunteering with the PTA, YMCA, Junior Achievement, Little League, AYSO, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), Pop Warner Football and the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). For nearly four years, I served as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of California, Irvine, Henry Samueli School of Engineering. I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MBA degree in International Business from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I am proud to have raised my two children in Mission Viejo with my wife of 27 years, Gassia Apkarian.
