Jennifer Bullard has been named director of government affairs for Cox Communications in California. She will lead the government affairs function and team in Orange County, Palos Verdes and North San Diego County and drive local government affairs strategy across California.  Bullard was previously senior vice president of advocacy and government affairs for Orange County Business Council (OCBC).

“I’m so excited for Jennifer to join our West region Public and Government Affairs team at Cox,” said Chanelle Hawken, West region vice president of public and government affairs. “Her vast experience and knowledge, as well as the respect and relationships she has established in Southern California, will be core to our work to bridge the digital divide and work collaboratively with municipalities to keep communities connected and economies thriving.”

As director of government affairs, Bullard is accountable for developing and executing strategies to proactively respond to local government and other public policy agencies on matters of policy, municipal code, ordinances and identify local opportunities for Cox to partner with government agencies on to further bridge the digital divide.

“I’m looking forward to joining the exceptional team at Cox Communications. With my experience supporting local governments and businesses, I’m excited to help positively impact the many communities Cox serves,” said Bullard.

Bullard brings more than 12 years of experience leading public affairs and policy for communities across Southern California. Prior to OCBC, she served as director of external affairs for Clean Power Alliance, the nation’s largest community choice energy provider. There she led the outreach campaign for Clean Power Alliance’s transition of three million residents and businesses in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to new electricity supply service, working alongside 32 local governments and regulators.

Prior to that, Bullard led regional planning and economic development issues for 18 communities in Riverside County, serving as Director of Government Relations for the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG).

Bullard serves on boards for the Orange County Council of Governments, Orange County Public Affairs Association, Coast Community College District Measure M Citizens Oversight Committee, is a mentor for Girls Inc. of Orange County and completed Orange County’s inaugural Coro Women in Leadership program. In 2022, she was named among the Greater Irvine Chamber’s “40 Under 40” which recognizes the next generation of business leaders who are making strides in their industries and the business community in Orange County. Bullard received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Analysis and Policy from Claremont McKenna College.

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber broadband networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced cloud and managed IT services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

Photo Credit: Cox Communications

Cox Enterprises employees diverted 370-plus pounds of waste from Dana Point during cleanup event with Orange County Coastkeeper

On Friday, August 25, more than 370 pounds of litter and harmful debris was diverted today by 300 volunteers from Cox Enterprises during a community cleanup event in Dana Point in partnership with Orange County Coastkeeper. Members of the corporate volunteer group included employees from subsidiaries Cox Automotive, Cox Business, and Cox Communications.

In addition, Cox Charities presented a $5,000 check to Orange County Coastkeepers for its Cleanup OC Program. Stand Up to Trash, the Dana Point nonprofit dedicated to protecting and conserving our beaches also participated in the cleanup.

Each year, in California, Cox holds community cleanups to prevent harmful waste from reaching Orange County beaches and impacting marine wildlife – and to keep open spaces clean for everyone to enjoy. In March, Cox Communications employees partnered with Project 3R  for a clean up at T Street Beach in San Clemente.  The group of 200 volunteers collected 112 pounds of waste, which included 38 pounds of recyclables that were kept out of the landfill.

Harmful Impact of Marine Debris

Summer months mean more tourists and locals to Orange County beaches, and that means an increase in marine debris that can be detrimental to our environment and local wildlife.

• Single-use plastics such as food wrappers, plastic bags, straws and plastic utensils, to-go food containers, and cigarette butts are the most commonly collected items during a cleanup, and the most dangerous pollutant as they can be ingested by animals.
• A floating plastic bag can be mistaken for a jellyfish and swallowed as food.

“Our employees care about our community, and they were ready to get out here and clear all the harmful debris that threatens the health and beauty of Dana Point,” said Chanelle Hawken, West Region Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Cox Communications. “Orange County Coastkeeper shares our mission of protecting the environment through conservation, waste reduction and public education, and our employees were proud to present them with a $5,000 grant from Cox Charities to their Cleanup Program.

“We are beyond grateful for the support we are receiving from Cox Charities,” said Irene Cordero, Cleanup OC Coordinator for Orange County Coastkeeper. “With this donation, we plan to host five cleanups in our adopted Santa Ana-Delhi Channel. We’ve hosted one cleanup so far and removed 625 pounds of trash in only two hours!”

“Protecting our coastlines and ocean from trash begins at home and in our neighborhoods. Thanks to support from Cox Charities, we will be able to host inland channel cleanups that remove thousands of pounds of trash in just hours and increase our outreach and advocacy efforts to help address this problem at source,” said Dyana Peña, Associate Director of Programs for Orange County Coastkeeper. “Cleanups are the last line of defense before the trash enters our waterways. I hope volunteers at the cleanup feel proud of the positive impact they’ve made. We are grateful and proud to be a partner of Cox Charities.”

Cox Enterprises is dedicated to empowering people to build a better future for the next generation. Cox is a leader in the broadband, automotive and media industries, while strategically investing in emerging technologies driving the future of cleantech, health care, and public sector services.

Its major operating subsidiaries are Cox Communications and Cox Automotive, which includes brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cox is a global company with $22 billion in annual revenues and a proud 125-year history. To learn more about Cox and its commitment to its people, planet and communities, visit coxenterprises.com.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SEEKS TO RAISE OVER

HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS

DURING BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

The organization will host the final two Giving Days of 2023 to support the

academic, social and mental development of the County’s next generation

In recognition of the annual back-to-school season, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) is calling for a countywide effort to back 36 nonprofits across two 24-hour Giving Days to support local children and teens. Funds raised during the collaborative Giving Days will give Orange County youth essential access to resources and services to aid their long-term development.

On Aug. 30, residents can contribute vital funding to support 12 local Boys & Girls Clubs during Greatness Amplified, and on Sept. 27., the community can ignite the future for youth by donating to 24 organizations working to elevate academic growth, mental health and social development during Igniting Potential. With Greatness Amplified and Igniting Potential giving goals of $250,000 and $300,000, respectively, OCCF is rallying the community to raise $550,000 across both Giving Days.

“Building bridges for Orange County’s youth is critical to developing our next generation of leaders,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “OCCF is proud to support these organizations that play a crucial role in the lives of Orange County youth by helping them reach their full potential.”

Since 2015, nearly a third of OCCF’s Giving Days funding has supported youth services in the community, resulting in nearly $4.5 million to local nonprofits. The nonprofit organizations involved have garnered great success in their fundraising goals by working collaboratively with shared interests to increase their impact across the region. The raised funds and program outcomes are vital, especially in recent years, as children continue to overcome social and academic gaps.

Nonprofit organizations participating in the Greatness Amplified Giving Day include Boys & Girls Clubs of Brea – Placentia – Yorba Linda, Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress, Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs of La Habra, Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanton, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Tustin.

Nonprofit organizations participating in the Igniting Potential Giving Day include Assistance League of Huntington Beach, Assistance League of Irvine, BRDG bridge to connect, Child Creativity Lab, Common Ground, Helping Others Prepare for Eternity, Hispanic Education Endowment Fund, Hope 4 Kids, Hope Harbor, Irvine Public Schools Foundation, Kid Healthy, Kidworks Community Development Corporation, Lions Heart Teen Volunteers and Leaders, MOMS Orange County, OC United Together, Orange County Community Housing Corp., Parentis Foundation, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Pretend City – The Children’s Museum of Orange County, Teen Leadership Foundation, The All-American Boys Chorus, The Literacy Project, The Youth Center and Unidos South OC.

Greatness Amplified and Igniting Potential are part of OCCF’s iheartOC Collaborative Giving Days, an annual initiative that designates cause-specific giving days focused on critical community issues. The online giving model matches local nonprofits with shared missions – from homelessness and workforce development to preserving ecosystems and supporting youth – to create momentum on one shared day and leverage a combined outreach effort for collective success. Since its start in 2015, OCCF Giving Days have raised over $20 million for Orange County nonprofits.

To donate during the Greatness Amplified Giving Day, please visit www.greatness-amplified-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org/. To donate during the Igniting Potential Giving Day, please visit www.igniting-potential-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org/. For more information about Orange County Community Foundation Collaborative Giving Days, including key statistics and infographics, please visit https://www.oc-cf.org/giving-days/.

The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) combines giving strategy, community intelligence, enduring relationships, and heartfelt intention to amplify the power of giving and its profound result: greater good in Orange County, and beyond. We serve as a resource for individual and family philanthropists, facilitate grant and scholarship programs, and lead community-based initiatives.

We inspire giving and connect people and resources to create sustainable impact, granting $975 million since 1989 in Orange County, across the country, and around the world. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call (949) 553-4202. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. View OCCF’s 2022 annual report here.