The Argyroses’ Itinerary: From Diplomacy School to Embassy

Orange County businessman George Argyros and his wife, Judie, leave for Virginia next month to attend a two-week school run by the State Department for new ambassadors and their spouses.

That’s because President Bush announced Wednesday that he will nominate Argyros, 64, to become “Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Spain.”

“George Argyros is a leader in his community who has been active in numerous civic, cultural and philanthropic organizations,” Bush said in a statement released by the White House. “His experience in trade policy and foreign affairs, as well as his interest in education and the arts, will make him an excellent ambassador to Spain.”

In a statement, Argyros said he was honored by the president’s announcement. “I look forward to the completion of the process,” he said. The nomination requires Senate confirmation.

“I think it’s very exciting, a great honor,” Judie Argyros said Wednesday.

The couple will attend the Ambassador Seminar, an intense course in diplomacy, protocol, crisis management, foreign culture and economic and business policy at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute.

The course prepares ambassador-designates for the job of representing the United States, said Don McNalley, desk officer in the office of Western European Affairs in Washington, D.C.

“They are briefed by former ambassadors and have a lot of consultations with people at the Department of State and other agencies in Washington,” he said. “You’re responsible for the relationship between the United States and the host country.”

A Spanish ambassadorship is the “greatest, most marvelous post,” said etiquette maven Letitia Baldrige, once social secretary to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. “The Spaniards are so hospitable, so polite, and they have such a fascinating culture and history.

“The ambassador, of course, will be inundated by American tourist friends who will expect to stay at his residence,” Baldrige added. “And every ambassador-elect makes a terrible mistake at his farewell parties. He tells everybody, ‘Now, you must come and stay,’ and they all show up!”

Among those already making travel plans is James Doti, president of Chapman University, where Argyros has served as chairman of the board of trustees for the last 25 years. Doti has encouraged Argyros, an alumnus, to remain on the board should he be confirmed to the two-year post.

Argyros’ nomination is an honor for him personally, for the school and for Orange County, Doti said.

“As an economist, it is particularly exciting [for Argyros] to be ambassador to a country that is one of the more dynamic and rapidly growing nations of the European Community,” Doti said. “There are a lot of exciting things happening in Spain. I look forward to not only visiting him often but starting a Chapman branch there.”

Argyros was regarded as a strong candidate for a presidential appointment after chairing then-candidate George W. Bush’s successful $30-million fund-raising effort in California last year. If confirmed, the ambassadorship would be the most prestigious, but not his first presidential appointment.

Argyros was tapped by President Reagan for a seat on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, where he served until 1990. He then was named to the board of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. by the first President Bush.

Argyros is chairman and CEO of Arnel & Affiliates in Costa Mesa. He has traveled widely for years; he and his wife own a yacht and jet that whisk them to exotic locales around the world.

They have been a visible couple on the local arts and philanthropy scene--attending a play at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa last week, for example, after announcing a $5-million gift to the theater. The proposed Judie Argyros Stage is set to open in the fall of 2002.

While the two-year ambassadorship would be a full-time commitment for Argyros, his wife said she plans to maintain their ties to local philanthropic institutions.

Doti said the couple’s two grandchildren--a third is on the way--are another reason they will stay connected to Orange County. “I think they’ll be here often,” he said.

Some Argyros critics in south Orange County have welcomed his possible departure because of his staunch support of a new airport planned by county officials at the closed El Toro Marine base. Doti said Argyros has been courageous in “speaking his mind and bringing the issue to the table” despite such detractors.

“He does speak his mind and has important positions on critical issues facing our community,” Doti said. “We’re very proud of both of them.”

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Profile: George Argyros

Age: 64

Birthplace: Detroit

Residence: Newport Beach

Company: Arnel Development Co., a commercial real estate company; part of a collection of holdings in venture capital, international telecommunications and health care folded under the rubric of Arnel & Affiliates

Title: Chairman/chief executive officer

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business and economics, Chapman College (now Chapman University), 1959

Background: Grandson of Greek immigrants; raised in Pasadena. Made his fortune in commercial real estate. Former owner of AirCal and Seattle Mariners baseball team. Active in Republican Party politics and local charities. Former chairman of Apria Healthcare Group Inc.,

Board memberships: Chairman, Chapman University Board of Trustees; Member, Cal Tech Board of Trustees, Orange County Boy Scouts of America, Rockwell International Corp., Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation, Beckman Laser Institute, Orange County Business Committee for the Arts and a number of privately held companies.