THE CROWD:

It’s the end of an era. She arrived in Orange County before there was a Fashion Island, a Performing Arts Center, a South Coast Plaza or even any number of super highways that crisscross this community of more than 2 million residents.

A native of Chicago, this young and beautiful blonde woman would set out to seek a career in the new medium called television in the 1950s. Her star would rise, and she would become an on-camera presence in the very significant market of Chicago.

Her name is Betty Moss, and she would leave her television career behind to move to California with her then-physician husband and young family landing in Santa Ana to start a new chapter of life.

In the 1950s, Santa Ana represented the establishment of Orange County and its graceful tree-lined residential streets in old world neighborhoods such as Floral Park were home to many of the families that would in fact launch the business, cultural and social explosion of growth that would begin in the 1960s. Moss and her young family were right in the middle of this major evolution.

With her hands full managing a vibrant young family as well as assisting a husband starting a new medical practice, Betty was a woman who could be counted on to get involved in programs that advanced the betterment of the community. It is said that there are those who “do” and those who “watch” and stand on the sidelines.

Moss, from an early age, was known as a person who not only got involved but frequently was the leader of the pack. Then provincial Orange County was an uncharted territory that needed Moss’ leadership, the vision and the energy to ignite the tremendous change that would come. She dove in head first.

In addition to the famous landmarks that now are so important to this community, there were very few organizations, charitable or otherwise, supporting arts and culture.

Besides the Assistance League, the Junior League and a few other social groups that linked their origins in Los Angeles society, there was very little connection between advancing culture and encouraging local businesses to support the arts, forging relationships that would benefit the entire community. Moss was instrumental in creating this very important relationship between the arts and business, becoming the founding director of the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts.

On Wednesday, David S. Tappin Jr., former chairman of Fluor Corporation and founding chairman of the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, announced the closure of the committee effective June 30.

This closure comes in conjunction with the announcement of retirement from Moss, who has served as executive director of the organization for more than 28 years.

“It has been my honor to be associated with the Business Committee for the Arts and my endless pleasure to work with the OCBCA members and with the business and arts communities throughout Orange County,” she said.

“To get up each morning eager to enjoy the day knowing that it would be spent promoting my passion for the arts has been most rewarding. But to know that our work has made a difference transcends even the personal enrichment that this opportunity has given me.”

The difference that Moss refers to is in fact phenomenal. Working quietly behind the scenes for some three decades with the most powerful and influential business leaders in the community, Moss has brokered relationships between corporate chief executives, financial managers, owners of small to large businesses, supporting such organizations as the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Society, Ballet Pacifica, Opera Pacific, the Orange County Museum of Art, the Bowers Museum, South Coast Repertory Theatre, the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and countless other arts related organizations that would not have been able to flourish and grow and in some cases even exist without support from the business community.

Much of this was made possible because of relationships created through Moss’ work and the Business Committee for the Arts.

One such corporate advocate of the Moss philosophy is John R. Evans, senior vice president and regional manager of Wells Fargo Bank and current chairman of OCBCA.

Evans’ personal connection with the organization has allowed him to become more involved with his love of symphonic music.

“The extraordinary work that Betty Moss has done promoting and honoring business support for the arts has left an indelible mark upon the Orange County arts community,” he said.

Another admirer of Moss is longtime friend and supporter Henry T. Segerstrom.

“Betty Moss has been a guiding star of the OCBCA since its inception,” the managing partner of South Coast Plaza said. “Her diligent efforts linking local business leaders with not-for-profit arts organizations has been the foundation of donor support which has been instrumental in the growth of not-for-profit organizations in Orange County.” Segerstrom also served as a former chairman of the OCBCA and went on to lead the national organization headquartered on the East Coast.

Another significant contribution by Moss is the annual Betty R. Moss Economic Impact Report. On an annual basis Moss pioneered a report examining the direct effect of multiple arts organizations on local businesses.

The Economic Report will continue next year in collaboration with Chapman University. The cost of funding this report has been underwritten by members of the OCBCA.

In a recent interview with Moss, the lady who has been a behind the scenes power broker in the county waxed nostalgic on the incredible growth that has taken place over a relatively short period of time.

“This is very hard for me,” she confided. “But it is time for me to let go and retire.”

Moss was quick to add that while she is ending one chapter in her life she is excited to start a new one already making plans to get seriously involved with helping children in the community through a number of child welfare organizations, most significantly in association with Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the many young patients fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Moss shared that the new chapter in her life will also include more time to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Moss is a woman who has made a remarkable difference in Orange County, touching the lives of thousands of citizens who have absolutely no idea who she is or what she has done.

These people sit in concert halls, explore museums, and expose their children to countless cultural community events in part because of the work of Betty Moss. Retirement from the OCBCA simply means that this dynamic lady, who often wears a bright red jacket over her black conservative dress, will surely climb new mountains and tackle new challenges in her next exciting phase of life.

Orange County will simply have to wait to witness Moss’ next move, community leader and community treasure.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.