The changing of the guard at The Balboa Bay Club and Resort officially took place last week. The new owners of the legendary coastal hotel and club introduced themselves to the community, welcoming some 700 guests to a cocktail reception in the Grand Ballroom.
Producers of the event set up a raised stage and seated the executive team, led by the controlling interest of Richard H. Pickup joined by son Todd Pickup, son-in-law Kevin Martin, business partner Tim Busch and hotel executive Steve Arnold. Following a brief introduction by John Wortmann, chairman of the club's board of governors, the gentlemen fielded questions taken from the audience in advance concerning the future of the institution that will celebrate its 65th anniversary in 2013 as Newport Beach's "Host of the Coast."
The overflow crowd came together much like an enormous family, many of whom represent multiple generations of Newport Beach residents associated with the history of the property. Because the BBC has for decades been the setting of social, charitable, family and civic events, the changing of the guard from the previous 41-year ownership under the leadership of the Ray family to the Pickup family and partners is a serious issue to locals.
