HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - J Hammett Bio Attachment 1 - 9/20/2011ATTACHMENTI
ABOUT JACK R. HAMMETT
No stranger to Costa Mesa as a 50 plus years of service in government and civic affairs
clearly demonstrate. Retiring from the United States Navy after serving for 22 years he
embarked on a second career, helping to serve and build the city of Costa Mesa.
He began by joining the Costa Mesa Police Reserve in May 1961, serving the force
tirelessly for 22 years. He attained the rank of Senior Reserve, and was the first reserve officer
to retire with more than 20 years of service. He also served two years as president of the Costa
Mesa Police Reserve Association.
At about the same time, also joined the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce in 1961,
(serving two years (1968 - 1970) as President of that organization He continued to serve overall
for 28 years on its Board of Directors. He was selected "Man Of The Year" in 1993.
In April 1963, he was appointed to the Costa Mesa Planning Commission, helping shape
the future growth of the city. Of his seven years on this Commission, he served as Chairman for
two years. He was elected as a member of the City Council and served eight years... During that
tenure, he served two terms as Vice Mayor and served as Mayor from 1972 to 1974.
During his years of service on the Council, he has helped bring to Costa Mesa the
recreational lighting facilities at TeWinkle Park in Mesa del Mar, the underground utilities on
Baker Street, the Corona del Mar Freeway (Hiway 73) and changes to the Orange County
Airport flight pattern and environmental problems of jet aircraft exhaust.
As a man who was instrumental in building and opening Bristol Park Medical Group, the
largest medical group in Orange County, he instilled his sense of community commitment
throughout the organization. During his 26 years as Administrator for Bristol Park, and through
his loyalty to his friends and the business community of Costa Mesa, he has assisted many
people in improving their health and bettering their life style.
His many civic contributions also include: United Fund, Founder of the Red Barons of
Orange County, Advisor of Concerned Citizens for Courts, Rotary Club, Board of Directors of
the Orange Coast Association, and Chairman of the Costa Mesa Transportation Committee. In
1976 he was the City Council representative to the Orange County Health Planning Council and
in 1977 was awarded the Government Service Award from the Orange County Bar Association.
His efforts had expanded far beyond the Costa Mesa City limits, and captured state wide
attention. He was a member of the Government Rehabilitation Committee in 1963-1964, and in
1971 was appointed by Governor Ronald Regan to the Governors Advisory Committee on
Physicians Assistants. He then served four years as Vice Chairman on the Board of Medical
Quality Assurance and another four years as Vice Chairman of the California Aeronautics Board,
again appointed by Governor Reagan. During this time he was also appointed by Leo J.
McCarthy, Speaker of the Assembly, to serve four years on the Advisory Board to the California
Department of Transportation
He now devotes his time to bring "Living History" regarding WWII into the high school
classrooms of Orange County as Chairman of the Freedom Committee of Orange County.