SANTA ANA, Calif. – The State of California opened the application period for the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP). This program allows low income seniors and disabled property owners to defer their fiscal year 2022-23 secured property taxes on their principal residence if they meet established criteria. The program...

(SANTA ANA, Calif.) Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich is joining government agencies nationwide to commemorate National Consumer Protection Week from March 5 – 11, 2023. Treasurer Freidenrich will be providing tips and resources relating to consumer protection information to protect Orange County residents from falling prey to scams, fraud, and...

(Santa Ana, Calif.) The County of Orange has proclaimed April as National Financial Literacy Month to highlight the importance of financial education. National Financial Literacy Month has been recognized annually since 2004 to promote educational tools empowering Americans with the knowledge and resources to make wise financial decisions. Orange County...

“Protect and Safeguard Your Personal Information” (Santa Ana, Calif.) Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich is kicking off Identity Theft Awareness Week by urging Orange County residents to take steps to safeguard their personal information. Identity Theft Awareness Week formally runs nationwide from January 29 through February 2, 2024, aiming to...

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The County of Orange has proclaimed April as National Financial Literacy Month to improve the financial literacy of the public. Chairman Doug Chaffee presented the proclamation at Tuesday’s Board meeting to Treasurer Shari L. Freidenrich, who is leading the education efforts for National Financial Literacy Month...

(SANTA ANA, Calif.) Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich is notifying homeowners that the deadline to submit Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP) applications to the California State Controller’s Office is February 12, 2024. The PTP allows qualified homeowners to postpone payment of current year property taxes on their primary residence and...

Dr. Stefan Bean has dedicated the past 25 years to serving Southern California communities and students as a teacher, principal and school administrator. In June 2024, the Orange County Board of Education unanimously appointed him as Orange County's 12th superintendent of schools, a position that dates back to 1889.

From July 2022 through June 2024, Dr. Bean served as the executive director of the Irvine International Academy. Prior to this, he worked for Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles for nearly 12 years, progressing through roles as lead principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. In the latter role, he oversaw 11 schools serving students from transitional kindergarten through grade 12.

His educational qualifications include a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California, a master's degree in educational leadership from Loyola Marymount University and a doctorate in educational administration from California
State University, Fullerton.

Dr. Bean's personal experiences as an English language learner and a student with a disability have deeply influenced his educational philosophy. He has expressed a particular passion for supporting English learners and marginalized students.
Born in Saigon during the early 1970s as Nam Le Thanh, Dr. Bean overcame significant early challenges. Stricken by polio and abandoned, he was brought to the United States as part of Operation Babylift during the Vietnam War. At age 4, he entered the U.S. foster care system and was later adopted by the Bean family, who supported his academic achievements.

Despite health issues, Bean engaged in sports and extracurricular activities as a child, serving as an umpire for sandlot baseball games, joining the student council and developing his public speaking skills. He was a straight-A student who was elected as sixth-grade class president and earned an opportunity to make a speech in Washington, D.C., advocating for those who were disadvantaged. After high school, he received a full scholarship to USC.

During his college years, Dr. Bean met Janet Soares, whom he married in 2000. They raised four children and were deeply involved in work and ministry. Dr. Bean credits Janet, who tragically passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer, as a significant source of support throughout his life and career.

“I want our students across Orange County to know that I've got their backs, no matter what, and that they should use me as an example," he said. “No matter what they're going through, no matter what challenges they may face — whether they have a disability, a speech impediment, whether they speak English as a second language, or whether they're experiencing trauma — I want them to know that I'm there, and I'm going to protect them and help them throughout our county."

Michelle Aguirre currently serves as the County of Orange’s Interim County Executive Officer, a role she has held since September 2024. In this role, she is responsible for executive management of the County’s $9.5 billion, 23 department, 19,000 position budget. Prior to serving as Interim CEO, Michelle served as Acting CEO, Chief Financial Officer, County Budget Director, and Director of Administration for the Orange County Probation Department as part of her 35 years of dedicated service to the County of Orange.

 Throughout her career, Michelle has been instrumental in identifying funding and ensuring completion of numerous critical projects throughout the County. One of the initiatives she is most passionate about is OC Cares which links the various systems of care in the County to provide full care coordination and services for justice-involved individuals to successfully reenter society and work towards self-sufficiency. 

Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Andrew N. Hamilton, CPA is the 12th Orange County Auditor-Controller. Mr. Hamilton was independently elected in June 2022. Previously, Mr. Hamilton served as the Finance Director for the City of Yucaipa, on the Lake Forest City Council and as the Chief Financial Officer at Mesa Water District.

Mr. Hamilton graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting and Systems in 1992. He began his career at a Big 4 CPA firm in Irvine in 1992, obtained his CPA in 1995 and attained progressive accounting experience throughout his career at Walt Disney Company, Gambro Healthcare, GTC Telecom, Semitropic Water Storage District, DLC and Mesa Water District.

Mr. Hamilton resides with his wife and children in Lake Forest, California.

Santa Ana, Calif. – Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich is informing taxpayers that property owners impacted by the recent Airport Fire may have certain property tax relief options available to them. If a property has been damaged/destroyed due to the Airport Fire, the property owner should file the Application for...