Scott O'Brien

Business Leader’s Gift Empowers Future Mihaylo College Students

Scott O’Brien ’77 (B.A. business administration-marketing) believes affordable education should be available for those students who need and want it. That’s why he’s made a $500,000, five-year gift commitment to his alma mater, the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.

“I wanted to give to the college so they can really build the school,” says O’Brien, a member of the college’s Dean’s Advisory Board and the Cornerstone Society supporting the college’s campaign. His son, Tim, currently is a CSUF student and is close to graduating.

O’Brien is president of BAE Systems Products Group, Inc. in Ontario. Since first joining Safariland, a premier brand and leading manufacturer of law enforcement equipment and automotive OEM accessories in 1974, he quickly emerged as a leader within the corporation and held more progressively responsible positions before being appointed president and chief operating officer in 1993. Upon Armor Holdings, Inc.’s acquisition of Safariland in 1999, he continued to be key in the development of the company’s global body armor and duty gear businesses. In 2007, Armor Holdings, Inc. was acquired by BAE Systems Products Group, Inc.

He is also a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO), chairman emeritus for the Toyota Motor Sales Supplier Alliance, and a lecture series guest speaker for the University of Southern California.

In 2007, Mihaylo College honored him with its Salute to Business Leaders Award.