ICT wishes Cheryl Birch a wonderful retirement and fulfilling next chapter!
Cheryl Birch joined ICT in 2000, serving as CFO/Director of Finance, Operations and HR for 25 years, for which we are very grateful. Previously, she was Vice President, Business Affairs, Universal Studios, where she negotiated deals for many series including “Murder, She Wrote” and “Quantum Leap” before moving to Paramount Pictures as Vice President, Business Affairs, in their network television division, to do the same for the “Star Trek” series, and many more.
Yesterday, at a party to celebrate her retirement, Cheryl Birch was feted by our Leadership team (see below) and presented with two awards:
- Innovation in Entertainment and National Defense Research, awarded by Arnold Peter of the Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel.
- FBI: Unwavering dedication and commitment to safeguarding critical research, awarded by Special Agent Rob Forgus.
ICT Leadership Team Speeches (excerpts)
Dr. Randall W. Hill, Jr
Cheryl and I go way back. In fact, I hope Cheryl won’t mind me naming the year: as we first met in 1973 in Sacramento. We were students at John F. Kennedy High School and both proud members of the marching band. I was a senior and she was a sophomore, so our paths only crossed during practice, when our band director, Mr. A, would yell at us through his bullhorn saying: “Straighten those lines on the football field and get into a parade formation!”
Cut forward to 2000. I had applied for a position at the newly formed ICT. On the day of my interview, I walked into the building and said: “I’m here to see Cheryl Birch.”
When she opened her office door, my jaw dropped.
“You’re THAT Cheryl Birch?”
We had not seen each other for 25 years, but I immediately knew who she was. Turns out the clarinet playing sophomore had transformed into the Vice President of Business Affairs at Paramount Studios – and was now on the Leadership team here at ICT.
I later found out she’d shown some of our band photos to ICT staffers, before they interviewed me. Mildly embarrassing to say the least. But also, I guess, a signal that Cheryl still took pride in our band geek days.
I do too. In marching band we were drilled to be on time, in tune, and march in synchronized formation. This took discipline and a lot of practice. As a result, we were really good. I like to think that both of us have brought that kind of steely discipline and pride into ICT’s culture.
And here we are today, celebrating Cheryl Birch, 25 years later, as she prepares to retire from ICT.
There is much to celebrate and admire about Cheryl’s achievements at ICT. She was the ground rock on which the entire business enterprise was founded. Yes, there were some bumps in the early days as ICT grappled with contracting systems, but in time she hired the right people and, under her leadership, they collectively learned how to be on time, in tune and get synchronized as a unit.
There have been many highlights to Cheryl’s career at USC. I will mention three.
- During her tenure, ICT went through FIVE (!) UARC contract renewals or extensions. These were no no small feat.
- Secondly, she orchestrated the move from Marina del Rey to Playa Vista and this beautiful building back in 2010.
- And third, she organized our 25th anniversary celebration last August, which was a wonderful occasion for all.
In between, Cheryl and her team provided the infrastructure and research support that have enabled the breakthroughs and innovations that have come about over the last quarter century.
On a personal note, Cheryl – you have been a loyal team member, and a good friend.
Please join me in celebrating Cheryl’s unswerving service and dedication over the past 25 years with a standing ovation!
Dr. William Swartout
Cheryl Birch joined us at the Institute for Creative Technologies just 3 months after the Institute was founded. She came to us from Paramount, where she had worked for several years as Vice President, Business Affairs and she discovered that the Department of Defense, and Academia, are quite different from the Entertainment industry, with a host of new rules to follow in the Federal Acquisition Regulations – and the downsides were different: if you fouled up badly at Paramount, they would fire you, but screwing up with the DoD could get you in jail.
So, the cultural gap was pretty big. But Cheryl worked very hard and learned quickly. I remember often seeing her at the Institute working well into the evening. She assembled a highly qualified team to staff the business office and facilities and created what is widely regarded at USC as one of the best business offices at the University.
Unlike many business office people who are very good at explaining why something can’t be done, Cheryl understood the sometimes crazy things that we researchers were trying to do and shared our vision. Cheryl was very good at working with the government and because she understood both the DoD and our goals in many cases, she was able to turn an initial “No” into a “Yes”.
Cheryl is a pleasure to work with. She has a great disposition and a “can do” attitude. I have often benefited from her wisdom and thoughts about a wide variety of issues. I’d like to congratulate her on her well-deserved retirement, and I know she will be missed.
Lila Brooks
For 25 years, Cheryl has been more than just a leader; she has been a guide, a mentor and a source of wisdom. Cheryl’s love for ICT and the work we do is something we have all admired. No matter how complex the problem, Cheryl never lost sight of the possibilities ahead. She reminded us that every challenge is just a stepping stone to the next breakthrough. That mindset is what has propelled not only her own success, but also the success of so many she has mentored over the years.
One of Cheryl’s favorite sayings is, “It’s never dull at the ICT,” and it has never been dull working with Cheryl! Back in the early days of ICT we worked a lot of late nights, sometimes taking turns napping in her recliner. We fueled ourselves with Costco blueberry muffins and ate a lot of takeout from CPK and Koo Koo Roo. We worked hard, but we also had some fun adventures! My first time going to Disney World, Cirque du Soleil and Hawaii were all with Cheryl!
Cheryl’s impact on my life and the lives of others is immeasurable. She has shaped careers, inspired innovation, and, most importantly, created a community of thinkers and doers who will carry forward her passion for ICT.
Ryan McAlinden
Cheryl just knows how to get things done. Whether it’s running numbers, planning parties, coordinating visits, or finding new spaces, she has a remarkable ability to work alongside anyone and everyone to make it happen. She is not only easy to get along with and fun to talk to, when the time came to make things move, she knows how to kick it into gear. Obviously we’ll sorely miss the multifaceted role she played at the institute, but more importantly I’ll miss her always being around whether it was to catch-up on clearances or learning about her uncanny ability to pick out the most useful holiday gifts of all time!
Dava Casoni
Cheryl Birch retires from ICT after a remarkable career filled with both professional achievements and personal connections that left an indelible mark on everyone around her. Beyond negotiating deals that brought shows like Star Trek and Quantum Leap to the screen and creating ICT’s essential B.O.S.S. business office system, Cheryl was the heart and soul of our ICT community.
When Cheryl talks about ICT’s first leader, Richard Lindheim, her eye’s light up. What she may not realize, is that when people talk about her, their eyes light up too! Over the years, Cheryl has led with heart and vision. She made sure our workspace had a game room, gym, and wellness programs to support both our personal and professional goals. She truly cared about creating a workplace where each team member could flourish and understand each other’s personalities, strengths, and how to collaborate with more empathy and respect.
In her role, she supervised a broad range of staff – legal, HR, finance, facilities – and I was always amazed by her ability to understand each of those areas quite deeply, to be able to issue-spot and keep us on our toes!
And that’s what I think makes her a great leader – someone who truly cares about the well-being of her staff, while keeping them challenged, engaged and inspired. She never shies away from rolling up her sleeves for the “dirty work” and is the ultimate team player. Even in planning her retirement, she intentionally stepped aside early to create an opening for her staff to move forward in their careers.
Cheryl’s passions for swing dancing, travel, Disney, and her lovingly handmade holiday cards reflect her vibrant spirit. But what truly defines her is her friendship, warmth, and generosity—qualities that created lasting bonds with those lucky enough to know her and I am deeply grateful that I am one of those lucky people.
Rob Groome
It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside Cheryl Birch for nearly 25 years. Every organization has a heartbeat, and for ICT, Cheryl has been just that. She believed in ICT, but more importantly, she believed in its people—ensuring that everyone felt valued, included, and part of the team.
When I worked on USC’s main campus and mentioned ICT, the first response was almost always, “Do you know Cheryl Birch?” Her impact extended far beyond our organization, leaving a lasting impression on the entire USC community.
Cheryl had a rare gift—she not only allowed people to shine but actively encouraged it. She pushed us to be our best while always offering support when needed. Walking alongside her was never about standing in her shadow but about stepping forward and finding our own way.
Thank you, Cheryl, for being the heartbeat of ICT and for always leading with kindness, strength, and unwavering support. I’m grateful for the years we’ve worked together, proud to call you a friend, and excited to see where your next adventures take you. Wishing you the happiest retirement!
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