Orange County talent acquisition leaders launch TANOC

Bright Talent has launched the Talent Acquisition Network of Orange County, a new professional community for corporate talent acquisition leaders and teams across the region. The group plans quarterly meetups and says its first event is set for Oct. 29.

Why it matters: - TANOC gives Orange County talent acquisition professionals a dedicated forum to share practices, compare hiring challenges and build local relationships. - The network is meant to support people across the talent acquisition function, not just senior leaders. - Bright Talent is extending a model that already worked in San Diego.

What happened: - Bright Talent announced the formation of the Talent Acquisition Network of Orange County, or TANOC, in Tustin, California, on Oct. 8, 2026. - TANOC is a professional networking community for corporate talent acquisition professionals in Orange County. - Brenan German, founder and president of Bright Talent, and Mariah Miller, talent acquisition director, Americas for Yum! Brands, are the inaugural co-chairs. - The group launched as an expansion of the Talent Acquisition Network of San Diego. - TANOC held its inaugural board meeting on Sept. 4, 2026.

The details: - TANOC is open to corporate TA professionals across all levels, including recruiting leadership, TA managers, recruiters, operations, sourcing and employer brand roles. - The organization plans to meet quarterly to collaborate, exchange knowledge and share best practices. - German said TANOC is intended to preserve the community-first approach that made TANSD effective and avoid becoming overly commercialized or vendor-driven. - Miller said corporate TA professionals are dealing with shifting labor markets and changing corporate priorities, and TANOC is meant to help them learn from peers facing similar pressures. - The next TANOC event is scheduled for Oct. 29. - More information and invitation requests are available through the TANOC website.

Between the lines: - The launch signals continued demand for peer networks in talent acquisition, especially as hiring teams navigate market volatility and internal pressure to do more with less. - The Orange County chapter appears designed to mirror TANSD’s community-based format, which leaders say has helped keep the network practical rather than sales-focused. - Bright Talent is using TANOC to strengthen its footprint in Southern California HR and talent circles.

What's next: - TANOC will begin hosting events, starting with the Oct. 29 gathering. - The network is likely to add more members from Orange County employers as it builds out its board-led community. - Bright Talent says it will continue supporting HR leaders through consulting on technology, workforce planning and analytics.

The bottom line: - TANOC is a new Orange County peer network aimed at helping corporate talent acquisition professionals share expertise, solve hiring challenges and build a local community.