New Directions for California

Carl D. Covitz

Carl D. Covitz was sworn in as Secretary of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency on January 7, 1991.

As a member of Governor Wilson’s cabinet, Mr. Covitz oversees 14 state departments and a number of boards and offices with more than 38,000 employees and an annual budget of over $6 billion. Mr. Covitz’s responsibilities include management of the state’s business regulatory departments, transportation departments, housing departments, and the Department of Commerce.

Mr. Covitz has enjoyed a successful career as an entrepreneur, marking manager, U.S. government official and civic leader. He was the owner and president of Landmark Communities, a national real estate development and investment company which he founded in 1973.

From 1987 to 1989 Mr. Covitz served as Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was a member of the President’s cabinet and participated in the development of domestic policy. Mr. Covitz was also a member of the Executive Committee of the President’s Grace Commission and co-chairman of the task force that evaluated the Defense Department. He has also held positions as Vice President and Director of Corporate Development for ITT Corporation and as National Marketing Manager for Canada Dry Corporation.

As a civic leader, Mr. Covitz has served in the capacities of Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Chairman of Los Angeles Housing Authority, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Commission on Delinquency and Crime, and Chairman of the Operations Committee of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.

In the field of education, Mr. Covitz has served as an instructor at the UCLA Graduate School of Management, and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Covitz received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University.

Mr. Covitz is married and the father of two sons.