Rick J. Caruso

Rick Caruso has blazed a path in Southern California with an extraordinary list of achievements that includes L.A. Business Journal's "Developer of the Year," President of the Police Commission for the City of Los Angeles, Conejo Valley's "Man of the Year," and the youngest Commissioner in the history of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. It's this recognition and many other acts of charity and business acumen that have earned Rick Caruso his reputation as an extraordinary businessman and a compassionate member of the community.

Mr. Caruso began his professional career in the legal field working at one of the country's largest law firms as a member of the corporate finance department. However, he felt the real estate industry was his true calling and began to pursue the world of retail and residential development in the late 1980s.

Since then Mr. Caruso has created a portfolio of premier properties in Southern California and generously shared his vision and expertise with members of the professional and educational community. He has lectured on real estate issues at the Kennedy School of Public Administration at Harvard University, the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning, and Development, and the Pacific Resources 1997 Conference. He has guest lectured at the Lusk Center for Real Estate Development at the University of Southern California, and the Urban Land Institute. He participates annually as a guest panelist for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Mr. Caruso is also a member of the Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.

Mr. Caruso's commitment to developing high-quality retail centers that push the bounds of the industry has earned him numerous awards, including:

• HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR (2001)
  House Ear Institute
  
• ICSC'S 24TH INTERNATIONAL DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT AWARD (2000)
  Innovative Design & Construction of a New Project for the Commons at Calabasas
  
• URBAN LAND INSTITUTE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (1999)
  The Commons at Calabasas
  
• HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR (1999)
  National Conference for Community and Justice
  
• SHELDON W. ANDELSON AWARD (1999)
  "Building Beautiful Places that Enhance our Communities"
• ICSC'S 22ND INTERNATIONAL DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT AWARD, INNOVATIVE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PROJECT (1998)
  The Promenade at Westlake
  
• MAN OF THE YEAR (1997)
  Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
  
• GOLD NUGGET GRAND AWARD (1997)
  Best Commercial Project for Retail; Promenade at Westlake
  
• DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR (1996)
  L. A. Business Journal
  

Mr. Caruso is actively involved in numerous community organizations and is a member of the following:

• Board of Councilors, University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development
• Board of Governors, L.A. Children's Museum
• Board of Directors, California Medical Center Foundation
• Pepperdine School of Law Board of Visitors
• National Institute of Transplantation
• Saint John's Hospital

Mr. Caruso received a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors from the University of Southern California in 1980, and graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983 with his Juris Doctor degree. During his law school career, Mr. Caruso was designated a Brock Scholar. In 1995, he was recognized as the Alumnus of the Year from Pepperdine School of Law.

Follow Mr. Caruso on Twitter @RickCarusoLA.