COMPANY PRINCIPAL
Howard Gad, President
Howard Gad formed Heritage West Development Co. in 1979. Over the years, Heritage West has developed award winning residential communities, retail shopping centers, industrial buildings, custom homes and community facilities throughout Southern California and Arizona. More details on those projects can be found in the Company’s web site at www.heritagewest.com under “Portfolio”.
Activities Prior to Forming Heritage West
1976-1979
Mr. Gad joined Avco Community Developers in 1976 as Marketing Manager for the Company’s 8,000-acre Laguna Niguel community in Orange County. Between 1976 and 1979, he was responsible for product development and marketing of over 1,000 new homes in Laguna Niguel.
1972-1976
In 1972, Howard joined Market Profiles, one of Orange County's leading market research firms for the real estate development industry. Mr. Gad was a research analyst conducting consumer, market and economic research for some of Southern California's largest residential developers including the Irvine Company, the Mission Viejo Company and Avco Community Developers.
1969-1972
After military service, Howard completed his university education (see Education below). While in college, he worked part time remodeling small residential and commercial buildings.
1965-1968
Howard enlisted in the Construction Battalion of the Navy (CB’s) in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1968. During his tour of duty, he was exposed to a wide range of construction activities.
Education / Licenses
- Graduate of San Diego State University (1972)
School of Business Administration – Emphasis: Marketing & Finance - California Real Estate Brokers license since 1976 (Lic. #00530341)
- California General Contractors license (B-1) since 1978 (Lic. #393347)
Community Service
Howard has been active in community affairs throughout his career. Some of those activities include:
- Founding member of the Solana Beach Foundation for Learning (1986), a fundraising foundation for public schools - the Foundation is still active
- Trustee of the Solana Beach School District (two terms: 1988 to 1996) – one of the top school districts in San Diego County
- Board of Directors of the North City West School Facilities Finance Authority (1992 to 1998: 5 yrs as Chairman) – an $80 million “Mella Roos” taxing authority responsible for funding construction of new schools for three school districts covering the Carmel Valley community in San Diego.
- Del Mar Historical Society – Mr. Gad is currently on the Board of Directors of the Society and is involved in relocating and renovating one of Del Mar’s original homes built in 1885.
- Acting chairman of the City of Del Mar’s Form-Based Code committee (2009 to present) – The FBC committee is tasked by the City Council to make recommendations to revise and revitalize Del Mar’s central business district using Form-Based Code zoning.
- Resident consultant helping coordinate the design, development and construction of a new Beach Safety Center for the City of Del Mar (2009 to present)
Family Life
Howard and his wife Jan have lived in Del Mar since 1984. Jan is active in the Del Mar Garden Club and other civic organizations. Their daughter Kameron lives in New York City and works as a retail store designer for international companies. Kameron received her master’s degree in architecture from Parson’s School of Design in Manhattan. Their son Ryan graduated from UCLA in economics and lives in San Diego. Ryan also received his master’s degree in Real Estate Development at the Burnham / Moores School at the University Of San Diego (USD). In addition, Ryan completed his MBA at USD and is a Vice President at Heritage West.
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