BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY - January 2008
COMPANY PRINCIPAL – HOWARD GAD, President
Howard Gad formed Heritage West Development Co. in 1979. Over the last 29 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 by selecting “PORTFOLIO” on the menu bar above.
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.
Family Life
Howard and his wife Jan have been married for 31 years and live in Del Mar. Their daughter Kameron has an MA in architect from Parsons School of Design in New York City and works in store design for major New York retailers. Their son Ryan graduated form UCLA in economics and is currently in a combined MBA / Masters in Real Estate Development graduate program at the University of San Diego. Ryan also works at Heritage West as a project manager.
Equal Housing Opportunity |