MIKE LEWIS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Public Affairs-Government Relations-Funding Expert
Michael Lewis has worked on local government and community issues in Los Angeles County for nearly 45 years. He served for 16 years as Chief of Staff to Los Angeles County Supervisor Pete Schabarum, supervising a 30-member staff. After leaving the County he formed a government relations consulting firm in 1989. He specializes in air and water quality regulatory matters for the construction industry and land use entitlements for small and large developers. He has a very strong background in coalition-building on behalf of very complex and controversial projects. He has won approvals for projects in Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar, West Covina, Rosemead, Arcadia, Porter Ranch, Santa Clarita, West Covina, Montclair, and West Hollywood.
During his career, he served on the following Boards and Commissions:
Rapid Transit District
Los Angeles County Transportation Commission
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Foothill Transit Executive Board
San Dimas Planning Commission
He is Past Chairman of BizFed (2017), the Los Angeles County Business Federation. He Chaired the BizFed Storm Water Task Force, which provided input for both of the Los Angeles County Storm Water funding efforts. Served as Co-Chair of the Water committee (water supply, stormwater, water bonds, legislation). Organized a City/Business/NGO task force to build consensus on key issues for the County parcel tax measure including credit trading, effectiveness scoring, and private funding opportunities.
He served as Chairman of the Transit Agency Finance Committee for 8 ½ years. His first assignment was to find funding to cover a $14 million deficit, which was accomplished.
Los Angeles Magazine said he was “the most knowledgeable person on Transportation Finance in Southern California.”
Finance Chair for a local charity with 60 employees and a $6 million annual budget.
A vocal advocate for monetizing stormwater projects to generate revenue and create public-private partnerships for developing those projects.
