Biography Of Receiver Mark Adams

Mark Adams has been at the helm of the California Receivership Group (CRG) for over 25 years, where he serves as President. He is recognized as the state's most experienced health and safety receiver Over his distinguished career, he has been appointed by 179 state and federal judges to manage the rehabilitation of over 360 properties in 36 counties and 126 cities throughout California Recently, his expertise has been sought in states such as Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, and Wisconsin

Under the Health and Safety Code, Adams leads receivership efforts that offer effective resolutions when traditional code enforcement measures prove inadequate These interventions are designed to rectify financial and structural issues of nuisance properties at no cost to taxpayers, as the properties themselves defray the costs through statutory and equitable court-granted powers

In his role, Adams confronts a wide range of health and safety issues across various distressed properties His professional expertise covers tackling unauthorized construction, mitigating fire, seismic, and hillside stability damage, reducing crime in troubled neighborhoods, securing abandoned and unsecured structures, and ensuring safety in occupied but hazardous buildings His work also involves cleaning up sites overwhelmed by waste and debris, including hoarding situations and addressing dangerous materials such as pest infestations, asbestos, and mold. Furthermore, he manages properties with significant structural problems and those needing more basic utilities like heat, electricity, and water.

The First Receiver Appointed under the California Health and Safety Code

Mark Adams was a trailblazer, the first receiver appointed under the California Health and Safety Code in 1999 His initial major assignment involved a 66-unit apartment complex that suffered from severe neglect, which became a significant case following the tragic death of an 11-week-old infant due to respiratory problems exacerbated by poor living conditions. This pivotal case marked the first application of the Health and Safety Code in addressing nuisance abatement issues, prompting him to establish CRG as a dedicated entity to tackle hazardous property conditions, thereby enhancing community living environments.

His innovative efforts in property rehabilitation have earned him widespread recognition, including the "Distinguished Entrepreneurial Alumnus Award" from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in 2022 and accolades from the Los Angeles Business Journal as an outstanding family-owned business

Co-founding the Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Slum Housing

Before his tenure at CRG, Adams played a key role in establishing and leading then-Mayor Riordan's Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Slum Housing in Los Angeles. From 1998 to 2000, he co-founded this committee, which significantly influenced the expansion of the city's slum housing inspection program. Their findings underscored the prevalent issues with landlords neglecting essential maintenance, leading to widespread unsafe and unhealthy living conditions

Adams's involvement with this committee, alongside his deep background in real estate finance, set a strong foundation for his trailblazing work in receivership. Under his direction, CRG has sharpened its focus on health and safety receivership, effectively managing substantial funding to rehabilitate properties with severe code violations.

A Mentor to Health and Safety Receivers

Through his leadership at CRG, Mark Adams has mentored a host of health and safety receivers across California He is a sought-after speaker at housing conferences nationwide He has significantly contributed to legal discourse, including submitting an amicus curiae brief in a landmark California Supreme Court decision that supported health and safety receivership remedies

Mark Adams's Career Path

Before CRG, Adams held significant roles at Civitas Housing Company and De Miranda Management, managing extensive affordable housing operations in Los Angeles His early career included roles managing a nonprofit housing developer and serving as Director of Public Affairs at Fannie Mae, where he oversaw congressional relations in the Western states. He also provided corporate and housing finance legal consulting for high-profile clients, including major banks and housing agencies.

He founded and managed Callie Mae, Inc , a mortgage banking firm that brokered over $500 million in home mortgage loans to public pension funds and other institutional investors Adams also contributed to policy development under Governor Jerry Brown, writing key legislation that anticipated NAFTA

A Dedicated Family Man

Born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, Mark Adams and his wife Janis have raised three children and are approaching their 35th wedding anniversary Their family history includes a legacy of academic achievement and a son who attended Harvard He is a passionate baseball fan, particularly of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and has been actively involved in his daughter's volleyball team as a committed supporter

Paying It Forward

Adams's dedication extends beyond his professional endeavors to active community involvement. He served on the National Board of Directors for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps from 2016 to 2022 and regularly donates to St Monica's Catholic Church and Loyola Marymount University. He was a founding director of the Chrysalis Center, a prominent homeless services provider in Los Angeles, and has led numerous fundraising campaigns for various causes

Mark Adams continues to use his vast experience and leadership to enhance community conditions, ensuring safer and healthier environments across California and beyond.