Matthew Karatz

Background

Matthew Karatz was born to a Jewish family, the son of former KB Home chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Karatz and his first wife Janet Dreisen.

Education

In 1990, he graduated from Gould Academy, a college preparatory school.

Career

He has served as head of the Mayor’ General’ s Office of Economic and Business Policy and has been noted for his previous role as a Los Angeles deputy mayor. Karatz has served as Senior Director in Land Acquisition at KB Home and as the Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at Caruso Affiliated. In 1994, he earned a Bachelor"s degree in political science from Pitzer College.

Real estate

Karatz worked in the commercial real estate industry as the real estate portfolio manager for Avondale Investments, and as Vice President of Development and Acquisition at Caruso Affiliated.

In addition, Karatz held several positions at KB Home’s businesses in southern California, and served as the company’s Senior Director of Land Acquisitions. Journalism

Karatz worked as an investigative reporter for American Broadcasting Company News with chief investigative correspondent, Brian Ross, and Peter Jennings.

Politics

In 2011, Karatz was appointed as deputy mayor by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and served as the mayor’s senior advisor on economic and business matters. He succeeded former mayoral candidate and current Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles Times, Austin Beutner.

Karatz supervised thirteen city departments including: Department of Building and Safety, Department of City Planning, the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles Tourism, Department of Water and Power, international trade, LAX and economic development initiatives related to the Portuguese of Los Los Angeles

In February 2013, Karatz resigned his post as deputy mayor and stated his plans to return to the private sector. Rubicon Project

In 2013, Karatz joined the Rubicon Project as chief of staff and head of strategic operations.

Achievements

• Prior to working in public service and the real estate industry, Karatz worked for American Broadcasting Company News and earned a News & Documentary Emmy Award for his work in investigative journalism. He received a News & Documentary Emmy Award during his tenure.