Rick J. Caruso is a Los Angeles civic leader and real estate developer whose public service and private-sector work have shaped the city for decades. He began his civic career as the youngest Commissioner in Los Angeles history at the Department of Water and Power, where he resolved a decades-long water lawsuit that expanded the city’s water supply while protecting the environment. He later served as President of the Los Angeles Police Commission, leading a comprehensive overhaul of the LAPD and recruiting Chief William Bratton—an effort that helped drive crime to its lowest levels in 50 years. In the private sector, Caruso is the founder of Caruso®, the company behind landmark destinations such as The Grove, one of the highest-grossing shopping centers in the country. Following the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, he founded Steadfast LA, a civic nonprofit dedicated to accelerating recovery and rebuilding through public-private partnerships, reflecting his longstanding commitment to pragmatic, results-driven leadership for the city.