After a long and distinguished career serving the people of Westchester, Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced that another former Board Chairman will be joining his administration.
Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, who will serve as a Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Facilities, will use his financial and legal background to evaluate the financial and governance issues related to sewer districts and the costs and benefits of consolidations.
Latimer said: “The challenges we are asking Mike to take on now are very difficult but there is not a finer person to take them on. His intellect, public commitment and knowledge of the County make him perfectly prepared to do this.”
Kaplowitz said: “After 22 years of public service as a County Legislator, it was bittersweet to cast my last vote as my colleagues and I passed the 2020 Budget. I am proud of the work I’ve done on behalf of the residents of this great County, and I look forward to continuing to serve Westchester in my new role. I’m excited about the challenge to find cost savings and consolidation efficiencies within the Department of Environmental Facilities. I want to thank County Executive George Latimer, my long-time mentor, for this opportunity.”
Department of Environmental Facilities Commissioner Vincent Kopicki said: “It was always a pleasure to work with Legislator Kaplowitz at the Board of Legislators and now I look forward to working with him in his new role on our team at DEF.”
Kaplowitz has represented the 4th District (Yorktown, New Castle and Somers) since 1998 and has previously served as Vice-Chairman of the Board. On January 6th, 2014, he was elected as Chairman of the Board.
Further, Kaplowitz’s education and expertise as an attorney and certified financial planner led to his appointment as Chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee in 2003. Kaplowitz is a long-time environmentalist and is also a past Chair of the Westchester County Legislature's Environment & Energy Committee.
Kaplowitz has a long history of involvement in a wide variety of community and civic organizations, including the Volunteer Center, the March of Dimes Walk America, the American Red Cross and the Partnership Fund for Aging Services.
Kaplowitz earned a B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law. Kaplowitz and his wife Jayne live in Somers and have two adult daughters.