Brian McGowan

Deputy Secretary for Economic Development & Commerce
Business Transportation & Housing
Phone: (916) 323-5408
Website: www.bth.ca.gov

Brian P. McGowan was appointed as California's Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Commerce by Governor Schwarzenegger in December 2007. Mr. McGowan officially began his position at the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency in January of 2008.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. McGowan was the Economic Development Agency Administrator for the County of San Bernardino; Economic Development Manager for the City of Ontario for five years; and Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Palm Springs for six years.

Mr. McGowan's broad experience in the field of economic development has allowed him to create and implement comprehensive and award winning marketing/public relations campaigns, workforce development initiatives, business retention/expansion programs, and support networks for businesses and entrepreneurs. Mr. McGowan has also championed international initiatives for local governments. He created the Palm Springs Foreign Trade Zone and led a series of trade missions to China for both the City of Ontario and County of San Bernardino.

In addition, Mr. McGowan helped build trade ties with Mexico, and has assisted Bulgaria and Serbia in creating economic development programs through the United States Agency for International Development. Mr. McGowan is a member of the Board for the California Association of Local Economic Development and Vice President of Team California. He has also developed economic development curriculum for the Claremont Graduate University to ensure a steady flow of trained economic developers for the region.

Mr. McGowan received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and a Master's Degree in Politics, Economics, and Business from the Claremont Graduate University. He recently won the Michael and Mary Johnston Fellowship in American Politics and is currently a Ph.D candidate in American Politics and Policy at Claremont Graduate University.