Dale E. Bonner
Secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency
State of California
In March 2007 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Dale E. Bonner to lead the State's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H).
As Secretary, he oversees 13 departments and several economic development programs and commissions consisting of more than 44,000 employees and a budget of $20 billion, a budget larger than that of almost half the states in the nation. The Agency's portfolio is one of the largest and most diverse in the State of California. Its operations address a myriad of issues that directly impact the state's economic vitality and quality of life including transportation, public safety, affordable housing, international trade, financial services, tourism, and managed health care.
As the lead State Agency for economic development, BT&H strives to maintain and enhance California's leading role in the global economy through the Agency's programs. Since being appointed, Secretary Bonner has overseen the implementation of the voter-approved $19.9 billion transportation bond and the $2.85 billion housing bond (Propositions 1B and 1C).
Mr. Bonner most recently worked in the private sector, serving as a partner in the law firm Epstein Becker & Green from 2002 to 2007, where he represented public and privately-held companies in regulatory and transactional matters. From 1999 to 2002, he was counsel to the law firm Hogan & Hartson. He became a member of the California State Bar in 1991.
Mr. Bonner served as Commissioner of the California Department of Corporations from 1998 to 1999 and as Deputy Secretary and General Counsel for BT&H from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Bonner also served as Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Pete Wilson from 1992 to 1996.
He currently sits on the California Science Center Board of Directors and is a past member of the BT&H Expert Review Panel, Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and California Performance Review Commission.
Mr. Bonner earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California.