​Kaplowitz To Join Latimer Administration

SOMERS, NY — The outgoing Westchester County Board of Legislators chairman will be joining the administration of County Executive George Latimer. After a long and distinguished career serving the people of Westchester, Legislator Michael Kaplowitz will serve as a deputy commissioner of the Department of Environmental Facilities.

Latimer said Kaplowitz 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.

“The challenges we are asking Mike to take on now are very difficult but there is not a finer person to take them on," he said. "His intellect, public commitment and knowledge of the county make him perfectly prepared to do this.”

Kaplowitz it was bittersweet, after 22 years of public service as a county legislator, to cast his last vote as his colleagues and he 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," he said.

Kaplowitz said he was excited about the challenge to find cost savings and consolidation efficiencies within the Department of Environmental Facilities.

Kaplowitz has represented the 4th District, comprised of Yorktown, New Castle and Somers, since 1998 and has previously served as vice-chairman of the board. On Jan. 6, 2014, he was elected as chairman of the board.

His education and expertise as an attorney and certified financial planner led to his appointment as chairman of the Budget & Appropriations Committee in 2003. Kaplowitz is a long-time environmentalist and is also a past chairman of the Westchester County Legislature's Environment & Energy Committee.

He has a 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 received a B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law. He and his wife Jayne live in Somers and have two adult daughters.

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