I interviewed my father, Nick Cammarota, who is the General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the California Building Industry Association. I asked him basic questions about his job, but we also took a deep dive and discussed what he did to get where he is now and his experiences in his career.
- What is the California Building Industry Association?
“The California Building Industry Association, which we often refer to as CBIA, is a nonprofit mutual benefit association that is a statewide trade organization located in Sacramento,” said Mr. Cammarota.
He continued explaining that the Association represents thousands of companies in the building industry.
“We represent home builders, trade contractors, architects, engineers, designers, suppliers and other professionals involved in home building, multi-family, and mixed-use development.”
In other words, CBIA primarily represents and promotes all those involved in building houses in California!
Mr. Cammarota also explained that CBIA represents nearly 90% of new housing units.
“It encompasses a range of projects from charity homes and affordable housing, to middle-class, market rate, and luxury residences. We advocate for policies that enhance housing production of all types while trying to ensure homes for everyone.”
He is especially passionate about making sure that those who need homes the most can get them at an affordable price!
- Was there something that made you want the job you had now?
“Yes! My family came from the real-estate development industry, and I participated in that since I was able to walk.”
Mr. Cammarota has a fond memory being a 6-year-old in 1968 and bringing homemade cookies from his Italian mother, plus beer, to the construction workers across the street from his home in Sacramento. He was literally interested in the building industry since the time he could walk!
“As I got further along in life, I decided that this was a regulated and complicated industry, and as I was spending time with attorneys, I went to law school.”
He has been able to use his law school education in many ways that most lawyers would not, however he believes that it was still very valuable in doing his job.
- What does your job entail?
“Well, my legal title is General Counsel and Senior Vice President. I am also a registered lobbyist, but I spend a lot of my time drafting legislation, drafting amendments, analyzing bills for other lobbyists, supporting lobbyists with policy arguments, testifying in legislative hearings, meeting with legislators and their staff about issues related to legislation, either for or against it,” said Mr. Cammarota. “I also oversee our litigation program and work in the regulatory arena dealing with current issues of wildfire resilience, embodied carbon building materials, and a host of other regulatory issues.”
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
“This one is simple. The drive home,” he said with a dash of humor in his voice.
His job is complicated, so he enjoys the peace that the commute home provides as well as going home to his family.
- What do you least enjoy about your job?
“I don’t like it when people lie to me, which seems all to frequent in this job,” he said dryly.
Unfortunately, his tone of voice lacks the wittiness that the previous answer contained.
Because the people he works directly or indirectly with are extremely passionate about what they do, honesty does not always come easily.
- How often do you appear in court?
“As little as possible,” he says, the humor returning to his voice. “I rarely, almost never, participate in person in our litigation. However, I do appear in front of the legislature. I testify in support of our bills or in opposition to other bills, providing the factual background and legal arguments necessary.”
This might have its perks; however, it also means that he must work with legislators who want the opposite of what is good for the building industry, making it more difficult for homes to be built.
- What did you study to get where you are today?
“Well, as I mentioned, I went to law school. However, I specialized in property law, land use, tax law, partnership tax, environmental law, along with the required courses that law school provides.”
These are things one would want to specialize in or study if they were interested in participating or working in the legal side of the building industry.
Nick’s job is difficult and stressful, especially when the people around him do not participate to the full extent of their job. However, it has provided a beautiful life for him, his wife, five children, and two grandchildren over 33 years of happy marriage.
