Mark Adams is a well-established leader in the property receivership industry, with a career spanning over 25 years. As the founder and president of California Receivership Group (CRG), he has played an instrumental role in rehabilitating distressed properties across California, Tennessee, and Texas. His work has impacted local communities, revitalizing neighborhoods by addressing unsafe, abandoned, or neglected properties.
Under Adams’s leadership, CRG has handled over 415 properties, managing a combined $62.5 million in rehab loans, all of which have been fully repaid. These efforts have improved the physical spaces and created over 1,500 jobs, contributing to the local economy. CRG's success demonstrates its commitment to providing effective, court-authorized solutions to property problems that traditional methods cannot address.
While CRG’s roots are in California, Mark Adams has expanded his operations to other states, ensuring that his expertise in property rehabilitation reaches beyond his home state. In 2019, he founded Tennessee Receivership Group (TRG), which has since completed work on 36 properties in Memphis. Similarly, he extended his operations to Texas, launching Texas Receivership Group (TxRG), which has secured appointments in Dallas.
These expansions reflect the growing demand for receivership services in areas outside California. By applying his proven methods to new regions, Adams has provided invaluable assistance to communities in need, helping them address vacant and distressed properties left to deteriorate. His ability to replicate his success in multiple states highlights the adaptability and effectiveness of his approach to property rehabilitation.
One key area where Mark Adams has significantly impacted is post-disaster property recovery. After the devastating Los Angeles wildfires in January, he was invited to contribute to Receivership News, a publication of the California Receivers Forum. In his article, "The Role of Receivership in Devastating Fire Recovery," he discussed how receivership can be essential for restoring properties after major disasters like wildfires.
Adams emphasized that receivership provides an immediate and efficient solution for securing fire-damaged properties, especially when the owners are unresponsive, underinsured, or unable to afford necessary repairs. Court-appointed receivers can take control of these properties, mitigate safety risks, and begin cleanup and restoration efforts under judicial oversight. His advocacy for receivership in disaster recovery scenarios has raised awareness of its potential as an effective remedy, ultimately helping communities recover more swiftly and safely after a catastrophe.
In addition to his hands-on work, Mark Adams has been a strong advocate for receivership, working to expand its use and effectiveness. He co-founded the Vacant Property Receivership Consortium (VPRC), a nonprofit organization that promotes receivership to revitalize vacant and distressed properties. Through VPRC, he has helped shape the policy and practice surrounding receivership, ensuring it remains an accessible and effective solution for communities facing property challenges.
Adams’s involvement in the VPRC has allowed him to be at the forefront of conversations around property rehabilitation, advocating for laws and policies that support the use of receivership. His leadership in this space has contributed to a broader understanding of receivership and its potential to address complex property issues, from blighted homes to disrepair commercial spaces.
Mark Adams’s impact on the receivership field is perhaps best exemplified by his role as the first court-appointed receiver under California’s Health and Safety Code. In 1999, he was appointed to address the hazardous conditions at a 66-unit apartment complex following the tragic death of an infant due to unsafe living conditions. This appointment marked the first time receivership was used under the Health and Safety Code to remedy health and safety violations, setting a precedent for future cases.
Since that groundbreaking appointment, Adams has taken on various property cases, addressing fire damage, hoarding, hazardous materials, and unpermitted construction. His ability to tackle complex and dangerous property situations has made him a sought-after receiver, and his success in using the Health and Safety Code has proven that receivership can be a powerful tool for improving public health and safety.
Mark Adams’s journey in the receivership field began with the founding of California Receivership Group in 1995. Frustrated with the limited options for addressing neglected and unsafe properties, he created CRG to offer a comprehensive, court-authorized solution when other methods failed. His vision was to provide a way for communities to reclaim deteriorating properties and turn them into assets that contribute to the overall well-being of residents.
Since its inception, CRG has become California's most experienced receivership firm, handling hundreds of properties and restoring countless neighborhoods. Under Adams’s leadership, CRG has set the standard for property rehabilitation in the state, and the company’s work has earned it recognition as one of the premier firms in the field. His ability to effectively manage complex property issues and deliver results has been key to CRG’s success.
Mark Adams’s commitment to property rehabilitation extends beyond his work at CRG. In 2001, he founded the CRG Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on helping communities establish their receivership programs. The Foundation provides municipalities and community organizations with training, resources, and expertise, enabling them to take control of vacant, abandoned, and distressed properties.
Through the CRG Foundation, Receiver Mark Adams has extended his impact and empowered other communities to address their property challenges. By providing the tools and knowledge necessary to implement receivership programs, the Foundation ensures that more communities can experience the benefits of property revitalization. His vision of empowering local governments and community organizations ensures that his legacy will continue to grow, even as his direct involvement in individual projects becomes less frequent.
Mark Adams’s leadership extends beyond his work as a receiver. He also mentors many of California’s top health and safety professionals, guiding them through the complexities of property rehabilitation and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the field. He has built a reputation for being approachable, willing to share his expertise, and dedicated to ensuring the next generation of receivers is well-prepared to handle challenging cases.
In addition to his mentorship, Adams is a respected speaker at industry conferences, sharing his insights on receivership best practices and policy development. His contributions to the field have helped shape the future of property restoration, and his influence continues to be felt in the industry.
Mark Adams’s professional success matches his deep commitment to his family and community. He has been married to Janis for 35 years and has children and six grandchildren. His family is his most significant source of pride, and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that his children are given the opportunities to succeed in their own lives. His children have attended prestigious universities such as Harvard and UCLA, continuing a family tradition of academic excellence and hard work.
In addition to his family, Adams has also been dedicated to giving back to the community. He served on the National Board of Directors for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, serving marginalized populations. He has strongly supported charitable causes, including St. Monica’s Catholic Church and Loyola Marymount University. His commitment to service reflects the values of integrity, community, and family that have shaped his professional and personal life.
Mark Adams’s work in the property receivership industry has transformed countless distressed properties into thriving, valuable community assets. Through his leadership of California Receivership Group and advocacy for the receivership process, he has become a trusted figure in property revitalization. His expansion into Tennessee and Texas, his contributions to the Vacant Property Receivership Consortium, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of receivers demonstrate his dedication to advancing the field.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Adams’s devotion to his family and community highlights the broader impact of his work. By empowering others through the CRG Foundation and supporting charitable initiatives, he has created a legacy that extends far beyond the properties he has rehabilitated. His vision for revitalizing communities and restoring distressed properties will continue to shape the industry for years.
Learn More:
The Role of Receivership in Devastating Fire Recovery
Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: CALIFORNIA RECEIVERSHIP GROUP