Our Dedicated Team
Dedicated experts with a proven record of success.
Board of Directors
Our dedicated Board of Directors work to connect you with the resources needed to build sustainable communities and develop affordable housing for the residents of California.
JAMES SANTA MARIA, PRESIDENT
James Santa Maria is the President of Santa Maria Group and serves as the President of the Board for CAHDA. for Following a ten-year career in Los Angeles City government as Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff to two City Council Members, James founded The Santa Maria Group. In addition to these duties, James was also a Deputy to Mayor Richard Riordan; responsibilities in the City included serving as the lead staff member to the Housing and Community Redevelopment Committee, as well as the Budget and Finance Committee. Leading to his political advocacy, James managed and oversaw the development of a multitude of civic projects including affordable housing projects, cultural and recreational centers as well several public infrastructure projects. Today, James continues to work with all levels of government and advocate for his clients to bring commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects throughout Los Angeles.
LAUREN DELGADO, VICE PRESIDENT
Lauren Delgado is the Vice President of the Santa Maria Group. With over a decade of sales, marketing, and real estate experience, Lauren Delgado's wide array of experience and expertise make her an indispensable asset to every project. Lauren's duties include managing client projects to ensure that each project is completed successfully and in the most expeditious manner possible, advising clients on legislative and land use processes, and overseeing the firm’s internal operations. Today, by continuing to share her profound skill set, Lauren is able to meet and often exceed her client's goals. Lauren graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. She has been a licensed California real estate agent and an active member of the Southern Regional Association of Realtors since 2006.
BENJAMIN BARKER, SECRETARY
Mr. Barker serves as a Financial Advisor to the California Municipal Finance Authority, assisting borrowers with qualified projects to facilitate taxable and tax-exempt bond financings. Mr. Barker's previous experience covers all aspects of Mortgage Backed Securitizations. He began his career as an analyst with UBS and continued on to become an AVP of Secondary Markets at a boutique firm. To date he has participated in over $20 billion of structured financings. Mr. Barker also volunteers as a Committee Advisor to Irvine Housing Opportunities. He has been ranked on the top 50 list for Next Generation of Public Finance. Mr. Barker received a BS in Finance and Business Management from Brigham Young University, AA in Arts and Sciences from BYUI and has been certified from the Investment Banking Institute.
VANESSA DELGADO, BOARD MEMBER
Vanessa Delgado is the executive director of the California Affordable Housing Development Association. She has been an economic development professional for over 20 years and has created 3.3 million square feet of retail, office and housing projects. Delgado spent 11 years as the Director of Development for Primestor Development and was a member of its Executive Team. She was responsible for managing Primestor projects through the development and construction cycle, community and government relations and marketing. Vanessa's professional experience also includes working in the redevelopment agencies and economic development departments of the cities of Pico Rivera, Anaheim and Downey. She has consulted for the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles and a number of private development clients. In 2015, Vanessa was recognized by Real Estate Forum as one of California’s Women of Influence in 2015.
Staff
Our staff provides excellent support to keep CAHDA’s mission alive and advancing forward.
ROBERT URTEAGA, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR
A veteran Public Affairs and Political Campaign Consultant adept at identifying priority audiences, crafting persuasive messages, and orchestrating campaigns, plans and strategies that maximize clients’ goals and objectives while minimizing their shortcomings. Robert has over fifteen years of experience assisting clients with developing and implementing strategies to educate the public and/or gain public approval for issues and projects.
Previously, Robert founded and was President of Upward Solutions, a Los Angeles based Public Affairs & Communications firm specializing in Government & Community Relations. Robert was a Senior Associate for Burnside & Associates, a nationally recognized Political Consulting Firm, specializing in public outreach services, sophisticated grass roots field organizing, campaign management, and coalition building. He managed day-to-day activities for many of the firms’ clients and was responsible for developing and implementing community outreach strategies.
Prior to working at Burnside & Associates, Robert worked for Bob Hertzberg’s Mayoral Campaign in the City of Los Angeles and served as Special Projects Director for Councilmember Janice Hahn, where he was responsible for the management and implementation of all infrastructure projects in the district. In addition, he was District Director for Los Angeles City Councilmember Nick Pacheco and Senior Project Manager for Los Angeles Mayor’s James K. Hahn and Richard J. Riordan, where he managed a citywide community program.
Robert graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He is a past Board Member of the UCLA Latino Alumni Association, and a former Montebello City Council Member.
Email: GovernmentRelations@CAHDAonline.org
Phone: (323) 490-8164