Meet The Santa Maria Group,
Where Business Meets Government
Attempting to traverse the constraints of government can be overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be.
As a leading government relations and business solutions firm, The Santa Maria Group has established a reputation for delivering timely solutions in the most critical moments. With over two decades of political experience and a proven track record of results -- for both local and international clients as well as high profile projects -- SMG offers trusted, expert advocacy to expedite issues regarding legislative affairs, real estate development and land use. Along with a full array of consulting services to help companies effortlessly navigate the halls of government, SMG is committed to promoting community projects to improve upon the city and enhance the lives of residents.
James Santa Maria,
President and Founder
James Santa Maria brings more than 20 years of government, political, and public affairs experience to The Santa Maria Group. James specializes in local government, focusing on the City and County of Los Angeles as well as other municipalities and public agencies throughout Southern California.
James founded the Santa Maria Group following a ten-year career in Los Angeles City government as chief of staff to two former City Council Members. He also served as a Deputy to Mayor Richard Riordan. His responsibilities in the City included serving as the lead staff member to the Housing and Community Redevelopment Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee and was the senior land use and real estate development staff member in each Council Office. In addition to his legislative responsibilities, he also helped to manage and oversee the development of many civic projects including the creation of several housing projects, the development of cultural, recreational centers and public infrastructure projects. James also worked collaboratively on several key public- private partnerships with many developers that have brought commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects throughout Los Angeles.
James has delivered on government procurement and contracting opportunities with the City and County agencies including Public Works, LA Unified School District, LA Department of Water and Power, LA and Long Beach Ports, and the Los Angeles World Airport. SMG has helped deliver critical and timely solutions to his clients on a myriad of governmental challenges as well as complex regulatory issues. James also was the senior advisor on a wide range of issues from local district-focused community relations to issues of citywide importance such as the creation of the Housing Trust Fund, business tax reform, public safety and the City of Los Angeles’ $5 billion annual budget (The 16th largest economy in the world).
Lauren Delgado,
Vice President
Lauren Delgado has over a decade of sales, real estate, and legislative lobbying experience and has served as Vice President of SMG since 2016. In her role, Lauren oversees all aspects of SMG’s operations including supervising staff, implementing policies to promote SMG’s growth, and ensuring that operations align with the firm’s needs and overall strategic goals. In addition, Lauren is a registered lobbyist and helps manage all legislative action, lobbying, and land use on behalf of SMG for its clients.
Prior to joining SMG, Lauren was the Chief of Sales & Marketing for Acrolith Group Inc., a real estate and mortgage company. Lauren’s duties at Acrolith Group Inc. included coordinating and assisting in real estate transactions with agents, buyers, sellers, escrow, and other vendors, developing marketing strategies for both the company and its individual real estate agents, and helming the training and orientation of new real estate agents. Lauren was previously a Marketing Coordinator for Children’s Dental Group (CDG), a pediatric dental company with campuses in Anaheim, Carson, Eagle Rock, Norwalk, Santa Ana, and South Gate. As an effective member of CDG’s marketing team, she cultivated direct interpersonal relationships with community stakeholders, and locally-based organizations which catered to children and youth clientele. During her tenure at CDG, Lauren also developed and implemented several corporate and social media marketing campaigns to increase CDG’s overall PPO patient base.
Lauren is co-founder and serves as an executive board member of USAPAN, a 501(c)(3) organization which aims to amplify Filipino-American voices within different communities in Los Angeles. Through USAPAN, Lauren produces events such as Filled Market, a cultural food/retail market which incubates and uplifts Filipino and AAPI small businesses, and whose events have been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and covered by ABC, KCET, NBC and Good Day LA. She also currently serves as an executive board member of the California Affordable Housing Development Association, a 501(c)(6) organization which connects affordable housing developers with resources to build sustainable communities.
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. She is a proud resident of the City of Los Angeles and spends her downtime on the golf course or with her pup, Clifton.
Robert Urteaga,
Senior Consultant
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.
Kevin Acebo,
Senior Consultant
Democratic Party; Assistant Chief of Staff for Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; Principal Legislative Consultant for California Assembly Speaker Willie L. Brown, Jr; and, Campaign Consultant for the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee. Kevin also was elected as President of the Los Angeles Asian Democratic Caucus and State Chair of the California State Democratic Party's Asian Pacific Caucus. Kevin also served in Washington, DC, as research assistant for both the White House Commission on the Review of the Federal Impact Aid Program and the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Returning to Los Angeles from the Nation’s capitol Kevin worked as a budget and program planner for the United Way of Los Angeles.
Kevin served twice -- in 2001 and 2011 -- as Chair and a General Member of the Los Angeles County Boundary Review Committee, a public member body charged with gathering public testimony, implementing an extensive community outreach effort and developing redistricting recommendations for each of the offices of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors with each district representing close to 2 million residents. He also served as a consultant to the 1990 reapportionment of California’s congressional and legislative districts.
Today, Kevin sits as a Member of the Los Angeles Commission on Mental Health, responsible for advising the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Director of the Department of Mental Health on various aspects of local mental health programs. Kevin Acebo also is a Principal Officer the American Opportunity Fund Political Action Committee, supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) candidates and candidates who representative the voices of the AAPI community; Votamos, Inc., a non- profit voter registration and education 501(c)3 organization targeting California Latino, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities; and, the Asian American Victory Political Action Committee PAC, a non-partisan PAC to support AAPI candidates for running for state and local office in California and candidates who represent the needs and issues of the AAPI community
Kevin graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California’s School of Pubic Affairs and returned during his tenure as Los Angeles City Deputy Mayor as an Assistant Adjunct Professor.
Kevin’s public service career started with two Los Angeles area Asian Pacific American community-based, non-profit organizations: Youth Counselor for Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Inc. (SIPA), and as a social work fellow with the Asian American Mental Health Training Center mentoring under the legendary Pilipino American community leader, Alfred Mendoza, Jr. Kevin’s 30+ year public service career includes: Deputy Mayor for the City of Los Angeles; Statewide Political Director for the California
Dustin Go,
Associate
Dustin Go is a Legislative Associate for the Santa Maria Group. He is responsible for legislative and administrative support for a wide variety of the company’s projects. Dustin focuses on affordable housing, entitlements, and government relations.
Dustin graduated from California State University of Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Finance.
Mason Santa Maria,
Associate
Mason Santa Maria is a Legislative Associate for the Santa Maria Group. He is responsible for legislative and administrative support for a wide variety of the company’s projects. Mason has worked on election campaigns, advocated for educational institutions, and provided community outreach for various issues across Los Angeles. He specializes in advocacy, campaign consulting, community outreach, digital marketing, and strategic communication.
Mason attended Boston University, where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations with a focus in Business, Economics, and Politics.
Steven Gutierrez,
Associate
Steven Gutierrez is a Legislative Associate for the Santa Maria Group. He is responsible for legislative and administrative support for a wide variety of projects as well as communication and digital marketing.
Steven attended Loyola University Chicago, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies.
Company Values
Possession of Core Competencies
We support each and every client by offering reliable and effective services devoted to achieving their goals.
Greeting Passion With
Inspired Execution
Through advocacy and outreach, we uplift neighborhoods, improve communities.
Providing Every Advantage Possible
Whether we're providing answers or provoking change, we do our best to give our clients the best every time.