James Santa Maria

James Santa Maria is a Los Angeles–based government affairs and public policy consultant and founder of The Santa Maria Group, a firm focused on local government advocacy, procurement, and regulatory strategy across Southern California. A former chief of staff to two Los Angeles City Councilmembers and deputy to Mayor Richard Riordan, Santa Maria played senior roles in land use, housing, redevelopment, budget, and finance matters, including work on the Housing Trust Fund, business tax reform, and oversight of major public-private development projects. His firm advises clients navigating City and County contracting with agencies such as LA Public Works, LAUSD, LADWP, the Ports of LA and Long Beach, and Los Angeles World Airports. He also advises political candidates and elected officials and serves as vice president of the Asian American Small Business PAC (AASB PAC), maintaining active ties within California’s local and state political networks.