Over four decades of professional experience in every facet of real estate development, community engagement and financing. A visionary entrepreneur and community leader who has transformed neighborhoods throughout San Diego. Possesses exceptional strategic, operational, management and interpersonal skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

President, E. Smith & Company, Inc., San Diego, CA (1986 – present)

• President, Civic San Diego, San Diego, CA (2014-2018)
• President, Max Developers, Inc., a Florida Corporation, Boynton Beach, FL (1986–2012)
• Managing General Partner, Carter Reese & Associates, San Diego, CA (1992–2010)
• Executive Vice President & Director, Southeast Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), San Diego, CA (1982-1986)
• Commercial Real Estate Lending Officer, Great American Savings Bank, San Diego, CA (1980-1982)
• Commercial and Construction Real Estate Lending Officer, Home Federal Savings Bank, San Diego, CA (1974-1980)

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Invested over a $100-million-dollars in affordable housing, producing over 1,500 units, including approximately 470 permanent supportive housing units
• Issued a Notice of Fund Availability that will ultimately generate over 300 affordable housing units
• Secured $133 million in New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) from the federal government and invested over $100 million of the allocation in our most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The results included building the LEED certified Copley Price YMCA, state of the art Jackie Robinson YMCA and the Family Health Center Community Medical Facility, all fostering economic development in our older neighborhoods
• Launched FRED, providing free rides for nearly 140,000 passengers in the downtown area in its first year of operation, which reduced traffic congestion and decreased our carbon footprint
• Led the successful development of the Bayside Fire Station, Horton Plaza Park, Southcrest Trails Park, and Lyceum Theater renovation
• Completed the selection process for a developer and necessary entitlements for 7th & Market and Park & Market projects
• Developed the award-winning downtown mobility plan
• Initiated a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Fund to spur urban development around transit hubs
• Launched our Access to Capital program which reinvested $450,000 of NMTC fees to fund small business loans for disadvantaged, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses
• Initiated a Smart Growth Fund to provide access to funding for working families that cannot afford housing in the city