IRVINE, CA—As the largest Building Industry Association division in the nation, BIA Southern California has a unique opportunity to be the leading voice in the building industry nationally and to leverage its expertise in government affairs, incoming CEO Jeff Montejano tells GlobeSt.com. Montejano has been involved with business, public policy and political affairs throughout the nation, consulting for Fortune 500 companies and public agencies in the areas government, media and community relations. He previously served as president and VP of public affairs for multiple firms, where he represented several industries including residential/commercial developments, transportation and conservation.

We spoke with Montejano about his new role, the main issues BIASC will be tackling this year and the most pressing concerns of Southern California housing construction.

GlobeSt.com: What is your chief objective in your new role with BIASC?

Montejano: As CEO of the BIASC, my objective for the organization is to strengthen relationships with our members through close collaboration, stay true to our core values and continue promoting a positive business environment for the building industry. Our priority is to provide the resources necessary for our builders so they can in turn provide houses that become homes, that become a community, that help build our cities, state and nation. It is a privilege to do so, and I am honored to lead our organization in this endeavor. We have a long history (over 90 years) of serving the building industry, and I plan to continue this legacy while also focusing on areas of opportunity for our organization.

GlobeSt.com: What are the main issues the organization will be tackling this year?

Montejano: The two main issues that the organization will be tackling this year are increasing membership and expanding our reach.

We have one of the largest memberships in the nation with more than 1,100 members, but we are also in one of the largest markets, so there is a lot of opportunity to grow our membership. The Southern California housing market is dynamic, with new players emerging in the industry, and we need to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that a BIA membership offers, such as government relations, education, labor relations, and community relations programs to name just a few.

As the largest BIA division in the nation, we have a unique opportunity to be the leading voice in the building industry nationally. Our positive impact is unparalleled and could serve as a model for the rest of the BIAs across the country on how to provide members the resources to effectively plan for, and meet, the building and construction needs of their respective regions. One of our strongest assets as an organization is our government-affairs teams, and there is a lot of opportunity to leverage our expertise in this area.

GlobeSt.com: What do you see as the most pressing concerns of Southern California housing construction?

Montejano: A diverse and dynamic housing market like Southern California comes with its fair share of challenges, the most pressing of which is affordability. Low inventory is creating competition and driving home prices up to unaffordable levels. We are also seeing an increase of Millennials who would like to get into a home but are struggling to do so.

The challenge of affordability has opened an opportunity for builders to focus on affordable, transit-oriented housing. Buyers are now looking to new construction that is in their price range and even some distance from work since the convenience of these commuter-friendly communities has now opened them up to the possibility of home ownership.

Another pressing concern is lack of available land in desired communities. We are seeing an increase in condo and apartment construction as developers look to build up in order to meet demand. It's exciting to see some of the mixed-use housing and condo endeavors of our members. I really think we will continue to see this section of our industry increase over the next few years.

GlobeSt.com: What is your overall view of the state of Southern California Housing Development?

Montejano: Whether you own a home, lost a home or want to buy a home, housing is a hot topic in the government, public and corporate sectors. As large and expansive as our region is, there is still lots of opportunity for development and growth to help support businesses and continue to support bringing high-paying jobs to Southern California. A decrease in unemployment and favorable interest rates will continue to drive a high demand for housing, and we are here to help our members navigate through the prospects of building throughout Southern California.

Space X, Amazon, Google and two NFL franchises are expanding and making Southern California their home, just to name a few. With this growth, cities and communities are being revitalized, reshaped and modernized to accommodate these workforces where infrastructure and housing will remain a top priority. While growth is important, the methodology of how we grow, develop and improve our housing industry is even more vital, and that is what our association is all about.

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Membership and Reach are Key Issues for BIASC

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