CARLOS MESA (1959-2008) - In Memoriam

In April 2008 Carlos Mesa, co-founder of Santa Fe Group and the Company's President since its inception in 1996, was lost to lung cancer after a three year battle in which he fought valiantly and with dignity against the aggressive disease.  Carlos had never been a smoker.  His honesty, integrity in business and his overall gregarious and infectious personality earned him many friends.  At his memorial held on April 18, 2008 hundreds of industry people and professionals as well as personal friends and family attended to celebrate his rich life over the course of a full day.

Carlos leaves his beloved wife Erlinda, three children; Armando, Lisa Marie and Jonathan and two grandchildren; Armando, Jr., and Ariana.

Carlos Mesa was recognized as an innovative partner with government and private concerns in developing not only creative use of land, but also by the use of attractive exterior amenities, such as front porches, tree lined streets, rich landscaping that complement a family-oriented, technology friendly interior home design centered around a “great room”.  Santa Ana Pines, which was built on an abandoned railroad right of way and Traditions at The Greens, which was built on a rezoned Industrial site, are examples of these.  Subsequently, he oversaw several highly successful project including The Wentworth Homes, North Hills Homes and Coldwater Court, all of which are located in the San Fernando Valley.

Previous to co-founding Santa Fe Group, Mr. Mesa served as Vice President of Windjammer Construction Company and as Sales Manager of Thad M. Williams Associates.  During his tenure at Windjammer, the company consistently ranked as one of the top 25 multifamily builders in the State of California and Mr. Mesa developed extensive experience in managing the development and construction of residential building projects, including multiple and single family developments ranging from 30 to over 100 units.  He was also primarily responsible for generating the marketing and sales plans for the developments and structured financing packages with public and private institutions for home buyers including mortgage revenue bonds, deferred second mortgages and pioneered a zero down payment program.  The zero down payment program was unique in the entire Los Angeles Metropolitan area in that for the first time a home buyer could purchase a home, as the name implies, with zero down payment.  The program was ratified by the Los Angeles City Council in 1996 and was successfully implemented at the Santa Ana Pines project by Mr. Mesa.  Since then, it has been used as a model program for several other cities in Southern California.

Carlos Mesa was also an alumni of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business Minority Real Estate Program and a major force in the program's founding and subsequent success.  He was a frequent guest speaker for the program and up until his death he mentored many graduates of the program, some of which are still in contact with Santa Fe Group.  Carlos Mesa was featured in Marshall Magazine, which highlights the up and coming performers in the real estate industry.  The article in which Carlos Mesa is featured is titled "Carlos Mesa:   Housing, Past and Present".