James Santa Maria, Founder of the Santa Maria Group Artwork

The Ronin Project Podcast

The RONIN PROJECT PODCAST is a weekly podcast airing on Sundays hosted by veteran political strategist Bill Wong about bad Asians getting into good trouble. This podcast will feature Asian American elected officials, candidates, and career campaign operatives to give Asian Americans insight and inspiration into claiming their rightful place in the halls of power and to curate Asian American political stories that have heretofore been ignored or erased. It will be real and raw conversations on Asian Americans and where they meet or miss the arena of politics, power, influence, justice, and representation. This no-nonsense podcast is for Asian Americans who want to know more about how politics is played, political professionals that want to know more about Asian Americans and how they vote, and troublemakers who want to make the world a better place. Bill Wong has over 30 years of experience that includes work as a chief of staff, a lobbyist, a political director, and a strategist to community non-profits, powerful labor organizations and Fortune 100 companies. He recently served as the senior political advisor to California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and led efforts that elected and held the largest Assembly Democratic supermajority in over 130 years. In addition, he has dedicated his career to mentoring Asian Americans political professionals and helping elect a historic number of Asian Americans to local, state, and federal offices.

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The Ronin Project Podcast

James Santa Maria, Founder of the Santa Maria Group

June 25, 2023 • Bill Wong • Season 2 • Episode 13

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.

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.

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.

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