Matt Adams has often led the charge for more affordable homes throughout the San Diego region. If there is a new policy under consideration that could hurt or help housing production, Matt often is the first to know. Well-liked and well-networked, Matt can pull together a coalition of voices in a hurry to lobby for or against proposed housing legislation. For these reasons and more, the Building Industry Association of San Diego County is inducting Matt Adams into the BIA San Diego Hall of Fame.
“I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Matt,” said Lori Holt Pfeiler, President and CEO of the BIA. “Matt is everything you’d want from a housing hero – he’s whip smart, he’s affable, he knows everyone in town, and he works tremendously hard. Matt is just as effective on the front lines as he is back in the office planning and strategizing. Matt is a trusted partner – the BIA’s chief political and policy advisor – and I’m very happy for him.”
Locally, Matt is often contacted by the press to analyze and discuss policy decisions regarding housing. Just the other day, Matt was quoted in a front-page story in the Union-Tribune lamenting the sale of land to a luxury spa that has spent years and millions of dollars opposing plans for middle income and affordable homes adjacent to the spa.
“My first reaction was a combination of frustration and sadness because of the loss of desperately needed housing,” Matt told the newspaper. “It underscores the Herculean effort it takes to get housing produced in this region and that is really a tragedy.”
There are a lot of people in this industry who are housing heroes. People I greatly respect and admire. It’s an honor to be mentioned with them. I too am forever grateful to the BIA and its members who go to bat every single day for the people who build homes and for the people who desperately need those homes. It’s my hope that our region steps up and eliminates this housing crisis by building more homes for middle income and lower income individuals and families.”
As Vice President of the BIA, Matt serves as the senior policy advisor for the 85-year-old trade association. He leads and directs the efforts of the BIA governmental affairs staff. He serves as senior staff to the BIA’s Political Action Committee, which evaluates candidates and ballot measures that impact the building industry. Prior to joining the BIA in 1997, Matt served as Chief of Staff to then Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith.
Matt is involved in several community planning organizations. He served as Chair of the Grantville Stakeholders group which advised the City of San Diego on the Grantville Community Plan Update. He also served on the Navajo Community Planning Group for 17 years, serving as chair for 8 years.
Matt is married to Ann Marie Adams. The couple, who have been married for 35 years, have three children: Madison, Spencer and Sydney, and a granddaughter, Millie.
Matt will be honored at the BIA’s Installation Celebration on February 4, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Please join us as we honor Matt’s long history of exemplary contributions to the housing industry.
The San Diego BIA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the San Diego building industry. Candidates are selected from all segments of the building industry and related fields that meet the criteria. Since 1994, the BIA has inducted 37 honorees.
