The Building Industry Association of San Diego County (BIA) is losing a housing hero as Matt Adams has announced he is retiring on March 31st following a long and successful career that spanned 25 years with the BIA.
“It has truly been an honor to be part of such a tremendous organization for the past 25 years and to advocate for housing – a cause I deeply believe in. While it has been quite a ride, I very much look forward to the next chapter of my life as my wife and I focus on being full time grandparents.”
—Matt Adams
Adams, Vice President of the BIA, is the organization’s Chief Political and Policy Advisor. He has been a leading voice for housing in the region and has worked tirelessly to advocate for middle-income and affordable housing. He has often led the charge for more affordable homes and has been a trusted partner in the BIA’s efforts to support pro-housing policies, quality jobs, and strong communities.
Lori Holt Pfeiler, President and CEO of the BIA, said: “Matt has been an invaluable member of the BIA team and it is bittersweet to see him retire. Matt embodies everything an ideal colleague brings to the table. He is trustworthy, knowledgeable, and incredibly dedicated to his work. For years, Matt has set the tone for how the BIA influences policy on behalf of the people who build homes and the San Diegans who rely on those homes. We are immensely grateful for all that Matt has done for our organization, for the housing community, and for the region.”
She continued: “While we are sad to see Matt go, we are excited about the opportunity it creates for the BIA to bring in another experienced political and policy advisor to help achieve our goals, and we have begun the process of finding Matt’s replacement.”
Jerry Sanders, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, said: “Matt has deservedly earned his place as a “housing hero” for our region over decades of incredible work to make living in San Diego possible for countless families. Our members, leadership, and staff respect Matt immensely and will certainly miss his thoughtful, collaborative, and humorous approach to the most important policy discussions we face. While his absence in City Hall or at the Board of Supervisors will obviously be felt, we thank him for his commitment to San Diego’s future.”
Raul Campillo, the San Diego City Councilmember who represents the San Carlos neighborhood where Adams and his wife live, added his voice to chorus of commendations for Adams, saying: “The City of San Diego is in a better place because of Matt Adams. Throughout his illustrious career, Matt has been a trusted advisor not only to the building industry, but to our city administration as well, as his voice was crucial in shaping District 7’s Grantville Community Plan Update. Matt’s voice was also a major asset to the Navajo Community Planners during his time as a board member there. On behalf of all of District 7, I would like to thank Matt for his work and wish him all the best in retirement.”
Outside of work, as a dedicated member of the San Diego community with a passion for good governance, Adams has been actively involved in community planning organizations, including serving as Chair of the Grantville Stakeholders group and as a member of the Navajo Community Planning Group for 17 years, eight of which he served as chair.
Adams’ work in the government relations space is guided by his years in Sacramento prior to joining the BIA, where he as Chief of Staff to former Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith. There he developed and honed expertise in the legislative process which he brought to bear on behalf of the San Diego building industry and the residents who rely on it.
