Steve MacDonald – Managing Director
Mr. MacDonald joined SDS in 2008 as the Managing Director with oversight for the operations of the SDS’s New Market Tax Credit program, fund division and Community Development Group. Mr. MacDonald has over 19 years of diverse economic development experience.
Prior to joining SDS, Mr. MacDonald was the President of FilmL.A., the largest entertainment-based economic development corporation in the world. Through reorganization, financial and operational reform and the addition of new service lines, Mr. MacDonald was able to restore order and viability to a challenged agency that was emerging from public scandal, growing revenues to $7.5 million and employees to 90 in FY 2007.
Earlier in his career, Mr. MacDonald created, initiated and led the Los Angeles Business Team under City of Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. In this capacity, he was responsible for the retention, expansion and attraction of business citywide. He oversaw the City’s first-ever marketing campaign to area businesses and developed and pushed through vital pro-business legislation involving: reduction of business taxes for multimedia firms, creation of economic recycling zones, and reduction of public works fees. Mr. MacDonald also served as a Bureau Chief for the City of L.A.’s Department of Building and Safety where he garnered numerous productivity awards for the Department in customer service and facility improvements and business efficiency initiatives.
Mr. MacDonald has an MBA from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in Marketing from San Diego State University.