People Principals

Felise Acosta joined RSG in 1987 and has served as a Principal and shareholder since 1991. She has over 30 years of experience in community development, governmental management, and redevelopment from both the public and private sectors. Before joining RSG, Ms. Acosta served for nine years as the Community Development Officer for the City of Buena Park developing and managing the City's redevelopment, housing, and economic development programs and activities. Prior to Buena Park, Ms Acosta served in various planning positions with the City of Carson.

Ms. Acosta serves as Principal-in-Charge and Project Manager for a wide variety of public and private sector clients requiring consulting assistance in all facets of community development and financial management. Her tenure in the public sector provides her unique economic and political perspective and expertise to help clients strategize and execute projects for the greatest level of community impact. She is widely recognized in California for her expertise in property tax and tax increment revenue analysis.

Ms. Acosta has been directly responsible for redevelopment project area adoptions and/or amendments to add territory for the cities of Buena Park, Burbank, Carson, Cypress, Firebaugh, Fontana, Lawndale, Montclair, Palm Desert, Port Hueneme, Poway, Orange, San Bernardino, the Inland Valley Development Authority (IVDA) for the Norton Air Force Base, the Victor Valley Development Authority for the George Air Force Base, and the counties of Contra Costa and San Bernardino. She also regularly provides clients assistance in formulating and implementing affordable housing programs. Recent clients include the cities of Aliso Viejo, Atwater, Cypress, Fontana, Lake Forest, San Bernardino, and Westminster. In the area of property tax revenue, Ms. Acosta's recent work includes 2010 Five-Year Property Tax Revenue Projections for the County of Orange's Strategic Plan, the annual preparation of Five-Year Property Tax Revenue Projections for the Orange County Fire Authority, and 2009 Fiscal Consultant Reports for tax allocation financing for several redevelopment agencies, including the Loma Linda, Hollister, IVDA, and Westminster Redevelopment Agencies.

By crafting and executing organizational and financial strategies that make lasting imprints in the community fabric of her client jurisdictions, Felise personally thrives and nurtures her commitment to community excellence. She is also a natural mentor and believes in building RSG's human capital with a focus on developing effective leaders in the community development arena.