Victor Martin is the Director of Land Use at The Afriat Consulting Group, Inc. As a trained urban planner, he oversees the majority of the company’s land use cases, and his primary role is helping clients obtain property entitlements from the City of Los Angeles and other municipalities. He specializes in technical matters by helping clients through all phases of the entitlement process. This is coupled with other responsibilities that include expediting, due diligence, community relations, advocacy, fundraising and representing clients at public meetings and hearings.

As the firm’s planner for a number of years, Martin has successfully obtained significant land use approvals for such clients as Urban Partners, James Hotels, Weintraub Financial Services, PK Equities and other prominent firms. He has been involved with various commercial, mixed use, residential and condominium developments – among other medium and large-scale projects – throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.

Prior to joining The Afriat Consulting Group as a private advocate, Martin worked for years in the governmental field as a public servant. This has given him a compelling understanding of the interaction between government and business; such well-rounded experience is quite an advantage when representing clients in the public forum.

In addition to his experience in government, Martin has a strong background in the private sector. For two years, he was an Advanced Sales Representative for Vector Marketing in Pasadena where he rose to become a well-respected sales agent in the company. Martin also worked as a Planning and Field Assistant for Hillcrest Realty Services in Los Angeles. This private sector work is in addition to an extensive background in telemarketing, public speaking, academic research, volunteer work and community service.

Martin is a graduate of Whittier College with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. There, he studied under the tutelage of the Whittier Scholars Program, working diligently to complete a Senior Thesis in redevelopment and urban planning. While still in college, he worked for the Planning Department in City of La Cañada Flintridge.

Upon graduation, Martin began working for the City of West Hollywood as an Assistant to Councilmember John Heilman, and, at the City, gained broad and valuable experience by working closely with constituents, community organizations and businesses. Moreover, as a key member of the Councilmember’s staff, he helped with constituent matters as well as in coordinating various civic programs.