Mercedes M. Márquez was appointed General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department in January 2004. Ms. Márquez manages a staff of over 500 dedicated employees and is responsible for developing, recommending and directing the implementation of citywide policies and programs, including: increasing affordable housing production, development, rehabilitation, and preservation; ensuring strict compliance of rent stabilization and code enforcement ordinances; attracting state and federal funds; formulating management policies; and working closely with elected officials and housing commissioners to formulate housing policies and programs.

Ms. Márquez comes to the Housing Department with over 20 years experience and expertise on a diverse range of housing issues. Prior to joining the Housing Department, Ms. Márquez was Vice President of McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. a national firm specializing in the development, consultation, and management of urban communities. Ms. Márquez oversaw developments throughout the Southwest and California, which included initiating new developments, coordinating the planning process, acting as liaison with joint venture partners, and interfacing with government officials and local community groups. From 1997 to 2001, Ms. Márquez, served in the Clinton administration as the Senior Counsel to the Secretary and Deputy General Counsel for Civil Rights and Fair Housing for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C. She was principal advisor to former Secretary Andrew Cuomo on civil rights policy including, fair lending and fair housing enforcement, and led investigations and negotiations of housing discrimination cases resulting in landmark settlements. She also advised the Secretary on rural housing and economic development policy, supervised farm worker and Colonias Community Builder specialists in five states, and served as a U.S. delegate to international commissions. Ms. Marquez was a partner at Litt & Márquez, where she specialized in complex public interest litigation including, slumlord, fair housing, public housing, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and constitutional issues cases. Ms. Márquez has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California and a J.D. and LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.