Steve Hayes, a prominent figure in commercial real estate in the Santa Barbara area, has joined the Lobero Theatre board. As managing partner with Hayes Commercial Group, Steve Hayes brings 30 years of commercial real estate experience and has built a reputation for superior client service, integrity, and large-scale sales and leasing expertise. In fact, Steve has leased more office space in Santa Barbara County than any other broker. He has completed more than 1,000 commercial transactions totaling over $1 billion in value.

Steve has represented a broad range of prominent companies, institutions and developers, including Raytheon, Citrix Online, The Towbes Group, RightScale, Bermant Development, Venoco, and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Under his leadership, Hayes Commercial Group has grown into one of the outstanding commercial firms in the region, and the only Santa Barbara-based firm named to Real Estate Forum’s Top Brokerage Houses of Southern California in 2011.

A native of Los Angeles, Steve and his wife Rhea have lived in Santa Barbara since the early 1980’s. Steve enjoys travel, golf and is a devoted supporter of his alma mater, the University of Southern California. He is a long-term supporter of USC’s Marshall School of Business.

Steve was previously on the board of the Lobero Theatre Foundation in the late 1990’s. During that time he participated in the preparations for an extensive remodel of the rigging, lighting and sound infrastructure. Also, and nearer to his heart, he was actively involved in the germination of the Jazz at the Lobero series. Steve has enjoyed seeing jazz greats like Ray Brown, Shirley Horn, and Diana Krall at the Lobero over the years. “It’s really the perfect size venue to see a world class jazz performance.”

One of Steve’s favorite Lobero memories was going with his son Andy to see Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and after the performance they both had the opportunity to meet the jazz legend. “Getting to see my son, who is very into music and plays music, meet Wynton Marsalis was a great treat for me.”

In addition to his love of music and performance, Steve is also moved by the historic significance of the theater, which he views as “an invaluable legacy to be enjoyed and preserved by the Santa Barbara community.”

Doug Wood continues on as President of the Lobero Theatre Foundation Board of Directors. Serving with Doug will be Amy MacLeod (Vice President), Jeff DeVine (Secretary), William J. Nasif (Treasurer), George Burtness (Past President), Tim Casey and Melissa Fassett (At Large).