David Vela is a bilingual (English/Spanish) community outreach and government affairs professional with over 20 years of experience working with both public and private sectors. He is the founder of Velada Public Affairs, an SBE/LGBTE-certified public affairs firm specializing in government relations, public outreach, media relations, and social media strategy.

Prior to founding Velada Public Affairs, David built an extensive career in public service and the private sector. He served as Special Advisor to the California Employment Development Department, Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to members of the California State Legislature, Deputy to a Los Angeles County Supervisor, and Senior Vice President at a full-service public affairs firm. In these roles, he established strong relationships with elected officials, media outlets, and stakeholder groups across California and led numerous successful transportation and infrastructure projects, including the California High-Speed Rail and Alameda Corridor East projects.

Throughout his career, David has worked closely with public agencies and elected officials, creating and implementing effective media and public awareness campaigns. He has facilitated large town hall meetings and overseen the development of informational materials such as fact sheets, newsletters, and public meeting notices. David is also skilled at managing staff and budgets to ensure projects are completed successfully and on time while delivering meaningful outcomes for communities and stakeholders.

When he can find the time, David enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his family.