SoMo Development has particular passion for integrating and embracing cultural characteristics of the communities it serves due its principal’s residency in South Mountain Village for over 14 years. The South Mountain Village, like many areas in the Phoenix Metro area, has a multitude of cultures to draw upon for inspiration and collaboration.

SoMo Development seeks out projects that will elevate Phoenix to a level of design that celebrates our blended cultures but does not diffuse or manipulate that uniqueness. The ultimate goal of Mission Based Development is to mesh sound financial expectations with a project that exceeds the community’s needs and incorporates environmentally conscious components of green build design.

Jeffrey Garza Walker, Principal

Jeffrey Garza Walker has a dynamic and diverse career spanning over 20 years in senior level leadership, marketing and sales, and entrepreneurship. His career encompasses experiences with the world’s largest real estate brokerage, a Fortune 300 telecommunications provider, a Fortune 100 beverage company, the world’s largest non-profit agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and as an international expatriate.

Garza Walker has a proven track record in driving legacy-setting results by continually seeking the highest level of achievement in every endeavor. He has been recognized by the National Society for Hispanics with MBAs (NSHMBA). A recipient of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, he has lived in the Phoenix area for 14 years, serving as an ambassador to the South Mountain/Laveen communities through servant leadership - a mission that was recognized in 2005 when he was awarded Friend of the City by Mayor Phil Gordon.

Lisa Barnard, Sustainability & Marketing Director, LEED AP

As Sustainability & Marketing Director Lisa ensures that SoMo is on track both internally and externally in its mission of building through sustainable practices.  Getting to the heart and soul of a brand to create relevant and memorable results is at the core of Lisa’s focus. She says that the most important thing we do is “shut up and let the client talk.” Lisa has developed a reputation for coaching the best from others as well as fostering a team spirit relative to doing break-through work. Her ability to execute solutions that are “out of the box” has garnered awards in both print and broadcast mediums. 

Lisa has a B.S. in Merchandising from Oregon State University, is a LEED Accredited Professional and certified as a Green Auditor with a Washington, D.C. based firm. She has 15 years under her belt working at some of the best advertising agencies in the Phoenix and Albuquerque areas. As a creative lead she has worked on various high-profile accounts including Shamrock Foods, Girl Scouts, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Salt River Project, San Luis Obispo Visitors & Conference Bureau, New Mexico State Tourism, Kitchell, Jayne’s Construction and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts. 

She is on the advisory committee for the Green Roundtable with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Arizona Recycling Coalition and the USGBC Outreach Committe for Green Build 2009 and an Ambassador for Luna/Clif bar.  She is an inaugural “Business Journal 40 Under 40” recipient and has been featured in Women’s Health Magazine and local TV stations for her commitment to health and fitness. Lisa is also an avid cyclist and mountaineer, who can be found either competing semi-professionally in mountain bike races, scaling sheer cliffs or standing atop any number of towering mountains.