William Ayyad
Chairman of the Board
Always an entrepreneur, Willy searches out great opportunities investing in single family homes throughout the U.S., venture capital investments in several companies, and speculative land investments.
Willy began his career in real estate at the age of 18, when he purchased his first apartment building with funds he earned working as a maintenance employee at his mother’s apartment buildings. He has owned investment real estate ever since.
After graduating from UCLA, he made his mark on the San Diego real estate market by acquiring undervalued, poorly maintained apartment buildings and renovating them to provide safer, clean, affordable homes in otherwise blighted neighborhoods.
In 1984, Willy formed A.C.D.W. Properties, Inc. and expanded his operations to include property management. By employing his own construction teams and management personnel, he completed renovations quickly and cost-effectively while maintaining properties at a level of quality and integrity that have become his trademark. Willy further leveraged his construction operation by building high-end spec homes from the ground up in La Jolla and other parts of San Diego.
In 2002, Willy formed United Development Group, Inc. (UDGI). UDGI’s purpose is to enrich lives by exceeding expectations and its focus is to pursue solutions that benefit all constituents, including residents, vendors, employees, shareholders, the community, and the environment. Using a business model designed to maximize profits through the cyclical real estate climate, he assembled a team of strong, creative, and dedicated leaders to support his vision and ensure consistent growth and development well into the future.
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Andrew Garza
President, Board Member
Andrew currently serves as the President of Investment Funding, Inc. (“IFI”). As president of IFI Andrew is in charge of an investment portfolio specializing in Home Building, Distressed Single Family Real Estate, Hard Money Lending, Venture Equity and Debt, Ground Up Development Projects, and various Alternative Investments.
“Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.”
– Warren Buffet
Kit Sparks
CFO, Board Member
Kit always maintained an entrepreneurial spirit in the large companies he worked for, which prepared him to be part of the team at United Development. He holds a Certified Public Accountant license, and is able to optimize the operational aspects of UDGI while contributing to its overall strategy. Since joining UDGI in 2015, Kit has become the company’s finance and operations leader.
“Unless you love everyone unconditionally, you don’t really love anyone at all.”
– Mother Theresa.
Avegail Caramat
Controller
“Living BIG (Boundaries, Integrity, and Generosity)”
– Brene Brown.
Hunter Ayyad
Assistant Director of Development and Construction
Hunter Ayyad grew up in San Diego. In 2022, he graduated from High Point University in North Carolina with a degree in accounting. Currently residing in Charlotte, North Carolina he is the primary day to day coordinator for several developments in North and South Carolina. Hunter also supports the project acquisition and disposition process.
Bailey Ellis
Executive Assistant
Bailey Ellis was born and raised in San Diego, CA and graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2018 with a BS in Journalism and a minor in Marketing. She joined IFI in the beginning of 2022 as an Executive Assistant and has been in the Construction & Home Builder Industry for 3 years. Bailey loves the fast-paced environment and is always up for a challenge.
In her free time, Bailey loves to travel, spend time with family & friends and be outside.
Dolly Engen
Accounts Payable