Meet Our Team
Zia Group is a leading real estate team in Santa Barbara and Montecito, with nearly 1,100 homes sold and $1.5 billion in local sales. Our proven marketing plan delivers measurable results: our listings sell twice as fast and for 5% more than the market average. Prefer a quicker sale? We can provide a guaranteed cash offer within three days. When you buy or sell with Zia Group, 25% of our profits are donated to support women and children in need, both locally and worldwide.
Daniel Zia
Broker-Associate & Realtor®
Daniel Zia is the Founder and Lead Broker-Associate of Zia Group at eXp Realty — the most reviewed and most active real estate team in Santa Barbara. Over 18 years, no agent or team in any brokerage has helped more buyers and sellers navigate the region’s most coveted addresses: Santa Barbara, Hope Ranch, and Montecito….
Jon Gilkeson
Realtor Partner
Jon Gilkeson is a Santa Barbara real estate agent with Zia Group and a fourth-generation Santa Barbara native. Having grown up surrounded by the area’s neighborhoods, beaches, and local businesses, he offers clients an authentic perspective and understanding of the Santa Barbara lifestyle. Jon has been helping clients buy and sell homes since 2012. Over…
Kimberly Rockwell
Realtor Partner
Kimberly Rockwell is an accomplished Santa Barbara Realtor who brings a strategic yet personable approach to the buying and selling process. Kimberly has built a reputation for her refreshingly friendly customer care and proven ability to guide buyers to obtain the best value for their dream home and to assist sellers in a seamless, stress-free…
Alan Siebenaler
Realtor Partner
Alan brings a large amount of experience to Zia Group. For 18 years he has been helping investors identify properties and add value through residential and commercial real estate purchases. Alan approaches each client and transaction with care and incredible communication. Likely from his experience as an adjunct professor and speaker, Alan leaves each interaction…
Jorden Angel
Realtor Partner
Jorden first developed his calling to real estate during the years he spent working in property management. With over half a decade of experience, his modernized skills became the cornerstone of his success in the industry. With extensive knowledge and experience supporting clients in luxury real estate as well as helping first-time homebuyers find their…
Josh Tappeiner
Realtor Partner
Josh is a Santa Barbara Realtor with a deep knowledge of the local market and community. As a seventh-generation local, Josh has a unique understanding of the area’s real estate landscape and a heart for impact and community. He is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of those around him while using…
Phil Cota
Realtor Partner
With two decades of deep cultural immersion in Santa Barbara and Ventura, Phil has become a respected member of the area. He combines his intuition for others’ needs with proactive problem-solving and negotiation skills, honed through twelve years of dynamic sales management experience. Phil’s impeccable attention to detail, aptitude for marketing strategies, and unwavering devotion…
Sarah Wildwood
Realtor Partner
Sarah’s love of architecture and gardens began as a child exploring iconic estates like Lotusland. That early passion grew into a deep appreciation for the Santa Barbara lifestyle, which she has shared with clients from Carpinteria to Montecito to Hope Ranch to the Santa Ynez Valley for over 22 years. Clients value Sarah’s calm presence,…
Bianca Vargas
Realtor Partner
Bianca is the real deal. A California native, a mother, and a fully bilingual agent fluent in English and Spanish, she brings a rare blend of warmth, cultural fluency, and professional polish to every client she represents. Her path into real estate is what sets her apart. With a background in social work and community…
Maurice Kirby
Realtor Partner
Maurice was raised just north of Santa Barbara, shaped early on by the rhythm of the California coast and a fascination with the world of entertainment, which led him to organize celebrity events along State Street and Hollywood Boulevard before he ever stepped into real estate. His path into the industry was, in many ways,…
Sheryl Hudson
Realtor Partner
Sheryl Hudson has owned and managed property for the past 16 years, across short-term, mid-term, and long-term rentals. She has run the numbers on real assets, handled the tenants, absorbed the surprise repairs, and made the hold-or-sell call with her own money at risk. She reads a property the way an owner does, not the…
Dia Becchio
Director of Growth & Technology
When a real estate transaction feels seamless, when the right information arrives before you have to ask, when nothing falls through the cracks, when the process feels organized even when the market isn’t, that’s Dia Becchio’s work in action. As Director of Growth & Technology, Dia architects the operational backbone of Zia Group. She builds…
Seth Cox
Brand Director
As Brand Director, Seth oversees the strategic and creative vision for the Zia Group. Seth’s unique skill set in online strategy is balanced with his background in traditional print and direct response marketing. Seth also helps manage a team of specialized contractors that contribute to Zia Group marketing. From writing and graphic design to photography…
Brittain Alexander
Listing Manager
Brittain manages all Zia Group listings, providing concierge service to each of our clients along the way. His wealth of knowledge in the lending industry and his experience as Daniel Zia’s assistant equip him well to anticipate the needs of our clients and provide a smooth listing experience with the Zia Group. Brittain joined the…
Annie Yap
Operations & Performance Manager
Annie Yap plays a central role in ensuring that every Zia Group client experience feels organized, seamless, and consistently managed behind the scenes. When communication flows clearly, timelines stay aligned, and transactions move without unnecessary friction, it is often the result of the operational structure she helps maintain across the team. As Operations & Performance…
Nathan Lorico
Digital Marketing Manager
Nathan joins Zia Group with a broad range of experience in digital marketing practices including social media management, content creation, email marketing, and paid ads. He is enthusiastic about contributing to the success of the team, and assists in executing marketing strategies to enhance Zia Group’s online presence. In his leisure time, Nathan enjoys staying…
Jalyn Benton
Client Success Manager
As Client Success Manager, Jalyn supports the systems and processes that help ensure every Zia Group client receives thoughtful, seamless service. She works closely with the operations teams to coordinate key touch-points throughout the lifecycle of each property, from onboarding to closing. Drawing on a background in human resources, operations, and marketing, she brings a…
Marex Abenojar
Executive Assistant to Daniel Zia
As Daniel Zia’s executive assistant, Marex provides support to Daniel and concierge service to his clients. With prior experience in real estate and as an executive assistant, Marex is prepared to respond to clients’ needs with thoughtful, effective communication and solutions. His attention to detail, organization skills, and dedication to always learning and growing make…
Nova Alfonso
Executive Assistant to Jon Gilkeson
With a strong background in call centers and the tourism industry, Nova brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence in her role as Executive Assistant to Realtor Partner Jon Gilkeson. Her career has honed her skills in delivering seamless, concierge-level customer service, ensuring every client feels valued and supported. As a former…