Santana has spent the past 10 years working in the private sector as an urban planner with an engineering firm, where he has worked on three major Michigan transportation projects- the Detroit River International Crossing study, the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal study and the I-75 Environmental Assessment. He has also worked as a legislative assistant to Detroit City Councilman Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr. Santana is also the former President of the Warrendale Community Organization, which works to clean up and revitalize local neighborhoods.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Santana proudly defended our country in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He also served in Bosnia, Somalia and Haiti. He served onboard the USS Guadalcanal, the USS Spartanburg County and the USS Enterprise before being honorably discharged from active duty.

A longtime resident of Detroit, Santana attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Chadsey High School. After completing his military service, he attended Henry Ford Community College and later transferred to Eastern Michigan University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and his master’s degree in public administration.

Santana lives in Warrendale with his wife, Sylvia, and their daughter, Sofia.