Business Journal homes in on a dozen residential developers who, surprise, are building in the L.A. market.

Percy Vaz, 62

Chief Executive

Amcal Multi-Housing Inc., Agoura Hills

Vaz, who calls Thousand Oaks home, has been in development for 32 years. Amcal, which he founded in 1978, has a strong local presence in the world of affordable housing. The company is building four apartment buildings in Los Angeles County and several others in the state.

Reason I’m a Residential Developer: Because it is entrepreneurial, creative, exciting and fills a great public need by providing affordable housing, which is especially critical here in Los Angeles.

Most Challenging Development: It was an affordable housing development where I spent a year obtaining community support, redevelopment agency support and political support. And then, the project was denied …due to political pressure.

Best Career Moment: Completion of the 534-unit Avenue 26 Master Plan, which was a mixed-used, mixed-income, transit-oriented development with a child care center in Los Angeles.

My Colleagues Don’t Know: I walked barefoot on burning hot coals for about 20 feet as part of Tony Robbins’ Mind Over Matter seminar.

Best Thing About Developing in L.A. County: It is a huge, diverse market that ranks larger in economic GDP than many countries in the world.

Worst: Having to navigate through numerous approval processes to get a project entitled.

Bucket List: Attend the Super Bowl, Monaco Grand Prix, World Cup, Oscars, Kentucky Derby, Summer Olympics; visit South Africa and the South Pole; master Creative Visualization (a positive thinking technique) and become more spiritually enlightened.