Nelson C. Rising

Chairman and Chief Executive, Rising Realty Partners

Nelson C. Rising, chairman and chief executive of Rising Realty Partners, is a 40-year veteran of the real estate industry. He has led two large publicly traded real estate companies, chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and built some of the most iconic buildings and new communities in California and the West. Rising was chief executive of MPG Office Trust Inc. from 1983 to 1994. He was a senior partner at Maguire Thomas Partners, where he oversaw the Library Square development in downtown, which includes the 73-story, 1.3 million-square-foot US Bank Tower. He is a board member of Irvine Co. and Foley Timber & Land Co. Rising also sits on the boards of Caltech and W.M. Keck Foundation.

Enjoy most: Working with great people and the creative process of development.

Toughest challenge: Surviving the meteoric rise in interest rates in 1981.

Proudest moment: When our children and grandchildren were born.

Best advice: Choose bright, capable, hard-working employees with great character.

Most excited: Looking forward to a long future with family and friends.

Alma Mater: Bachelor’s, UCLA; JD, UCLA School of Law.

Bucket list: Shoot my age or lower on a challenging golf course.

Beverage: Other than water, Pinot Noir.

Car you drive: Audi.

Hobby/passion: Public policy and golf.

Favorite destination: Paris.