NAIOP Southern California has named Tim Jemal CEO of the organization. Jemal is the first to hold the role of CEO for the Southern California chapter of the organization, which is one of the largest chapters in the organization with more than 1,000 members. In the position, he will serve as a spokesperson for the organization.

"NAIOP SoCal was looking for a leader to be visible in the community on legislative issues and as an industry thought leader," Jemal tells GlobeSt.com. "It's hard to argue that bringing on a CEO for the first-time in the midst of a global pandemic and calls for racial justice is an ideal time but every organization has an inflection point. I'm excited every day about the possibilities to lead NAIOP SoCal and feel confident we will continue to grow and be a positive force for our industry and community."

The pandemic and related market dislocation not only makes this an interesting time to appoint a CEO, but also an interesting time for Jemal to take on the role. However, his more than 30 years of experience in public policy make him a good fit to lead during the pandemic and beyond. "The role of NAIOP SoCal CEO fits well with my skills and experience leading associations and driving public policy advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels," he says. "Based on many conversations with the Board leadership, I felt I could make an immediate impact and thank them for having confidence in me to become their first CEO. That's a very exciting place to be for any leader—to jump right in, make a difference and advance the organization."

In his first year, Jemal plans to focus on legislation, talent recruitment and expand programming. "My goals include bolstering the chapter's legislative advocacy, promoting a talent pipeline that fosters youth and diversity, continuing to offer top-notch programs and modernizing the association's operations," he explains. "Harmful measures, such as SB 939 and a split-roll tax, will continue to surface and NAIOP SoCal will respond. At the same time, we are genuinely ready to work with elected officials and community leaders to address challenges and find common solutions."