Every industry should have a fighter in the halls of power—such as Nicholas Dunlap, who this year became president of the Apartment Association of Orange County.

Nicholas grew up in the apartment business; his dad was a syndicator, putting together partnerships since the 1970s. He started doing various jobs at his father's properties before going to college at UCLA. After a stint at McKinley, he went to Avanath Capital Management, where he's director of property management, overseeing the day-to-day property management operations, capital projects and due diligence. He's pictured with wife Bianca and daughter Liliana.

Nicholas's term as AAOC president will last until the end of 2016. "I've always been interested in public-private partnerships, and that's how I came in contact with the association, working to beautify a block in Orange, near one of our properties," he says. "I learned that a lot of what the association does is public affairs and legislative advocacy, which I find fascinating." Pictured: Nicholas, executive director Lou Penrose, and board members Alan Dauger and John Tomlinson.

Major issues facing the industry in California include finding an equitable solution to water shortages, maintaining the Prop 13 property tax benefits for apartment owners, and protecting apartment owners from rent control. The organization also provides solid information about the industry, not only to members but also municipal officials and the public. "There's a lot of misinformation out there," Nicholas says. Pictured: Artist's Village Apartments in Santa Ana, owned by AAOC member Advanced Real Estate Services.

Nicholas loves boxing, so he makes time to catch fights. Here he is with current middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin. He adds: "Maybe it’s boxing that primed me to fight the legislative battles we face in California."