Richard Ressler

Co-founder, principal, CIM Group

Ressler’s CIM  is credited with flipping Los Angeles’ West Adams, but the transformation drew criticism over gentrification. It wasn’t a first either — the company has been pegged as a gentrification boogeyman and similar concerns have surfaced over a redevelopment in Atlanta. Plus, doing several real estate deals with the Trump family, now that the President Donald Trump is in his second term, hasn’t helped tame its contentious reputation.  

Ressler, Shaul Kuba and Avi Shemesh founded the company in 1994 (see related entries). Ressler is the chair of CIM’s executive, investment, allocation and real asset management committees. CIM owns and operates $30 billion in assets, including the Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood and Two California Plaza in Bunker Hill. Ressler founded Orchard Capital and continues to oversee companies in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest. 

– Alena Botros