Jon Paul Pérez

PRESIDENT, RELATED GROUP, MIAMI

Known as “JP,” Pérez is the eldest son of Related Group founder Jorge Pérez. He’s responsible for overseeing development operations, managing land-acquisition efforts and leading the procurement of major construction financing. One of the country’s largest real estate developers, Related has a development portfolio worth more than $40 billion and more than 100 projects in varying phases of development. For 45 years, the company has built, rehabilitated and managed more than 100,000 condo, rental and commercial units. “I’m especially proud of our work on Liberty Square in Miami, the ground-up redevelopment of one of the oldest and largest public housing developments in the U.S.,” he says.

EDUCATION: University of Miami (BS), Northwestern University (MBA)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: Addressing Florida’s housing affordability crisis through policies encouraging the development of mixed-income communities is crucial. I would focus on promoting mixed-income housing initiatives and providing developers with incentives to prioritize this type of development.

READING: Red Notice, by Bill Browder

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA: Strive for excellence in every detail, no matter how big or small. My earliest memories in childhood were doing site visits alongside my father, founder and CEO of Related, in between soccer games and birthday parties. I’d see him carefully evaluate the projects, checking — and double-checking — absolutely everything.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: The importance of perseverance.