Orange County Legislative Watch Farewell, But Not Goodbye

Farewell, But Not Goodbye

By Bill Christiansen, viCe PresiDent of government affairs

The Apartment Association of Orange County (AAOC) is a rare entity in today’s world. It is an association of members who have a like-minded commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit of private property rights and free enterprise, as well as to providing safe, quality rental housing for so many who call Orange and Riverside County home. It has been an honor to work in support and advancement of these ideals over the past three as a member of the AAOC staff. By the time you read this article, however, my time with AAOC will have come to an end and I will have begun a new chapter in my career outside of the rentalhousing industry. I will never forget the many acquaintances and friendships that I made during my time with the association, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work on behalf of so many good and generous people.

The AAOC membership should be proud that the association not only survived the COVID pandemic, but that it has also grown during the past 18 months. The association is healthy and the number of members and units that AAOC represents in Orange and Riverside Counties has increased significantly. There are many reasons for the success of AAOC, but much of it can be attributed to the excellent leadership and fiduciary responsibility of the board of directors — all of whom serve in a volunteer capacity. AAOC has remained relevant and necessary because the world around us has been turned upside down, and it has adapted by providing even more education classes and the opportunity for members to learn about new ways to stay up-to-date and engaged with the everchanging laws and regulations from Sacramento.

AAOC remains the best source for mom-and-pop rental property owners to receive crucial information and training for running their small businesses effectively and efficiently, not to mention state and local representation to help protect their rental property investments. Orange County politics is also evolving, and AAOC has been instrumental in recruiting and supporting candidates for local office who stand for private property rights and other issues that are highly important to the multi-family industry.

As AAOC moves into the final quarter of 2021, it will be staying on top of our changing local, state, and federal legislative districts, and identifying and tracking the candidates who are planning to file for office in the 2022 elections. I would encourage members to get involved with the various AAOC committees and help support your association’s leadership. Every organization is only as good as its members who step up and contribute to the good of the cause. AAOC will always benefit from having members who make the decision to give of their time, to help maintain the health and growth of the association. Take a moment to look at the new AAOC website for a listing of the volunteer committees that might benefit from your service.

In closing, I have enjoyed my time at AAOC, and I look forward to remaining in contact with the lifelong friends I have made during the past three years. 2022 will be another tumultuous year, but AAOC will remain a steady ship with a good crew at the helm.

Best of luck to you all.

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“Depend on us” Nick Lieberman Owner/President AAOC Board Member Author, Pulse on the Marketplace

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