The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) held its Annual Meeting on January 28, 2026. At the meeting, Jim Schloemer, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Continental Properties, was recognized for his service as Chair of NMHC, marking the culmination of a two-year term defined by collaboration, member engagement, and a clear focus on advancing housing solutions nationwide.
Jim was elected Chair in 2024 following six years as an NMHC officer and more than a decade of active involvement within the organization. During his tenure, he helped guide NMHC through a period of rapid industry change while strengthening its role as a unifying, data-driven, and forward-looking voice for rental housing residents, operators, and owners.
“It has been an honor to serve as NMHC Chair,” Jim shared. “During my term, we stayed focused on strengthening NMHC’s advocacy, research, and innovation work so the organization could continue to deliver value for members and help advance housing solutions. I am proud of the progress we made together over the past two years and how that work has positioned NMHC for what comes next.”
Advancing Advocacy, Research, and Innovation
Jim’s term as Chair reinforced NMHC’s role as a leading advocate for housing policy grounded in facts and data. During his leadership, NMHC launched the Advocacy in Action program, resulting in more than 800 new member activations and expanding participation in policy discussions critical to reducing costs and addressing the national housing shortage.
Recognizing the growing impact of technology and regulation on housing, NMHC also launched the Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC). The initiative was designed to advance responsible innovation, improve operational efficiency, and help policymakers understand how technology can positively influence affordability and resident experience.
One of RETTC’s early milestones included taking over OPTECH, bringing together more than 3,000 industry leaders to elevate technology and innovation as strategic priorities for the multifamily sector.
In response to renewed rent control efforts across the country, NMHC—under Jim’s guidance—returned to its roots by co-founding the Housing Solutions Coalition. The coalition brings together organizations across the housing ecosystem to advocate for practical, collaborative solutions that expand attainable housing nationwide.
“At our meeting in 2024, I encouraged NMHC to seek ways to unite with others who share our goal of expanding housing availability and the quality of the resident experience,” Jim said. “Both RETTC and HSC are examples of the impact that uniting with others can have to expedite solutions and strengthen positive outcomes.”
Expanding Engagement and Building Leadership Pathways
Under Jim’s leadership, NMHC also made measurable strides in expanding participation and opening new pathways for member involvement. Over the course of his term, the organization increased the number of committees by 20 percent, welcomed more than 100 new committee members, and opened committee meetings at NMHC events to non-committee attendees, resulting in more than 400 applications since the initiative launched.
NMHC also introduced Peer Networking Groups, creating nine subject-specific forums that brought together emerging leaders and long-standing members alike. More than 200 applications were received, with over 150 members joining these peer groups in just two years.
“These efforts were about making sure members felt connected, heard, and supported,” Jim noted. “I know these engagement efforts will not end here, and I am excited for you all to learn more about the opportunities before us as we provide avenues for leaders of tomorrow to grow and make our industry stronger than ever.”
A Leadership Style Grounded in Unity and Purpose
Throughout his term, Jim consistently emphasized collaboration, shared purpose, and respect for diverse perspectives—values echoed in the tribute video shared during the Annual Meeting. He frequently referenced President John F. Kennedy’s words, “What unites us is far greater than what divides us,” a sentiment that became a defining theme of his leadership.
Those perspectives were echoed by peers across the industry.
“Jim is incredibly humble, kind, smart, and exceptionally well-read and versed in what is happening across the markets and within our industry. And he's just as mindful of how all these shifts affect our operators, our residents, the members of NMHC, as well as capital decisions that we're making,” said Laurie Baker, Executive Vice President & COO, Camden.
“It was a proud moment to see how Jim impacted both the industry and this organization, as well as how his leadership contributed to the creation of housing across the country,” said Kimberly Grimm, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Continental Properties. “This recognition reflects not only the scope of his service as Chair, but also the values and perspective he brings to Continental Properties every day.”
Looking Ahead
As Jim transitions into the role of Immediate Past Chair, he expressed confidence in NMHC’s future leadership and gratitude for the organization’s staff and members who helped turn strategy into action.
“The heavy lifting, the execution of well-crafted strategic plans for NMHC is not possible without the outstanding contributions, creativity, grit, and plain-old hard work from the entire NMHC team,” Jim shared. “As incoming Chair, Julie Smith, Chief Administrative Officer and Operating Partner at The Bozzuto Group, will provide new ideas, perspectives, and expertise that is needed to chart the course to meet our industry’s opportunities and challenges. I can’t wait to see what NMHC, its team members, its officers and members will achieve in the coming years.”
We congratulate Jim on an extraordinary term as Chair and thank him for the impact he has made on NMHC, the multifamily industry, and the future of housing.
