MATTHEW R. ZAIST
Chief Executive, President
William Lyon Homes
Newport Beach
Born in Fort Pierce, Fla.
Age: 44
Lives in South Orange County
WHY: Heads operations at one of West Coast’s largest homebuilders, with the largest new community set to open in OC this year.
HOW: Joined William Lyon Homes in 2000, iconic real estate firm that’s built tens of thousands of homes in 60-year history. Prior roles as project manager, director of land acquisition for Southern California operations, head of business development. Served as executive vice president, oversaw restructuring, 2011 recapitalization of then privately held company stemming from Great Recession. Named president, chief operating officer in 2013 when company went public, promoted to co-chief executive role in mid-2015 alongside William H. Lyon. Named to current role in 2016, while Lyon, son of chairman emeritus Gen. William Lyon, became executive chairman and board chairman.
RECENT: Heading up Novel Park, 536-unit project under development at the Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine. Features its share of lower-priced homes, reports indicate strong initial interest in the seven collections of home types being built there.
FAST FACT: Builder one of three in OC to go public in 2013.
QUOTABLE: Focus in Southern California “continues to be offering attainable housing at price points at or below the market medians.”
PERSONAL: Member executive committee of University of Southern California’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. Before joining William Lyon Homes, was principal with American Management Systems. Holds bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
