H. Eric Bolton, Jr. has been the CEO of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) since 2001 and has been with the company since 1994. He first joined as Vice President of Development and quickly climbed the ranks to become Chief...

H. Eric Bolton, Jr. has been the CEO of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) since 2001 and has been with the company since 1994. He first joined as Vice President of Development and quickly climbed the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer in 1996 and then President. Bolton has a background in real estate and previously worked at Trammell Crow Company and served as Executive Vice President and CFO for Trammell Crow Realty Advisors. Under his leadership, MAA has grown significantly, focusing on community development across various markets. Eric's compensation has been closely tied to company performance metrics, highlighting a hands-on approach to leadership where results matter. In recent years, his total compensation reached around $8 million, largely driven by performance-based bonuses rather than stock options. Interestingly, Bolton's holdings have seen fluctuations, peaking around $64 million in late 2021 before stabilizing mid-$40 million in 2023, reflecting the volatile nature of the real estate market he operates in. This balance of risk and reward exemplifies the challenges faced by modern CEOs in the real estate industry, where market trends can shift rapidly.