ULI Trustee Profile

I am: Douglas D. Abbey.

ULI Member since: 1981.

Where I live: San Francisco.

Favorite room in my home: The library.

Favorite way to spend time with family: Relaxing at our summer home in Nantucket.

How I unwind: Playing Bach on the piano and riding my bike in the Marin Headlands.

What makes me laugh: My 11-year-old son’s Saturday Night Live renditions.

What makes me angry: “NIMBYs” and politicians who don’t lead.

Last book I read: Lyndon Johnson: Master of the Senate, by Robert Caro.

Person I admire most: Jim Rouse.

Person I rely on most: My wife, Nancy.

First (salaried) job: Teaching elementary school in the Bronx at an annual salary of $6,000.

What I do now for a living: I am active with a number of nonprofit organizations.

Project I’m now working on: Building 230 units of affordable housing in San Jose, California.

Project that makes me proudest: AMB’s headquarters in our renovation of Pier One on the San Francisco Bay.

Professional goal yet to achieve: Influencing land use policy.

Why I would tell someone to join ULI: Because ULI is the best real estate organization. You learn, share, make friends, and have fun!