Chris Lerma

After graduating from the University of California, Riverside with a BA in Business Administration, Chris knew that his desire for learning and personal growth would be best suited in a startup type of environment where he could learn all parts of the business firsthand, so he joined a young AP in 2004.

In 2012, he obtained his Certified Leasing Finance Professional designation. Chris is very active in the industry having served on numerous panels and committees for the NEFA and ELFA. He is also a board of trustee for the Chris Walker Educational Fund and serves on the board of AP, Work Truck Direct Inc, and Tokyo Century USA (AP’s parent company). As President of AP, Chris oversees all operations of the organization and is responsible for executing on the company’s overall strategy while supporting and guiding each business unit. In his previous role as Chief Risk Officer and VP Syndications, he managed the risk of the portfolio, developed the company’s credit philosophy and policies, started the syndication division, and developed the capital markets strategy.

Chris is a part of the nonprofit One Brick San Francisco chapter where he volunteers his time to support other non-profit organizations. In his free time, he plays in a competitive baseball league, golfs, travels, and cheers on the Los Angeles Dodgers and Golden State Warriors.