Q+A with John Napier: Legal Leadership in a Growing, Dynamic Industry

We’re excited to welcome John Napier, Chief Legal Officer, to the RPM Living executive leadership team! John oversees the company’s Legal, Risk, and Insurance functions, helping guide RPM’s continued growth and innovation across the multifamily industry.

With nearly a decade of experience in real estate and more than 16 years in corporate law, John brings a forward-thinking approach to balancing opportunity and risk. His leadership philosophy is centered on partnership, development, and empowering people to do their best work. We sat down with him to learn more about his journey, his approach to leadership, and his perspective on RPM’s continued success.

RPM: What first attracted you to RPM, and what excites you most about this next chapter?

John: I was initially attracted to RPM for its reputation in the industry and its ability to operate at scale. As I explored the opportunity, my attraction grew as I saw how the company has the ambition, platform, and people to remain a leader in a rapidly evolving industry. I’m excited to mobilize my teams—Legal, Risk, and Insurance—to serve as strategic partners in advancing the company’s current and future strategies.

RPM: How do you see the legal function supporting RPM’s long-term growth and innovation while balancing risk and opportunity?

John: I want my teams to operate as trusted advisors who balance risk and opportunity while reflecting RPM’s entrepreneurial spirit. Legal should be an enabler to a growing, dynamic business—not just managing risk, but truly understanding it. That means identifying where opportunities exist today and where they may be in the future, recognizing potential obstacles, and developing solutions that allow the company to move forward confidently. Our role is to align legal strategy with business strategy, helping RPM grow with both agility and integrity.

RPM: What leadership principles guide your approach to work?

John: As a leader, my goal is to identify talent, develop their capabilities, and empower them to showcase their strengths. Leadership, to me, isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about creating the conditions where people can thrive. That means ensuring they have the resources, guidance, and opportunity to do their best work and knowing when to step back and let them lead.

RPM: What kind of team culture do you aim to foster within your department?

John: RPM has an incredible culture, and I want my department to mirror that—one where collaboration, trust, and shared success are core. Beyond that, I want to foster a dynamic where people are encouraged to work together, innovate, and celebrate both individual and team achievements.

RPM: Outside of work, what inspires or motivates you?

John: My family is my biggest source of joy and motivation. My wife and I have two boys, 13 and 11, and watching them grow, challenge themselves, and become their own people is something I’m incredibly grateful for. I always know I’m doing something right when they roll their eyes at my dad jokes.

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