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Executive Profile
C. Frederick Wehba, Founder, BentleyForbes
Mini Bio
A passion and a knack for negotiating the intricacies of business deals led C. Frederick (“Fred”) Wehba into a long and successful career in the high-stakes world of commercial real estate.
Name: C. Frederick Wehba
Title: Founder
Company: BentleyForbes
Years in position: 21
Business location: Los Angeles, Calif.
Chief service: Commercial real estate
Website: www.bentleyforbes.com
What do you do in your organization?
I oversee all the day-to-day operations of the company as well as prospect and inevitably approve all the deals that come through our firm. This includes diligent forecasting of the real estate market to determine what areas of real estate are currently profitable. We invest in various office buildings, NNN leases and sale-leasebacks, and luxury hotels.
What attracted you to a career in real estate?
I really love this industry because it allows me to be creative through doing analytic research. Once I can clearly see the opportunity, negotiating all the specifics of the deal to bring the vision to life is really what I enjoy most. I am passionate about my work, which doesn’t make it seem like work at all!
How is business for your company these days?
Our industry has certainly had its share of ups and downs over the past few years, but we have identified certain areas in the hotel industry that are ripe for exponential growth, and we are trying to purchase more 3-star hotels.
What do you consider your chief business strength?
Managing and furnishing a positive attitude for the company. Also, entrepreneurship is a must. Persistence, persistence, persistence and having someone you can count on. I definitely consider myself the driving force behind the wheel, but this company does not succeed without all the great people I’ve surrounded myself with.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working on deals with ideas. I love to find opportunities and then negotiate the deal. Seeing my professional visions or projections come to life and succeed is why I get up and come to work every day. I absolutely love it!
What are some challenges you have faced on the job, and how did you overcome them?
In our industry everything is deadline based and there is definitely a certain amount of stress that comes along with meeting those deadlines. Also, when you are running a business, you always have to manage all the different personalities and make them all work toward positive results in the workplace. I’ve overcome most of these types of challenges with a combination of patience and persistence. While I always like to push my team to complete projects, I allow myself to take a step back from time to time and have faith in my team and the process. More often than not, my team does not let me down and we meet deadlines.
What are the most important skills that someone in your position needs to have?
Patience, persistence, and strong communication skills. Also, being very diligent and making sure that people are doing their jobs well. I also understand the importance of being a leader and leading by example. A positive work ethic and attitude in the workplace is contagious.
What do you wish you’d known on your first day?
How to be more patient and persistent. This was something I developed over time.
What is the smartest move you made in your career so far?
Just taking the chance to start my own business and take that first step 21 years ago. That first step is always the hardest.
What’s your management style with your employees?
I like to think of myself as easy going and accessible.
Who are some other businesspeople or leaders you admire, and why?
Other people in real estate that I see doing things the right way and have great vision.
What advice would you give to someone hoping to get into your field?
Do your homework, be patient, and be persistent. Also, reach out to those who have achieved success in this industry and learn from them—both their successes and their failures.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?
Probably running a grocery store.
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