Profiles of local brokers and other dealmakers in commercial real estate still making a go of it despite the down market:

JEFF WELLER

, 33

Co-President

Lion Real Estate Group LLC, downtown L.A.

Weller co-founded Lion with Mory Barak after leaving CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. in Los Angeles, where he served as a vice president. He also advises other companies and is a Colorado real estate investor.

Notable Recent Deal: (The purchase of) 920 Wilcox Ave. was a fun deal because there were so many intricacies. We had to acquire the notes all cash and then start the process of foreclosure on an international real estate developer who was known to be a wild card. We ran a risk of being tied up in litigation.

Secret of Success: We are entrepreneurs at heart. We take in all the facts and pull our head out of the herd and make common-sense decisions. We believe in buying on bad news, and selling on good news.

Sage Advice: My father, who was in the food industry, always told me that people need to eat and a place to live.

Recession’s Silver Lining: This is a great time to start a business because you have less competition and more deals to look at. In 2006 we would never dreamed of owning our portfolio of properties at the basis we have today.

Stress Release: I enjoy time with my wife, Christine, and our two children, Caroline and Hayes. I also attempt to play golf when time permits.

Recent Splurge: We still tend to eat out with friends and take our kids out on adventures. That being said, we are conscious of the market and keep our eye on the bottom line.