Richard Leyner

Mr. Leyner’s success in the commercial real estate market derives from both his expertise in business and his personal involvement in the business community. Over the years, he has held many high-profile leadership positions including Past Chairman of the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley and currently director of finance and marketing, President of the Encino Business Improvement District. He also served as President of the Neighborhood Council, the Executive Committee of the Economic Alliance, a member of the Steering Committee, current Chairman of the Board of Valley Vote. He was a member of the Business Advisory Committee to Speaker of the House Robert Hertzberg. He served as a member of the San Fernando Valley Transportation Strike Force and is Past President and current Board member of the Encino Chamber of Commerce. He was the 2005 Fernando Award recipient for lifetime of volunteer and civic achievement. He became appointed in 2007 to the North Valley Planning Commission by Mayor Antonio Villarigosa.

While his business involvement dwarfs the efforts of most, Mr. Leyner has always been a high achiever. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from New York University, he made his mark in the world of finance early in his career, when he became the youngest managing partner in Wall Street history, as managing partner of Leyner Dreskin and Company, member of the New York Stock Exchange. During his years on Wall Street Mr. Leyner was a member of the Appeals Committee. He challenged the rule pertaining to capital requirements for participation in new issues and secondary offerings. As a result he was requested to rewrite the rule which was later adopted, therefore allowing all firms, both large and small, to participate in unwritings. In 1975, Mr. Leyner founded Leyner Enterprises, a New Jersey based business management consulting firm. After relocating to the West Coast in 1978 he obtained his California Real Estate license. From 1981-1987 he owned and operated two Red Carpet real estate franchises, dealing in both residential and commercial properties.

In 1987 Mr. Leyner joined Merrill Lynch Real Estate (now Prudential California Realty, Inc.) as Vice President-Branch Manager of the Encino office and Commercial Division, where he was responsible for overseeing twelve division offices. Prior to joining NAI Capital Commercial’s Encino office, Mr. Leyner served as President of the Commercial Division of Bradbury and Company. In addition to managing two offices in the San Fernando Valley, he was one of the company’s top producers. With his expertise and wealth of background in finance and real estate, Mr. Leyner served as Adjunct Professor of finance, marketing and management at Northrop University in Inglewood, California.

Mr. Leyner is past board member and President of the Commercial Division of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, a member of International Conference of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors. He is Chairman of the Board of the Child Development Institute, Vice President and Board Member of New Directions for Youth, Past President of B’nai Brith and is a Fund-raiser for both Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and AIDS Project LA.

Mr. Leyner has two daughters and sons in law, Frances and David Eliyahu, Dori and Brent Peskin, his son Gary passed away in 1995, and five granddaughters, Sevonne Tali and Michal Eliyahu, Taylor and Jordan Peskin all living in the San Fernando Valley. Giving him more incentive to make the Valley a better place to live.