SCOTT LEON

In 1990 Scott graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Florida. After earning his master's degree in tax from Florida International University in 1991, Scott Leon worked in real estate analysis, acquisition, rehabilitation and sales (wholesale and retail) with Bill and Jan Leon of WJL Financial Group. In 1995, Scott went out on his own and started Realistic Investments and a year later he merged with Equity Ventures Realty, which was owned by his long-time friend, Barney Danzansky. Scott is Equity Ventures Realty's Vice-President.

"Our friendship and partnership grew out of a project we joint ventured at a 16-unit apartment building which the two of us renovated together," Scott said. "We were there literally every day for two months with our tool belts on, changing light switches and hanging fixtures with our rehab crew to save time and money."

Now Scott and his partners buy, sell and finance properties that have ranged in size from small, single-family houses up to an 81-unit apartment building. In 1997, they started a hard money lending business for real estate investors; this business has become one of Scott's main focuses. The Company evolved and now develops and builds Publix anchored shopping centers as well as residential projects throughout Florida.

In June of 1995, Scott co-founded The Boca Real Estate Club with David Dweck, which today remains one of the preeminent investment real estate clubs in South Florida.

"A big reason we started the club is because real estate has been good to my family," Scott said, "and helping people get started is my way of giving back."

In late 1999, Scott left the Boca club so he and Danzansky could focus on starting OnLoan.com, which was soon praised by National Mortgage News as one of the country's top three online mortgage lenders. Investors included TD Capital and Huizenga Holdings and with its 75 employees, the Company was an approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lender.

After OnLoan.com was bought out in 2000, Scott returned to his roots at Equity Ventures Realty, which he had kept running on a scaled-back basis, where he purchased and sold properties, the majority of which are wholesaled to investors. His work included financing other investors as a hard money lender. Additionally, Scott and Barney were joined by their long time friend, real estate attorney David Kahan. They opened a title company in 2000 and Kahan acts as in house counsel for the Company and for others including investors, developers and businesses.

Toward the end of 2001, Scott again partnered with Bill Leon to start The Broward Real Estate Investors Association (BREIA). Scott was President of the Club through September of 2004 at which time he stepped down to pursue other opportunities. In 18 months under Scott's leadership, the club grew to having average attendances in excess of 450 people. Scott was able to recruit top real estate speakers from all over the country to speak at BREIA meetings and workshops. In addition, BREIA's membership grew from nothing to almost 100 corporate members and over 250 standard members in that same period.

Scott lives in North Miami Beach with his wife and two children. His son Jake and daughter Madison both attend Pine Crest School at the Fort Lauderdale campus.