Fred Wehba Sr., chairman and founder of BentleyForbes, says thatthe company has laid the groundwork for the expansion throughefforts like its focus over the past 12 months on asset managementand property improvement within its existing portfolio, refiningoperating procedures and attracting key personnel to prepare forthe next phase of growth. Its existing holdings include class Aoffice, luxury hotel and resort, and single-tenant corporateproperties in markets across the US.

BentleyForbes "is now correctly positioned to move forward froma well-capitalized, well-prepared foundation on a strategicfive-year plan that targets the significant expansion and growth ofour portfolio of owned properties," Wehba said in a statement.Wehba, in conjunction with BentleyForbes' executivecommittee--which also includes vice chairman Fred Wehba Jr.,president and CEO David Cobb and chief operating officer BertDezzutti--charted a four-point plan for growth during the nextfive-year period. The plan will include strategic capitalpartnerships with institutioinal fund and private equity sources,entry into international markets, property acquisitions and newdevelopments or redevelopments of property.

According to Cobb, BentleyForbes "is in a unique position withintoday's market environment." He explains that all of the company'sgrowth to date has been through the management and redeployment ofinternally generated capital resources. The company's portfolio ofproperties is funded with stable, long-term debt and maintainshealthy occupancy levels and cash flows, he says, adding that a keyto future growth will be "to align our internally generated capitalwith that of joint venture capital partners seeking to leverage thestrength of our investment, operations, and managementexpertise."