Lay, formerly a landlord and tenant representative for threeyears with Lee and Associates in Irvine and also formerly withCushman & Wakefield, has joined Argent to open a new office inMission Viejo to expand the company's presence in Orange County.Sinclitico, who formerly worked in the entertainment industry,joins Argent as director of marketing and business development tosupport Bortnick and his staff.

[IMGCAP(2)]Bortnick says that Argent's new Ontario office willprovide service for its rapid expansion in the Inland Empire, whereit leases neighborhood and community centers totaling close tothree million square feet out of a total Argent portfolio ofapproximately six million square feet in Los Angeles, Orange Countyand the Inland Empire. Argent specializes in retail landlordrepresentation, retail tenant representation and consultingservices.

Bortnick says that Lay brings "an impressive track record as adeal-maker," and shares his company's commitment to a hands-onapproach. As Bortnick told GlobeSt.com when he launched his firm,"It takes more work to lease space in this market because thedecision-making process is slower, especially for the mom-and-poptenants that rent much of the shop space." In addition, Bortnicksaid, "There has never been a bigger need for landlords to havesomeone who knows how to lease in a bad market as opposed to thosewho know how to lease only in a good market."