LOS ANGELES-Net lease investment specialist Stan Johnson of Tulsa, OK has established a new regional office here and has named Derek Layne as associate director to head the operation as part of the brokerage and advisory firm’s national expansion strategy. The opening of the new Los Angeles office will give the firm better access to existing clientele on the West Coast as well as the real estate investment community, the company says in its announcement of the new office.

Layne has 13 years of commercial real estate experience, having recently served as principal of Brooktree Realty Advisors, where he was instrumental in completing deals valued at nearly $175 million during the past two years. Before that, he worked as a CMBS loan originator for both JP Morgan and Countrywide, originating over $1 Billion in loans for both firms collectively.

According to Daniel Herrold, Stan Johnson Co. executive managing director who is spearheading the company's growth, "Historically speaking, our firm has been able to successfully penetrate the net lease buyer and seller community on the West Coast. However, we believe that having a local presence will allow us to further expand and cultivate deeper relationships with our clients."

The company's expansion strategy kicked off in late 2008 with the launch of an office in Houston, followed early this year with an office launch in Chicago, Illinois. The company also has a capital markets office in Oklahoma City.

The company’s expansion is part of its preparation for the next real estate cycle, according to Stan Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of the company.