Structural Engineering Firm Opens LA Office

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., a structural engineering firm headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., has opened a new office in Los Angeles. WJE now has offices in 20 cities.
Joe Valancius, a registered structural engineer in California and a former partner with the structural engineering firm of Karagozian & Case, will lead the seven-person office. Valancius has 20 years of specialized expertise in the design and retrofit of commercial and industrial buildings and structures subject to service, blast and earthquake loads.
WJE's new office expertise includes conventional structural analysis and building design, risk assessment and mitigation for hazards such as terrorist attacks and earthquakes. The new office also brings experience with design of hospitals in California as well as experience with design and analysis of structures for blast and weapons effects.
"After considering several opportunities to open a WJE office in Los Angeles, we found the right fit with Joe and his team," said WJE President Bill Nugent said. "They share our culture of technical excellence and exceptional service."
Valancius added, "Our existing clients will continue to receive the same design services they have come to value us for, and they'll receive the added benefit of WJE's expanded expertise in solving problems in existing structures.

Sheedy Moves to Santa Fe Springs
SAN FRANCISCO -- Sheedy Hoist's Southern California office has relocated from Anaheim to Santa Fe Springs. The new location is at 12536 Clark St.
Mike Morse is the operations manager and David Paski Jr. is the manager of contracts/sales.

Real Estate Firm Moves HQ to Walnut Creek
WALNUT CREEK -- 1031 Exchange Options, a real estate investment consultancy, is relocating its national headquarters from Lafayette.
The larger office is located in the Gateway Centre, at 1850 Mount Diablo Blvd., in Walnut Creek. The center has other real estate oriented tenants such as Colliers International, First American Title, Alliance Title and Ames Home Loan. The 6,938-sq.-ft. Class A office space is leased for five years. The value of the lease is undisclosed.
"We are excited to bring our national headquarters to the Gateway Centre," said Cary Losson, founder and president of 1031. "We feel it's a perfect fit for us. In the past eight months, we've tripled our staff in order to keep up with the increasing demand for our services. This new space not only gives us room for continued growth, but we believe it will help us maintain the superior customer service our clients expect."
Colliers' Trigger Reital and Edward Del Beccaro represented 1031 Exchange Options. Scott Ellis, also of Colliers, represented Sierra Pacific Properties in the transaction.
1031 Exchange Options works with investors seeking to exchange investment property for institutional-grade real estate ownership. The company advises clients on tenant in common ownership, funds, LLCs, REITs and other real estate investments.