Duong Investment Group

Our Team

The Duong Investment Group is a leader in the disposition of investment retail properties throughout the United States. Our team, through its strategic partnership with Marcus & Millichap, is recognized as the premier source for sellers seeking to achieve maximum pricing and optimal execution when disposing of single and multi-tenant retail assets. Our aggressive pricing strategies and creative marking approach has resulted in record-breaking prices and unparalleled results for our clients.

Ron Duong

Senior Managing Director Investments
Senior Director, National Retail Group

Ron Duong is a highly-regarded top agent in the retail investment real estate industry. Over the years, Ron’s reputation for his extensive market knowledge, comprehensive pricing analysis, and strategic execution in the marketing of retail real estate investments has made him a valuable resource to some of the top names in the retail space for commercial real estate. These factors have resulted in record prices for his clients as well as closings on some of the most challenging deals in the marketplace ranging from environmental contamination to substantial deferred maintenance.

Ron ranks amongst the top retail agents nationwide, having personally listed/closed approximately $1 billion in retail investments. Ron has been a Top 10 Agent at his firm’s Orange County office since 2008. and was a multiple recipient of the firm’s highly regarded Chairman’s Club Award. In 2017, Mr. Duong ranked 33rd firm wide amongst over 1,800 agents and $42 billion in sales.

As lead broker of the Duong Retail Group, Mr. Duong leads a team whose aggressive and disruptive approach to marketing and selling retail properties has garnered the attention and respect of leaders in the marketplace. The team’s clientele ranges from high net worth family offices to active developers/syndicators to large institutions and endowments seeking to grow or preserve asset value. As one of the most active and knowledgeable retail agents in the field, Ron is frequently interviewed and quoted by the leading publications including Globest.com, CoStar.com, Bisnow, and Real Estate Weekly. Most importantly, Ron prides himself on servicing his clients and working with them to achieve their short and long-term goals.

Previously, Ron was a portfolio accountant at The Capital Group Companies working with institutional investors from large university endowment funds to major institution pension plans with assets of $1-5 billion. Mr. Duong is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance as well as studies in real estate development from the University of Southern California (USC). Mr. Duong is also an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Education

California State University Fullerton
Business Administration, Finance

Specialties

  • Anchored Neighborhood Shopping Centers
  • Unanchored Shopping Strips
  • Single Tenant NNN Leased Investments

Professional Affiliations

  • Senior Director, National Retail Group
  • Member, International Council of Shopping Centers (Since 2004)
  • Member, California State University Fullerton – Advisory Board for Real Estate

Experience/Professional History

  • Vice President Investments (2013)
  • Senior Director – National Retail Group (2015)
  • Senior Vice President Investments (2017)

Sales Achievements/Awards

  • Sales Recognition Award 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Top 10 Newport Beach Agent
  • #1 Retail Agent in the Orange County Office
  • National Achievement Award 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Chairman’s Club Award 2016, 2017, 2021

Craig Elster

Vice President Investments
Net Leased Properties Group

Craig Elster is associated with the Irvine office. Since his introduction into the firm, he has established himself as a recognized expert focused on providing his clients with the highest level of service. He is especially accomplished at aggressively and earnestly marketing properties in order to meet the owner’s objectives of price and timing.

Craig specializes in managing the acquisitions and dispositions of retail properties nationwide. Since beginning at the firm, Craig has been recognized for getting clients through very difficult situations, and his creative thinking has resulted in many clients improving their financial positions. His relationships with qualified institutional and private investors enable him to strategically match buyers with sellers to achieve mutually beneficial results for his clients. Craig’s long-term goal is to create a mutually beneficial relationship with clients that will last a lifetime.

Education

California State University Fullerton
BA Business Administration, Finance

Specialties

  • Single Tenant NNN Leased Investments
  • Acquisition of Sites for Development
  • Multi-Tenant Industrial Business Parks

Professional Affiliations

  • Net Leased Properties Group
  • Member, International Council of Shopping Centers (Since 2014)

Record Breaking Accomplishments

  • Starbucks Sold in Garden Grove, CA at a 3.58% Cap Rate
  • Popeyes Sold in Anaheim, CA at a 3.75% Cap Rate
  • Wendy’s Sold in Dothan, AL at a 3.79% Cap Rate
  • Wendy’s Sold in Greer, SC at a 5% Cap Rate
  • Walgreens Sold in Avon, CO at a 5% Cap Rate
  • L&W Supply Sold in Glendale, AZ at a 5.56% Cap Rate

Experience/Professional History

  • Promoted to Senior Associate (2019)
  • Promoted to Vice President Investments (2022)

Ben Carlile

Senior Investment Analyst

Team Manager

Ben is charged with all aspects of business development and day to day team coordination for the Duong Investment Group. He has also been tasked with business expansion and creating visibility in new markets for the team.

Additionally, Ben ensures all transactions run seamlessly by coordinating the due diligence and escrow process for the team. He uses his experience in closing over $1,000,000,000 in transactions to proactively address details before they become issues.

Ben’s prior experience as a marketing manager has allowed the team to overcome any challenges, as well as keep us abreast of industry marketing trends. He has been pivotal to our continued success and is an invaluable member of the team.

Specialties

  • Anchored Neighborhood Shopping Centers
  • Unanchored Shopping Strips
  • Single Tenant NNN Leased Investments

Experience

  • Managed Over $1,00,000,000 in Closings
  • Facilitated Over $75,000,000 in Real Estate Syndication Transactions

Mie Takenaka

Transaction Coordinator

Mie Takenaka leads the team’s transaction management & marketing efforts. Her strong attention to detail and creative problem solving ensures that transactions are effectively managed to successful closings. By directing and utilizing the team’s industry leading graphic designers and cutting edge technological platform, she maximizes exposure for the team’s listings which has resulted in multiple record-breaking closings to a global pool of investors.

Background

Mie’s background consists of over 24 years of experience with leading multi-national and multi-billion-dollar construction and engineering corporations.

Specialties

  • Anchored Neighborhood Shopping Centers
  • Unanchored Shopping Strips
    Net Leased Investments
Chelsea_Gray_Cropped

Chelsea Hernandez

Marketing Assistant

Chelsea assists with the team’s ongoing marketing efforts.
Her responsibilities include producing proposals and offering memorandums,
creating digital content for web and social media, and managing communication
between agents and potential clients.

Chelsea studied Communications at California State
University, Fullerton. Her interest in real estate developed while interning
and working at the Orange County Business Journal as a research/editorial assistant from 2018-2019.

Education

California State University, Fullerton, Communications, B.A.

Johnny Le

Associate
Net Leased Properties Group

Johnny Le specializes in the acquisition and disposition of single and multitenant retail properties. With over 8 years of experience in the industry, Johnny has a deep understanding of the real estate process and a complete command of the transaction from start to finish. Prior to joining the Duong Investment Group, Johnny focused on business development and property marketing at CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield, where he honed his skills in property valuation, market analysis, and contract negotiation.

Johnny is known for his attention to detail, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills, which have allowed him to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike. His unwavering commitment to his clients and his dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes have made him a go-to resource for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of retail properties.

Education

  • University of California, Irvine, B.S.
  • California State University, Fullerton, MBA

Specialties

  • Anchored Neighborhood Shopping Centers
  • Unanchored Shopping Strips
  • Single Tenant NNN Leased Investments
DSC_0230R resize

James Andrews

Associate

James Andrews specializes in transacting industrial assets across the United States. James joined the team in 2021 with over 2 years of commercial real estate experience. Prior to joining the team, James was a student at Loyola Marymount University where he studied economics. James’ range of experience translates to a deep understanding of the real estate process and a complete command of the transaction from start to finish.

Education

Loyola Marymount University, Economics, B.S.

Specialties

  • Single Tenant Industrial Net Leased Investments
  • Single and Multi-Tenant Industrial Investments

Michael Lee

Associate

Michael Lee specializes in multi-tenant retail investments in the East San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. His local market knowledge, clear communication and negotiating skills are key contributors to his success as an investment specialist.

He has a high regard for integrity, so his primary focus is tailoring solutions for his clients and helping them achieve their short and long-term goals. Michael makes sure that he maintains longstanding connections with clients, but also forging new ones.

His prior background in representing both landlords and tenants in the commercial real estate industry helps him possess a unique advantage when navigating the challenges of multi-tenant retail brokerage. His objective is to secure favorable outcomes for his clients and positioning himself as a trusted advisor. 

Specialties

  • Multi-Tenant Retail Investments

Wilson Wang

Associate

Wilson Wang specializes in multi-tenant retail properties across the Inland Empire and South Riverside County. Prior to joining the team, Wilson is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, Pomona (CPP) with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate.

His extensive engagement in university clubs, including the Real Estate Association and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, showcases his adept leadership and networking skills, ensuring retail owners’ best interests are prioritized in navigating the dynamic commercial real estate market.

Education

  • Cal Poly Pomona – Business Administration, B.S. – Finance, Real Estate