LOS ANGELES—Avison Young has hired Lloyd Bakan as a principal in its West Los Angeles office. Bakan will help grow on local and national investment platforms for the firm, focusing on sales and tenant and landlord representations.

“The opportunity to become a principal in the company was one of the reasons this was a good fit,” Bakam tells GlobeSt.com. “I have personal hand in growing the company, as each of the principals do, and it is definitely a unique opportunity in today's world to be able to step into that role. “

Bakan brings 28 years of experience to the firm. He most recently served as EVP for Coldwell Banker Commercial Westmac in West Los Angeles. There, he was ranked as a top agent and has number one producer status for all of Coldwell Banker US in 2009. Through his seasoned career he has developed an impressive client roaster that includes high-profile names like ING Direct, Northern Trust, State Farm Insurance, Kilroy Realty, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Hasbro.

“My main goal coming in is to expand my business by using the firm's vast resources,” Bakan says. “The platform from which I have the opportunity to work is technologically advanced and will help me have better resources and contacts for my clients.”

Along with Bakan, the firm has also hired Gary Berwick as a SVP and Nicole Jackson as an associate in the firm's West Los Angles office. Both Berwick and Jackson also come from Coldwell Banker. Bakan was not available to comment prior to the publication of this story.

Adding seasoned leaders to its team is an integral part of the firm's growth strategy. In the last five years, the firm has grown to more than 57 offices and 1,500 employees nationwide. It recently hired automotive properties expert Jodi Meade to launch the firm's new automotive sales group, focusing on the sales and purchases of automotive retail properties.