History
At age 23, Leo Wells syndicated his first piece of real estate, a 1,000-acre piece of timberland in North Georgia. Though some people thought he sold the property too soon, Leo ended up avoiding an ensuing real estate downturn. The subsequent buyers could not hold on to the land. Later, Leo bought and resold it for an even larger profit.
For the next 10 years, Leo succeeded in all areas of the business – sales, acquisitions, leasing, management, and dispositions – and became a Life Member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club. In 1976, he founded Wells & Associates, a real estate brokerage and investment firm, licensed in five Southeastern states. Two years later, Leo introduced a series of private real estate funds, becoming one of the leading real estate brokers in Atlanta by the end of the decade.
In 1984, he founded Wells Real Estate Funds. Leo would go on to become a pioneer in the nontraded real estate investment trust (REIT) industry and one of the largest purchasers of office real estate in the United States. Through his company, Leo also has built a lasting legacy of corporate citizenship built on the creed of Glorifying God and Caring for People. In just the past decade:
For the next 10 years, Leo succeeded in all areas of the business – sales, acquisitions, leasing, management, and dispositions – and became a Life Member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club. In 1976, he founded Wells & Associates, a real estate brokerage and investment firm, licensed in five Southeastern states. Two years later, Leo introduced a series of private real estate funds, becoming one of the leading real estate brokers in Atlanta by the end of the decade.
In 1984, he founded Wells Real Estate Funds. Leo would go on to become a pioneer in the nontraded real estate investment trust (REIT) industry and one of the largest purchasers of office real estate in the United States. Through his company, Leo also has built a lasting legacy of corporate citizenship built on the creed of Glorifying God and Caring for People. In just the past decade:
- Wells has been recognized seven times as one of Atlanta's Best Places to Work by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and the company took the top honor among mid-sized companies in 2009
- Wells employees have contributed thousands of dollars, donations, and hours to dozens of local charities during the company's semi-annual "Let's Make a Difference Day" events
- In 2006, Wells was named one of The Principal® 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security
- In 2009, Wells was presented with the ProPatria award by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, for the company's policies toward employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve – the ProPatria award is the Defense Department's highest state-level award
- In 2009, Wells also earned the Patriot Award from ESGR for the company's support of the National Guard and Reserve
