Profile: BentleyForbes founder and chairman C. Frederick Wehba

Prominent real estate investor known for philanthropy

C. Frederick Wehba began his life in the town of Crowell, Texas. Crowell sits in a small rural area, known for its barbeque contests and star viewing, truly a world far removed from the fast-paced commercial real estate market that Wehba now figureheads.

While living in Crowell, Wehba worked with his father, who owned a chain of grocery stores. Wehba left the small town to pursue a degree at North Texas State University, and later went on to become an integral part of his father’s business, helping him open and operate new stores.

C. Frederick Wehba’s participation in his father’s business sparked interest in real estate investment, as Wehba realized his own aptitude in the market while opening and locating new grocery stores. Wehba soon split from his father’s business and jumped into the real estate world, successfully turning over important manufacturing properties.

After initial successes in the real estate market, C. Frederick Wehba decided it was time to step up his level of work. Alongside his two sons, C. Frederick Wehba II and Chad Wehba, C. Frederick Wehba formed the Bentley Forbes group. BentleyForbes officially commenced in 1993, relying on Wehba family values and ethics, as well as the experience of C. Frederick Wehba, who had almost 30 years of knowledge in corporate practices, combined with the financial and real estate investment skill of his two sons.

C. Frederick’s work doesn’t stop with BentleyForbes; Wehba is a prominent figure in seven different charitable organizations, including The Associates for Breast Cancer Studies, First Baptist of Beverly Hills, The Dove Foundation, The Institute for Social and Economic Policy in the Middle East, West Side Community Church, The Boy Scouts of America, and the California Baptist University.

C. Frederick and his wife also donate to over 30 charitable organizations and have been widely recognized for their altruistic efforts. The Wehba couple received the Humanitarian Award from the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 2003 and was awarded a philanthropy award from the Jeffrey Foundation in 2006. C. Frederick Wehba was also noted as Man of the Year by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley in 1990 and is noted on the Who’s Who of American Business Leaders list.

In addition to philanthropic and business achievements, C. Frederick Wehba has also taken a strong political stance in the presidential race, providing key fundraising and donor support to ex Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. Wehba recently held a successful fundraiser at his Beverley Hills home to raise support and awareness for the Huckabee campaign.