Doug Ceresia’s mother questioned, in 2001, why her son planned to leave Bank of America, where he was an underwriter of commercial construction loans with the security of steady paychecks, to try commission-based commercial real estate brokerage.

Ceresia, now 35 and a specialist in office investment sales and leasing, consistently has been among NAI San Diego’s top producing brokers ever since. His many major land investment transactions led to his promotion to NAI San Diego vice president in 2004. This year, his continuing work in commercial brokerage earned him the invitation to become a principal shareholder of the company.

NAI San Diego president Marten Barry attributes Ceresia’s success to his “conscientious attention to detail, strong Midwestern work ethic and his friendly, positive attitude.” Ceresia describes himself as low-key: “When you state a position and why it is important, that usually wins the day,” he says.

Ceresia works hard at the job he loves. He recently earned the Office Specialist designation from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors — an accreditation achieved by fewer than 5 percent of the nation’s commercial real estate brokers.

Ceresia’s passions are “making friends; succeeding for clients; my wife, Courtney; watching the Padres and volleyball.”