Edie Laquer: "whether the deal is $1 million or $1 billion, I enjoy giving each transaction the same dedication regardless of its scope. It's not so much that I like to win, it's that I just hate to lose."

South Florida CEO, August, 2004

The Player: Edie Laquer, Laquer Corporate Realty Group Inc.

Latest Play: Brokered a $130 million deal that includes part of Jacob "Hank" Sopher's Miami and Hollywood real estate portfolio. The buyer, Africa-Israel-Boymelgreen, plans to spend $1.7 billion to develop commercial and residential projects in downtown Miami and Miami Beach.

Background: Since she arrived in Miami in 1980, Laquer brokered deals from CocoWalk and the Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove to the $1-billion Midtown Miami project, New York parking magnate Sopher is by far her most lucrative client, "I met Hank in 1999, and I joked at the time about having to wear a Kevlar vest while visiting the Biscayne corridor." With the partial divestiture of Sopher's estimated $150 million portfolio, Laquer stands to earn millions in commissions.

Ambition: Laquer is well known for keeping deals close to the vest, but Sopher has indicated he is not through acquiring. "I'm fortunate to have many wonderful and loyal clients; new business just seems to find me.... What's next for me? I can only hope it's more of the same." On the personal side, Laquer has moved to South Beach and says she's "getting a life, and accepting dates. No more 'in the office before sunrise and out after sunset.'"