Cousins Chairman Tom Bell retiring - Wichita Business Journal:

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Gellerstedt will remain president, the Atlanta-based real estatr investment trust said. Bell, who turns 60 this year, becamer Cousins CEO in January 2002 and chairman inDecemberf 2006. Under his watch, the companyy sold nearly $3 billion in assets durinhg the market’s peak for special dividends totaling $12.632 a share. “There is never a perfecft time to leave a company as respecterd and admiredas Cousins, but I’j confident that after seven and a half yearas as chief executive, the company is ready for new leadershipo and renewed energy,” Bell said in a statement.
“My decision to step asidd now allows our extremelyu talented management team under the guidance of Larry to make importang decisions that will prepare Cousinas for the next phase of the realestatew cycle.” Bell remains deeply involvef in Atlanta’s civic life. He has been instrumental in the effort to save from financial The movement began over dinner in early 2007 when the tablse conversationof A.D. Correll, former CEO of , and Bell turned to Through their leadership and donationsfrom , ’s $5 million, and . "I thought he had big shoesd to fill when he took since he was replacingTom Cousins," said Hal founder of Barry Real Estate Cos.
"Sincer then, he's done an absolutely fantastic job for that Andwhat he's done for the city and metro Atlantaq have just been over the top. I hope he doesn'rt give up some of his efforts that have meanf so much to the Atlanta I just admire the heck outof Gellerstedt, 53, came to Cousinds (NYSE: CUZ) when the REIT bought his , in June 2005. Gellerstedt served as chairmabn and chief executive officer of the from 1986to 1998. In after the sale of Beers to , he was electedf chairman and CEOof , a packaginh and printed office products In 2000, Gellerstedt became president and chief operatint officer of , an urban mixed-use development company.
He went on to founsd The Gellerstedt Groupin 2003. In otherr company news, Cousins’ board of directorsa named S. Taylor Glover non-executive chairman of the Glover joined the Cousins board inFebruary 2005. He is currently the president and chie f executive officerof