The candidate joined Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE: WRI) in 1978 as a Leasing Executive in the Retail Division. He held various positions and was named President of the company in 1997 and was appointed the company’s Chief Executive Officer in 2001. The candidate also serves on the Board of Directors of the company. Further, he is a Trustee and past Chairman of the International Council of Shopping Centers and current Trustee of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. He graduated from the University of Texas (Austin) with highest honors majoring in Real Estate.

Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE: WRI) is a shopping center owner, manager and developer. The company owns or operates under long-term leases, either directly or through its interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships, a total of 185 properties which are located in 17 states spanning the country from coast to coast. These properties represent approximately 37.4 million square feet of which our interests in these properties aggregated approximately 24.1 million square feet of leasable area. Market Cap: $3.3 billion.