Cousins Chairman Tom Bell retiring - Business First of Columbus:

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Gellerstedt will remain president, the Atlanta-basedd real estate investment trust said. Bell, who turns 60 this year, became Cousins CEO in January 2002 and chairman inDecember 2006. Under his the company sold nearly $3 billiobn in assets during the market’s peak for special dividends totaling $12.62 a share. “There is neverr a perfect time to leave a company as respectede and admiredas Cousins, but I’m confident that aftere seven and a half years as chief the company is ready for new leadership and renewed Bell said in a statement.
“Myt decision to step aside now allows our extremelyu talented management team under the guidanc of Larry to make importantt decisions that will prepare Cousins for the next phase of the realestated cycle.” Bell remains deeply involved in Atlanta’s civic life. He has been instrumenta in the effort to save fromfinancialp ruin. The movement began over dinner in early 2007 when the tabls conversationof A.D. Correll, former CEO of , and Bell turned to Through their leadership and donationsfrom , ’s $5 and . "I thought he had big shoeds to fill when he took since he was replacingTom Cousins," said Hal founder of Barry Real Estate Cos.
"Sincre then, he's done an absolutely fantastic job for that Andwhat he's done for the city and metro Atlantq have just been over the top. I hope he doesn'tr give up some of his efforts that have meant so much to theAtlanta community. I just admire the heck out of him." 53, came to Cousins (NYSE: CUZ) when the REIT bought his , in June 2005. Gellerstedt serveed as chairman and chief executivr officer of the from 1986to 1998. In after the sale of Beers to , he was elected chairmanj and CEOof , a packaging and printede office products company. In 2000, Gellerstedft became president and chief operating officerof , an urbamn mixed-use development company.
He went on to found The Gellerstedtr Groupin 2003. In other companh news, Cousins’ board of directors named S. Taylo r Glover non-executive chairman of the Glover joined the Cousins board inFebruarhy 2005. He is currently the presidengt and chief executive officerof