May 3, 2013 - Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), left, visitedthe corporate headquarters of Investors Real Estate Trust in Minot, ND, and met with Tim Mihalick, right, President and CEO.. During his visit, the senator was updated on IRET's recent activities in North Dakota and the midwestern U.S., particularly in the Twin Cities area. In addition, a brief discussion on the Marketplace Fairness Act and the upcoming tax reform debate in Congress was pursued.
NAREIT has successfully connected Members of Congress with REITs that own and operate properties within their local districts and states. Through onsite visits, ribbon-cuttings, and private meetings, key policymakers have been educated on REITs and what role the publicly-traded real estate industry plays in the local economy. These events, carefully coordinated with the local company, have created a greater understanding about REITs on Capitol Hill. It is NAREIT’s intent to continue to facilitate these grassroot opportunities, where appropriate, with our members in the future. A few examples of several recent events are highlighted below.
We encourage you to get involved with the growing grassroots program at NAREIT. Please contact us about your company’s upcoming projects. NAREIT stands ready to better inform Members of Congress on your company’s activities.
Please contact Kate Smith at ksmith@nareit.com.
Sens. Moran and Boozeman Visit Macerich
March 27, 2013 - During a visit to Southern California, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), right, and John Boozman (R-AR), left, were hosted by Macerich Vice Chairman Dana Anderson, center. Moran, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and a member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Boozman, a NRSC vice chair and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with Anderson and other individuals to provide an update on the NRSC's activities for the coming year. The NRSC is the official committee working to elect Republicans to the U.S. Senate in 2014.
Rep. Kenny Marchant Visits Capstead Headquarters
March 26, 2013 - Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX), right, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, visited the offices of Capstead Mortgage Corporation and met with Capstead President and CEO Andy Jacobs, left. Rep. Marchant received a detailed briefing during his visit on the company's recent activities in Texas and across the nation. In addition, Marchant was briefed on NAREIT's legislative agenda for 2013, including the subject of tax reform and its potential impact on REITs and the publicly traded real estate industry.
Rep. Todd Young Meets with CEOs in Indiana
March 18, 2013 - Rep. Todd Young (R-IN), center, visited with Kite Realty Group Trust’s Chairman and CEO, John Kite, left, and Duke Realty Corporation’s Chairman and CEO, Denny Oklak, in Indianapolis. Rep. Young, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, received an update on Duke's and Kite's activities in Indiana and across the country. In addition, the Congressman was briefed on NAREIT's legislative agenda for 2013, including the subject of tax reform and its potential impact on REITs and the publicly traded real estate industry.
DCT Industrial Trust CEO Meets with Rep. Ed Perlmutter in Colorado
January 31, 2013 - Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, met with DCT Industrial Trust’s President & CEO, Phil Hawkins, in Lakewood, CO. Mr. Hawkins described for Mr. Perlmutter DCT’s operations in Colorado and across the nation. He also described some of the benefits and burdens of the REIT approach to real estate investment.
Sen. Orrin Hatch Meets with Extra Space Storage's CEO
October 23, 2012 - Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), center, Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, met with Extra Space Storage's President & CEO Spencer Kirk, left, and Clint Halverson, Vice President, Investor Relations, in Salt Lake City, UT. Mr. Kirk and Mr. Halverson updated Sen. Hatch on the company's assets in Utah and throughout the nation. They also discussed the upcoming tax reform debate that Congress will undertake next year, of which Sen. Hatch will play a critical role.
Rep. Blumenauer Participates in American Campus Communities' Grand Opening
October 18, 2012: Rep. Earl Blumeanuer (D-OR), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, participated in the Grand Opening of University Pointe at College Station, a newly constructed student housing property developed by American Campus Communities (ACC) in partnership with Portland State University (PSU). During the ceremony, Rep. Blumenauer (center), ACC President & CEO, Bill Bayless (left), PSU President, Wim Wiewel (right), and others highlighted the many benefits of the development for the University and its surrounding neighborhood. The building, which is seeking LEED Gold certification, has dramatically increased the ability of PSU to offer on-campus housing options to its students.
Rep. Devin Nunes Tours GGP's Visalia Mall Property
October 18, 2012: Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) (center) toured General Growth Properties’ Visalia Mall in Visalia, CA. During his visit, the Congressman received an update on GGP’s economic impact within the district, throughout the state, and nationally. They also discussed the Marketplace Fairness Act, a bill that has been proposed to create sales and use tax parity for online and traditional retailers. Pictured with Rep. Nunes from left to right are Denise Marsicano, Vice President, Leasing; Richard Feder, General Manager, Visalia Mall; Kevin Berry, Vice President, Investor Relations; and Carol Jacobs, Vice President, Asset Management.
Rep. Tom Price Meets with Piedmont Realty Trust Executives
October 9, 2012: Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), second from left, recently visited with executives from Piedmont Realty Trust and was updated on the company's current development projects in GA and throughout the country. Pictured with Rep. Price are, from left to right, Don Miller, CEO; Robert Bowers, CFO; and Bo Reddic, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Operations.
Kimco Realty CEO Meets with Rep. Peter Welch in New York City
October 8, 2012: David Henry, Vice Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Kimco Realty, hosted Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) at Kimco's office in Manhattan. Mr. Henry briefed the Congressman on the history of Kimco and the challenges and opportunities facing owners of neighborhood and community shopping centers. The two also discussed the role REITs have played this and past economic recoveries, as well as Rep. Welch's leadership in advocating for sales tax fairness between online and bricks-and-mortar retailers, and his efforts to modify federal tax incentives for energy efficient buildings so that they could be useful for REITs.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy Meets with California REIT Executives
October 4, 2012: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), center, U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip, met with executives from several CA-based REITs to update him on the industry’s activities in his district and in California. In addition to thanking Rep. McCarthy for his support on several policy issues, these executives discussed the upcoming tax reform debate and expressed their support for passage this year of the Marketplace Fairness Act. Pictured with Rep. McCarthy are, left to right, Pilar Hoyas, Vice President, Public Affairs, Watson Land Company; Ron Havner, President, CEO & Chairman, Public Storage and NAREIT Second Vice Chair; Wayne Hughes, Jr., Trustee, Public Storage; Dana Anderson, Vice Chairman, Macerich; Bruce Choate, President & CEO, Watson Land Company; Jennifer Johnson, Director, Public Affairs, Watson Land Company; Tyler Rose, Executive Vice President & CFO, Kilroy Realty Corporation; and Robert Dibblee, Sr. Vice President, Government Relations, NAREIT.
Cousins Properties CEO Meets with Rep. John Lewis
October 4, 2012: Larry Gellerstedt, III, President & CEO of Cousins Properties (left) met with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee (right). Mr. Gellerstedt briefed the Congressman on Cousins Properties' investments in Atlanta and around the nation, and he highlighted the diversification and income generation benefits that REITs offer to investors from all walks of life.
Rep. Ross Visits Regency Square
September 25, 2012: Representative Dennis Ross (R-FL), second from right, visited Regency Center’s Regency Square Shopping Center in Brandon, FL, and met with (from left to right) Jessica Torres, Senior Leasing Administrator, Cary Anderson, Senior Leasing Agent, and Mike Kinsella, Senior Market Officer. Rep. Ross was briefed on the economic impact that the Regency Square Center is having on his district, as well as a summary of Regency’s other properties located throughout Florida. A discussion on the legislative proposal currently in Congress to create sales and use tax parity for online and traditional retailers, which Rep. Ross is currently supporting, was also pursued.
Rep. Thompson Meets with Simon
August 28, 2012: Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), met with Maura Eggan, Vice President, Marketing (left), and Dan Bernier, Vice President, Management, of Simon's Premium Outlets' Western Region (right). Maura and Dan briefed the Congressman on Simon's investments in California and across the nation. Specifically, they discussed the contributions of the Napa Premium Outlets to the economy of California's wine region. In addition to thanking the Congressman for his support on a number of policy issues related to the ability of REITs and other real estate companies to access equity capital and debt financing in the current economic climate, Maura and Dan urged the Congressman to support the Marketplace Fairness Act.
GGP Hosts Rep. Canseco at The Shops at La Cantera
August 22, 2012: Rep. Francisco Canseco (R-TX), middle, visited GGP’s The Shops at La Cantera located in San Antonio, TX. During his visit he received an update on the mall’s activities, GGP’s operations in Texas and across the country, and learned about several legislative issues being pursued during the 112th Congress, including the Marketplace Fairness Act to achieve greater tax fairness from internet commerce, and the introduction of the U.S. REIT Act to make minor modifications in the REIT rules. Pictured with Rep. Canseco (right to left) is Scott Sutherland, GGP Vice President – Asset Management; Kevin Berry, GGP Vice President – Investor Relations; Michelle Robertson, Senior Marketing Manager, The Shops at La Cantera; and John Badagliacco, Senior General Manager, The Shops at La Cantera.
Sen. Hagan Meets with Highwoods CEO
July 23, 2012: Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), met with Ed Fritsch, President, CEO, and Director (right) and Skip Hill, Vice President, Raleigh (left) of Highwoods Properties, Inc. Ed and Skip briefed the Senator on the state of the REIT industry in North Carolina and across the nation. Additionally, the group discussed a number of policy issues related to the ability of REITs and other real estate companies to access equity capital and debt financing in the current economic climate.
Watson Land Company Meets with House Majority Whip
July 16, 2012: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Majority Whip, met with executives from Watson Land Company. Pictured here with Rep. McCarthy, second from left, are (left to right) Pilar Hoyos, Vice President, Public Affairs; Bruce Choate, President and CEO; Jennifer Johnson, Director, Public Affairs; Brad Fraizer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary; and Roger Von Ting, CFO. Rep. McCarthy, the third ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, was briefed on the current status of the REIT industry in California and across the nation. In addition, the Watson executives discussed H.R. 5746, the Update and Streamline REIT Act (U.S. REIT Act), which was introduced in May. McCarthy appreciated the briefing and provided his insights on the issues he expects Congress to address throughout the remainder of this year.
REIT CEOs Meet with Rep. Tiberi
June 5, 2012: Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), right, met with Dan Hurtwitz, Chairman & CEO, DDR (second from right), and Michael Glimcher, Chairman & CEO, Glimcher Realty Trust (third from right), and was briefed on the current status of the REIT industry in OH. In addition, the REIT executives thanked Rep. Tiberi, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, for recently introducing H.R. 5746, the Update and Streamline REIT Act (US REIT Act), and they discussed ongoing legislative efforts to reform the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act and achieve sales and use tax parity for online and traditional retailers. Tiberi provided his insights on what issues he expects Congress to address throughout the remainder of this year and in the upcoming Lame Duck session, including tax reform and other miscellaneous tax matters. Also pictured with Rep. Tiberi is NAREIT President & CEO Steve Wechsler (left) and Joseph Tichar, DDR (second from left).
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.: The Lakes Mall
April 30, 2012: Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), right, visited CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.’s The Lakes Mall in Muskegon, MI, and met with Michael Hagen (left), the mall’s General Manager. Huizenga and his district director, Greg VanWoerkom, were briefed on the economic impact that The Lakes Mall is having on the Muskegon and western Michigan area. Rep. Huizenga was also briefed on several legislative issues being pursued during the 112th Congress, including the Marketplace Fairness Act and the soon-to-be introduced U.S. REIT Act.
Taubman Centers, Inc.: City Creek Center
March 17, 2012: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), center, Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, toured Taubman Centers' new City Creek Center located in downtown Salt Lake City, UT, which is scheduled to open on March 22. Conducting the tour for Sen. Hatch were City Creek Center General Manager Linda Wardell (right), and Tabubman Centers Director of Communications, Karen Mac Donald (left). Sen. Hatch was briefed on several issues pending before Congress that impact REITs and the publicly traded real estate industry, including passage of the Marketplace Equity Act and reform of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act.
Macerich: Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall
December 22, 2011: Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), left, visited Macerich's Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale, AZ, and met with Dana Anderson, Vice Chairman, Macerich (right). Rep. Schweikert toured the center and then met privately with Mr. Anderson and other Macerich officials, including Fashion Square Mall Manager Steve Helm, to discuss several legislative issues now before the 112th Congress, including passage of the Main Street Fairness Act and reform of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act. The Congressman appreciated the chance to visit a REIT property located in his congressional district, and indicated he would review these two issues and consider cosponsoring each proposal.
Parkway Properties: The Pinnacle at Jackson Place
October 24, 2011: Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), second from right, visited Parkway Properties, Inc.’s The Pinnacle at Jackson Place in Jackson, MS. Senator Wicker met with Parkway Properties, Inc. executives, including Charles Cannada (incoming Chairman of Parkway, as of 1/1/12, left), Steve Rogers, Parkway President & CEO (second from left) and David Hoster, CEO & President, EastGroup Properties, Inc (right). Senator Wicker was briefed on the economic impact REITs have on Jackson and Mississippi. In addition, they were informed about several REIT-related issues being pursued in the 112th Congress, including reform of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act and the future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA).
Highwoods Properties: RBC Plaza
August 30, 2011: Representative Renee Ellmers (R-NC), center, visited Highwood’s RBC Plaza Center in Raleigh, NC, and met with Highwoods Properties’ executives, including President and CEO Ed Fritsch, right. Also participating in the visit was House Republican Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), left, the third ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, who spent the day in Raleigh with Rep. Ellmers. Reps. Ellmers and McCarthy were briefed on the economic impact the RBC Plaza Center and Highwoods’ other properties have on downtown Raleigh and throughout North Carolina and the country. In addition, they were informed about several REIT-related issues being pursued in the 112th Congress, including reform of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act and introduction of the US REIT Act to make minor modifications in the REIT rules.
Simon: Towne East Square
August 18, 2011: Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), left, visited Simon Property Group's Towne East Square in Wichita, Kan., and met with Mike Payton (right), area mall manager. Pompeo and his district director, Lea Stueve, were briefed on the economic impact that the Town East Square and other Simon properties have on the Wichita area. Rep. Pompeo was also briefed on several legislative issues to be pursued during the 112th Congress, including the recently introduced Main Street Fairness Act.
Rep. Cory Gardner meets with REIT CEOs of Colorado
July 11, 2011: Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), center, met at ProLogis’ Headquarters in Denver with the CEO’s of several CO-based REITs to receive an update on the industry and the status of their companies. Pictured with Rep. Gardner are (left to right) Terry Considine, Chairman, President and CEO, AIMCO; Tom Toomey, President and CEO, UDR, Inc.; Scot Sellers, CEO, Archstone; and Walt Rakowich, CEO, ProLogis. During the meeting, Rep. Gardner learned about several legislative issues to be pursued during the 112th Congress, including reform of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act and introduction of the US REIT Act to make minor modifications in the REIT rules.
Education Realty Trust: Storrs Center
June 29, 2011: Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), left, Governor Dannel Malloy (D-CT), center, and Thomas Trubiana (right), Chief Investment Officer, Education Realty Trust, commemorated the ceremonial groundbreaking of Storrs Center, a new development that will serve as a mixed-use town center and main street corridor for the Town of Mansfield, and the University of Connecticut. Education Realty Trust was selected to provide collegiate housing for the development.
To learn more about NAREIT's growing grassroots program, visit our REITs in the Community Archive.
