Essex announces planned retirement of Craig Zimmerman

Essex Property Trust has announced the expected retirement, pursuant to its succession plan, of Craig Zimmerman, the company’s executive vice president and co-CIO, effective as of Dec. 31, 2019.

Thereafter, Zimmerman will stay on for one year on a part-time basis in an advisory role. Zimmerman has led Essex’s acquisitions activities for more than 34 years from before its IPO in 1994.

As contemplated in the company’s succession plan, the board has appointed Adam Berry, currently Essex’s co-CIO, to succeed Craig Zimmerman as CIO. Berry joined Essex in 2003 in its acquisitions department, following his employment as an attorney with Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich and Rosati. More recently, Berry has led the company’s redevelopment, property dispositions and development programs.

The company named John Burkart to COO. Since May 2015, Burkart has served as senior executive vice president, overseeing multiple divisions including operations, asset and portfolio ma