American Financial Realty Trust (NYSE: AFR) promoted five senior executives: Brian S. Block, senior vice president, chief accounting officer; Jeffrey P. Foster, senior vice president, real estate transactions and associate general counsel; Bryan G. Evoy, vice president, treasury; Daniel J. DeCarlo, vice president, asset management; and Richard L. Eiseman, vice president, asset management.

Michael K. Lawson joined Associated Estates Realty Corporation (NYSE: AEC) as vice president of investor relations and corporate communications. Previously, Lawson served as a principal with the MKL Group.

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) promoted Augustus Stephas to chief operating officer and senior vice president. Previously, Stephas served as senior vice president, accounting and controller.

Daniel B. Hurwitz, senior executive vice president and chief investment officer at Developers Diversified Realty Corporation (NYSE: DDR), became the company's new president and chief operating officer, replacing David M. Jacobstein. David Oakes, former portfolio manager with Cohen & Steers' global and international real estate securities portfolios, joined DDR as chief investment officer.

Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) promoted Andrew Blocher to senior vice president, capital markets and investor relations. Philip Mays was named vice president, chief accounting officer and Bob Walsh was named vice president, development-Northeast region.

David Compton joined Kite Realty Group (NYSE: KRG) as vice president, development and land acquisition. Compton previously served as vice president of land acquisitions for Pulte Homes.

Robert Lieber, managing director with Lehman Brothers, has left the firm after more than 20 years. Lieber is joining New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration as president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Martin A. Griffiths was named chief financial officer with Maguire Properties (NYSE: MPG), replacing Dallas Lucas, who will be CEO of the REIT being formed by The Shidler Group.

William E. Sullivan is the new chief financial officer at ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), replacing Dessa M. Bokides. Sullivan is the former CFO with Jones Lang LaSalle.

Senior Housing Properties Trust (NYSE: SNH) appointed Richard A. Doyle as treasurer and chief financial officer, replacing John R. Hoadley. Doyle has held several senior finance and accounting positions, most recently with REIT Management & Research LLC.

Real Estate Developer B. Franklin Kahn Dies B. Franklin Kahn, one of the REIT industry’s pioneers, died March 8 at age 82. Kahn was a native of Washington, D.C., and worked with lawmakers to pass legislation creating REITs in 1960. Shortly thereafter, Kahn created Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE: WRE), a diversified REIT with headquarters in the Washington area. Kahn served as president and board chairman at WRIT until his retirement in the 1990s. Real estate was just one of Kahn’s interests—in fact, in he founded the Creativity Foundation in the mid-1990s as an association that recognizes leaders in the arts, humanities, sciences, technology and public service. Kahn is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

Ryan Bowie was elected vice president and treasurer with Strategic Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: BEE). Bowie joined the REIT in 2003 as director, corporate finance. Kenneth Fisher has been appointed to the REIT's Board of Directors. Fisher is a senior partner with Fisher Brothers, a real estate investment firm.

William M. Diefenderfer III was appointed chairman of the board of trustees at U-Store-It Trust (NYSE: YSI), replacing Robert J. Amsdell.

T. Richard Riney, executive vice president and general counsel with Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR), will now also serve as chief administrative officer. Brian K. Wood and Timothy A. Doman, former vice presidents of tax and asset management, respectively, have been named senior vice presidents. Kristen M. Benson is now vice president, having previously served as senior securities counsel.

In March, AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE: AVB) announced several promotions. Kevin O'Shea is now senior vice president with oversight responsibilities with AvalonBay's Investment Management Fund. Rick Borowski is the new vice president responsible for the REIT's redevelopment and construction in the Mid-Atlantic. Karen Hollinger is now vice president of operations and Rob Salkovitz is the new vice president leading construction efforts in Southern California

Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT)'s chief executive officer Steven J. Heyer resigned on April 2. Heyer had been with Starwood since 2004 and also served as a board member. Starwood Chairman Bruce W. Duncan will serve as the interim CEO.

Jeffrey D. Miller, a former partner with DLA Piper, joined Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HIW) in March as vice president, general counsel and secretary. Miller replaces Mack D. Pridgen, III.

Heidi Barringer has joined Cogdell Spencer Inc. (NYSE: CSA) as executive vice president. Previously, Barringer served as president and CEO for First Colony Healthcare LLC.

Former vice president, human resources for Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE: OFC) Peg Ohrt is now a senior vice president.