Hello E- Team,

Essex Property Trust, Inc. announced today the retirement of John Burkart and the planned succession for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) roles. 

John Burkart has announced his retirement as the Company’s Senior Executive Vice President and COO effective December 31, 2020 and will remain thereafter as a Strategic Advisor to the Company to facilitate an orderly transition.  John has been an impactful leader over the last 25 years, and an instrumental driver of the Company’s growth and success. We thank him for all his contributions, years of dedicated service, and his unrelenting pursuit of continuous improvement. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

As part of the company’s succession plan strategy, Angela Kleiman will succeed John Burkart as Senior Executive Vice President and COO.  As you all know, Angela has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and CFO since 2015 and has held various senior roles in the Company since 2009.  Angela is a key decision-maker as it relates to all major company decisions and is well prepared to lead our operations team while actively guiding the strategic direction of the Company.

Barb Pak has been appointed to succeed Angela as Executive Vice President and CFO.  Barb joined the Company in 2012 to lead its Investor Relations platform. Over her eight-year tenure with the Company, she has expanded her responsibilities to include leading the Company’s co-investment platform, capital markets, and financial planning and analysis departments.   Barb has proven her strong leadership skills, exceptional dedication, and extraordinary financial acumen throughout her career.  She has worked closely with Angela and me over the past several years in preparation for her expanded role.

Our people and deep leadership bench are the key strategic strengths of Essex.  I am confident that Angela, Barb, and other leaders of the senior management team will continue Essex’s commitment to creating great communities in which to live, work, and invest in.

In January, I look forward to continuing this conversation as we work together to execute our 2021 business plans.  As always, be safe and have a joyful holiday season.

Thank you,
Mike Schall