Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Cousins' Joel Murphy Retires; Helped Launch 'Avenue' Retail Concept

ATLANTA, GA-- Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE: CUZ) has announced that Joel Murphy (top right photo) is retiring from the Company, effective December 31, 2008.

Murphy has been with Cousins for 20 years and is currently executive vice president and chief leasing and asset management officer, where he has responsibility for the combined office and retail leasing and asset management teams and the Company's third-party services group.

Murphy previously served for 12 years as senior vice president and president of the Company's Retail Division. He has agreed to serve as a consultant to the Company after January 1, 2009.

"Over the years, Joel has helped Cousins become a leader inretail development. His presence and influence will be missed," said Tom Bell, (top left photo) chairman and CEO of Cousins.

"We sincerely appreciate his two decades of service and the great contributions he has made to our company. We are pleased Joel has agreed to consult with us after the first of the year and wish him the best as he embarks on this next phase of his career."

During his time with Cousins, Murphy played a critical role in the Company's retail development success, most notably in the creation and growth of the Company's award-winning Avenue(R) concept retail centers. The Avenue, which was introduced in 1998, brings together national retailers, specialty shops and local restaurants in a unique outdoor setting. The Company has now developed nine Avenue centers in four states.

Cousins Board Authorizes Plan to Repurchase Stock

ATLANTA, GA--Cousins Properties Incorporated(NYSE: CUZ) has announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a new plan authorizing the expenditure of up to $20 million to repurchase the Company's Series A and Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.

The Company may repurchase the shares from time totime in open market transactions, pursuant to a 10b5-1 purchase planand in negotiated and block transactions as market and business conditions warrant on or before May 6, 2009.

CONTACTS:
Investment Community: Elli Kaplan, Vice President, (404) 407-1972

Media: Matt Gove, Senior Vice President, (404) 407-1490, mattgove@cousinsproperties.com

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