Tom Bell, Former CEO and Chairman of Cousins Properties, Joins Goddard Investment Group

Bell to Serve as Vice Chairman, Partner

ATLANTA (December 18, 2009) – Goddard Investment Group, LLC, has named Tom Bell  (top left photo) vice chairman and partner, to be effective Jan. 1, 2010. Bell previously served as CEO and chairman of Cousins Properties.

“Bringing someone of Tom’s stature, expertise and accomplishments to Goddard Investment Group is an enormous benefit to our company,” said Bob Goddard, (middle right photo) chairman and CEO of Goddard Investment Group. “I have had a long-standing friendship with Tom and have the highest respect for him as a business leader.”

Bell brings extensive knowledge of real estate and the capital markets to Goddard Investment Group. He will help foster and expand institutional and market relationships.

In June 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's board of directors elected Bell as its vice chairman. He will advance to the role of chairman in May 2010. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 300,000 businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

Bell was named vice chairman of the Cousins Properties (NYSE:CUZ) board of directors and chairman of the executive committee in 2001 and was subsequently elected president and CEO by the board of directors in 2002. Bell assumed the role of chairman of the board upon the retirement of chairman and founder Tom Cousins in 2006. He served with Cousins until 2009.

“Goddard Investment Group represents one of the premier real estate firms in the country, and I have observed a lot of them over the years,” Bell said. “I want to put my experience at Cousins to good use, and I can’t think of a better partner than Goddard. I am joining a first-class team and look forward to contributing.”

Contact: Glen Jackson, Jackson Spalding, (404) 724-2505; gjackson@jacksonspalding.com

171 17th in Atlanta Earns BOMA 360 Designation in Recognition of Excellence in Building Management

ATLANTA, GA— 171 17th Street (centered photo below)  in Atlanta, Georgia has been designated a BOMA 360 Performance Building by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International.

The BOMA 360 Performance Program validates and recognizes commercial properties that demonstrate best practices in building operations and management.

“We are thrilled to have 171 17th Street as Carter’s first BOMA 360 designated property,” said Holly Hughes,(top right photo)  executive vice president of Carter’s Property and Facility Management Group.

“This award demonstrates the utilization of best practices in all major areas of building operations and management and designates that a property is being managed to the highest standards of excellence.”

171 17th Street is the first Carter managed property, and the second in Georgia to achieve BOMA 360 designation. The 350,000-square-foot, 22-floor Class A office building, which was developed in 2004, was also the first LEED Silver Core and Shell-certified high-rise office building in the world.

The BOMA 360 Performance Program is an online self-assessment that evaluates properties in six major areas: building operations and management; life safety/security/risk management; training and education; energy; environment/sustainability; and tenant relations/community involvement.

The BOMA 360 Performance Program takes a holistic approach to evaluating a building’s operations and management and benchmarks a building’s performance against industry standards. The program comes at a critical time, as building owners and managers are looking to differentiate themselves in a demanding market.

Carter’s Property and Facility Management Group has a long track record of excellent customer service. With more than 25 million square feet under management among 170 buildings in 11 states, Carter helps clients increase asset values and reduce costs. Carter’s 200-person Property and Facility Management team delivers the same industry-leading management standards to any property or facility.

For more information on the BOMA 360 Performance designation, visit www.boma.org/GetInvolved/BOMA360.

Media contact:  Tony Wilbert, twilbert@wilbertnewsstrategies.com