Long-time community leader Greg Fitchitt takes on expanded role for Howard
Hughes
COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Howard Hughes
Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH) announced today
that Kristi Smith has been named
President of the company's Maryland region, where she will lead the
continued growth and revitalization of Downtown Columbia®. Smith is a
seasoned commercial real estate development and investment leader
who brings 20 years of experience with a focus in the Washington, D.C. metro region. She assumes the
leadership role at a time of dynamic growth, with Downtown Columbia undergoing a $5 billion, 30-year redevelopment plan which is
transforming Columbia's urban
core.
"We are fortunate to have Kristi leading the next exciting
chapter of Downtown Columbia's
ongoing transformation, as we continue to see strong demand
throughout the region for the outstanding quality of life the
community offers," said David R. O'Reilly, Chief Executive
Officer of Howard Hughes. "Kristi's extensive experience in urban
development and revitalization will be a great asset to Howard
Hughes and to our Maryland team as
she drives forward the continuing success of Downtown Columbia."
Smith previously served as Executive Vice President in charge of
Development for JBG SMITH, a publicly traded, multifamily and
office real estate investment trust in the Washington, D.C. market. She oversaw the
company's mixed-use multifamily and commercial projects in top
submarkets, including the development of Amazon's HQ2 in
Arlington, VA. A founding
member of the company's Women's Initiative, Smith is dedicated to
the advancement of women and overall inclusivity in the workplace.
She serves on the Board of Directors for NAIOP DC | MD. Smith
earned a B.S. in Commerce from the University
of Virginia, and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of
Management.
"I am thrilled to join Howard Hughes at this significant point
in the trajectory of Downtown
Columbia, as the community is uniquely positioned to meet
today's renewed demand for a walkable, high-quality work
environment with short commutes, in a location continually ranked
as one of the best places to live in the country," said Smith. "As
we continue to embrace the forward-thinking ideals on which
Columbia was founded, I look
forward to growing the community and driving catalytic development
for the region."
Columbia, Maryland is one of
the first master planned communities in the U.S., founded by
legendary developer James Rouse in
1967 as a "city in a garden"—a vibrant urban destination surrounded
by expansive open green space. Howard Hughes is currently embarking
on the rebirth of the lakefront as part of the 2010 Downtown
Columbia Plan, including a premier medical office building that
broke ground at the end of 2022 and is expected to be delivered in
spring of 2024. The community's growth continues with the recent
approval of the Lakefront North development plan, which will bring
over 700 apartments, additional retail, two community parks, and
below-grade parking—designed to preserve the open green space and
enhance neighborhood connectivity.
Smith assumes the role of regional president from Greg Fitchitt, who has been with Howard Hughes
since 2013 and succeeded the late John
DeWolf as regional president in 2018. During Fitchitt's
tenure, Columbia saw the emergence
of the Merriweather District as a leading mixed-use destination in
the region, resulting from the strong public-private partnership
between Howard County and Howard
Hughes. Fitchitt brings his expertise to his new role as Executive
Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development at
Howard Hughes, providing strategic oversight at the corporate
level.
"Our company's dedicated stewardship of Columbia has preserved and propelled
James Rouse's original vision for
this dynamic and historic community," said Fitchitt. "We are lucky
to have Kristi taking the helm of our Maryland region, leading the talented team and
continuing the important work of providing an exceptional lifestyle
for residents along with a top-tier work environment in which
people and businesses thrive."
About Howard Hughes Holdings Inc.
Howard Hughes
Holdings Inc. owns, manages, and develops commercial, residential,
and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its award-winning
assets include the country's preeminent portfolio of master planned
communities, as well as operating properties and development
opportunities including: the Seaport in New York City; Downtown Columbia® in Maryland; The
Woodlands®, Bridgeland® and The
Woodlands Hills® in the Greater Houston, Texas area;
Summerlin® in Las
Vegas; Ward
Village® in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi; and Teravalis™
in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona
area. The Howard Hughes portfolio is strategically positioned to
meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting
in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country.
Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for
its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural
life of its communities. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHH. For
additional information visit www.howardhughes.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements made in this press release that are not historical
facts, including statements accompanied by words such as "will,"
"believe," "expect," "enables," "realize," "plan," "intend,"
"assume," "transform" and other words of similar expression, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based on management's expectations, estimates, assumptions, and
projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees
of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from
those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially are set forth as risk
factors in filings made by Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly and
Annual Reports. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. cautions you not to
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in
this release. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. does not undertake any
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances
that arise after the date of this release.
Contacts:
Howard Hughes
Cristina Carlson, 646-822-6910
Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications
cristina.carlson@howardhughes.com
For Investor Relations
Eric
Holcomb, 281-475-2144
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
eric.holcomb@howardhughes.com
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SOURCE Howard Hughes Holdings Inc.