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Brad M. Hutensky Nominated for ICSC Chairmanship

Hutensky, a past member of ICSC's Board of Trustees, has devoted himself to a diverse range of activities within the association since joining in 1988. He is a former Eastern Division vice president and was a longtime co-chairman of the Committee on Open Air Centers. He remains a member of the Investment and Employee Retirement Committee and has twice served as a state officer. He was a member of the Government Relations Advisory Committee, the Executive Committee to the Board and the RECon Advisory Committee. Education has figured prominently in Hutensky's activities too - he was a dean of the University of Shopping Centers.

"Being named chairman of ICSC is the ultimate honor and I promise to work to the best of my abilities to carry out those duties," said Hutensky to the ICSC Board of Trustees in accepting the nomination.

An industry in recovery is uppermost in Hutensky's mind these days - an attribute he holds in common with much of the membership. "High unemployment, a growing deficit and uncertain tax policy have all, directly or indirectly, stagnated our economy, and with it the consumer's desire and ability to purchase goods and services. This is a major challenge," Hutensky said. "At the same time, our industry has done an excellent job at developing the shopping centers needed by most communities and is now entering a period when redevelopment and repositioning of existing centers will no doubt outstrip new development. We are entrepreneurs and have always adapted, and I believe developers and retailers will again adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by second-generation space and in-fill locations as new development becomes less prevalent."

"Brad brings a very deep understanding of ICSC to the association, with his years of volunteer leadership positions, at a time when ICSC is striving to do more for its members and an industry in recovery," said ICSC president and CEO Michael P. Kercheval. "He combines this with a broad knowledge of retail real estate and capital markets and is thus ideally suited to serve as ICSC's worldwide chairman at this time."

Before joining The Hutensky Group in 1989, an affiliate of Hutensky Capital Partners founded by his father, Allan, Hutensky worked for several national real estate development and finance organizations. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's from Dartmouth College. He has held posts at the Urban Land Institute and serves on the boards of several community and professional organizations.

"Brad is most knowledgeable about the inner workings of ICSC, having served through the volunteer ranks of the organization for more than two decades," said ICSC Past Chairman Gary D. Rappaport, SCSM, SCMD, SCLS, SCDP, CEO of the Rappaport Cos., and chairman of the nominating committee of the ICSC Board of Trustees, which met today during the midwinter meeting of ICSC's Board of Trustees in Orlando, Fla. "Brad's development, operations and investment experience as CEO of a successful medium-sized company coupled with his knowledge of ICSC will make him an effective chairman."

Hutensky lives in West Hartford, Conn., with his wife, Jill, and their two sons. He is a golf enthusiast and enjoys other forms of physical recreation as well: he ran his first marathon last fall. He also coaches his sons' basketball and baseball teams.

Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.

The International Council of Shopping Centers
Jesse Tron, +1 646-728-3814
jtron@icsc.org