WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- EDENS, one of the nation's leading private owners, operators and developers of retail real estate, announced a number of pivotal promotions this week in the company's Washington, DC office. Former vice president of leasing, Jessica Bruner, was named managing director, while Brad Dumont and Jeff Kaufman were both made senior vice presidents of development. Katie Bucklew was appointed vice president of investments after serving as director of investments for two years, and Reynolds Allen was promoted to vice president of development. Krista Di Iaconi joins EDENS as vice president of development coming from JBGR Retail.

"After nearly 25 years with EDENS, I have always found that one of the best things about our company is our eye for talent and our willingness to take on people with bold ideas. These strategic promotions reflect that spirit," said EDENS President and Chief Investment Officer Jodie W. McLean.

"These appointments also reflect our unwavering commitment to the Washington, DC area. We have a number of complex projects in this region, including Union Market and Mosaic, and it's crucial that we have the right team and senior members of staff overseeing these developments, making sure that we are enriching the community in every possible way," McLean continued.

Jessica Bruner has been a key contributor to EDENS' strategic growth plans in the Mid-Atlantic region since 2002. Her strong reputation for relationship building in the industry and her innovative approach to merchandising have been vital to EDENS' successful development and redevelopment activity in this active market. Most recently, Bruner was vice president of leasing at EDENS before her appointment as managing director this week. Prior to joining the company, she was a leasing representative with Carl M. Freeman Retail. Bruner is a graduate of the University of Maryland where she received a bachelor's in government and politics.

As senior vice president of development, Brad Dumont is responsible for executing acquisitions, developments, and redevelopments projects. He plays an integral role in overseeing more than $150 million in transactions. Dumont joined EDENS in 2003, directly following his bachelor's in politics from Princeton University. Since then, he has completed additional executive education in real estate management training at Harvard Business School and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Jeff Kaufman, also named senior vice president of development this week, focuses on long-term value creation through innovative mixed-use properties in the Mid-Atlantic region. Since joining EDENS in 2008, Kaufman's extensive knowledge of residential development and partnerships has made him a leader in the development of Mosaic in Fairfax, VA, and Washington, DC's historic Union Market, the heart of a renewed urban district and culinary destination. Kaufman also oversees the redevelopments of existing shopping centers in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Arlington Ridge and Van Dorn Plaza, contributing to the revitalization of these communities. Previously, Kaufman was Vice President of Bozzuto Development Company, overseeing development and acquisition activities for multi-family residential projects in the greater Washington-Baltimore area. He received a Master of Architecture degree from Catholic University, a Master of Science degree in real estate development from Johns Hopkins University, and a BA in English and history from Emory University.

Katie Bucklew, EDENS' new vice president of investments, is responsible for portfolio transactions and strategic growth, capital allocation and operational strategy. Bucklew began her career in EDENS' financial management analyst program, working on debit and equity raises, new development projects, acquisitions and corporate reporting. She has since held a number of high-profile roles at EDENS that have given her a broad perspective of the retail real estate industry. Bucklew was promoted from her role as director of investments, a position she held for two years. Bucklew holds an MBA from The Wharton School, as well as a Master of Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School. As a dedicated contributor to the community of industry professionals, Bucklew is a member of ICSC, Women in Retail Real Estate and The Urban Land Institute. She is an active leader in the ULI Washington District Council, sitting on the Women's Leadership Initiative committee.

Reynolds Allen was recently named vice president of development, responsible for leading development and redevelopment projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Along with Jeff Kaufman, Allen has been instrumental in the redevelopment of Union Market in Washington, DC. Allen received an MBA from The Darden School at the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science from the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University, with an additional degree in human & organizational development.

Krista Di Iaconi joins EDENS as vice president of development, bringing more than 20 years of experience in acquisitions, dispositions, development, and finance to her role. Before joining EDENS, Di Iaconi spent her career at JBGR Retail, closing more than $820 million in transactions and guiding the development of signature, urban-inspired, mixed-use projects like Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, Maryland. At EDENS, Di Iaconi is responsible for directing development for properties in the company's Mid-Atlantic portfolio, including mixed-use developments in Alexandria, VA and Burtonsville, MD. She holds a master's in real estate development from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Mary Washington. Di Iaconi is an active member of ULI and ICSC.

EDENS owns and operates 31 properties in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Union Market in Washington, DC and Mosaic in Fairfax County, VA.

ABOUT EDENS: EDENS develops, owns and operates community-oriented shopping centers in primary markets across the East Coast. Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment together with key acquisitions in urban areas, the company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of 100 retail centers. EDENS has regional headquarters in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami and Columbia, SC. For additional information about the company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edens.com.

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