First Potomac Realty Trust, a Bethesda, MD-based real estate investment trust, named Andrew Blocher as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Blocher's appointment will be effective October 8, 2012.
His responsibilities will include overseeing the accounting, capital markets, investor relations, corporate communications and information technology functions within the company. Additionally, Blocher will focus on further refining and executing First Potomac’s capital plan, and will work closely with investors, advisors and capital providers.
"Andy is a great fit for First Potomac as his proven experience and strong reputation in the public REIT industry will serve us well as we execute our capital strategy, strengthen our balance sheet and pursue strategic growth opportunities," said Douglas Donatelli, chairman and chief executive officer of First Potomac.
He has more than 20 years of finance and capital market experience. Blocher most recently served 12 years at Rockville-based Federal Realty Investment Trust as CFO. While there, he was successful in executing capital markets and investor relations strategies that dramatically improved the quality of Federal Realty’s balance sheet, which ultimately lead to leading to one of the strongest valuation metrics in the public REIT sector.
First Potomac owns and operates nearly 14 million square feet of commercial space in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland. The REIT's portfolio consists of 78 percent office and business park properties and 22 percent industrial properties.