Austin, Texas — Austin-based American Campus Communities has announced a series of internal promotions and the retirement of the company’s CFO.
Effective immediately, the company is separating the roles of president and CEO. Bill Bayless will remain CEO, and Jim Hopke, COO, will be promoted to president. In his expanded role, Hopke will continue to report directly to the CEO and provide executive oversight of day-to-day business operations, advance the company’s asset and portfolio management functions and focus on furthering the company’s operating platform.
“I am honored with the trust and confidence that Bill and the Board have given me in my new role,” says Hopke. “The team and I are focused on continuing enhancements to our operational systems, asset management, and business intelligence program to further our competitive advantage and maintain our best-in-class standing.”
Jennifer Beese — current EVP of operations, marketing and leasing — will also be promoted to the position of COO, and will continue to report directly to Mr. Hopke. Beese will continue to provide executive oversight of marketing, leasing and property operations, and functional support services. She will also assume executive responsibility for human resources, corporate administration and company culture.
“Having started with the company as a regional manager in 1999, I am so thankful for the opportunity ACC has afforded me at every level of my career,” says Beese. “It’s an honor for me to lead the industry’s most successful and experienced team and to continue that momentum as chief operating officer.”
In addition to these promotions, Jon Graf will step down as CFO on March 31, 2017, and will be retiring from the company on June 30, 2017. Daniel Perry — current EVP of corporate finance and capital markets —will be promoted to CFO. Perry has been the lead executive interacting with investors, analysts and the banking community for many years. Kim Voss — EVP and controller — will also be promoted to the position of chief accounting officer, reporting directly to the CFO.