Education Realty Trust names new CEO; shares climb 2 percent

Education Realty Trust names new CEO

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Education Realty Trust Inc., which owns and operates housing for college students, said Thursday it has named Randall L. Churchey its next CEO.

Churchey, 49, most recently served as interim CEO at Great Wolf Resorts Inc. and previously held the CEO job at Golden Gate National Senior Care, which operates nursing centers, in 2006 and 2007.

Churchey also was a director of Education Realty Trust from 2005 to 2006.

He succeeds Paul O. Bower, 66, who plans to retire when Churchey takes over Jan. 1.

Shares of Education Realty Trust rose 16 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $5.25 in morning trading.