Washington Real Estate Investment Trust plans to name John McDaniel as chairman in May

Washington REIT to name John McDaniel chairman

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Washington Real Estate Investment Trust said on Thursday that John P. McDaniel is expected to be named as chairman of its board of trustees at its May 18 annual meeting.

Assuming he wins re-election as a trustee, McDaniel will take over as chairman from Edmund B. Cronin, Jr., who is retiring because of the company’s retirement age policy. Cronin was chief executive from 1995 to 2007.

McDaniel has been the company’s lead independent trustee since 2004. From 1982 until he retired in 2008, McDaniel was CEO of MedStar Health, which owns seven hospitals in the Washington and Baltimore areas.

Washington REIT shares rose 31 cents to close at $26.70 on Thursday.