Ross Satterwhite, who played a key role in Equity Office Properties' disposition efforts over the past several years, quit the REIT at the end of March

Real Estate Alert, April 14, 2004

Ross Satterwhite, who played a key role in Equity Office Properties' disposition efforts over the past several years, quit the REIT at the end of March. There's no word on why he left. Satterwhite, who was a senior vice president, continues to act as a consultant to the Chicago company.

Investors have expected active trading of hotels this year, but some now think activity might be tempered by jitters stemming from the train bombings in Spain last month. After falling into a two-year funk following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the market appeared headed for a recovery in late 2003--when hotel buyers and sellers started seeing eye-to-eye on pricing. But the Madrid bombings have revived fears about another terrorist attack in the U.S.--and about the impact that might have on the hotel sector.