Westwood Financial Announces Leadership Transition

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westwood Financial, a more than 50-year-old leading retail real estate investment firm based in Los Angeles, announced today that Mark Bratt will retire as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bratt has informed the Board that, after six years at the helm, he will be stepping down as CEO at year end 2024. Mr. Bratt has been Westwood’s CEO since January 2019.

“After six fulfilling years at Westwood Financial, I have decided it was time to begin the next chapter in my career,” Bratt commented. “I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to work with many talented and dedicated colleagues, our investors, the brokerage community, our bankers, the Founders and Board.” Today, Westwood Financial has a portfolio value of over $1.5 billion across 90 assets primarily in sunbelt, growth markets.

“Mark has been a tremendous and aspirational leader who led our firm to perform at a consistent top quartile level,” Co-Founder Howard Banchik remarked. “Mark’s vision, commitment to building a great team and leadership has been invaluable,” stated Co-Founder Steve Fogel. “We are excited for Mark as he moves into the next stage of his career.”

“I have enjoyed leading a best-in-class national retail real estate firm in Westwood Financial, and the firm is poised to continue its growth,” said Mr. Bratt. “I am committed to a successful transition to the next CEO and generation of leaders within our company.”

About Westwood Financial

Westwood Financial owns, manages, and operates over 125 high-quality shopping centers in top U.S. metropolitan markets, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, and Raleigh. Top-tier grocers and leading service and experiential-based operators primarily anchor the centers. Established in 1970 by Howard Banchik and Steven Fogel, Westwood Financial is headquartered in Los Angeles, with regional offices in Atlanta, Dallas, and Phoenix.