Equity Residential Announces Leadership Transition with New CFO and CIO Appointments

Equity Residential announces executive management team leadership transition plans. Robert Garechana will become Chief Investment Officer, while Bret McLeod joins as Chief Financial Officer. Alec Brackenridge, currently Chief Investment Officer, will retire. The changes are effective immediately.

Equity Residential Inc. (EQR) has announced significant changes to its executive management team, effective immediately. Robert Garechana, the company's current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will transition to the role of Chief Investment Officer (CIO). Bret McLeod will join the company as the new CFO, starting in August 2025. Alec Brackenridge, who has been serving as CIO, will retire at the end of 2025 [1].

Robert Garechana, who has been with the company since 2004, has served as CFO since September 2018. His appointment as CIO marks a new chapter in his career, focusing on investment strategies for Equity Residential. Bret McLeod, currently executive vice president and CFO at Great Wolf Resorts, will bring extensive experience in the hospitality and retail sectors to his new role. Prior to joining Great Wolf, McLeod served as CFO for Citycon and Host Hotels & Resorts [2].

Alec Brackenridge, who has been with Equity Residential since 1993, will step down as CIO after serving in the role since September 2020. He will transition to the position of executive vice president, Investments, and retire at the end of 2025. The changes aim to strengthen the company's leadership and investment strategies, positioning Equity Residential for future growth.

The stock of Equity Residential dipped 0.5% in premarket trading following the announcement, reflecting market sentiment on the leadership transition. However, the company remains committed to its long-term growth strategy, with a projected blended rate growth of 2.8%-3.4% for 2025, driven by strong occupancy gains [1].

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_TUA8DVPDV:0-equity-residential-announces-executive-management-team-leadership-transition-plans/
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4463652-equity-residentials-cfo-will-become-its-investment-chief