In her new post, Rorison will lead the strategic development,leasing and management services for the company's 60 retail,residential, office and industrial properties throughout the US.Watt's shopping centers are located in high-density, urban areaswith diverse populations, and the centers themselves consistlargely of grocery stores, drug stores and other nondiscretionaryretailers.

"While these types of small retail centers are often overlookedby investors in good economic times, they provide much-neededstability when overall discretionary consumer spending drops,"Rorison observes. "At a time when many real estate developers arepulling back, we are moving forward with investments that can helpsecure the future of these urban shopping centers by providing adesirable mix of retailers and a clean, comfortable shoppingexperience for our customers."

Rorison says that she and her team have already evaluatedconsumer needs at the Watt centers and "pinpointed upgrades thatwill make a difference for local residents." While the nation'scredit crisis disrupts real estate projects across the country, shepoints out, Watt Commercial Properties sees opportunities withinits portfolio. She is pursuing redevelopments of existing assetsand making new investments in the company's portfolio.