O'Brien pulled out Friday, six days before the REIT's firstquarter earnings call. He and his family are headed back toConnecticut, Thomas J. Corcoran Jr., FelCor president and CEO,tells GlobeSt.com. "He did a very good job for the company," headds, explaining he wasn't overly surprised because O'Brien hadbeen "hinting" for some time that he was considering a return tothe Northeast. O'Brien could not be reached for comment.

Corcoran says the headhunting search started yesterday by hiringFPL Advisory Group's new Dallas team to scout the terrain and comeback with a list of potential candidates. He expects the CFOposition will be filled within 60 days. But, of course, that meansfinding the right fit...and preferably one who can cook, arequirement for the Irving, TX-based REIT's culture. If the hirecan't cook, Corcoran says he will do what he's done in the past:give lessons.

"There is a culture here," Corcoran says of a staff with areputation for long-term stays. "That is something that they've gotto be comfortable in."