Management
Office Suites PLUS
Our Company was founded and is led by Norwood Cowgill, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, and James C. Baughman, Jr., President. Messrs. Cowgill and Baughman collectively possess over 40 years of experience in developing and managing real estate properties. Mr. Cowgill, a pioneer in mid-priced extended stay lodging, founded and, together with Mr. Baughman, operated Studio Plus Hotels, Inc. ("Studio Plus") which, in June 1995, became the first extended stay hotel company to successfully complete an initial public offering. In April 1997, Studio Plus was acquired by Extended Stay America, Inc. ("ESA"), a publicly traded extended stay hotel company.
Our management team combines multi-state business development, customer service and capital markets experience which we believe will continue to facilitate our efforts to capitalize on market trends and opportunities in the office suite industry.
Certain information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth below.
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
Norwood Cowgill, Jr. is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Cowgill founded and from 1985 until January 1998, served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Studio Plus. Prior to 1985, Mr. Cowgill was a real estate developer in Lexington, Kentucky, who was active in various aspects of real estate, including subdivision of land, construction of single family housing, conversion of apartments to condominiums, and construction, ownership, management and renovation of multi-family housing communities. Mr. Cowgill has been the President of Cowgill Properties, Inc., a privately-held real estate development and management company, since 1976.
Director, President, Secretary and Treasurer
James C. Baughman, Jr. is President of the Company and also serves as a Director, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Baughman was associated with the management of Studio Plus from 1994 until January 1998, where his responsibilities included serving as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Baughman held various positions with two commercial banks in Lexington, Kentucky from 1988 to 1994, and also served as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Business and Economics of Transylvania University from 1992 to 1994.
Independent Manager
Douglas P. Dean is an independent Director and serves on each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees. Mr. Dean is a founding Shareholder and the current Chairman of the Board for Dean, Dorton & Ford P.S.C., a position he has held since 1979. Mr. Dean is a Certified Public Accountant and is Accredited in Business Valuation by the AICPA, is a member f the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Dean is also a member of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the American Horse Counsel. He also serves as a director or trustee of several private companies and not-profit organizations.
Independent Director
Richard W. Furst, Ph.D., is an Independent Director and serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation and Nominating Committees. Dr. Furst served as the Dean and Professor of Finance of the Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics of the University of Kentucky from 1981 to 2003. Dr. Furst serves on the Board of Trustees of the Allegiant Funds and on the Board of Directors of Central Bancshares. He also serves as a director to several start-up companies and non-profit organizations.
Director; Private Investor
Warren W. Rosenthal is an Independent Director and serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees. Mr. Rosenthal is a private investor. From 1963 to 1985, Mr. Rosenthal served as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jerrico, Inc. and, from 1985 to 1989, served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jerrico, Inc., which owned or franchised approximately 1,500 restaurants.