Federal Realty Investment Trust announced the promotion of Jeffrey S. Berkes to President and Chief Operating Officer. In this newly created role, Mr. Berkes will have direct responsibility for overseeing and directing all of Federal's day-to-day property operating functions, including leasing, development and asset management, on both the East and West Coasts. Mr. Berkes will partner in his new role with Wendy A. Seher, an 18-year veteran of the company, who serves as President, Eastern Region, and with Jan Sweetnam, a 24-year veteran of the company, who has been promoted to President, Western Region. Both Ms. Seher and Mr. Sweetnam will report directly to Mr. Berkes who, in his expanded role, will continue to report to Don Wood, the company's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Berkes has been with Federal for nearly 22 years serving as its Chief Investment Officer from 2000 through 2010 and as President, Western Region since 2011, where he was charged with growing the company's presence on that coast.