Press Release: GUARDIAN REAL ESTATE SERVICES HIRES VETERAN MANAGER FOR NEW COLUMBIA PROPERTY

July 21, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Media Contact:
Alison Fisker, LANE PR
(503) 546-7894 or alison@lanepr.com

GUARDIAN REAL ESTATE SERVICES HIRES VETERAN MANAGER FOR NEW COLUMBIA PROPERTY

Darcy Vincent Will Oversee the 852-Unit, Mixed-Income Community in Portland, Ore.

Portland, Ore. – July 21, 2009 – Guardian Real Estate Services (Guardian), a Portland, Ore.-based management and real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily housing investment opportunities and property management services, has hired Darcy Vincent to manage the mixed-income, 852-unit New Columbia property in Portland, Ore. Guardian was awarded the management contract of this significant community in early July.

As the community director, Vincent will oversee the entire 82-acre, 2,500-resident property along with a staff of 15. Her tasks include managing resident relations, maintenance, repairs and income verification duties of each rental household.

“Darcy brings a wealth of multifamily management knowledge that will serve us well at such an important and unique property as the New Columbia,” said Tom Brenneke, president of Guardian Real Estate Services. “We are honored to add such a respected and deeply qualified member to our team and we expect great things from her.”

Prior to joining Guardian, Vincent served as president and CEO of Housing Northwest, Inc., a non-profit real estate development and property management company.

New Columbia, located in north Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood, is an innovative mixed-income housing development anchored by a federal HOPE VI revitalization grant for public housing, sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is noteworthy among HOPE VI projects in the U.S. for the range of services and amenities it offers its residents, including a bus line that connects them to a nearby light-rail line and downtown Portland, increasing access to jobs, services and opportunities. The award-winning development also features senior housing, a public elementary school, a public park, a Boys & Girls Club, 232 single-family homes and commercial retail and office space. Originally built for World War II-era shipyard workers, the Housing Authority of Portland completed the $156 million urban community in 2006.

About Guardian Real Estate Services
Founded in 1971 with headquarters in Portland, Ore., Guardian Real Estate Services (formerly Guardian Management LLC) is a privately held, third generation real estate management and investment firm. Specializing in multifamily real estate investments and property management services, Guardian’s diverse real estate experience offers property owners and investors a valuable combination of market expertise and contacts. Currently, Guardian’s management portfolio consists of more than 120 properties (12,000 units) and more than 400 employees in seven states. The company owns approximately 50 percent of its portfolio. For more information, visit www.gres.com.
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