EastGroup Properties, Inc. announced on October 1, 2026, that it has increased the size of its Board of Directors from seven to nine members. The company appointed Bethany Logan Ropa and Robyn R. Werner as independent directors, effective immediately. With these appointments, the board now consists of nine members, eight of whom are independent.
Bethany Logan Ropa joins the board from JE Dunn Construction Group, where she has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2025. Prior to this role, she was a Managing Director and Head of the Americas for UBS’s Real Estate, Lodging and Leisure investment banking group from 2008 to 2025. Ms. Ropa also previously served on the board of JE Dunn Construction Group from 2021 to 2024, including as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.
Robyn R. Werner is a Certified Public Accountant who retired from Ernst & Young LLP in 2025 after serving as an Assurance Partner since 2008. During her tenure at EY, she focused on the real estate, hospitality, and construction industries and served as the lead partner for audits of numerous public real estate investment trusts. She held leadership roles including National Real Estate, Hospitality and Construction Assurance Leader and Regional Market Co-leader for the industry sector.
The company stated that committee assignments for the new directors have not yet been determined. EastGroup intends to enter into indemnification agreements with Ms. Ropa and Ms. Werner, which will provide for the fullest extent of liability protection permitted under Maryland law and the company’s bylaws. The new directors are entitled to compensation under the company’s Independent Director Compensation Policy. This includes a pro-rated portion of the annual cash retainer of $80,000 and an annual retainer grant of restricted stock valued at $145,000. Additionally, they receive an initial grant of restricted stock valued at $25,000, which vests on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
