Brixmor Property Group CEO takes medical leave, interim chief named

A Brixmor Property Group veteran is stepping in as interim chief executive while the company’s CEO takes a temporary leave.

Effective April 11, Brixmor’s CEO and president James Taylor Jr., is taking a temporary medical leave of absence. The property developer's board of directors appointed Brian Finnegan as interim CEO and president until Taylor's return. Finnegan, Brixmor’s senior EVP, and COO, will serve in both roles during this tenure.

Finnegan has been a member of Brixmor’s leadership team for more than 15 years. In 2009, he joined the company as senior VP, leasing and development for the west region. He was promoted to EVP of leasing in 2014, and was named COO in 2023, and works directly with Taylor.

Brixmor appointed Taylor as CEO and a member of the company’s board of directors in 2016. Taylor, a veteran in the commercial real estate industry, brought more than 20 years of experience to the role. Before joining Brixmor, Taylor served as EVP, CFO and treasurer for Federal Realty Investment Trust. He was also responsible for sourcing and evaluating business development and strategic opportunities for Federal Realty’s east coast portfolio, as well as for operational oversight of its southeast portfolio.

"The company, including the employees and the board of directors, send our best wishes to Jim and look forward to his return in the near future,” said Sheryl Crosland, the company's chair of the board.

“Until then, our board is pleased that Brian has has agreed to step in as interim CEO and president,” she continued. “Brian excelled in his various executive roles over his [tenure] with the company, including his current role as COO. I am confident that it will be business as usual as Brian and the rest of the seasoned senior management team continue executing on the company's business plan.”

Brixmor Property Group is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates 362 open-air retail centers across the country. These shopping centers comprise approximately 64 million sq. ft. of prime retail space in established trade areas.