Edens & Avant

The largest private owner of neighborhood retail shopping centers in the United States is a full-service real-estate development and management company involved in the design, construction, leasing, management, and rehabilitation of retail and retail-mixed-use properties. Started in 1967 and owned primarily by one family, the business has provided financial security for the family and its employees and has made major contributions to the surrounding community. Now the current CEO has to decide which of three family members will be his successor. He knows that his choice is critical because it concerns many people. Excerpt UVA-S-0146 Rev. Aug. 16, 2010 Edens & Avant , Edens was a full-service real-estate development and management company involved in the design, construction, leasing, management, and rehabilitation of retail and retail-mixed-use properties. Started by Joe Edens Jr. (Joe Jr.) in 1967, the business provided financial security for his family and its employees and made major contributions to the community; thus, Joe Jr.'s choice of his successor was a critical decision that concerned many people. He had three candidates under consideration. Beginnings . . .