O’Reilly named CEO of Howard Hughes Corp.

The CFO who was made president of Howard Hughes Corporation and continued in both those roles while serving as interim CEO has now been formally invested with the top job.

David R. O’Reilly has been given authority to institute the “2019 Transformation Plan” he helped author for the company, focusing on efforts to develop master-planned communities that bring walkable green space and urban amenities to growing markets.

O’Reilly spent seven years at Lehman Brothers Holdings, rising to senior vice president. He later served as chief investment officer at Parkway Properties in Florida while also serving as a board member of Kite Realty Group.

Hired to take over O’Reilly’s role as president was L. Jay Cross, the former president of the New York Jets who led efforts to build MetLife Stadium. Cross’s most recent mark on the real estate industry was made on the west side of Manhattan, where he led Related’s development of the $20 billion Hudson Yards mega-project.

”I look forward to partnering with Jay as we tenaciously pursue every opportunity to unlock the value inherent in our assets,” said O’Reilly in a press release.

"Watching David execute on the company's strategic plan and pivot quickly to adjust to changed market conditions furthered our confidence in him as our new leader,” said Howard Hughes chairman Bill Ackman. “He is highly respected by our employees, customers, and shareholders.