SAUNDERS NAMED DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AT ODU

Old Dominion University has named Tara F. Saunders as director of real estate development, it was announced this week by Robert Fenning, vice president for administration and finance. Saunders, an ODU alumna, will provide executive leadership for real estate development projects for the university and serve as executive director of the Real Estate Foundation. She will report to Fenning and to Deborah K. Stearns, chair of the Real Estate Foundation.

Commenting on Saunders' appointment, Fenning said, "She demonstrated her experience and knowledge of complex real estate projects, their formulation, implementation, financing/packaging and completion. Her communication skills, ability to develop consensus and cooperation, and experience in working with boards and multiple stakeholders are exemplary.

"She is quite knowledgeable about the current university and foundation initiatives, and possesses tremendous working relationships with the many public and private organizations currently involved with the institution's real estate projects," Fenning added.

Saunders, who earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from ODU, most recently served as deputy director of economic development for the city of Portsmouth. She has served in similar roles for the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake and has assisted in the location of many major corporations in Hampton Roads, including QVC, First Data Resources, Chubb & Sons, Canon Computers, Yupo Synthetic Paper, Tower Perrin, Dendrite International, Panasonic, Target Distribution and Maersk/APM Terminals.

Her appointment at Old Dominion was effective Oct. 25.