David H. Hoster II served as the CEO of EastGroup Properties from 1997 until his retirement at the end of 2015. With over 18 years at the helm, he played a crucial role in shaping the company into a leading...

David H. Hoster II served as the CEO of EastGroup Properties from 1997 until his retirement at the end of 2015. With over 18 years at the helm, he played a crucial role in shaping the company into a leading real estate investment trust focused on industrial properties. Under his leadership, the company demonstrated strong performance, making significant strides in its operations and market presence. Hoster had a results-oriented approach, reflected in his compensation structure that tied executive pay to performance metrics like funds from operations and total shareholder return. He was awarded total compensation rising from about $671,000 in 2005 to more than $3.2 million by 2014, showing how his and the company's success evolved over time. Interestingly, a considerable part of his wealth came from stock holdings, indicating that he had a vested interest in the company's long-term success. Hoster's insider trading activity peaked in 2021 when his stock holdings value was reported at around $44.75 million, reflecting strong market confidence in his management and the company's potential. Though David has stepped down, his legacy continues to influence EastGroup's direction.