HOUSTON, May 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Whitestone REIT, formerly known as Hartman Commercial Properties REIT (HCP REIT), announced today that it has scheduled its Annual Meeting of Shareholders for Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. CDT at the Westchase Marriot, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042.
Annual Reports, Proxy Statements and proxy cards were mailed on April 30, 2007 to all shareholders of record as of April 1st. Shareholders are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting.
The Company intends to submit a proposal to shareholders at the meeting to approve the reelection of Chris Minton as a Trustee. Mr. Minton has been a Trustee since 2000.
Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer James C. Mastandrea said, "Chris Minton's corporate experience and history with the predecessor REIT brings an important depth of knowledge and perspective to the board room."
Mastandrea noted after the official business meeting, he will discuss company developments, including Whitestone REIT's progress in positioning itself to be publicly listed, its growth plan, and the current state of litigation with Allen Hartman.
Shareholders may vote by proxy in any of three ways:
* BY MAIL: Shareholders can mark, sign and date their proxy card
and return it in the postage-paid envelope the Company has
provided. If the envelope is missing, the address for mailing the
completed proxy card to Whitestone REIT is c/o American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York
10273-0923.
* BY INTERNET: Shareholders can go to www.voteproxy.com and use the
Internet to transmit their voting instructions and for electronic
delivery of information until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on
May 30, 2007. Shareholders must have their proxy card in hand
when they access the website and then follow the instructions.
* BY PHONE: Shareholders can call 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437)
and use any touch-tone telephone to transmit voting instructions
until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 30, 2007.
Shareholders must their proxy card in hand when they call the
phone number above and then follow the instructions.
RSVPs may be returned to info@whitestonereit.com, phoned to 713-827-9595 extension 3021 or 866-789-REIT (7348), extension 3021, or mailed to Whitestone REIT, 1450 W. Sam Houston Parkway N., Suite 111, Houston, Texas 77043.
ABOUT WHITESTONE REIT (FORMERLY HARTMAN COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES REIT "HCP REIT")
Whitestone REIT owns and operates retail, office and office warehouse properties, 33 of which are in the Houston area, two office buildings in Dallas, and a retail plaza in San Antonio. For more information go to http://www.whitestonereit.com.
Forward-Looking Statement:
This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The information in this news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements as to the future performance of the company. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, successful performance of internal plans, product development acceptance, and the impact of competitive services and pricing and general economic risks and uncertainties.