In a prepared statement, Schoen says, "Dan's experience in all areas of development will allow us to expand the scope of our projects from purely office development to significant mixed-use, live-work-play environments."

Schoen says, Dupree "will also help us expand the reach of our company to become what we will call a super-regional developer, working from Texas through the Carolinas."

Barry points to DuPree's "expanded access to the capital markets," in the statement and says his "relationships with Wall Street . . . will be a significant factor as we expand the types of projects we are developing and the markets in which we operate."

Schoen says, "Chris and I have made a decision to take (the company) to the next level. Dan is the guy that will take us as far as we want to go."

According to a printed statement announcement from Cousins at the time Dupree retired, the former president left "to spend more time with his family."

At the time, however, he gave no reason for his resignation, and widely published reports speculated that he realized he would not be named to replace Tom Cousins in the top spot there. Tom Bell, a former local advertising executive, was later named chief executive officer of Cousins, a post he continues to hold.