Matt Thomson will join NYSE-listed QTS Realty Trust later this year as successor to general counsel, secretary and vice president Shirley Goza, who is retiring.
Goza will step down, effective December 31, having spent 14 years leading the company’s legal and governance functions. Thomson will start at Overland Park, Kansas-based QTS during the latter part of 2020 and will be co-general counsel with Goza between then and her retirement to work on the transition.
He is at present a partner with Hogan Lovells US in Washington, DC, having joined the law firm in 2006. Thomson has represented QTS as outside counsel since 2008, including advising on the company’s 2013 IPO. He has extensive experience in the real estate investment trust industry and his practice is focused on corporate law, securities, capital markets and M&A issues mainly for public companies and their boards.
Goza became QTS’ general counsel in 2006 and has worked for more than 30 years as a practicing attorney and law professor. According to QTS, she has guided the company through a range of legal and governance initiatives.
‘Shirley was one of my first executive hires in forming QTS and has been a foundational member of QTS’ executive team,’ says QTS chair and CEO Chad Williams in a statement. ‘Her strength and character has had an immeasurable impact on our people and culture. On behalf of the entire executive team, I would like to thank Shirley for her leadership and service and we wish her and her family the very best following her retirement.’
He adds: ‘We look forward to Matt joining QTS in the coming months and I am confident his in-depth knowledge of QTS and impressive track record will provide a smooth transition of the general counsel role.’
Ben Maiden
Ben Maiden is the editor-at-large of Governance Intelligence, an IR Media publication, having joined the company in December 2016. He is based in New York. Ben was previously managing editor of Compliance Reporter, covering regulatory and compliance...
