Investors Real Estate Trust announced that as part of the company's previously disclosed executive transition plan, John A. Kirchmann has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Kirchmann joined IRET in April 2017 to assume the position of Chief Financial Officer upon the completion of the fiscal year 2017 audit. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Vice President of Operations Support at Essex Property Trust, a NYSE-listed multifamily REIT, until July 2016 where he was responsible for the oversight of revenue management and ancillary income, procurement, and other functions.