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FY2010 Annual Report · Corporate Office Properties Trust
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 ANNUAL REPORT2010

Sharpening Our Strategy

CORPORATE OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

As we finish a challenging 2010, we are pleased to report 

that COPT weathered the difficulties facing our industry, 

emerging stronger and well positioned for the future. 

Winston Churchill once said, “Difficulties mastered are 

opportunities won.” This summarizes 2010 well. The 

economy presented us with significant and complicated 

challenges, typical for this phase of a recessionary cycle, 

but much more severe. As a result, 2010 was not a year 

of record shareholder returns or soaring share prices, 

but what we did accomplish will be more valuable in the 

long term: we are well capitalized with strong leasing 

momentum, we created new development projects, and 

excellent development activity is underway. We are 

ready to take full advantage as the economy rebounds 

and our tenants’ requirements grow. 

ROGER A. WAESCHE, JR.      I      RANDALL M. GRIFFIN

During 2010, we focused on minimizing the effects of the economic downturn by working hard to maintain our outstanding 

level of customer service, enhance our brand, further our commitment to sustainability and strengthen our team. The results 

were evident—record dividends, record leasing, record development placed into service and record hiring—but there is much 

left to be done.

We raised our dividend for the 13th year in a row, achieving a total increase of 222% since 1997. We leased 4.3 million square 

feet of space, a Company record and 1.1 million square feet more than in our previous best year in 2008. We acquired $317 

million of strategic, high quality assets ($202 million of office space and a $115 million wholesale data center). We started 

construction on 732,000 square feet of development, all focused on the U.S. Government and Defense Information Technology 

(IT) sectors and Data Centers serving such sectors, and placed 816,000 square feet in nine development properties into service. 

Total shareholder return was essentially flat in 2010, but our 10-year return was 456%, making us #1 for that period among all 

office REITs and #14 among all equity REITs. We took a long-term view that helped COPT weather the down cycle and emerge 

strong and ready to capitalize on new growth opportunities.

Our efforts to stay true to our strategy of serving the U.S. Government and Defense IT sectors and Data Centers supplying 

such sectors guided many of our decisions in 2010. These super core tenants are a key part of our strategy; we believe they 

are less affected by market volatility and provide job growth, especially in areas benefitting from the 2005 Base Realignment 

and Closure (BRAC) changes. Our acquisitions and development activities focused on prime locations for BRAC-related 

tenants, which enhanced leasing efforts. We also solidified plans for two new long-term development projects based on BRAC 

relocations and our tenants’ needs: Redstone Gateway in Huntsville, Alabama and Patriot Ridge in Springfield, Virginia.

2

COPT has identified several important themes for our future investments: newer product, high quality, larger and even more 

strategic. Our properties are not commodity products; rather, they are specialized assets that attract niche customers.

Our most valuable asset, however, is the team of people who work diligently to realize the Company’s goals. COPT hired a 

record number of new employees in 2010, which is indicative of the Company’s focus on future growth and our commitment 

to excellence. Additionally, some roles shifted. Roger was named President in September 2010, and will continue to serve as 

COO. He is assuming increased responsibilities as we guide the Company into the future.

In January 2011, we welcomed Stephanie Krewson, our new Vice President of Investor Relations. Stephanie previously worked 

as a REIT analyst. Her experience in the industry dates back to 1994, and we are pleased with the additional depth that 

Stephanie brings to the COPT team.

Also in 2011, the Board of Trustees appointed U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Ret.) Elizabeth (Betsy) Hight as its newest member. 

Betsy brings valuable experience and knowledge of the U.S. Government and Defense IT sectors and Data Centers serving such 

sectors. She is Vice President of Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Services U.S. Public Sector Cybersecurity Practice and previously 

served as acting Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Vice Director of DISA and Commander of the Joint 

Task Force – Global Network Operations. We are looking forward to Betsy’s guidance as a member of the Board. 

While 2010 was a challenging year in many ways, COPT handled these trials well and took the opportunity to hone our 

strategy. We believe COPT’s occupancy will bottom early in 2011 and we will begin to see accelerating improvement in 

occupancy, same store NOI, lease rates and earnings. We anticipate success in 2011 and for many years in the future, as we 

continue to create environments that inspire success. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our team at COPT, our Board of 

Trustees, and to you, our shareholders, for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,

Randall M. Griffin

Chief Executive Officer

Roger A. Waesche, Jr.

President & Chief Operating Officer

3

T
N
E
C
R
E
P

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

456%

10 - Year 

Cumulative 

Shareholder 

Return (%)

Dow Jones

Russell 2000

S&P 500

RMS

COPT

Performance Summary

During 2010, we refined our strategic position in anticipation of opportunities in 2011 and beyond, creating promising value 

and growth potential. COPT rose to the challenges of 2010, achieving record square feet of leasing, record square feet of 

development placed into service and record hiring, and once again increasing our dividend.

During 2010, we:

COPT continued to have strong access to capital. In 2010, we:

• 

Leased approximately 4.3 million square feet of space. 

• 

Issued $240 million of exchangeable notes that are due 

At the end of the year, our wholly-owned office portfolio 

in 2030, and redeemable by us, or subject to required 

was more than 88% occupied and 89% leased. Leasing 

repurchase upon request of the note holders, in April 2015. 

activity in 2010 reduced COPT’s 2011 and 2012 lease 

expiration exposure and extended the average remaining 

• 

Issued 7.5 million common shares in a public offering, 

lease term to 4.9 years. 

producing $245.8 million in proceeds.

• 

Placed 816,000 square feet in nine properties into 

• 

Expanded our line of credit by $200 million to $800 

service. At the end of the year, 77% of this newly-

million.

developed space was leased.

•  Raised our dividend for the 13th year in a row and 

paid in cash. COPT has averaged a 9.4% annual dividend 

increase since going public. Since 1997, our dividend has 

grown by 222%, one of the largest increases among REITs. 

2010’s dividend increase reflects our confidence that 

the year’s development leasing placed into service and 

acquisitions have positioned COPT for future growth.

4

 
Dividend Growth Since 2007

222%*

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

* Growth from 1997 to 2010

YEAR

Square Feet Leased and Development Placed into Service

While COPT’s 2010 total shareholder return was essentially 

flat, our 3-year cumulative return was 27%, ranking us #2 

among all office REITS and #38 among all equity REITS for 

that period. Our 5-year cumulative shareholder return of 19% 

places us #5 among all office REITs and #57 among all equity 

REITs. Over the past 10 years, we delivered a 456% cumulative 

shareholder return. That makes us #1 among all office REITs 

and #14 among all equity REITs for the decade. 

Because we faced increased interest expense, lower net 

operating income from same office properties, and a decrease 

in revenue from properties we expect to redevelop, COPT’s 

2010 FFO, excluding acquisition costs, decreased by 5% on a 

diluted per-share basis from 2009. We expect that development 

and acquisition plans, as well as anticipated growth in 

occupancy rates, should improve FFO in 2011. We believe our 

investment and financial discipline position us for long-term 

SF LEASED 

   SF OF DEVELOPMENT PLACED INTO SERVICE

FFO and net asset value growth.

We weathered the downturn and, with strategic development 

and acquisitions, set up the Company for continued success.           

We created a position that will foster our growth in future years. 

Consistency counts – and COPT’s long-term performance is strong.

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

YEAR

Market Capitalization

L
A
T
O
T

$2.00

1.50

1.00

.50

0

T
E
E
F
E
R
A
U
Q
S

5mil

4.5mil

4mil

3.5mil

3mil

2.5mil

2mil

1.5mil

1mil

.5mil

0

S
R
A
L
L
O
D

6bil

5bil

4bil

3bil

2bil

1bil

0

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

YEAR

compiled by NAREIT as of December 31, 2010

5

 
 
- C O R E   OPPORTUNISTIC
  B U S INESS PA

R

K

S

N

O

N

C O

E

R

O P P O RTUNISTIC
  B U S INESS PAR
E
R

K

S

O

C

12.31.2010

59%

US GOV’T
DEFENSE IT
DATA

23%
18%

Honing Our Strategy

65%

US GOV’T
DEFENSE IT
DATA

20%
15%

12.31.2012

GOAL

COPT has developed a strategy focused on the needs of our 

Contractors affected by these relocations have varying 

customers. Our properties occupied primarily by those in the 

timetables, but we are confident that we will see strong 

U.S. Government and Defense IT sectors and Data Centers 

demand over the next few years as the moves take place. 

serving such sectors provided 59% of our annualized rental 

We are working to ensure we can meet our customers’ needs.

revenue from wholly-owned properties as of December 31, 

2010. Our goal is to increase this concentration to 65% by the 

Part of COPT’s portfolio is concentrated adjacent to five 

end of 2012 (see graphic above). The majority of our office 

expanding BRAC locations. Our BRAC positions will benefit 

parks are located in areas the government has designated 

from new programs moving to these areas, including: 

to benefit from BRAC-related job growth, where defense 

and IT contractors will ultimately have to relocate to serve 

government agencies. Therefore, BRAC-related locations are 

typically insulated from volatility in the economy. 

Many of our core tenants are dependent on Department 

of Defense (DoD) budget allocations. While the Pentagon 

is reducing and reallocating spending, we expect most 

cuts will focus on government support staff, weaponry 

•  Command, Control, Communications, 
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance 
and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) to Aberdeen 
Proving Ground

•  Defense Information Systems Agency 

(DISA) to Fort Meade

•  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 

(NGA) to Fort Belvoir

•  Army Materiel Command (AMC) to 

and armed forces. We believe our tenants, who tend to 

Redstone Arsenal

work in the areas of cyber defense, intelligence, data 

•  Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to 

storage, and research and development programs, will be 

Washington Navy Yard

well-positioned for these changes. Additionally, as the 

DoD improves efficiencies and reduces costs, we expect IT 

We believe that focusing our portfolio will result in long-term 

budgets to increase.

strength of the Company and create ample opportunity for 

BRAC is already funded, so it will not be affected by budget 

cuts, and the relocations must be completed in 2011. 

growth in the future.

6

BRAC-DRIVEN LOCATIONS

(cid:31)

(cid:31)

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND

695

95

BALTIMORE

695

295

FORT MEADE

95

295

495

WASHINGTON D.C.

MARITIME PLAZA

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD

495

FORT BELVOIR

95

MADISON

HUNTSVILLE

REDSTONE ARSENAL

DECATUR

7

MARYLANDVIRGINIAALABAMAStrategically Refining Our Portfolio

COPT’s goal is to enhance the long-term quality of our portfolio to better serve our tenants and shareholders. We plan to 

achieve this through quality acquisitions and selective dispositions, in addition to development activities.

We are looking for modern, 

high quality, large and strategic properties.

In honing our strategy, COPT made selective dispositions of older, less strategic assets. In September 2010, we completed our exit 

of the New Jersey market, selling two office properties totaling 201,000 square feet and an adjacent 18-acre lot, for a recognized 

gain of $3.3 million. We also sold a 24,000 square foot building in Hunt Valley, Maryland for $2.4 million in January 2010.

In 2010, we were careful in our acquisitions, staying true to our strategy. We added $317 million in assets to our portfolio and 

are cultivating long-term tenant relationships. Three of our 2010 acquisitions, Maritime Plaza, 1550 Westbranch Drive and 3120 

Fairview Park Drive, are highlighted on the following pages. 

95



TO FORT MEADE

495

TYSONS
CORNER

1550 WESTBRANCH DRIVE

50

66

3120 FAIRVIEW PARK

WASHINGTON D.C.

MARITIME PLAZA

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD

495

TENANT-DRIVEN ACQUISITIONS

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON, D.C.

8

95



TO FORT BELVOIR

MARYLANDVIRGINIAMARITIME PLAZA

295

M STREET

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD

MARITIME PLAZA

Maritime Plaza, acquired 

in September 2010, 

consists of two buildings 

totaling 362,000 square 

feet adjacent to the 

Washington Navy Yard. 

These buildings are 100% 

leased, and tenants 

include CSC, General 

Dynamics and SAIC.

MARITIME PLAZA

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD

WASHINGTON, D.C.

NAVSEA

9

1550 WESTBRANCH DRIVE

1550 Westbranch Drive, 

acquired in June 2010, 

is a 152,000 square foot 

building in McLean, 

Virginia that is 100% 

leased to The MITRE 

Corporation, a Super 

Core tenant. MITRE also 

leases COPT space in 

The National Business 

Park, adjacent to Fort 

Meade, and North Gate 

Business Park, adjacent to 

Aberdeen Proving Ground.

1550 WESTBRANCH DRIVE

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

MCLEAN, VIRGINIA

10

(cid:31)

(cid:31)

95

The MITRE Corporation 

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND

BALTIMORE

695

695

295

The MITRE Corporation 

FORT MEADE

95

495

WASHINGTON D.C.

 The MITRE Corporation

495

MARYLANDVIRGINIA3120 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE

3120 Fairview Park Drive, 

acquired in November 

2010, is a 183,000 square 

foot building in Falls 

Church, Virginia that was 

4% leased at purchase. 

Subsequent to year-end, 

we signed a 62,000 square 

foot lease with an existing 

defense contractor tenant.

3120 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

GENERAL DYNAMICS

NORTHROP GRUMMAN

TRICARE

50

495

EXXON MOBIL

ENSCO

2020 COMPANY

SEVATEC

3120 FAIRVIEW PARK

MICRO STRATEGY

CDM

DYNCORP

CSC

NOBLIS

11

Development Driven By Strategy

In addition to acquiring 

new properties, COPT uses 

development as a tactic 

to position our portfolio 

around our cyber and BRAC 

customers, as well as other 

government demand drivers. 

During 2010, we began new 

projects that validated 

COPT’s strategy, positioning 

the Company to take 

advantage of anticipated 

future demand. 

430 NATIONAL BUSINESS PARKWAY     ·    UNDER CONSTRUCTION NEAR FORT MEADE

COPT currently has 10 buildings, totaling 1.0 million square feet, under construction and nine buildings, totaling 1.3 million 

square feet, in development. These development projects are all located near government and defense growth drivers. 

295

95

WASHINGTON D.C.



FORT MEADE

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS PARK

FORT MEADE

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MARYLAND

The National Business Park, adjacent to Fort Meade in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, features a direct road connection and 

shuttle bus into the Fort. Because of the high demand for space in COPT’s 24 existing office buildings in The National Business 

Park — these were 98% leased as of December 31, 2010 — we are developing the north section of the park. Overall, in the park, 

we have 496,000 square feet under construction and 505,000 square feet under development. Development capacity is 2.1 

million square feet. Due to the 2005 BRAC decisions, DISA, Defense Media Activity and Defense Intelligence Agency are expected 

to add 5,600 jobs, and National Security Agency is expected to add 4,000 jobs at Fort Meade over the next several years.

12

90

410

● SAN ANTONIO

LACKLAND AFB

SENTRY GATEWAY 

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Sentry Gateway is on the west side of San Antonio, Texas near Lackland Air Force Base. COPT has 915,000 square feet in eight 

buildings in service. We have 95,000 square feet in one building under construction and 219,000 square feet in two buildings in 

development. As a part of the 2005 BRAC decisions, Lackland Air Force Base will be consolidated with nearby Fort Sam Houston 

and Randolph Air Force Bases, and will be known as Joint Base San Antonio.

95

1

(cid:31)

(cid:31)

95



TO BALTIMORE

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND

NORTH GATE BUSINESS PARK

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND

ABERDEEN, MARYLAND

North Gate Business Park, located at the entrance into Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland, is well-positioned for 

defense contractors moving from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to support C4ISR and other programs affected by BRAC. COPT 

has 105,000 square feet leased to the U.S. Government or government contractors, 179,000 additional square feet under 

construction, and 128,000 square feet in development. Aberdeen Proving Ground will see one of the largest impacts of the 

BRAC relocation decisions; 8,200 civilian DoD and embedded contractors are moving to the base and between 7,500 and 10,000 

indirect jobs are expected to move into the area. 

13

Long-Term Strategic BRAC Opportunities

We embarked on two major long-term projects during 2010: Redstone Gateway in Huntsville, Alabama and Patriot Ridge in 

Springfield, Virginia. Both of these projects are driven by BRAC relocations.

565

HUNTSVILLE

565

 MADISON 

REDSTONE GATEWAY

REDSTONE ARSENAL

Redstone Gateway is located on 468 acres at the main gate into 

Redstone Arsenal, with visibility from I-565. Through a majority-

owned joint venture, COPT is responsible for developing, leasing 

and managing the office properties in this mixed-use, pedestrian-

friendly park. Redstone Gateway will be developed in three phases 

over the next 15 to 20 years. We currently have one 115,000 

square foot Class A office building under construction, and one 

120,000 square foot building in development. When complete, 

the project will include 4.4 million square feet of office space, of 

which 1.2 million square feet will be secure. 

COPT plans to develop the site as our core tenants demand space. 

REDSTONE GATEWAY · REDSTONE ARSENAL · HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

Redstone Arsenal is expected to gain 4,651 military positions, DoD 

REDSTONE GATEWAY 1000 - BUILDING RENDERING

civilians and embedded contractors as a result of BRAC relocations. 

An additional 15,000 indirect jobs are anticipated as well.

14

DEMAND DRIVER

PATRIOT RIDGE

WASHINGTON D.C. 

  FORT BELVOIR

95

Patriot Ridge is located on 15 acres adjacent to the National 

Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) visitor gate and Fort 

Belvior. The site plan is approved for up to 978,000 square feet 

of development on a four-building campus designed to meet 

government security occupancy standards. Two parking garages, 

one of which will include retail space, are also planned. The 

first office building, consisting of 240,000 square feet, is 

currently under construction and will be visible from I-95.

More than 22,000 workers are expected to move to Fort Belvoir 

and the surrounding area as BRAC relocations are completed. 

Patriot Ridge is positioned to handle an increase in tenant 

PATRIOT RIDGE · FORT BELVOIR · SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA

demand for space.

PATRIOT RIDGE BUSINESS PARK RENDERING - VIEW FROM I-95

15

Data Centers: A Strategic Growth Driver

Because of our experience in providing mission critical 

Power Loft @ Innovation, a recent data center acquisition, is 

facilities, designing and engineering cutting-edge single 

new, high quality and positioned in Northern Virginia, a top 

user data centers, and running secure data center 

tier market. This is a 233,000 gross square foot wholesale 

operations and maintenance, COPT is uniquely positioned 

data center with a 100,000 square foot raised data floor and 

to meet the data storage needs of our tenants. We plan 

a controlled, secure perimeter. We are building an initial 

to expand this portion of our portfolio, in line with our 

critical load of 18 megawatts, with a 30 megawatt potential.

strategic focus on IT and Data. 

We believe that demand for data centers is growing. At the 

will help attract our tenants to Power Loft for their data 

end of 2010, the U.S. Government finalized plans for data 

storage needs and create future growth for the Company. As 

center consolidation which will reduce redundant, inefficient 

we gain a stronger presence in this market, we will continue 

and older infrastructure, and will seek consolidated state-of-

to refine our data center strategy.

We believe these features, in addition to COPT’s experience, 

the-art facilities that can accommodate higher density with 

lower energy consumption and operating costs.

Rather than house data centers in each individual building, 

many sectors of the government will move to cloud 

computing, based at off-campus data centers.

POWER LOFT @ INNOVATION   ·   NORTHERN VIRGINIA   ·   MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

16

A Strategic Focus Our On Customers

Top 20 Tenants*

United States of America 

Northrop Grumman Corporation 

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. 

Computer Sciences Corporation 

ITT Corporation 

The MITRE Corporation 

The Aerospace Corporation 

CareFirst, Inc. 

Wells Fargo & Company 

Our focus is our customers. That’s why we are so proud to 

have earned the highest award for customer service in the 

real estate industry — the CEL & Associates, Inc. “Best in 

Industry” designation — again in 2010. Our customers have 

bestowed us with this honor in the large owner category for 

seven years in a row.

We thank our loyal customers for their continued support and 

look forward to providing exceptional customer service once 

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. 

again in 2011.

Integral Systems, Inc. 

We believe we’ve won these awards because, at COPT, we 

Comcast Corporation 

The Boeing Company 

AT&T Corporation 

Ciena Corporation 

General Dynamics Corporation 

focus on developing strong relationships with our tenants. 

These collaborative partnerships allow us to provide the 

features and amenities our customers need. Our experience 

in serving our core tenants in the U.S. Government and 

Defense IT sectors and Data Centers serving such sectors 

enables us to understand and meet special security 

requirements. Our tenants rely on us to provide safe, 

effective space and we’ve gained their trust over the years. 

Just take a look at the list of our top 20 tenants. Many are 

Unisys Corporation 

part of our Super Core strategy, and nearly all currently 

The Johns Hopkins Institutions 

Merck & Co., Inc. 

First Mariner Bank 

* Based on annualized rental revenue as of December 31, 2010

have multiple leases with COPT. We look forward to meeting 

the needs of existing tenants, as well as new ones, as we 

develop projects such as Redstone Gateway, Patriot Ridge 

and North Gate Business Park.

17

Developing Our Sustainability Strategy

COPT HEADQUARTERS   ·   6711 COLUMBIA GATEWAY DRIVE   ·   COLUMBIA, MARYLAND

As part of COPT’s focus on long-term success, we believe it is important to ensure the future quality of our environment. In 

2003, COPT made a commitment to design and build all of our new properties to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental 

Design) Silver certification or higher. At the end of 2010, COPT had 17 LEED Accredited Professionals (APs) on staff and our 

portfolio included:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

10 LEED Gold certified buildings

13 LEED Silver certified buildings

1 LEED certified building

2 LEED Existing Building (EB) certified buildings

31 buildings registered in the LEED program

2010 brought our first two LEED EB certifications, at 6711 Columbia Gateway and 13200 Woodland Park Road. LEED EB 

recognizes sustainability achievements in existing buildings. 

We have set a goal of having more than 50% of our portfolio brought up to LEED certification standards by 2015. We plan to 

achieve this by developing new LEED-certified buildings, purchasing new properties, selling older properties and converting our 

existing properties to LEED certification standards through upgrades. 

18

ONE DULLES TOWER   ·   13200 WOODLAND PARK ROAD   ·   HERNDON, VIRGINIA

With this in mind, we implemented LEED EB prerequisites 

In an effort to reduce our energy consumption, COPT made 

as standard operating procedure across our portfolio for key 

upgrades in mechanical equipment and energy management 

aspects of our property operations and management. These 

systems and implemented a proactive Preventative 

include using green cleaning methods, initiating “No Smoking” 

Maintenance Program on all major mechanical equipment.  

policies, implementing recycling programs, practicing 

We  also procured electricity for future years through a series 

integrated pest management, and tracking energy and water 

of bundled hedges, achieving almost a 17% savings in the 

consumption through Energy Star.

energy portion of the rate for 2012.

We registered our property portfolio in Energy Star, a joint 

Also in 2010, we worked with a thought leader in 

program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 

sustainability to develop a strategy to maintain our green 

the U.S. Department of Energy that focuses on protecting the 

leadership position. Our resulting five-year plan focuses on 

environment through energy-efficient products and practices. 

three major components: our investors, who are increasingly 

This program ranks our portfolio’s energy consumption against 

environmentally-conscious; our tenants, who increasingly 

those of other buildings in the program and tracks our progress.

demand sustainable space; and COPT employees, whose skills 

we must continually develop for the future.

19

Creating Environments that Inspire Success through Art

At COPT, we believe it is important to invest in the environments in which our tenants spend a significant amount of time. 

By adding art pieces — both outdoors in our business parks and indoors in our buildings — we create environments that inspire 

success.

Art enhances the overall value of our business parks by creating a unique environment that differentiates us from our 

competitors. It defines a level of quality and makes a statement of excellence.

The outdoor sculptures we commission or purchase become an integral part of the surrounding community. Sight lines into 

our office parks offer views of art as people drive or walk by. We also engage the local community and artists in dedication 

ceremonies.

COPT works with artists to commission or purchase original art. We have placed more than 600 pieces, including sculptures, 

paintings, tapestries and photographs, in many of our buildings across five states.

Additionally, we support local arts programs through volunteerism and corporate contributions. 

20

21

Improving the Fabric of Our Communities

COPT strives to be a leading contributor in improving the fabric of the communities where we live, work and serve. Last year, 

COPT reinvented its Day of Service, calling it “Donate 8,” and set a goal of having 250 employees participate. In 2010, 252 

employees (more than 61% of the Company) dedicated eight hours to hands-on community service. The average usage rate of 

employer-offered day of service programs in the United States is 20%. COPT is anything but average. 

During 2010, COPT employees:

• 

• 

Built two new homes in 15 days in conjunction with Harford Habitat for Humanity 

Fed countless people through our work at and donations to local food banks

•  Helped Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans heal by hosting hunting and fishing 

excursions with Wounded Warriors

•  Helped children at Kennedy Krieger Hospital with therapeutic recreation

•  Donated our time and gifts to the students at Highlandtown School in Baltimore City

• 

Sorted and packed gifts for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program

•  Helped Toys for Tots at Christmas

• 

Volunteered to clean up Fountain Creek in Colorado Springs

•  Organized “The Car Warsh” benefitting The United Way of Central Maryland

• 

Initiated The Giving Tree Project, collecting gifts for those who are less fortunate

…and contributed volunteer hours to many additional organizations as well.

COPT also made charitable contributions to more than 170 community service and civic 

organizations during 2010, including:

• 

The Sheppard Pratt Health System’s 18th Annual Care for Kids Concert

•  American Red Cross Relief for Haiti

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper’s 3rd Annual Trash Bash

The Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado

The Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Distinguished Women’s Event

The Give Thanks Walk for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes

The Arlington Food Assistance Center

The Alabama Coastal Foundation

Space Camp for the Visually Impaired, through the Maryland School for the Blind

…and many more.

22

 
 
Taking a Long-Term Strategic View

“In strategy, it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.” 

- Miyamoto Musashi, a Japanese Samurai warrior and strategist 

Despite the challenges associated with a difficult economy in 2010, COPT focused on the future of the Company.  We rely 

on the soundness of our strategy to carry us through the difficult times. COPT is a company with a solid foundation and a 

consistent strategy that has the flexibility and creativity to thrive in the long term. 

2010 was a year of positioning and creation for COPT; 

we look forward to 2011, a year of execution.

23

Corporate Information

INVESTOR RELATIONS

For help with questions about the Company, or for additional corporate information, please contact: 

Stephanie Krewson

Vice President, Investor Relations   

6711 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, Maryland 21046

Corporate Office Properties Trust   

Telephone: 443.285.5400  /  Facsimile: 443.285.7640  /  Email: ir@copt.com

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the shareholders will be held at 9:30 a.m. on May 12, 2011, at the corporate headquarters of Corporate 

Office Properties Trust at 6711 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, Maryland 21046.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jay H. Shidler

Chairman 

Clay W. Hamlin, III

Vice Chairman 

Randall M. Griffin,

Chief Executive Officer 

Thomas F. Brady 

Robert L. Denton 

Elizabeth A. Hight

David M. Jacobstein 

Steven D. Kesler 

Kenneth S. Sweet, Jr. 

Richard Szafranski 

Kenneth D. Wethe 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Randall M. Griffin  

Chief Executive Officer

Roger A. Waesche, Jr.

President and 

Chief Operating Officer

Stephen E. Riffee

Executive Vice President and 

Chief Financial Officer

Wayne H. Lingafelter

Executive Vice President, 

Development & Construction

EXECUTIVE OFFICES

6711 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, Maryland 21046

Telephone: 443.285.5400  /  Facsimile: 443.285.7650  /  www.copt.com