INVESTORS

CHICAGO, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), a leading provider of industrial real estate supply chain solutions, today announced that John B. Ficker has been named vice president, supply chain solutions. Mr. Ficker is responsible for strategic planning and implementation of long-term logistic solutions for customers related to the Company's land investments. In particular, Mr. Ficker will focus on developing best-in-class, vertically-integrated supply chains for customers involving all major transportation modes: ocean carriers, commercial air, rail lines, and trucking. He will report directly to Gerald A. Pientka, executive vice president of development.

"John brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and thought leadership in logistics and the transportation industry and is an expert at understanding the drivers of companies' evolving supply chains," said Michael W. Brennan, president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to his contributions to our growth, as we develop targeted land positions that will satisfy customer demand as they expand or refine their supply chains to become more competitive."

Mr. Ficker has more than 35 years of logistics and transportation management experience. Most recently, he was president and CEO of The National Industrial Transportation League, one of the largest and oldest associations of industrial and commercial enterprises throughout the U.S. and internationally that focus on the transportation of goods. He was also president of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, a professional organization dedicated to ensuring a high level of professionalism and promoting continuing education in the field of transportation and logistics. Previously, he was logistics development manager for Weyerhaeuser Company, an international forest products company, where he was responsible for contract development and management of regulatory and legislative issues.

Mr. Ficker has frequently presented before Congress and other governmental bodies on critical national transportation and logistics issues. He is also authorized to practice before the Surface Transportation Board, an independent economic regulatory agency that Congress charged with resolving railroad rate and service disputes and reviewing proposed railroad mergers.

Mr. Ficker has been a guest lecturer for the University of Wisconsin Executive Education program and the University of Maryland's Transportation and Logistics Programs, as well as a mentor for the Business Leadership Program at the University of Puget Sound. He earned his bachelor of arts from the Mt. Angel Seminary College in St. Benedict, Oregon. Mr. Ficker has also served as a United Way Loaned Executive and was a board member of several United Way agencies.

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) provides industrial real estate solutions for every stage of a customer's supply chain, no matter how large or complex. Across more than 30 markets in the United States, Canada, The Netherlands and Belgium, our local market experts buy, (re)develop, lease, manage and sell industrial properties, including all of the major facility types -- R&D/flex, light industrial, manufacturing, and regional and bulk distribution centers. We continue to receive leading customer service scores from Kingsley Associates, an independent research firm, and in total, we own, manage and have under development more than 100 million square feet of industrial space. For more information, please visit us at http://www.firstindustrial.com.

This press release contains forward-looking information about the Company. A number of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including changes in: national, international, regional and local economic conditions generally and real estate markets specifically, legislation/regulation (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts), availability of financing, interest rate levels, competition, supply and demand for industrial properties in the Company's current and proposed market areas, potential environmental liabilities, slippage in development or lease-up schedules, tenant credit risks, higher-than-expected costs, changes in general accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to real estate investment trusts, and risks related to doing business internationally (including foreign currency exchange risks). For further information on these and other factors that could impact the Company and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

CONTACT: Sean O'Neill, SVP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, +1-312-344-4401, or Art Harmon, Senior Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, +1-312-344-4320, both of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.