Ross Joyner takes the reins at Assembly Row, Federal Realty Trust.

By Donald Norton

Mr. Ross Joyner has been appointed VP and General Manager of Assembly Row, Federal Realty Investment Trust earlier this month.

Joyner will lead all aspects of management and operations at Assembly Row, the Trust’s mixed use development project here in Somerville Assembly Square.

Assembly Row is currently under construction and scheduled to open in mid-2014.

The mixed use portion involves stores, restaurants and offices in the development.    Construction has begun and many of the retail stores and restaurants are already being welcomed to the new neighborhood in Somerville.

Joyner brings over 26 years of retail real estate management and operations experience to Assembly Row. Although he went to school here at BC and is familiar with the area, he led other ventures in both Las Vegas and Hollywood.

In a private one-on-one talk with The News last week, he told us that he has been very busy getting to know Somerville, its unique neighborhoods and its people. He is looking forward to making Assembly Row a fantastic place to live and to shop and visit. He wants all of Somerville and the community to enjoy the new shops and restaurants, the designed parks and the river, once everything is done.

Joyner says he will be very involved in the local business community with the Chamber of Commerce and, in particular, working very closely with the city and the various agencies here in the city to attract and bring the best, making Assembly Row a destination for all.