8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

____________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 14, 2016

Cousins Properties Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

001-11312

(Commission File Number)

58-0869052

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1740

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 407-1000

Not applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 5.02. Appointment of Certain Officer.

On July 14, 2016, Cousins Properties Incorporated (the “Company”) announced that M. Colin Connolly has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective July 14, 2016.

Mr. Connolly, 40, joined the Company in September 2011 as Senior Vice President. He became Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer in May 2013 and Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer in December 2015. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Connolly served as Executive Director with Morgan Stanley from December 2009 to August 2011 and as Vice President with Morgan Stanley from December 2006 to December 2009.

Exhibit No.Exhibit Description

99.1             Press Release, dated July 14, 2016

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 14, 2016

COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED

By: /s/ Pamela F. Roper.

Pamela F. Roper

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.Exhibit Description

99.1                     Press Release, dated July 14, 2016

44

EX-99.1

News Release

CONTACT:

Marli Quesinberry

Director of Investor Relations

(404) 407-1898

marliquesinberry@cousinsproperties.com

COUSINS PROPERTIES NAMES COLIN CONNOLLY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ATLANTA - (July 14, 2016) - Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE: CUZ) has promoted Colin Connolly to the role of Chief Operating Officer, expanding on his current responsibilities of leading new investments, dispositions and asset management for the Company.

“Colin’s expertise, energy and leadership have been instrumental in the successful implementation of Cousins’ strategic plan and the growth of the company,” said Larry Gellerstedt, president and chief executive officer of Cousins. “I have great confidence in Colin’s commitment to promote shareholder value and look forward to his continued contributions to Cousins’ success.”

Mr. Connolly joined Cousins in September 2011 as Senior Vice President focused on acquisitions and dispositions. He became Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer in May 2013 and Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer in December 2015. Prior to joining Cousins, Mr. Connolly served as Executive Director with Morgan Stanley from December 2009 to August 2011 and as Vice President with Morgan Stanley from December 2006 to December 2009.

About Cousins Properties Incorporated

Cousins Properties Incorporated is a leading diversified real estate company with extensive experience in development, acquisition, financing, management and leasing. Based in Atlanta, the Company actively invests in top-tier urban office assets and opportunistic mixed-use developments in Sunbelt markets. Since its founding in 1958, Cousins has developed 20 million square feet of office space, 20 million square feet of retail space, more than 3,500 multi-family units and more than 60 single-family neighborhoods. The Company is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust (REIT) and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUZ. For more information, please visit www.cousinsproperties.com.