Anne B. Gust joined the Essex Board of Directors effective January 1, 2024. Ms. Gust served as Special Counsel to the Governor of the State of California from 2011 until 2019, having previously served as Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the State of California from 2005 to 2011. In addition to her service as Special Counsel, from 2005 to 2019, Ms. Gust held various political and management roles for the State of California and Office of the Governor, helping to craft highly impactful political and legislative milestones and managing numerous statewide initiatives and candidate campaigns, including two successful campaigns for Governor of California. Prior to that, during her tenure at The Gap, Inc. (NYSE: GPS) from 1991 until 2005, Ms. Gust served in various legal and executive management roles of increasing responsibility, including as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. As Chief Administrative Officer of The Gap, Inc., Ms. Gust was responsible for the worldwide management of most of the company’s administrative functions, including real estate acquisition, leasing and construction, global legal and sourcing compliance, human resources, and corporate communications. Prior to joining The Gap, Inc., Ms. Gust was an attorney at the law firms of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP. Ms. Gust served as a member of the Board of Directors of Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK) from 2003 to 2010. Ms. Gust holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from Stanford University. Ms. Gust brings to the Board extensive experience in the private, public, and government sectors.