REIT Reports Lease Rejection

First Union Real Estate Equity and Mortgage Investments, Boston, has announced that Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., a tenant at First Union's Jacksonville, Fla., property, has rejected its lease with First Union in connection with Winn-Dixie's bankruptcy.First Union said it does not believe the rejection of the lease will have a material effect on its operating results. The real estate investment trust also announced the appointment of John Alba as its chief investment officer. Mr. Alba was previously a vice president of First Union and of its external adviser, FUR Advisors LLC.