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style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;padding-bottom:1pt;padding-top:1pt;text-align:center;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;border-top:3.0pt solid #000000;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><a id="_76b4295f_97bc_4347_abfc_d3708335251c"></a><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</b></p><p 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style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50.08%;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" name="dei:EntityAddressAddressLine1" id="Narr_VS5A_Z2tPk66ItqYq2i5jg"><b style="font-weight:bold;">1711 Gold Drive S.</b></ix:nonNumeric><b style="font-weight:bold;">, </b><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" name="dei:EntityAddressAddressLine2" id="Narr_C69PFNjeykOrRyq4bkAwAg"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Suite 100</b></ix:nonNumeric></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" name="dei:EntityAddressCityOrTown" id="Narr_jj_P2AnTnUmdDEnXAdWreQ"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Fargo</b></ix:nonNumeric><b 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obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:WrittenCommunications" id="Narr_f2sDwNTCuEqPGf7xtwQNXQ"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></ix:nonNumeric> Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:SolicitingMaterial" id="Narr_QSQIKUZYUU2kaEMrL9GjUQ"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></ix:nonNumeric> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:PreCommencementTenderOffer" id="Narr_GDeYItIbrE6rHdMKFZ4WEg"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></ix:nonNumeric> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" id="Narr_PwVuIpxapk25BtXDWc_rDA"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></ix:nonNumeric> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR &#167; 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR &#167; 240.12b-2).</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Emerging growth company <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_4_19_2021_To_4_19_2021_jm9J1skOoEKJGvF15TDMPA" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" id="Narr_UrKv5zqrfEmKQUNt_kme2w"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></ix:nonNumeric></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. <span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;padding-bottom:1pt;padding-top:1pt;border-bottom:3.0pt solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="display:none;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';line-height:0pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:0pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><a id="_1c0965ba_9fc7_4481_837a_9e2d1ba8da62"></a></div></div>
<div style="background-color:#000000;clear:both;height:2pt;page-break-after:always;width:79.3%;border:0;margin:30pt 10.35% 30pt 10.35%;"></div><div style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.</b></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">(b) On April 19, 2021, Ryan M. Downs, Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Real Estate Trust (the &#8220;Trust&#8221;), notified the Trust that he was resigning from his position, effective immediately.  Mr. Downs&#8217; resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Trust, and we thank Mr. Downs for his years of dedicated and loyal service to the Trust and its shareholders.</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">(c) On April 19, 2021, the Trust&#8217;s Board of Trustees appointed Joel S. Thomsen as the Trust&#8217;s Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Thomsen serves as President of Sterling Real Estate Trust and previously held the position of Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Real Estate Trust from April 2017 until June 2020. Mr. Thomsen&#8217;s experience is set forth in the Trust&#8217;s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting held June 25, 2020.</p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">With respect to the disclosure required by Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K, there are no family relationships between Mr. Thomsen and any of the Trust&#8217;s directors or executive officers.  With respect to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, there are no relationships or related transactions between Mr. Thomsen and the Trust that would be required to be reported.</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">&#8195;</b><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div>
<div style="background-color:#000000;clear:both;height:2pt;page-break-after:always;width:79.3%;border:0;margin:30pt 10.35% 30pt 10.35%;"></div><div style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><table style="border-collapse:collapse;font-size:16pt;height:max-content;padding-left:0pt;padding-right:0pt;width:100%;"><tr style="height:1pt;"><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="bottom:0pt;position:absolute;width:100%;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:3.69%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="bottom:0pt;position:absolute;width:100%;"></div></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:46.3%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="bottom:0pt;position:absolute;width:100%;"></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Sterling Real Estate Trust</b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Date: April 22, 2021</p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:3.69%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">By:</p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:46.3%;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">/s/ Joel S. Thomsen</p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Name: Joel S. Thomsen</p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:50%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Title: President</p></td></tr></table><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div>
<div style="background-color:#000000;clear:both;height:2pt;page-break-after:always;width:79.3%;border:0;margin:30pt 10.35% 30pt 10.35%;"></div><div style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Sterling Real Estate Trust", "cik": "0001412502", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "900115411", "state-of-incorporation": "ND", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-54295", "film-number": "21845348"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1711 GOLD DRIVE S", "street2": "SUITE 100", "city": "FARGO", "state": "ND", "zip": "58103", "phone": "701-353-2720"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1711 GOLD DRIVE S", "street2": "SUITE 100", "city": "FARGO", "state": "ND", "zip": "58103"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "INREIT Real Estate Investment Trust", "date-changed": "20070917"}}
​
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):
April 19, 2021
​
Sterling Real Estate Trust
dba Sterling Multifamily Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
​
North Dakota
000-54295
90-0115411
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
​
(Commission File Number)
​
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
​
​
​
​
1711 Gold Drive S.
,
Suite 100
Fargo
,
North Dakota
​
58103
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
​
(Zip Code)
​
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(
701
)
353-2720
​
​
​
​
​
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)
​
​
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
​
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share
N/A
N/A
​
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:
​
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
​
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
​
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
​
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
​
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR § 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR § 240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company
☐
​
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
​
​
​
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.
​
(b) On April 19, 2021, Ryan M. Downs, Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Real Estate Trust (the "Trust"), notified the Trust that he was resigning from his position, effective immediately.  Mr. Downs' resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Trust, and we thank Mr. Downs for his years of dedicated and loyal service to the Trust and its shareholders.
​
(c) On April 19, 2021, the Trust's Board of Trustees appointed Joel S. Thomsen as the Trust's Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Thomsen serves as President of Sterling Real Estate Trust and previously held the position of Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Real Estate Trust from April 2017 until June 2020. Mr. Thomsen's experience is set forth in the Trust's Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting held June 25, 2020.
​
With respect to the disclosure required by Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K, there are no family relationships between Mr. Thomsen and any of the Trust's directors or executive officers.  With respect to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, there are no relationships or related transactions between Mr. Thomsen and the Trust that would be required to be reported.
​
​
​
SIGNATURES
​
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
​
​
​
Sterling Real Estate Trust
​
​
Date: April 22, 2021
​
​
By:
/s/ Joel S. Thomsen
​
Name: Joel S. Thomsen
​
Title: President
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​