Empire State Realty Trust president, COO to step down

John Kessler, the president and chief operating officer of Empire State Realty Trust Inc., is leaving his position. Kessler will depart after "an orderly transition," the company announced Tuesday. Chairman and CEO Anthony Malkin will assume the role of president. The company won't fill the COO position. Empire State Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a real estate investment trust headquartered in New York City with office and retail properties throughout the metro area. It owns the Empire State…