NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County (Habitat NYC and Westchester) welcomes Anthony Montalto as chair of its board of directors, and introduces two geographical subsidiary boards, with Peter Murray as inaugural chair of Westchester County Habitat for Humanity and Diana Reyna as inaugural chair of New York City Habitat for Humanity.
"The recent expansion of our organization reflects Habitat NYC and Westchester's growing regional impact and demonstrated commitment to meet the diverse, local affordable housing needs of residents across our entire geographical service area," said Karen Haycox, CEO, Habitat NYC and Westchester. "As we expand, we are grateful for the committed and passionate leadership of Anthony Montalto, Peter Murray, and Diana Reyna who bring to our mission unparalleled expertise and experience from the business, government, housing and philanthropy sectors."
Montalto, a partner at global engineering firm JBB, served as project manager on award-winning projects such as the Weill Cornell Medical College Belfer Research Building and SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. His portfolio includes work on Moynihan Station and for the New York Stem Cell Foundation and Brooklyn Health Center. A recipient of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project Award presented by Habitat NYC and Westchester, he has long supported the organization's mission. As chair of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers' committee on Community Sustainability Projects he spearheaded partnerships, supervising volunteers and fundraising and providing advisors on projects, including design reviews, building surveys, and energy audits.
"I am honored to serve as the new chair of the Habitat NYC and Westchester board," said Montalto. "We plan to continue to build on the past success of this amazing organization and our past chair, Doug Morse. We will continue to advocate and support our communities in New York City and Westchester by building and preserving affordable housing."
Morse, principal at Northlake Capital, served as the chair of the board of directors since 2015. He oversaw the organization through incredible, accelerating change, and will remain engaged on the board as immediate past chair. Both he and his wife Claudia will be honored at the 2021 Habitat House Party, hosted live and online on October 26th and 27th, 2021.
Morse joined Habitat NYC and Westchester's board of directors in August 2014 and became chair in July 2015. Doug and his wife Claudia are among Habitat NYC and Westchester's most impactful donors, sharing Habitat NYC and Westchester's work with their friends and family, inspiring others to become part of our mission.
"It's been an honor to serve as board chair of Habitat NYC and Westchester County for the past six years," said Morse. "I'm excited to work with the new phase of leadership. Helping hard-working and deserving fellow New Yorkers attain a safe and affordable home has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."
"We're in our strong position of growth thanks in large part to Doug's leadership and generosity over the past six years along with that of his wife Claudia and the entire Morse family who have improved thousands of lives across New York City and Westchester County," added Haycox.
Habitat NYC and Westchester will act as the governing entity for both Westchester County Habitat for Humanity and New York City Habitat for Humanity, and provide centralized staffing, communications, fundraising capacity, volunteer coordination, regional advocacy mobilization, and good governance. The subsidiary boards will oversee operations and real estate opportunities in their geographies and report to the Habitat NYC and Westchester board.
"I am proud to serve as chair of New York City Habitat for Humanity," said Diana Reyna. "Habitat NYC and Westchester brings hope to diverse families to be included in an intimidating housing market. I look forward to working with our government officials and community leaders City-wide on a renewed commitment to prioritize homeownership opportunities affordable to low- and moderate-income families in New York City, and to build more than 175 new homes in the next five years."
Reyna is the founding principal at Diana Reyna Strategic Consulting, LLC. A former Deputy Borough President for Brooklyn (2014-2017) and New York City Council Member for the 34th Council District (2001-2013), she is a longtime champion of affordable housing and equity in economic development, health, education, and environmental justice.
"As a long-time Westchester resident and long-time supporter of Habitat NYC and Westchester, this new board position is a true honor," said Murray. "I look forward to working in my home county, steering the organization as it begins to break ground on projects from Yonkers to Peekskill, serving my hard-working neighbors along the way."
Murray is the founder and owner of Dolphin Property Services, LLC, a full-service property management and consulting firm specializing in affordable housing. He brings to Habitat NYC and Westchester over 27 years of expertise in the industry, developing nearly 2,000 and managing more than 6,300 affordable homes.
"We also welcome to the Habitat NYC and Westchester board as vice chair, Melva Miller, chief executive officer at Association For A Better New York; as secretary, Andrea Himmel, principal and chief investment officer at Himmel + Meringoff Properties; and as treasurer, Brian Smalley, director of commercial real estate lending at Amalgamated Bank," added Haycox. "Together, we look forward to building a more equitable New York."
About Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County
Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County transforms lives and communities by building and preserving affordable homes with hardworking families—and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. With the help of thousands of volunteers each year, Habitat NYC and Westchester builds and repairs homes for families across the region. Learn more at http://www.HabitatNYCwc.org and connect with us on Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram at @HabitatNYC_WC.
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SOURCE Habitat NYC and Westchester
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