Five longtime leaders who have dedicated their careers to developing, financing, and preserving affordable housing were recognized at AHF Live: The Affordable Housing Developers Summit in Chicago.
Jim Logue, executive vice president at Cinnaire; Jenny Netzer, industry principal at TCAM, an MRI Software company; Joe Reilly, president and CEO of The Community Development Trust; Jonathan Rose, president and founder of Jonathan Rose Cos.; and John Rucker, managing director at Stifel, have touched thousands of affordable housing units and lives over the course of their careers.
For their work, they were inducted into the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame during a special awards ceremony. Here’s what they said:
“After spending close to five decades in affordable housing and dealing with many of the issues that I’ve shared with so many colleagues and who’ve done this for a long time, it’s really great to see the new blood coming into this industry. … That’s the best thing that could be happening to our industry, that we have young, energetic, creative, thoughtful, and committed people who are joining this very important industry.” —Jim Logue
“We’ve all seen now what happens when we put our mind to a problem and bring the appropriate resources to it. We can do a lot, but there’s so much more to be done. There’s an endless need for affordable housing, and I think we’re all understanding more and more every year how affordable housing has the potential to provide the opportunities to individuals and communities that can really change lives. We have to keep moving forward. We have to think big. It is really important that there’s new blood, new energy coming in. All of you young folks, you can take the whole industry, the whole enterprise, to the next level. We’ve got to continue to advocate for the resources that we need for housing production, but also for rental subsidies because that’s a key part of the puzzle. We have to continue to innovate and push the boundaries and not be shy. Think big.” —Jenny Netzer
“It’s always important to remember that the work we do is all about people. It’s about doing our best to provide stable homes for the residents of our properties. Let’s also remember that no one does this work alone. Over the past 45 years, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the smartest people in the world of affordable housing. That includes the team of professionals at The Community Development Trust. … There’s more work to do, so let’s keep building and let’s keep preserving affordable homes throughout the United States. The residents who live in our properties are counting on us.” —Joe Reilly
“My three daughters all started in the affordable housing business. … They’ve all been in the affordable housing industry. … It’s been such a great ride. I want to appreciate and recognize my colleagues and what a great job they do every day. I had a couple of game-changing moments in my career. First of all, Stifel acquiring our company eight or nine years ago was such an important thing for us because it gave us a national presence. It brought perhaps the largest sales force in the country that markets our bond issues today. It’s been a great national platform for our organization.” —John Rucker
“How lucky we all are to be members of a community that thrives by serving those most in need. … Every day we are surrounded by widening gaps in inequity, unhealed traumas of racial injustice, and the growing stresses of a hotter climate. May our gathering in these few days together not only be a celebration of what we've achieved but a launching pad for a more just, equitable, and regenerative world.” —Jonathan Rose
