Joaquin Altoro, who recently served as CEO and executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), has been appointed administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service.
“We are appreciative of Joaquín Altoro’s strategic vision and leadership to help WHEDA advance affordable housing in our rural and urban communities,” said Kim Plache, WHEDA deputy executive director. “And, we celebrate his new role at the federal level, where he will continue to be an advocate for greater equity in housing and economic opportunity.”
Gov. Tony Evers appointed Altoro as WHEDA's CEO and Executive Director on June 3, 2019. Under the leadership of the administration, WHEDA has invested more than $2.8 billion in Wisconsin through its single-family mortgages, multifamily loans, housing tax credits, housing grant program, small business guarantees and participation lending. This investment has advanced 16,886 housing units throughout the state and helped 39 businesses and farms expand their operations.
Until a new CEO is appointed by the Evers administration, Plache will work with an internal transition team to ensure continuity of operations. This transition team is intimately involved with WHEDA's day-to-day operations and strategic initiative, said officials.
The National Council of State Housing Agencies congratulated Altoro on his appointment.
“The nation’s rural communities will benefit greatly from Joaquín’s expertise in housing and economic development and his commitment to racial equity,” said NCSHA executive director Stockton Williams. “As major partners of USDA’s affordable housing initiatives, we look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Prior to WHEDA, Altoro served as Town Bank’s vice president of commercial banking.
