David Reznick, one of the longtime leaders of the affordable housing industry, died Dec. 31, 2014.
He was co-founder and board chairman of Reznick Group, a leading accounting, tax, and advisory firm. An expert in Department of Housing and Urban Development programs and the low-income housing tax credit, Reznick opened his own firm early in his career with Stuart Fedder, whom Reznick met in second grade, and Ivan Silverman, a high school buddy. Leaving his prior job and starting his own company in 1977 allowed Reznick to focus part of his work on a subject that he loved–affordable housing.
The start-up would become a Top 20 national accounting firm. In 2012, the firm combined with J.H. Cohn to form CohnReznick, a Top 10 accounting firm.
As one of the pioneers of the industry, Reznick’s counsel was sought by real estate developers, syndicators, and lending institutions throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. His advice on policy issues also helped shape the affordable housing industry of today.
Reznick’s professional and philanthropic work was recognized through several honors, including being inducted into AHF's Affordable Housing Hall of Fame in 2010. In addition, he was chairman of AHF's Editorial Advisory Board.
He was also inducted into Washington D.C.’s Business Hall of Fame and Montgomery County (Maryland) Business Hall of Fame, the Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Award, the Smith School Leadership Excellence Award, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers Lifetime Achievement Award, the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County’s Paul Sarbanes Excellence in Public Service Award, and the National Association of Home Builders Award for his 40-plus years of contributions to the affordable housing industry.
Reznick was a founding member of the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes and was actively involved in fundraising for the research and treatment of breast cancer, children’s cancer, muscular dystrophy, leukemia, and lymphoma. He was also a recent recipient of Yachad organization’s Annual Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Community Builder Award.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra; devoted children Steven (and Lydia), Jodie (and Phil), Mitchell (and Diana), Laura (and Alex); grandchildren Josh, Nathan, Lila, Anna, Miriam, Jacob, Aaron, Kevin, and Sarah; and was the brother of Sandi (Bob) Burns.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Yachad at 1666 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C., 20009, or the David Reznick Memorial Foundation for Housing and Community Services, Inc. at 1400 16th St. N.W., Suite 420, Washington, D.C., 20036. Condolences may be made to the family at www.sagelbloomfield.com.
