A Message from DHIC President Gregg Warren
August 6, 2019
I have some personal news to share. After 34 years of leading DHIC, I have decided to retire on March 31, 2020. This is not surprising news to my colleagues and Board as I’ve been hinting at it for some time, but it has been a big decision for me to fix a target date and set the retirement clock ticking.
I am very proud of DHIC’s accomplishments and service to the Triangle, and it will be hard to leave this wonderful organization’s creative energy and problem-solving behind. During my tenure, we’ve completed more than $300 million of development projects, and have built 2,700 affordable apartments in 45 communities across 8 counties that are now home to more than 4,000 children, adults and seniors. And we have made it possible for more than 2,000 families to purchase their first homes. DHIC is indeed the leader in both the non-profit and the affordable housing sectors in the Triangle and beyond.
In our 45-year history, DHIC has focused on providing decent homes that are affordable to our families, offering a jumpstart to wealth building and a safe place to raise children. Or, in the case of our housing targeted to seniors, a location for them to age in place with dignity.
People often ask me how I could spend 34 years with just one organization. Much of my tenure is attributable to the joys of working with my 18 incredible colleagues, whom I admire and learn from each and every day, and our dedicated board of directors, currently led by Elizabeth Voltz of Weatherspoon & Voltz LLP. I will miss their collaboration and friendship most of all. But this 34-year tenure is also the product of the work itself, tangibly gratifying as well as constantly challenging and complex – figuring out how to make nearly impossible deals work with limited resources and multiple interests.
While it will be difficult to say goodbye, it’s time for me to make way for the next generation of leadership and enjoy many other things that I love doing, like riding my bicycle and hanging out in the southern Virginia mountains with my wife, Debby. I also hope to volunteer in some meaningful fashion to improve the economic conditions of our most vulnerable neighbors.
DHIC’s Board has activated our Executive Succession Plan and appointed a Transition Committee of staff and board members to coordinate a national CEO search. Look out for more details but be assured that DHIC is completely committed to continuing the high-quality work and responsiveness that we are known for as we go through this transition.
Thanks to all of you for your friendship, partnership and support through the years. I am happy to tell you more about DHIC’s ongoing work and the exciting future ahead. Feel free to reach out to me at gregg@dhic.org for coffee or a chat.