NEWPORT NEWS — Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg announced the retirement of longtime CEO Janet Green effective Dec. 31.
Green has led the organization for over 20 years. Under Green’s leadership, the organization noted its operating budget “blossomed” from $250,000 when she started to the over $8 million today. In that time, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg said it has built and repaired over 500 homes, including the first 3D-printed Habitat home in the nation.
The opening and operation of three Habitat ReStores boosted its presence and impact in the community, it added, noting the affiliate manages three ReStores in Newport News, Williamsburg and Yorktown, plus an online ReStore eStore. The Williamsburg location is ranked the third most profitable in the nation. Proceeds from each of the ReStores go directly to Habitat’s mission of building more homes in the community.
Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in partnership with local families. Homes are purchased with a zero-interest, 20- to 30-year mortgage by families with low to moderate incomes.
Community has driven Green throughout her entire career, the organization said. She majored in social work at Michigan State University, but an internship with a court program punched home a message that resonated, as she grew frustrated with the cyclical pattern of parents promising change only to repeat their mistakes due to the odds stacked against them.
“Work to change the laws,” a professor and mentor advised. That thinking pushed Green to intern in Lansing for a congressman and, from there, she transitioned to campaign work.
“I was doing social work, but I was trying to help people on a grander scale,” Green says. “I realized I could make a bigger difference working for politicians who believed in what I believe in.”
That mindset carried her to the White House as Operations Director for the Clinton Administration.
Green dedicated much of her service to Clinton’s signature AmeriCorps National Service Program, which brought together people from all backgrounds to solve community problems and improve lives, a bipartisan initiative that continues today with AmeriCorps servicemen and women working with Habitat under Green, the organization said. She also served as Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee during President Clinton’s second term.
When Green was hired over 20 years ago at Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, she was one of three employees, along with founder Lorraine Austin and a construction supervisor.
“I saw it as getting back to my social work roots,” Green said. “I could make a difference and help people and still affect the larger policies that would impact people locally and at the state and federal levels.”
Founded in 1985, the affiliate built a total of 62 homes for families prior to Green’s arrival in 2003.
“Habitat’s motto is building homes, community and hope,” Green said. “I’m proud to say we’ve really done that. I’m honored to have served as CEO and deeply grateful for the support of our dedicated team, volunteers and partners who have made our mission possible. Together — because everything we do is together — we have made a lasting difference in the lives of many families. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this remarkable organization.”
The Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg Board of Directors has formed a search committee to recruit Green’s successor.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg and the search for a new CEO, please visit habitatpgw.org.
