Interview w/ Erin Rank & Darrell Simien (Habitat LA)

No one in Los Angeles is tackling the affordable housing quite like Habitat for Humanity LA! Erin (CEO) & Darrell (SVP of Community Development) discuss their 20-year tenure with "green-building", LEED certification, and other innovations in the single-family and community development space.  From denim insulation and drought-tolerant landscaping to new partnership initiatives with for-profit developers, you'll be impressed and encouraged by how HabitatLA has used sustainability to encourage lower energy costs for first-time homeowners as well as those needing renovation and weatherization of their existing homes.   Episode Sponsor: www.sustainablehomesofthefuture.com Contact Host: [email protected]   Erin Rank (President, CEO):  Erin Rank began her service with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) as a volunteer in 1995 and became the affiliate’s first employee in 1998. When Erin began her tenure, the affiliate was building one or two homes a year. Since she became president and CEO, Habitat LA has built, renovated or repaired more than 900 homes. Her ability to develop and implement strategies for success and her ability to understand market trends and respond strategically has helped the affiliate maintain its production goals despite fluctuating economic and real estate markets over the years.  She has served on Habitat for Humanity International’s U.S. Council, which oversees policy making for all U.S. affiliates of Habitat for Humanity, including the top position that can be held by an affiliate leader, Vice Chair.  She has also served as the Chair of the Board of Housing CA.  Her accolades include being named among the “Top 100 Irish Americans” by Irish American Magazine and she was named as “Alumni of the Year” by Pepperdine University in 2013. She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Missouri and a Master of Arts from Pepperdine University.   Darrell Simien (SVP of Community Development):  Darrell Simien is the Senior Vice President of Community Development of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. Joining the Habitat LA team in 2010, Darrell has the responsibility of managing the construction, real estate, and forward planning efforts for the Affiliate. With over 20 years of experience in the construction and real estate industry, both in the public and private sector, Darrell has been responsible for the development and construction of over 1,000 affordable housing units in the Los Angeles County area. In addition, Darrell created and managed programs aimed to increase access and affordability for first time homebuyers while working for the City of Long Beach. A native of Los Angeles, Darrell holds a Bachelor’s degree with the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master’s degreewith the University of Southern California.   Show Notes: Habitat for Humanity LA: https://www.habitatla.org/ Habitat for Humanity International: https://www.habitat.org/