FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 31, 2022
ATLANTA HABITAT ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN ADVANCE OF 40TH ANNIVERSARY
ATLANTA—Atlanta Habitat for Humanity announces senior leadership changes in advance of celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023. After nearly 11 years of service, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Maddox will retire in December 2022 with Rosalyn Merrick, former interim CEO and current Chief Development Officer, stepping into the role in January 2023. In July, Alan Ferguson was named President and CEO after an executive search resulting from the departure of Lisa Y. Gordon in January.
“We are truly thankful for Dan’s leadership and his passion for Atlanta Habitat has been evident, not just in his official role as Executive VP/COO, but throughout his many years of volunteer service,” said board chair Danielle Cheung, who serves as Bank of America’s Business Banking Market Executive in Metro Atlanta. “With Alan on board as our new President and CEO, and Rosalyn as Executive VP/COO, we’ll advance into our 40th year of serving metro Atlantans in 2023 in a very strong position for continued phenomenal growth. Together with our stakeholders, we are transforming communities through access to quality affordable housing.”
Dan Maddox joined Atlanta Habitat in February 2012 following a 27-year career at Georgia-Pacific Corporation (GP). Prior to joining Atlanta Habitat, Maddox was vice president, GP Harmon International, Rolls Division, India Business. He also served at Arthur Andersen and Company for 8 years (Accenture) as senior manager in the Consulting Division. In his 25-year involvement with Atlanta Habitat, he has served as a construction volunteer, as well as, served on the board of directors as both treasurer and board chair and has been a member of the Advisory Council.
Rosalyn Merrick joined Atlanta Habitat as Chief Development Officer in 2020. In the role of Executive VP/COO, Merrick will lead the organization’s daily operations by implementing strategic plans, building and managing teams, and providing oversight for the Family Services, IT, ReStore, Construction, Real Estate, Site Planning & Design and Warehouse departments. Since joining Atlanta Habitat, Merrick’s fresh, strategic focus on generating diverse revenues for Atlanta Habitat was instrumental in helping the organization emerge from the pandemic with resources to ramp up production and expand its programs. Her experience as a nonprofit executive and development professional includes over 20 years of experience in leading strategy, growth and impact for nonprofits and educational organizations and implementing multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns.
Alan Ferguson was named the organization’s President and CEO in July 2022. Following a national search, Ferguson was chosen for his extensive experience and expertise in affordable housing. Even as Atlanta Habitat advances its traditional focus on single-family homes, Ferguson will lead the organization to expand upon neighborhood revitalization and place-based strategies.
About Atlanta Habitat
As one of Habitat for Humanity International’s largest affiliates, Atlanta Habitat has made an estimated $40 million impact on affordable housing in neighborhoods across Atlanta over the last five years. Since its launch in 1983, the nonprofit affordable home developer has served 2,100 families (6,000 family members) or roughly 30-40 new families a year. With its 2021 expansion, enabled by a successful $15.5 million capital campaign concluded in 2020, Atlanta Habitat expects to reach nearly 1,200 additional families across neighborhoods in Atlanta, East Point, Fairburn and South Fulton now through 2025 with its first-time home purchase, rehab, and critical home repair services. Visit www.atlantahabitat.org to learn more.
