Washington, DC, July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marietta Rodriguez, a national leader in the housing and community development field, was named president and CEO of NeighborWorks America today by the organization’s board of directors. Jeffrey Bryson, who has served as interim president and CEO since September, will remain on board until Aug. 17. Bryson, who previously served as NeighborWorks America’s general counsel and corporate secretary, has been with NeighborWorks America for 31 years. He plans to retire after the transition.
“NeighborWorks America is pleased to welcome Marietta into her new role,” said Grovetta Gardineer, chair of the NeighborWorks America board of directors and senior deputy comptroller for Compliance and Community Affairs at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. “Marietta brings a breadth of experience and knowledge to the position, with a proven record of leadership and accomplishment, and I look forward to working with her in this new role.”
Rodriguez has been with NeighborWorks for 20 years. Most recently, she worked as interim senior vice president for national initiatives, where she managed a national down payment assistance program totaling more than $300 million to support more than 17,800 new homebuyers since 2012. Additionally, she created an innovative business practice, enabling NeighborWorks organizations to operate their homeownership programs sustainably. Participating member organizations increased homeowners by 64 percent while decreasing service delivery costs 43 percent, and increasing revenue by 101 percent more than their own baseline.
“I am honored to lead NeighborWorks America into its next phase of serving the people and communities who need it most,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a privilege to work with the top-notch housing and community development professionals at NeighborWorks America, and the results-oriented network of nonprofits it supports. Together we can empower more individuals, create more opportunities and transform more communities.”
In her time at NeighborWorks, Rodriguez created and managed multi-channel marketing campaigns that drove awareness and helped achieve business and community goals. She raised more than $10 million to develop and distribute a multimedia foreclosure prevention campaign in conjunction with the Ad Council, resulting in more than $89 million in donated media placements. Rodriguez also developed and managed a multi-year Loan Scam Alert Campaign, resulting in more than $22 million in donated media placements. Rodriguez also formed and managed a coalition of federal enforcement agencies, nonprofits and local governments focused on sharing critical information on mortgage scam tactics and community impact.
“Many barriers can prevent individuals and families from having a safe, stable place to call home,” said Rodriguez. “NeighborWorks America and its network work to remove those barriers and make every community in America a place of opportunity.”
Rodriguez will begin her new position on Aug. 13.
“I would like to thank Jeffrey Bryson for his long history of service to NeighborWorks America,” Gardineer said. “Jeff will remain on board during a brief transition period. His skilled leadership during the last 10 months as interim president and CEO has helped NeighborWorks America continue its mission of creating opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.”
A downloadable photo and full bio of Rodriguez is available at NeighborWorks.org/CEO.
About NeighborWorks America
For 40 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp. (d/b/a NeighborWorks America), a national, nonpartisan nonprofit, has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and safe, affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $34 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
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