Habitat for Humanity of Wake County’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Bill Ahern will be the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer following a comprehensive nationwide search.
Ahern, who currently lives in North Venice, Florida, has a long history of working with Habitat organizations across the country. His career includes more than 25 years at the Federal Reserve, as well as owning and managing a retail business. Ahern has been involved with affordable housing organizations for the past fifteen years: he has served on the boards of the Charlotte Housing Partnership and Habitat for Humanity of Union County in North Carolina. He has also served as a board member and then interim executive director at Habitat for Humanity of South Sarasota County in Florida.
Ahern will assume day-to-day operations on Aug. 26, succeeding Mitch Rhodes, Habitat Wake’s COO, who stepped in as Interim CEO since March. The search was led by a committee of nine board members in collaboration with recruitment firm Armstrong McGuire.
“We are delighted that Bill accepted the position, and with his passion for Habitat and affordable housing, we know that he will bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to the role and the next chapter for Habitat Wake,” says David Booth, Habitat Wake’s Board Chair. “We are thankful for Mitch’s leadership during this interim period.”
“I’m excited to move to the Wake County area, where support for affordable housing is so strong,” says Ahern. “I’m also delighted to join a team of talented and dedicated individuals that make Habitat Wake one of the best Habitat organizations in the nation.”
Ahern’s tenure will mark a new era for Habitat Wake as the organization continues to grow to meet more of the local need: one in four families in Wake and Johnston counties lacks affordable housing. Habitat Wake’s board and staff are excited to welcome Ahern and continue to grow under his leadership.