HUD SECRETARY DONOVAN NAMES EDWARD JENNINGS, JR. AS HUD'S SOUTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Lifelong Floridian produced affordable housing, served as State legislator

ATLANTA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced President Barack Obama's selection of Edward L. Jennings, Jr. to serve as HUD Regional Director for the eight states in HUD's
Southeast Region including Tennessee, Kentucky North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

A fifth generation Floridian and son of the former Mayor of Gainesville, Jennings served as a State Representative
from 2000-2006 where he worked to expand access to health care, employment, transportation, and was a staunch affordable housing advocate to underserved communities. As founder of Jennings Development Group, Inc., he
helped to develop hundreds of units of affordable housing and to promote economic and community development in Gainesville.

"Today, we need to have people on our senior management team who have the experience to get the job done and
I have no doubt, Ed Jennings is just such a person," said Donovan. "The eight states that make up our Southeast Region will benefit enormously from his experience and I'm proud he's answered the call to serve."

In his new position, Jennings will serve as HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, Congressional delegations, (private and non-profit developers) stakeholders and customers. He will oversee the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities and evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness. Jennings is one of 10 regional directors in the United States.

"I am humbled and honored to serve this historic administration. President Obama and Secretary Donovan have a unique understanding of the role of home ownership and the development of quality affordable housing to the recovery of our national economy," said Jennings. "I plan to use my years of private sector and public policy experience to assist them in making the Housing Industry a cornerstone of the American job recovery and long term economic stability of our nation."

Prior to accepting the appointment as HUD Regional Director, Jennings served in the Florida House of Representatives where he was named one of Florida Trend Magazine's Top Seven Freshman in the Legislature. Throughout his legislative career, he served on various committees including the Vice Chair of Community Colleges and Workforce Development; Commerce Council; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee; and the Insurance Committee. He also served as the Chair of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators and the board of directors for the National Conference of Black State Legislators.

Jennings founded his development firm 12 years ago which has become an economic vehicle for revitalizing East Gainesville. As a business leader seeking to make a significant impact in his community, Jennings served on the
boards of the: Alachua County Public Schools Foundation, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Builder's
Association of North Central Florida and African American Accountability Alliance. He has garnered numerous civil and professional honors for his community and legislative contributions. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Florida, where he is also served as President of Florida's most prestigious leadership honorary, Florida Blue Key.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.