WILLIE TAYLOR SWORN IN AS REGION IV DEPUTY REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

ATLANTA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the selection of Willie C. Taylor to serve as the Deputy Regional Administrator (DRA) for Region IV which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"I am pleased that Willie Taylor will be our Deputy Regional Administrator during this important time of economic challenge and opportunity in our nation's history," said Region IV, Regional Administrator, Ed Jennings, Jr. "His vast experience, strong leadership and organizational skills at increasingly more demanding positions of responsibility from city, county and regional economic development will greatly benefit the communities we serve, our industry partners and our employees."

Taylor's DRA appointment takes place immediately. He will be responsible for advising and helping the regional administrator to ensure HUD's Region IV Office meets the agency's mission, goals, and performance measures in the delivery of services, products, and programs in: Community Planning and Development; Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Federal Housing Administration: Single Family and Multifamily; Public and Indian Housing, and Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities..

Prior to coming to HUD Mr. Taylor was the Regional Director for the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Philadelphia Regional Office where he served since 2008. His responsibilities included managerial oversight for the agency's financial resources and staff that covered thirteen states (Maine south to Virginia), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Mr. Taylor's career also includes serving as an Assistant County Administrator in Escambia County (FL); an Economic Development Representative for the U.S. Department of Commerce - EDA; and a myriad of professional & administrative positions with Miami-Dade County (FL) government.

Mr. Taylor obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Florida A & M University and holds a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University.

Mr. Taylor is married to Shunti and they reside with their daughter in Atlanta, Georgia.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.