HUD SECRETARY DONOVAN NAMES RICHARD A. WALEGA AS HUD'S NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Public Housing Leader with Extensive Housing Finance Expertise

BOSTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced
President Barack Obama's selection of Richard A. Walega to serve as the Department's Regional Director for the six states in HUD's New England Region including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Walega served as the Deputy Director for Modernization at the New Bedford, Massachusetts Housing Authority from 1993 to 2007 as Assistant Executive Director from 2007 to 2009. Late in 2009, he was named its Executive Director and has been acting in that role since February 1, 2010. He managed capital programs for the authority, led its
effort to receive four competitive Recovery Act grants and has been in charge of its transition to asset-based management. He leveraged more than $125 million in federal and state capital aid to modernize public housing and
has used his extensive experience in housing finance to oversee the rehabilitation and construction of affordable housing.

"Richard Walega's commitment to and knowledge of affordable housing will make him a valuable addition to our senior management team," said Donovan. "The residents of New England will benefit enormously from his experience and I'm proud he's answered the call to serve."

Walega said, "I am honored that President Obama has asked me to serve our Nation here in New England. Secretary Donovan envisions HUD as a collaborative partner working with its public and private stakeholders to protect and produce affordable housing, promote energy independence and create jobs. The President and Secretary also want
to promote sustainable federal urban development policies. I embrace these goals. While I'm sad to leave New Bedford, I look forward to humbly serving all my colleagues throughout New England."

In his new position, Walega will serve as HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, member of Congress, 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. Walega
is one of 10 regional directors in the United States.

Prior to his service with the New Bedford Housing Authority, Walega was a principal with the Agelaw Group where
he provided real estate consulting services to a variety of public and private sector clients. He also served as the Director of Development for Peabody Construction Co. Inc., in Braintree and as a City Planner in New Bedford. He
has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Boston College and a Masters of Arts Degree in Government from the University of San Francisco.

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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.