WALEGA SWORN IN AS HUD'S NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Richard A. Walega is sworn in as HUD's New England Regional Director

BOSTON - Richard A. Walega was sworn in as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Regional Director, serving the six states in HUD's New England Region which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

As the Regional Director, 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.

I am honored that President Obama has asked me to serve our Nation here in New England, said Richard Walega. 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. I look forward to humbly serving all my colleagues throughout New England.

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

Walega served as the Deputy Director for Modernization at the New Bedford, Massachusetts Housing Authority from 1993 to 2007 and as Assistant Executive Director from 2007 to 2009. Late in 2009, he was named its Executive Director and had been acting in that role since February 1, 2010 until March 5. 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.

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.