HUD Caribbean Office of Public Housing Wins Several Secretary's Awards 2016

Antonio Córdova, Manager of the Year and recipient of the Award for Excellence, with Secretary Julián Castro and Deputy Secretary Nani Coroletti.

Representatives of the HUD Caribbean Public Housing team received the Outstanding Customer Service Award on behalf of their team. From left, Antonio Córdova, Blanca Rosario, Roberto Lugo, Amabelle Aponte and Jesús Giménez.

Congratulations to the HUD Caribbean Public Housing team in Puerto Rico. They won three of the 2016 Secretary's Awards! Their Director, Antonio Córdova, was named Manager of the Year and also received the Award for Excellence; and the entire team was awarded the Outstanding Customer Service Award.

The Caribbean Office of Public Housing is a dynamic group of individuals who are committed and devoted to providing excellent customer service and positively impacting the people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The team works diligently to raise the bar in the quality of service provided to agency partners to provide opportunities, improve lives, and help strengthen communities.

For their Outstanding Customer Service Award, kudos to: Robert Lugo, Velma Byron, Domingo Garcia, Blanca Rosario, Juan O. Rodríguez, Nilsa Negrón, Jennifer Rodríguez, Damaris Santiago, Juan M. Rivera, Pedro Mora, Jesús Giménez, Amabelle Aponte and Jaqueline Ruiz.

Antonio Córdova, who received the highest honor, The Secretary's Award for Excellence is a visionary leader and expert ensuring that HUD programs, funds, and residents were protected during the Puerto Rico fiscal crisis. He took the lead in identifying potential issues for HUD and was instrumental in ensuring the security of $300 million in HUD funding. Simultaneously, Cordova led the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration in developing a 10-year strategic plan. The plan will leverage $1.1 billion, resulting in thousands of affordable housing units and the creation of 5,000 new jobs. He has also guided HUD in its response to the Zika virus, assisting Puerto Rico in developing a public information campaign for public housing residents and presenting best practice information during HUD's national webinar on the virus.

The employees and the projects celebrated truly exemplify the extraordinary caliber of work and dedication of HUD employees. The award winners, representing 64 regional or field offices and seven program areas, were recognized for their achievements across seven categories. To view more pictures of the ceremony and awardees, visit the HUD Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hudopa/sets/72157670367223631) page.

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