HUD SOUTHEAST REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR ED JENNINGS JR., NAMES KEITH RICHARDSON AS HUD'S NASHVILLE, TN, FIELD OFFICE DIRECTOR

Keith Richardson, Nashville Field Office Director, swears to the Oath of Office while Region IV Administrator, Ed Jennings, Jr. reads the Oath.

ATLANTA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr., today announced the selection of Keith E. Richardson to serve as HUD Field Office Director for Nashville, Tennessee including 37 counties in Middle Tennessee, beginning May 16, 2011.

As the Nashville Field Office Director, Richardson will serve as HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, congressional delegations, nonprofit groups, private entities, faith based groups, other stakeholders and individual Americans. He will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities and individuals, as well as evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness.

"Keith is the ideal person to help us nurture partnerships in the Nashville Metro Area and North Tennessee. His selection will enhance the delivery of services and programs to the communities that rely on them," said Jennings. "His economic / community development experiences will be great assets to us as we assist communities during these challenging economic times. Keith is a native of Tennessee and I am excited as he is acutely aware of and understands the state and HUD's mission in a very challenging housing market."

"To be selected to lead the dedicated HUD professionals in the Nashville office at this point in my career is both humbling and energizing. These are increasingly demanding times for the families and individuals that the Department and our partners serve. My goal will be to make a difference... for those families, their communities, and the agencies with and through which HUD works," said Keith Richardson.

Most recently, Mr. Richardson served as Field Office Director's Liaison in the Knoxville HUD office. He began his employment with the agency when he was selected in a national competition to receive one of 200 Community Builder Fellowships in October of 1998.

Prior to joining HUD Mr. Richardson served as Executive Director of the Partnership for Neighborhood Improvement (PNI) addressing issues challenging Knoxville's low-income, inner-city neighborhoods. He previously managed the Affordable Housing Trust Fund at the East Tennessee Foundation, and for a decade he also taught a course in Housing at the University of Tennessee's School of Planning.

With over 30 years of involvement in issues relating to housing and the poor, his previous jobs have included directing an inter-faith center for the homeless, working as a private consultant in rural housing and corrections, and serving
as housing specialist for a regional planning agency.

Born in Columbia and a U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Richardson holds degrees in English and Architecture from the University of Tennessee.

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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.