MARK BREZINA NAMED DEPUTY REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR HUD'S SOUTHWEST REGION

FORT WORTH - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator C. Donald Babers has announced that Mark Brezina has been named as the Deputy Regional Administrator for Region VI, which covers the states of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico. Mr. Brezina, who has been the Field Office Director (FOD) in the Knoxville, Tennessee, HUD office for the past 18 years, officially assumed his new duties on April 24, 2011. As Deputy Regional Administrator, he will be responsible for HUD's day-to-day operations throughout Region VI.

"We're very excited to have Mr. Brezina on the Region VI team," said RA Babers. "His experience as FOD and great familiarity with HUD programs will serve the Region well. He is well prepared for his new role and will immediately take up his responsibilities."

Prior to serving as the Knoxville FOD, Mr. Brezina held the positions of Senior Community Builder and Deputy Office Manager in the Knoxville Field Office. Before that, he served as the Special Assistant to Region IV's Regional Administrator and as Resident Initiatives Coordinator, focusing on improving the lives of residents in HUD housing programs, in the HUD Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition, he served as Chief of the General Management Branch for Public Housing, managing 200 public housing authorities in the Atlanta, Georgia, Field Office.

Before beginning his federal career, Mr. Brezina was in private business for 12 years; played professional football; taught high school and coached football; and was involved in community development and neighborhood activities.

Mr. Brezina was born in El Campo, Texas, and graduated from Louise High School, Louise, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Houston in 1973, and a Master of Arts degree in education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1977. He has completed advanced studies at the
University of Maryland and at Harvard University.

He is married to the former Deborah Davis. They have three children.

Mr. Brezina said, "I am honored to have been named the Deputy Regional Administrator and for the opportunity to
help lead HUD into the future. I have enjoyed my years as a Field Office Director, and believe they have prepared me for the challenge of moving forward with the Secretary's goals of strengthening and promoting viable, livable communities across the entire Region. We are committed to working with our clients and residents to achieve those goals."

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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 and espanol.hud.gov.