The Board of Directors for Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce Dave Neary as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer.
Neary has dedicated the last 15 years of his career to Habitat for Humanity, but his involvement with the organization goes back even further. He was part of the founding board for Long Beach South Bay Habitat, which through mergers is now Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles. While serving as President and Founder of Westland Construction in Long Beach from 1990 to 2010, Neary spent many Saturdays leading construction volunteers building Habitat homes. Volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors for 16 years strengthened his resolve to dedicate his time and energy to the organization.
He transitioned away from his business to join the Greater Los Angeles Habitat for Humanity as a staff member in 2010. Neary then moved back to his home state of Illinois in 2013 and led the DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity. He worked most recently as Associate Director of the Will County Habitat for Humanity and has served on various Habitat for Humanity International councils and task forces.
“Dave’s long history and commitment to Habitat is remarkable,” Mercer Ferguson, Board Chair, said. “We are excited to support him as he continues his passion by serving Richmond and its surrounding communities and our critical need for safe and affordable housing.”
Neary believes strongly in Habitat’s mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. He loves getting back to his construction roots on home build sites whenever possible and enjoys getting ingrained in the community through local advocacy groups. Neary looks forward to joining Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and helping the organization continue to set and achieve big goals.
“I am honored to join the amazing team at Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity during such a pivotal time for affordable housing in our region,” Neary said. “The dedication and leadership this organization has demonstrated in empowering working families through affordable homeownership is truly inspiring. With growing support for affordable housing at all levels, I look forward to collaborating with our community, local leaders, and partners to expand opportunities for families to achieve stability, build equity, and thrive. Together, we can continue to build not just homes, but hope and a stronger future for Metro Richmond.”
Neary will be taking over as CEO on February 24, 2025. Richmond Habitat’s interim CEO, Mary Kay Huss, will be going back into retirement after stepping back into the role in August 2024.
“We are so fortunate to attract a CEO of Dave’s caliber,” Huss said. “With his leadership, Richmond Habitat is poised to grow and make an even bigger impact in the world of affordable housing.”
