HOUSTON (March 24, 2021) – New Hope Housing, the state’s leader in providing permanent, affordable, supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless, has named a new executive chairman to its board of directors. Kenneth J. Valach, is chief executive officer of Trammell Crow Residential (TCR), Crow Holdings Industrial (CHI) and Crow Holdings Office (CHO). He previously served 12 years on New Hope’s board.
After joining TCR in 1989, Valach has served in a variety of positions. TCR is one of the largest developers of multifamily rental housing in the nation. In 2009, he assumed the role of CEO of TCR, where he was charged with leading the company through the Great Financial Crisis. Valach was named CEO of CHI in 2015 to help build a national platform for development of speculative and build-to-suit industrial projects. He became CEO of CHO in 2020. He also serves as Vice Chair of the National Multifamily Housing Council. A graduate from Claremont McKenna College, Ken is a member of the Board of Trustees. He also is on the board of Houston’s Coalition for the Homeless and numerous other charities.
“Ken’s extensive experience in residential and multifamily development come at a perfect time for New Hope Housing,” said Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO. “With our new Strategic Plan in place, Ken will apply his knowledge and background to lead our team, as we serve the most vulnerable families and individuals in Houston with affordable housing.”
Valach succeeds outgoing executive chairman Sanford W. Criner, Jr., who served a 2-year term in 2019-20. New Hope Housing currently has nearly 1,400 apartment homes at nine Houston properties, with 220 units across two complexes under development.
“I look forward to taking the helm of the New Hope Housing board, and together with the board and executive leadership, continue to create positive changes every day,” Valach said. “As our new Strategic Plan is well underway, I am excited to see where we will be next year at this time. We must continue to earn support from our community; this will lead to housing for more vulnerable citizens.”
New Hope Housing elected Frank C. Steininger to join its board of directors. Steininger, who retired from Civeo Corporation last year, brings with him extensive financial experience.
Steininger worked for over six years at Civeo, first serving as a consultant, before eventually becoming Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2014, and Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives in 2019. During his tenure with Civeo, Steininger led the organization’s global financial functions, including accounting, financial reporting, taxes, treasury, budgeting/forecasting and investor relations. Prior to joining Civeo in 2014, he was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and worked there for over 34 years. His primary focus was serving multinational companies in the energy, consumer and industrial products markets. He also led efforts on SEC registered companies, focusing on debt and equity offerings, acquisitions, IPOs and financial reporting.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Frank’s impressive financial background join our team,” said Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO. “As New Hope Housing continues to grow and develop more affordable properties, Frank’s experience in financial stewardship and investments as well as public and private partnerships will be a tremendous asset.”
Steininger expressed his gratitude to New Hope Housing for inviting him to join its board, and at such a critical inflection point. “With the organization’s new Strategic Plan in place, New Hope is poised to double in size over the next 10 years” Steininger said. “I hope to help this important organization achieve its vision and be prepared for responsible expansion.”
Steininger holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Akron. He is a board member of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, where he serves on the Executive, Nominating and Finance committees, and is a former board chair; a member of The University of Akron Foundation Board and the School of Accountancy’s Advisory Committee; and a board member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, where he serves on the Finance committee.
New Hope Housing elected Jeff Hebert to join its board of directors. Hebert, president of HR&A Advisors, brings extensive experience in resiliency planning, redevelopment, equitable and inclusionary growth and economic development.
In addition to projects in Houston, Hebert currently is leading projects in New York City, Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Newark and Los Angeles, where he develops strategies that mitigate future social, economic and physical shocks and stresses.
Hebert previously served the City of New Orleans in many capacities in the recovery of Hurricane Katrina, including as the First Deputy Mayor & Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Resilience Officer, and as Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.
He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Tulane University School of Architecture, and serves as Vice Chairman of FUSE Corps, on the Policy Advisory Board of the Reinvestment Fund, the Advisory Board of the ULI Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance, and the Board of the Urban Design Forum.
“With Jeff’s impressive background in city planning and community revitalization, he brings widespread experience in areas that align with the mission of New Hope Housing,” said Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO. “We look forward to working with Jeff and building on a solution for the lack of affordable housing for individuals and families, here in Houston.”
Hebert expressed his gratitude for New Hope Housing inviting him to join its board. “It is an honor for me to join the New Hope board,” he said. “The organization does superb work to offer housing and services to the homeless and those at risk, and to offer affordability to working families with modest incomes. I am proud to become a part of the team and bring ideas for solid solutions.”
Hebert holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Design and Architecture Studies from New York University, a master’s degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is a graduate of the Achieving Excellence in Community Development program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He was honored as a participant in the Future Leaders Program (PIPA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France in 2018.