(Mandeville, LA)—Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West, a top-ranking affiliate and leading home-builder in St. Tammany Parish, announced January 14 that Terri Gage, a seven-year employee in Habitat STW family services, has been named as the affiliate’s Interim President and CEO effective immediately. Gage holds a Masters in Community Counseling and has served at the affiliate’s Director of Family Services for the past six years.

The management change came with the resignation of Maureen Clary, who served as President and CEO for nearly four years and the board of directors for over ten years. Clary said, “I look forward to continuing the work begun with Habitat including the revitalization of the West 30s’ neighborhood in Covington funded by the Northshore Community Foundation and other initiatives to improve the quality of life for residents of St. Tammany Parish.” Under her leadership, the affiliate more than doubled in size from its first 20 years in existence: building and selling 177 homes since1981, with 107 of them finished post-Katrina.

It is estimated that every Habitat home generates approximately seven times the sales price in economic impact. Therefore, the 107 homes post-Katrina would be an economic impact of over $9 million in St. Tammany Parish. The affiliate has about 20 homes under construction at this time, mostly in the West Abita Nursery area.

Board Chairman David Crumhorn has formed a search team to seek a new president. “Terri will serve to keep Habitat’s mission moving forward until the position is filled permanently,” Crumhorn said. “I know the affiliate will continue its success because we are blessed with God’s hand in our work, and have outstanding volunteer leadership and staff.”

About Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West
Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing by building simple, decent and affordable housing. Since it was founded in 1981 as the tenth Habitat affiliate in the US and the first in Louisiana, over 100 repairs, 17 major home renovations and 177 new construction projects were completed and sold to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. For more info, please visit www.habitatstw.org. HFHSTW is a United Way Partner Agency.

Photo attached: (L-R) Terri Gage, HFHSTW Interim President and CEO with Habitat homebuyer Catherine James.