WNC Founder and Chairman Will Cooper Sr. has been awarded the David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award by The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. The award was presented to Cooper Sr. by Senator Mike Crapo (R-IA) and Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) at the 22nd annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards.
Held at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington D.C., the event honors low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) developments at the forefront of creating stronger, healthier communities in urban, suburban and rural areas nationwide.
“Will Cooper Sr. is appropriately known as a pioneer of the affordable housing industry, having been at the forefront of the LIHTC program since its creation by Congress in 1986,” said Senator Crapo. “He is a key member of the affordable housing industry who has helped show many how the low-income housing tax credit provides essential capital to underserved communities and provides key financing for small and rural affordable housing developments. Will is a nationally recognized leader and this lifetime achievement celebrates his remarkable career and work.”
The David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Cooper Sr.’s longtime commitment to supporting the work of the affordable housing and community development industry on the federal, state and local levels. He has testified before both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and has worked tirelessly for decades to create and preserve affordable homes for low-income families across the country.
“David was a friend of mine, as he was to so many in the affordable housing industry,” said Cooper Sr. “He was also a member of WNC’s Advisory Board and provided us with excellent insight. I’m very thankful to the board of the Tax Credit Coalition for honoring me, and for the incredible work the organization does on Capitol Hill to support the low-income housing tax credit program. And thank you to everyone in our industry who help to make our nation’s housing better and more affordable.”
Cooper Sr. founded WNC, a national investor in real estate and community development initiatives, in 1971 in Irvine, California. Over time, he built the company’s investor base to include Fortune 500 companies, insurance giants, and multinational banks, helping to bring private investment into the affordable housing sector. In 1997 he cofounded the California Housing Consortium to unite the businesses and organizations working to support affordable housing in the state in a nonpartisan advocacy effort, to great success.
David Reznick was co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Reznick Group, P.C. before the firm combined with J.H. Cohn in 2012 to form CohnReznick LLP. The success of CohnReznick is due, in large part, to the formidable presence David established in the affordable housing industry more than 40 years ago. An industry legend and visionary, he was known for his tireless work to create and protect affordable housing.
“Our founder, my father, has dedicated much of his life to ensuring the delivery of quality, safe homes to individuals and families in need throughout the country,” said Will Cooper Jr., president and chief executive officer of WNC. “He has not only helped lead the low-income housing tax credit industry over the past 30 years, but has also played a significant role in ensuring its success.”
