After 24 years of service to affordable housing, Deputy Executive Director Rob Ellis is retiring from KHC on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Rob’s dedication to the clients and partners we serve across the state is reflected in the great strides we have made in affordable housing over the last 20 years.
Specifically, Rob’s fingerprints are on Scholar House, a nationally recognized model for adults returning to school to better their career and family situations, and Recovery Kentucky, a nationally recognized model for housing those recovering from substance abuse. Housing vulnerable populations with dignity and providing a means for stable housing for individuals and families moving toward self-sufficiency are a part of Rob’s legacy to the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Most recently, Rob has led the effort to preserve affordable multifamily housing units across the state at risk of being lost to the lower-income populations we serve. In 2014, Rob was inducted into the Kentucky Affordable Housing Hall of Fame by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for his contributions in providing quality affordable housing to low- and moderate-income citizens in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
At KHC, Rob was a long-time advocate for employees, specifically ensuring KHC had ongoing trainings and procedures that protect the safety of employees when conducting physical inspections of properties, as well as that prepare staff to protect themselves when workplace situations arise that could place employees at risk.
For those who have worked with Rob, you know that his integrity, his heart, his knowledge of affordable housing programming, and his tireless work for those we serve is second to none. Edwin King, KHC’s executive director, noted, “Rob’s experience and expertise in the affordable housing arena is unparalleled. His thoughtful approach to solution building will be missed at KHC. I wish him all the best in retirement.”
Rob’s dedication to community building may come from a desire for us all to return to simpler times like those in Mayberry, with his favorite sheriff and deputy, Andy Griffith and Barney Fife.
If you would like to wish Rob well in the next steps of his journey or need to know the words to any theme song from a 1970s sitcom, he can be reached between now and Saturday, September 30, at 502-564-7630, extension 257, or via email at rellis@kyhousing.org. As of July 1, 2017, Lisa Beran replaced Rob as KHC’s deputy executive director, Housing Production and Programs. Lisa can be reached at 502-564-7630, extension 722, or at lberan@kyhousing.org.
