NAHRO’s Outstanding Professional of the Year Award

In the June 15 issue of the NAHRO Monitor, we announced new names for all individual awards to reflect their purpose in the award’s title. NAHRO’s most prestigious honor, the M. Justin Herman Memorial Award, has been renamed the NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year Award. It was established in 1975 in memory of Mr. Herman, who served the industry for decades, half of which was spent as the director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. Under his leadership, the agency expanded drastically from about 60 employees before he became director, to 462 when he left.

NAHRO President Sunny Shaw commented, “Each year we celebrate one of our members who has had a career demonstrating community impact. These award winners have expanded opportunity, shaped affordable housing conversations in their cities and towns and changed lives in the process. They exemplify the amazing work of housers across the country. This name change more appropriately defines that work.”

The NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year Award recognizes an exceptionally qualified person who has made significant past and ongoing contributions to the quality of life through service in the field of housing and community development. Recent honorees include:

• 2019: Vivian Bryant, Orlando Housing Authority, Orlando, FL
• 2018: Michael Gerber, Housing Authority of the City of Austin, Austin, TX
• 2017: Richard C. Gentry, San Diego Housing Commission, San Diego, CA
• 2016: Adrianne Todman, District of Columbia Housing Authority, Wash., DC

Nominations are now open for the 2020 NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year Award. Up to three professionals from agencies of varying sizes will be selected and honored at the NAHRO National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, on October 1-3. Apply now through August 17 on our Membership page on the NAHRO website. Direct questions to Sylvia Bowen at sbowen@nahro.org.