Virginia Housing CEO to retire

Virginia Housing CEO Susan Dewey will retire Dec. 31, after 24 years heading the Richmond-based authority.

“Under Susan’s leadership, Virginia Housing made critical and timely strategic changes over the years to position us for success,” Bill Shelton, chairman of the Virginia Housing Board of Commissioners, said in a statement released Tuesday. “We thank her for her dedication and wish her only the best in retirement.”

Prior to leading Virginia Housing, Dewey served as state treasurer from 1996 to 1999 and was also an ex-officio member of the Virginia Housing Commission.

“A lot has changed since I first began working in state government more than four decades ago, but my commitment to serving Virginians, especially related to safe, affordable housing, has remained a guiding force throughout my career,” Dewey said in a statement. “It’s been my greatest professional honor to work with Virginia Housing leaders and dedicated employees, and with our private and public sector partners, to fulfill our mission of helping all Virginians attain quality, affordable housing.”

Dewey received her undergraduate degree and MBA from William & Mary and is a certified public accountant. Dewey serves on the boards of the nonprofit HousingForward Virginia and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. In June, Dewey was one of three recipients of the National Housing Conference’s Housing Visionary Award.

The Virginia Housing board will begin the process of identifying Dewey’s successor, Virginia Housing Public Relations Manager Adrian Robinett said in an emailed statement. The board plans to conduct a national search but has not finalized details.

Founded in 1972 as the Virginia Housing Development Authority, Virginia Housing works to help low- and moderate-income Virginians secure affordable housing. The nonprofit, which does not receive state taxpayer funding, provides mortgages to first-time homebuyers and financing for rental developments and neighborhood revitalization projects.