The Housing and Community Development Network of NJ selects new ED

Network Appoints  Staci Berger  New Executive Director TRENTON - The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network), has announced the selection of Staci Berger as its new executive director. Ms. Berger will fill the vacancy created by Diane Sterner's departure beginning April 8, 2013. "I am delighted to announce that the Executive Board has selected Staci Berger as the Network's new Executive Director," said Raymond Ocasio, Network executive board president. "After an extensive search, a committee of board members, staff, and key stakeholders agreed that Staci is the best person to maintain the momentum and energy that Diane has brought to the organization.  Ms. Berger has served as the Network's Director of Policy and Advocacy since 2005.  In that time, she has been responsible for spearheading its policy work, helping to improve the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, adopting nationally-recognized affordable housing compliance legislation, developing solutions to the foreclosure crisis and fighting to preserve the state's fair housing policies and programs.     She led the Network's efforts to develop and implement the Network's "Advocacy Team" (A-Team) concept to strengthen and enhance the Network's visibility on policy issues. In these and other efforts, Staci has been thoroughly engaged in all of the Network's initiatives.   Prior to joining the Network, Staci worked for nine years with New Jersey Citizen Action where she went from being an organizer to the Political and Legislative Director.  As the Political and Legislative Director, she devised and implemented political, legislative, and electoral strategy for the state's largest non-profit, non-partisan independent watchdog coalition.  She received her Masters in Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University in 2004.  Staci worked as a labor organizer with the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and the Health Professionals and Allied Employees/AFT/AFL-CIO.  Staci graduated from Livingston College at Rutgers University, where she led student organizations working for affordable higher education in the Garden State.  "I am thrilled to take on this new role.  Our Network has grown into a wide collection of organizations and people working to make New Jersey a better place for all our residents," Berger said. "Our members and supporters are revitalizing our state's most distressed areas and are on the front lines rebuilding from Sandy.  They are creating the housing choices and jobs that New Jersey needs.  Our members are bringing together women and children struggling to lift themselves of out poverty and parents striving to improve their schools. They are helping veterans to find homes and people with special needs to live independently. Network members create remarkable communities, in neighborhoods and among people. I am honored to be asked to lead us forward into the future." The Housing and Community Development Network supports New Jersey's community development sector, collaborating with more than 250 members including community development corporations and other organizations to create affordable homes, expand economic opportunities, and build strong communities. For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.