March 30, 2009, began on a Southwest Airlines flight from Burbank to the Bay Area where I settled into CHC’s offices that were then located in San Francisco and spent time talking with CHC’s Chair at the time Elizabeth Bluhm, and concluded the day with a meeting with BRIDGE’s then-CEO Carol Galante. Who knew that day would be the start of what has become a 10-year journey? As I reflect on these 10 years as CHC’s Executive Director, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you. This organization’s growth and triumphs are truly about our strength and collaboration as a team over the last decade and building on the foundation our visionary founders worked so hard to create.
I think of my tenure through the lens of CHC’s story: an organization that has a small but mighty team who has always believed it could achieve significant victories on behalf of Californians who need safe, affordable homes. I believe our steady mix of strategic decision making and believing we could always do more is why we are able today to count the passage of Propositions 1 and 2 in November 2018, as well as 2017’s legislative package, including SB 2, as among our greatest successes.
When I came on board in 2009, the Board of Directors and I envisioned us reaching these highpoints – and many others we’ve hit along the way. It took time, planning and reflection and constantly asking how we convey our value to a host of for- and non-profit businesses and partners that had not previously engaged in policy and advocacy work. Those early days forced us to examine what success would look like as we advocated for the production and preservation of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income Californians. I recall many conversations outlining why this journey with CHC would be meaningful not only for each member organization but also for the prosperity of all Californians – with CHC adding its unique brand of leadership to Sacramento policy making.
Today, we are still a small and mighty team of three CHC staff members supported by a team of advocacy and communications consultants who have a significant impact on public policy in California. CHC is now recognized as the leader in affordable housing policy but it sure did not happen overnight. It starts with passionate and visionary Board Members who provide guidance and support to me, Vice President of Government Affairs Marina Wiant, Director of Operations Nancy Martin, veteran lobbyist Maureen Higgins and our communications team of Paschal Roth Public Affairs. As a team, we ensure we have a healthy and robust membership, shape laws and work closely with legislators and communicate our core messages both internally and externally.
As I look to what lies ahead for CHC and myself, I am humbled by the fact that the state’s housing crisis continues to loom large and that many families, children, seniors and veterans are still waiting for a safe, affordable place to call home. I am immensely proud to get to work with each of you and play a role in ensuring all Californians have an affordable home.
Thank you for the opportunity to lead this organization.
Sincerely,
Ray Pearl
CHC Executive Director
