For Immediate Release
Media Inquiries: Roger van
Oosten
206-459-0954
August 31, 2012
Kirk Utzinger Named CEO of New Habitat for Humanity King
County
Affiliate
Will
Oversee All Habitat for Humanity Operations in King County
SEATTLE – The boards of
directors of Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County and East
King County announced today that Kirk Utzinger, former executive director of
the Community
Foundation of Westmoreland County, PA, has been unanimously selected to become chief
executive officer when the two affiliates finalize their merger.
In June 2012, the Habitat for Humanity affiliates of Seattle/South King County
and East King County agreed to move forward with a merger plan to create a
single affiliate serving all of King County. The merger will be finalized
within the next 90 days.
“I am honored to become the
CEO of the new Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving all of King County,” said
Utzinger. “King County is the 14th most populous county in the
nation, with a great diversity of businesses, geography and people. As the
county continues to grow, the need for affordable housing and workforce housing
for low-income families is critical to maintain a healthy, successful lifestyle
for all the county’s citizens. I believe a single King County affiliate will be
the leader in providing affordable housing and safe, sustainable neighborhoods
throughout the county. I can’t wait to get started.”
Utzinger will begin his new
position on September 17, 2012. Immediately, he will be overseeing existing
Habitat for Humanity programs, including planning new projects. He also will be
working with staff, volunteers, donors, government agencies, and leading
non-profits in the housing sector to further develop more effective ways to
increase affordable housing opportunities throughout King County.
“With more than two decades
of philanthropic executive experience leading both national and regional
organizations, Kirk is the right person to be CEO of, what will be, one of the
largest Habitat affiliates in the country,” said Frank Perry, chairman of the
board’s search committee. “This is an exciting time for Habitat’s critical
operations in King County and the boards look forward to working with Kirk.”
Most recently, Utzinger
served as executive director of the Community Foundation of Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he served in executive positions with the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona;
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona; The Christmas House, an inner city applied
music program for at-risk children; and The Mesa Symphony Orchestra.
Utzinger also has diverse
for-profit management experience, having worked with The Pillsbury Company and
Merrill Lynch. He holds an M. S. degree in Public Programs – Non-profit
Management, a Graduate Certificate of Non-profit Leadership and Management from
Arizona State University, and undergraduate degrees in Music - Violin
Performance from Arizona State University and Recreation Administration from Montana
State University. Utzinger, and his wife Kellie have two sons, Kole, 13 and
Karson, 11.
Habitat for Humanity of
Seattle was founded in 1986 and merged with the South King County affiliate in
2003. The East King County affiliate was founded in 1988.
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