Board Stories: Meet our President, Bruce Warrington
“It’s a relay race, and it’s my turn to carry the baton. But there’s a team behind me that’s doing all the work.” That’s how Bruce Warrington, the new President of our Board of Directors, describes his view of what it means to step into his new role.
Bruce has been a member of our Board for three years, and he says he spent his first year doing a lot of listening and learning. Last year, he served as the Board Treasurer. Now, as President, Bruce says his goal is to take what has been passed to him, continue the good work, and find opportunities on the margins to make improvements.
Bruce has a long history of investment in the community. Currently, as Director of Real Estate Operations for UNC, he manages a portfolio of properties with a particular eye for how to be not just a good community member but a partner with the work of the community in Chapel Hill. Earlier in his career, Bruce worked in community development, so he has always had an interest in affordable housing and related issues. And Bruce has called Chapel Hill home for a long time, on and off since 1997 but consistently for the past 10 years.
“I’m excited about the opportunities to expand and extend our mission,” says Bruce, explaining that our work to grow in the affordable rental space is critical to achieving that mission. With the limited space remaining to build new houses and a significant number of people who aren’t necessarily looking for homeownership but instead for affordable rental opportunities, Bruce knows that the rental market is an important place for us to invest our time and energy. But, says Bruce, “I’m also excited about trying to find what the next big opportunity will be.” He explains that he’s particularly impressed with how the long-term staff at Community Home Trust have helped the organization navigate recent staff and leadership changes, and he’s excited about the energy and vision Kimberly Sanchez has brought to the role of Executive Director over the past two years.
One particular strength of the organization, says Bruce, is the Board of Directors. “Our Board is a very diverse set of stakeholders grounded not in just the community but also with elected officials, our homeowners and tenants, and folks coming from across the spectrum of interest across the community. They bring so many different ideas and perspectives.” Bruce feels that that this range of experience will serve us well as we begin our fourth decade as an organization.
“I hope that Community Home Trust can continue to provide the services that are needed by the community, and that after this year is over, we’re in an even better position than we were when I took on this role,” says Bruce.
