It is bittersweet to announce the retirement of Fred Sheppard, who has been our Resource Development Manager for nearly 11 years. For over a decade, Fred has organized our Annual Auction and Golf Tournament, applied for countless grants, and cultivated priceless relationships with businesses and individuals across the county to keep our mission going.
Fred wrote us a lovely message about his time on the Habitat Whatcom team, which we have shared below.
In late February 2014, I joined the administrative team with HFHWC when our affiliate was in Ferndale. I was hired as Resource Development Manager and have remained in that position ever since. In those days, I was responsible to apply for grants, manage the donor database, organize all aspects of the annual Raise the Roof Auction, Golf Tournament, be a presence at the Lynden Home and Garden Show, and solicit three bids for materials and services from local building supply companies covering every aspect of home construction.
Back in those years, we were only four in the administration and building one home per year. Now, we are nine in the administration with 40+ homes in the pipeline. It has been my privilege to be part of this incredible and expansive growth guided by a board of directors and executive director with vision, resolve, creative and critical problem-solving skills, and impeccable integrity.
There is no greater satisfaction than attending a dedication ceremony when another family moves from poverty to permanent, affordable homeownership. That simply does not happen without the support of hundreds of individual donors, grantors, businesses and event sponsors with whom I have interacted over these past eleven years. I applaud and thank you all.
At the age of 74, I am willingly passing the torch of my responsibilities to a very competent younger generation. Over the years, having witnessed dozens of staff come and go from the administration, construction and store, I honestly believe that the current roster of employees is the best it has ever been.
I am happy to state, that although I no longer will be in the administration, I am not leaving Habitat. I am extremely proud to have played a role in our success so, starting in mid-January, I will join the store staff as a cashier where I will have the opportunity to meet and greet thousands of customers, who, by extension, are Habitat supporters. I very much look forward to my new responsibilities. In the meantime, I wish everyone all the joys and blessings of the holiday season. Take care!
Fred’s “semi-retirement” becomes official at the end of 2024. Marcelo Pratesi, our Director of Advancement and Communications, will oversee grants and development, and Kelli Fulton, our Events and Donor Relations Manager, will oversee our annual events. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about this transition.
