St. Petersburg, Fla. – Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County CEO, Mike Sutton, has announced several new hires to the organization. During unprecedented growth the past three years, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County increased services more than 100% during this time. Habitat Pinellas is now recognized as one of the top three Habitat organizations nationally, out of more than 1,300 organizations, based on new home construction.
Joining the Habitat for Humanity team are:
– Ms. Pattye Sawyer – Chief Program Officer
– Michael Alford – Chief Administrative Officer & Legal Counsel
– Sean King – Director of Community Relations
– Vito Sheeley – Program Services Coordinator
– Meghan Chisolm – Development Manager
“Due to our growth over the past few years, Habitat for Humanity is committed to long-term sustainability of our programs here in Pinellas County,” says Mike Sutton, CEO. “That commitment has led our organization to focus on retaining and attracting the best talent possible to move the Habitat mission forward. We are so excited about the addition to Pattye Sawyer, Michael Alford, Sean King, Vito Sheeley and Meghan Chisolm to our team!”
Pattye Sawyer, Chief Program Officer – Ms. Sawyer is coming to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County with more than 20 years of significant and progressive experience with community-based and not-for-profit organizations. For the past four years, Pattye has served in numerous positions on the leadership team for the Pinellas County Urban League. Prior to the Urban League, she spent more than 14 years with Suncoast Hospice as their VP of Community Health Programs. She has her master’s degree in organizational management and resides in St Petersburg. In Pattye’s role as Chief Program Officer, she will serve on Habitat Pinellas’ six-person executive team.
Michael Alford, Chief Administrative Officer & Legal Counsel – Mr. Alford took an early retirement from Raymond James, where he has been since 1994. His most recent position of 13 years was as SVP & Deputy General Counsel. He also served in positions of VP & Director of Litigation, VP & Director of Employee Relations, and Associate Corporate Counsel. Mike has his bachelors and a law degree from the University of Florida. He serves as the current Board Chair for American Stage in St. Petersburg and is also active on many committees at his church, Calvary Episcopal. Mike, his wife, and children live on North Redington Beach. In his role as Chief Administrative Officer, Mike will serve on the Habitat Pinellas’ six-person executive team.
Sean King, Director of Community Relations – Mr. King is a lifelong Pinellas County resident and has been involved in the community throughout Pinellas. He earned an undergraduate degree in Human Services as well as a graduate degree from Springfield College (MA). Sean is coming to Habitat after 10 years as the Chief Administrator for Solutions Behavioral Healthcare. Sean is also an alumnus of Leadership Pinellas and was recently honored by the Tampa Bay Business Journal with a 2017 ‘Up and Comer’ award. Sean is also a past member of Big Brothers Big Sisters – Pinellas Leadership Council and immediate Past -Chair of the St. Petersburg Young Professionals. Currently, he serves as the Vice-Chair of the Homeless Leadership Board; Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Pinellas Leadership Council; The Arc Tampa Bay Human Rights Committee; the Tampa Bay Rowdies Council; and the Habitat Pinellas South St. Petersburg Advisory Council.
Vito Sheeley, Program Services Coordinator – Mr. Sheeley joins Habitat for Humanity as Program Services Coordinator. A native of St Petersburg, Vito is a Lakewood High School and St. Petersburg College graduate and has been engaged in the community ever since. His career includes serving as senior policy advisory alongside former US Congressman David Jolly for Brighter Future Florida; district director and outreach coordinator for US Congressman Charlie Crist; outreach coordinator for US Congresswoman Kathy Castor; and field organizer for Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch’s campaign. Vito also serves on the St. Petersburg College Advisory Board Committee (Public Policy and Administration) and as an Obama Fellow 2012. Vito is a resident of St Petersburg.
Meghan Chisolm, Development Manager – Ms. Chisolm joins Habitat for Humanity as development manager, after three years as events specialist with the John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Foundation. Meghan has her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and master’s degree from San Francisco State University. Her career has included serving as the development coordinator at the Florida Aquarium, and membership & volunteer coordinator with The Morean Arts Center in St Petersburg. Meghan is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and resides in St. Petersburg with her daughter.
Craig Bothwell, Site Supervisor Journeyman – Craig brings to the team over five years of residential construction experience through his own company and supporting established builders. Craig has an International Business degree with a minor in German Language. He has also spent part of his career in education working both as a teacher and tutor, which will transition nicely to training our volunteers. Craig is a resident of Gulfport.
About Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County has constructed 451 homes for struggling families in Pinellas County, using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat Pinellas homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. For Pinellas County, that translates to as little as $27,000 a year for a family of four. Candidates must also demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat Pinellas to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that home ownership contributes to family stability, leading in turn to community stability. Additionally, Habitat Pinellas raises funds through their ReStore, a home improvement outlet where donated household and building items are sold to the public.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, contact (727) 536-4755 or visit www.HabitatPinellas.org.
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