Rhode Island Housing: curriculum vitae

about us

Richard Godfrey

Community builder, financier, lawyer, award-winning manager, public servant

1993 to present - Executive Director and CEO of Rhode Island Housing, a privately financed, public interest corporation dedicated to providing safe, affordable homes for Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island Housing has 170 employees and assets of more than $2 billion.

-Founding member (2001) of HousingWorks RI, an organization of business and housing organizations committed to better informing the public of the critical link between housing and the economy.

- President of National Council of State Housing Agencies (2004 – 2006)

- Founding partner (2007) of KeepSpace, a groundbreaking initiative to create communities where neighbors meet, people work and children play. KeepSpace Communities have Good Homes, Strong Commerce, Healthy Environment, Sensible Infrastructure, Positive Community Impact and Integrated Arts, Recreation, Culture and Religion.

1991 to 1993 - Partner, Hannoch Weisman, Princeton NJ with primary focus on large public finance and real estate transactions.

1988 to 1991 - Partner, Hawkins, Delafield and Wood, New York, NY with primary focus on large public finance and real estate transactions.

1986 to 1988 - Executive Director, New Jersey Department of Treasury with more than 6000 employees and responsibility for all financial matters of state government including budget, property, buildings, construction, pensions, taxation, public finance management and investments.

1978 to 1986 - Various positions, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance

Corporation including Chief Finance Officer, General Counsel and Interim Executive Director

1977 to 1978 - Larson Associates, governmental consultant and Licensed Professional Planner

1973 to 1977 - City of Trenton, New Jersey, Department of Planning and Development

Education

1969 to 1973 - Princeton University, Bachelor of Arts, Architecture and Urban Planning

1975 to 1976 - Syracuse University Maxwell School of Public Affairs, Graduate Planning Program

1976 to 1980 - Seton Hall University Law School, Juris Doctor

Professional Licenses

Licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey, Inactive status

Licensed professional planner in the State of New Jersey, Inactive status

Publications and public speaking

Richard Godfrey is a frequent and sought after speaker and commentator on finance and real estate. He is a frequent contributor on TV and radio, especially WPRO radio, and WJAR Channel 10 in Providence. He has made presentations at numerous seminars and conferences, including those sponsored by The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the New England Economic Partnership, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Enterprise Foundation, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), Standard and Poor’s, Grow Smart RI and the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA).

Awards and honors

Richard has been recognized with honors from many associations including the Senator Jack Reed Advocacy Award from the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, Providence Preservation Society as one of the top 50 most influential people, Senator John Chafee Award for Historic Preservation, Coldwell Banker Spirit of Home Award, Rhode Island Commission for Community and Justice, the Housing Network, LISC and NCSHA.

Richard always states that the greatest reward is a smile on the face of a person that he and his partners have helped.

Rhode Island Housing Workplace Awards

Richard manages with the philosophy that an organization must equally consider and meet the needs of its customers, employees and community. Here are a few recent awards.

-2008 Exemplary Worksite Health Award - One of 8 organizations in the State to receive the highest award from the Worksite Wellness Council of Rhode Island. Worksite Wellness Council of RI is dedicated to improving the health and safety of working Rhode Islanders by promoting and supporting worksite health promotion initiatives which meet or exceed national standards.

-Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility Award (Sloan Award - only 3-time winner in Rhode Island) - This prestigious award recognizes and honors Rhode Island employers that are successfully using workplace flexibility to meet both business and employee goals.

-EPA's Best Workplaces for Commuters - Best Workplaces for Commuters is an innovative program that provides qualified employers with national recognition and an elite designation for offering outstanding commuter benefits. Employers that meet the National Standard of Excellence in commuter benefits - a standard created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - can get on the list of Best Workplaces for Commuters.

-Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce “Rising Above the Rest” Award - Awarded to a Not-for-Profit for Business of the Year for companies with 50+ employees. Received the award in November 2007.