Rebuilding Together Announces Appointment of New Officers to Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 21, 2018 – Rebuilding Together, the leading national nonprofit organization that provides critical home repairs to individuals in need and revitalizes communities throughout the country, is pleased to announce new officers for 2018-2019.  

Kevin Rafferty (Houston, Texas) will serve as Chair, Guy Cecala (Bethesda, Md.) will serve as Vice Chair, Carrie Teffner (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) will serve as Treasurer and Jim Kelly (Rockville, Md.) will serve as Secretary.

“We are very fortunate to have such a high caliber of dedicated individuals as officers of our board on directors,” said Caroline Blakely, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “They each bring a unique perspective and broad set of skills. I look forward to their contributions to our mission as Rebuilding Together continues to expand its work to our neighbors in need.”

About Kevin Rafferty:
Kevin Rafferty is Executive Vice President, Business Development at Hancock Whitney Bank based in Houston, Texas. His previous work experience includes leadership and management positions with First American Bank, IberiaBank and Whitney National Bank. Mr. Rafferty is active in the community and currently serves on the board of numerous charitable and civic organizations, including Rebuilding Together and the Waldo Burton Home. He also served as Chairman of New Orleans Lighthouse for the Blind and the New Orleans Children’s Museum, and was a member of the Tulane Association of Business Alumni. Prior to joining the national Rebuilding Together board, he served as Vice Chairman of Rebuilding Together's Houston affiliate.

About Guy Cecala:
Guy Cecala is the CEO and publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance, a specialized news and information company, based in Bethesda, Md., that he founded in 1984. The company is devoted to providing in-depth coverage and analysis of the U.S. mortgage market. He is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, USA Today and other major newspapers. Mr. Cecala has also appeared on major news networks, including NBC, CNBC ABC, CBS, FOX and PBS. He earned a B.A. in English from Boston College and holds a M.A. in Journalism from the University of Maryland.  

About Carrie Teffner:
Carrie Teffner is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Crocs, Inc., where she brings 30 years of financial and operational leadership experience in the footwear, consumer goods and retail industries. Ms. Teffner joined the company in December 2015, after serving on the Crocs Board of Directors for six months. Prior to being appointed to the board, she was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for PetSmart, where she supported the retail company’s growth and evolution, including its $8.7 billion sale to a consortium of investors.

About James Kelly:
James Kelly is a business attorney with more than 25 years of experience structuring and negotiating complex real estate, finance, and general corporate transactions.  He is a partner with Blank Rome LLP and Chairman of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.  Prior to joining Blank Rome, Mr. Kelly served as the chairman of an Am Law 200 firm where he provided leadership and strategic direction of the firm’s legal practice and business objectives, and oversaw all aspects of the firm’s operations. Mr. Kelly received his J.D. from Fordham University in 1988 and his B.A. from Assumption College in 1983.

The board of directors consists of 14 members, dedicated to providing leadership to carry out Rebuilding Together’s mission of repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.