FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has named Everett McElveen as its next chief executive officer. McElveen will join the organization on June 1, succeeding outgoing CEO Becky Lucas, following 25 years of service to the organization and its mission.

McElveen brings more than three decades of experience in affordable housing and human services to the role. He comes to Habitat from his previous position as CEO of Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes (CASA) in Raleigh, North Carolina. There, he expanded the organization's affordable housing portfolio to more than 700 units and led their $27 million King's Ridge development, the region's first supportive housing community of its kind. A Cornell University graduate, McElveen has also completed executive programs at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School.

The selection followed a competitive search led by a dedicated search committee of current and former board members, assisted by a consulting firm recommended by fellow Habitat affiliates. The committee conducted an extensive review of 75 candidates from the local community and across the country before arriving at a decision.

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McElveen's career in housing and human services began as a case manager at a men's shelter in South Carolina, where he worked alongside disabled, elderly and homeless individuals. This early experience has shaped a career that has spanned multiple states and a wide range of mission-driven organizations.

For over 45 years, Habitat for Humanity has partnered with income-qualified families to help them build, improve and retain affordable places to call home. As a leading affordable housing builder and developer in Lee and Hendry counties, Habitat has repaired more than 400 homes, counseled over 3,000 families toward their housing and financial goals, and built more than 1,950 homes to date. This coming year, the organization will proudly mark a landmark milestone with the completion of its 2,000th home.

"Serving Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Lucas said. "I am incredibly proud of what we have built together, and I am confident that Everett's leadership, experience and heart for this work will carry Habitat into a strong and meaningful next chapter."

To ensure a smooth transition, McElveen and Lucas will share a meaningful overlap period, with opportunities for the broader community to connect with McElveen in the months ahead.

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For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties or how to get involved, visit Habitat4Humanity.org (https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.0ltHaQpg3qNzgwQPokCGP-2BZZkCIHw2jgUsWID0u94Gwy-2Bb9QG-2BlYRFphq2g4xOS-2B7BpW_qqnzJJVfxHIRzYO-2F1dHrJHuoqAKOnoDw5eX83Ltl21rGnAMiCywTwsNOQod0GJZs1wHFwP1oTRwn1lyaLOAse0B-2FDi0NJRIkHOPc4d-2FdthdKi0...).